My meetings ended early for me, which meant more time for consumption, which society has trained me to believe makes me happy, and for which I begrudge society NOTHING. After I amassed a small boatload of gifts for Dan (can’t show you because he occasionally stops by here), it was time to hit up Stockmann to check out the Marimekko fabrics (again, pardon crappy camerphone pics):
As is often the case when I ponder Marimekko fabrics, I came away empty-handed. I can just never make it work. Many of the fabrics are better suited for home dec because of their weight and drape, and when they are light enough to be reasonable for clothing, the scale of the print is often too large to work. I’m sure one could make it work, but alas, I haven’t got that kind of design skill. I pondered that gingko print, but it would have been hard to fit a whole gingko leaf onto a garment. I also pondered that blue mini Unikko print on the bottom, but it’s laminated. I thought about a raincoat, but it felt better suited for an outdoor tablecloth. And at Marimekko prices, I decided it wasn’t worth it to buy some if I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to make it work.
Needless to say, I ended up being pretty glad I saved my Euros once I got back to Eurokangas. This store is all about top quality, and you’ll pay for it too:
Ooh, there’s my thumb! Here are some lovely ruby toned fabrics, including the softest silk charmeuse:
As you can see, it’s going for a steep 69 Euros per meter, and there are far more spendy options as well. I spent a long time pondering the many Burberry plaid silk shantungs, thinking that they would be wonderful lining for a classic trench:
Until I realized that I couldn’t really spend $150 to line a coat because I’m not married to a prince or a Trump. But it wasn’t all insane. In addition to reasonably priced knits and cottons, there are also designer remnants to be had by the kilo!
Of course, that prince would come in handy in the event that you actually want to buy a full kilo of designer remnants for 300 Euros.
From the not-designer remnant pile, I snagged about 2.5 meters of very lovely quality spring green seersucker. Perhaps not the most interesting, but I’d been wanting green seersucker anyway. Bad photo of said seersucker:
But my real splurge was this couture houndstooth that had drawn my eye almost immediately, but that I had first dismissed as being rather ridiculously priced for fabric without any cashmere in it:
At some point during my visit though, I picked it up and held it to my face in front of the mirror and I just felt so PRETTY. Not wise, mind you, but pretty. And the selvedge delights me:
I know you’re probably not seeing it from these photos and perhaps even shaking your head. But trust me- you’ll see once it’s made up :) PRETTY.
21 comments
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May 22, 2010 at 8:32 am
Cassiopeia
Gorgeous. I can’t wait to see what you do with that blue and white fabric! :D Xxxc
May 22, 2010 at 1:52 pm
selfishseamstress
Oooh, it’s even better than blue and white. My phone’s camera doesn’t do it justice, but it’s robin’s egg aqua and taupe!
May 22, 2010 at 8:52 am
queentanya
Yummy, yummy! I am just curious–how much did the Marimekko fabrics run? Too bad they were no workable. Looking forward to see what you make when you get back.
May 22, 2010 at 1:53 pm
selfishseamstress
The Marimekko fabrics were mostly about 24 Euros/meter for cotton broadcloth to about 39 Euros for the linens. Duck and other heavier fabrics were somewhere in between I think.
May 22, 2010 at 2:59 pm
queentanya
Thanks. They are so gorgeous. I will covet and not purchase vicariously through you, as always!
May 22, 2010 at 10:12 am
Elizabeth
I am so jealous! I had a friend go to China recently and because I am blindingly stupid I forgot to ask her to buy me some Chinese silk. Doh! Can’t wait to see what you have in mind for that last piece of fabric.
May 22, 2010 at 10:12 am
Alison
If you could just drop that houndstooth out the window of your plane as you fly across the UK I’ll pop out on my bicycle and pick it up from wherever it lands…
May 22, 2010 at 10:13 am
judi0044
Lovely fabric and I appreciate Merimekko; however, in the (approx.) $50-75 range not in my regular rotation. Thanks for showing us what they have to offer overseas.
May 22, 2010 at 10:54 am
Tasia
Oh how fun! Love your blue houndstooth, it does have a delightful selvedge. Thanks for sharing a little sneak peek into the Helsinki fabric offerings :)
May 22, 2010 at 11:09 am
Christina
I loved that fabric shop in Helsinki! I spent a month there and I would stop by there and the Marimekko store in the Kamp Galleria on the Esplanade (which has a fabric store on the bottom floor). Be sure to visit Cafe Esplanade also on the same strip for korvapuusti (cardamom buns) and coffee. Also, if you can, swing by the design museum. They had a textile design exhibit while I was there, but even if it’s not there, it’s still worth visiting.
May 22, 2010 at 1:55 pm
selfishseamstress
Oh, thanks for the suggestions! I wish I had more time, but I leave tomorrow morning. I did have a cardamon bun elsewhere, and I went to the design museum on my last visit a few years ago when they had a glass exhibit!
May 22, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Sherry
That shop looks like a must-visit – even if you don’t buy anything!
Your houndstooth looks a gorgeous quality. Sounds like you already know what you’re making out of it!
May 22, 2010 at 1:57 pm
selfishseamstress
I’ve got some ideas, but I haven’t settled on something just yet. But likely something sheath-y because that’s mostly what I make, and because it was such an irresponsible splurge that I only got 1.5 meters!
May 22, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Victoria Baylor
Girl, you had me drooling with this post! The fabrics over there are so exquisite! Although some are a little pricey they’re sure fun to look at!
May 23, 2010 at 4:44 am
Auntie Allyn
Ooooh, I do love Gingko leaves and don’t know if I could have resisted that fabric! But I agree, the print is a bit large! There’s a Crate & Barrel outlet store near where I live that sells Marimekko fabrics at drastically reduced prices, so that’s the only reason I’ve ever bought their fabric (don’t remember how cheap it was, but it was cheap enough that I bought several yards). Love the houndstooth fabric!
May 23, 2010 at 9:39 am
Kathi
Wow, the fabrics are amazing!! I would just love some of those bold fabrics for skirts! The laminated fabrics are great for purses – if you have a roller foot. I think a tour of the world just going to fabric stores sounds quite lovely right now. I would need to marry that prince or a Trump, though! Oh, I am already married. Oops!!
May 24, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Another pattern haul « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] that is pretty much what I was envisioning for my new houndstooth that I picked up at Eurokangas. I was going to draft it myself, but I’d rather pay New Look $1.99 to do it for […]
May 25, 2010 at 11:16 am
The Slapdash Sewist
Ooooh such pretties! I see you do not reveal the price of the fantastic houndstooth (LOVE the color). Probably wise, given that Dan sometimes reads the blog. `-)
March 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Fede
OH MY GOD!
:Q______________________
March 26, 2012 at 12:56 pm
isabelbinteriors
so where is the picture of the dress you made with the fabulous fabric ?
I love the way you are excited by fabrics – a pity you never came to my shop
(www.isabelb.fi)
Had a water damage though so most of my fabrics on rolls are gone !
March 26, 2012 at 12:57 pm
isabelbinteriors
waiting for the picture ! Isabel B.