This is where I was yesterday:
This is just a smidge of the lovely selection at Nancy’s Sewing Basket, where despite a gorgeous array of charming prints and top top quality wools, I failed to purchase anything. Somehow as I perused this store, everything I gravitated to turned out to be 100% cashmere. Sigh, the Selfish Seamstress and her expensive, expensive taste. But if you’re in Seattle, this store is definitely a winner and you don’t want to miss it.
All was not lost, though. I caught up with my old friend Mel, who is on a fabric diet and has barred herself from any new fabric purchases. We decided it would make for a good photo if we pretended something was REALLY funny:
And we also got to meet the adorable new mommy Christina of Assorted Notions,
who saved face by purchasing a turquoise zipper! Seriously though, is fabric gluttony a thing of the past?? Three avid seamstresses leave a wonderful fabric shop with one zipper among them?
I haven’t had the opportunity to meet many other sewing bloggers in the past, and I have to say, meeting Christina would have been a delight, as she was so sweet and charming, but I was too busy seething with envy at her lovely white Burda blouse with contrast topstitching. I think she had somehow sensed that I had traced that pattern out some years back and not gotten around to sewing it. Perhaps she has some sort of envy ESP. She didn’t say as much, but I’m guessing she wore it to make me jealous. And it worked.
Since she’s got a new baby though, I refrained from challenging her to a fight. (Aww, the Selfish Seamstress is such a softie!) Instead, I decided to wrestle one of her possessions from her hands and refused to give it back. **
This looks like a great sewing reference so far, and I don’t own a lot of reference books. I’m particularly keen on reading the tailoring section on my plane ride back, a topic about which I know very little:
Mel and I also checked out Stitches, another great independent fabric store, with yet another wonderful selection of prints, also well worth a drool-inducing visit next time you’re in Seattle:
And guess what… I came away empty handed again! Now readers, I understand that you’re probably disappointed in me, but 1) my lack of purchases wasn’t for lack of trying and 2) whatever, I don’t shop for your sake :) But that means that my total, rather mundane haul for the weekend consists of two patterns and a half yard of fusible fleece from the sale at Jo-ann. What can I say, I’m a model of restraint.
In any case, although I’m leaving with a suitcase only half-full (or, as your rather pessimistic Selfish Seamstress likes to think, HALF-EMPTY), the trip has been great. Old and new sewing buddies, a little interaction with really soft cashmere, and 99 cent patterns are nothing to sneeze at.
Oh, and I may have managed to snag three packages of Chukar cherries from Pike’s Place Market:
What’s that you say? You only see two packages? Hmmm… I wonder why that is. Perhaps just a little gluttony has been happening here on my end…
** It is possible that Christina meant to give the book to me anyway- if so that would explain the gift wrap (Thank you, Christina!) But the Selfish Seamstress sees no reason to wait until something is offered when she can simply snatch it away like a spoiled child.
17 comments
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July 6, 2010 at 8:38 am
Miss Celie
I * adore* Christina and am so jealous that you got to spend time with her. I also really kind of love Pike Place Market.
July 6, 2010 at 8:38 am
Miss Celie
Oh wait. I also love your German Post shoulder bag!
July 6, 2010 at 8:49 am
Colleen P.
All the poor cashmere, waiting so patiently for you for so long…rejected. I suppose I can understand how all the envious seething prevented you from really indulging yourself though. How dare she wear that blouse!
I don’t know what Chukar Cherries are but I think I could learn to love them…
July 6, 2010 at 9:06 am
Nikole
A little restraint never hurt anyone, I’ve been doing that until my current stash get’s depleted. I buy more than I sew and I don’t sew becuz my darn cam broke and I can’t take any pictures so there’s no motivation
July 6, 2010 at 9:23 am
Tasia
Wow, such self-control! I’m surprised with three people that sew, you walked out with just a zipper.. that book looks fantastic though!
July 6, 2010 at 10:10 am
Gordita
I’m seething with envy over that adorable skirt you’re wearing.
July 6, 2010 at 10:14 am
Amy
Your skirt looks fantastic on you. I am now thinking polka dot shopping is in my future – and I never thought that before!
July 6, 2010 at 10:17 am
Carolyn
You are going to love the Adele Margolis book…and I see more of her books in your future! So glad you got to meet Christina…and a little jealous too…did she have new baby pictures?
July 6, 2010 at 11:20 am
Christina
It was great to meet you in person! Thanks for the Patrones & hot chocolate!
July 6, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Angela
Hehe.. nice control! I went a little crazy with fabric purchases this past week… hehe… I’m going to have to learn this self-control thing. :)
July 6, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Gail
I’ve always wanted to meet Christina. I see that you are wearing the Prime Ministerial skirt (new Aussie PM Julia Gillard has a thing for big dots). love it.
July 6, 2010 at 4:28 pm
lin3arossa
You’re so strong to have resisted all those pretty fabrics! And I love the Deutsche Post handbag!
July 7, 2010 at 3:35 am
Shona
ohhhh I spy feathers. drool
July 7, 2010 at 3:49 am
Melody
I can’t wait to hear your experiences with that McCall’s shirt pattern. I tried to make that once and I can’t believe they released something that poorly done. The princess seams were nowhere near where they should be. I thought it was me, but looked it up on pattern review and someone else (knitmachinequeen) had the same problem. I just checked again and there were some successful executions of it…but I still can’t figure out why that fits so poorly on me.
July 7, 2010 at 10:46 am
selfishseamstress
Interesting… I didn’t actually look up reviews before I bought it. It’s one of those patterns that has separate drafts for different cup sizes– I wonder if maybe some of the cup sizes are drafted better than others, which is why some people have had problems and others haven’t? I’ve had a run of really good luck with the drafting of McCall patterns lately, so it didn’t occur to me to check this one beforehand. I’ll keep my fingers crossed and let you know how it goes!
July 7, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Chrissy
Ok not really a sewing comment but all I can think about is that you are wearing a sweater. It is 100 here (Atlanta) today! The news says 95 but I got 100 on my thermometer
July 16, 2010 at 2:07 pm
amber
I’m shocked that not one of you bought any fabric!! So sad. :(
I have yet to meet any sewing bloggers, but would jump at the chance. Everyone always seems to visit NY for sewing stuff, but what about visiting LA?! Yes, I’m whining.