A Quick Lesson In Modern Fabric Stash Building

There has been a trend in fabrics over the past several years, where more vibrant colors are selected for collections. It seems that each one that comes out is fresher than the last. I love the happy, feel-good hues and simple, less-than-complicated designs. Open fields with flower bouquets. Large, tiled prints. Oversize paisleys.

One of my favorite online fabric shops is Over the Rainbow. Laura Van Divier, owner of OTR, recently hosted a sale that I couldn't resist. I found some treasures I'd like to mix into my growing "trend" stash and incorporate into some upcoming projects.

Fabrics from FreeSpirit, Moda, Michael Miller, and Rowan

Of course when shopping sales, it is likely you won't find all of the colors or styles you prefer. My philosophy is to buy what appeals to you, then add in balanced color as your stash grows.

I found the leopard bag handles at a knitting shop that is closing in our tiny downtown. Immediately upon seeing them, a design for a simple bag to stitch up came to mind. A future pattern? Perhaps.

Sign up for OTR's detailed newsletters where you'll hear about upcoming and on-going sales, as well as all of their newest available fabric collections. Besides, when you sign-up, you're registering to win a $10 gift certificate chosen each month.

Recent Findings at Local Antique Mall

I love snarfing around at antique malls! Shopping an antique mall is the best place to find lots of treasures under one roof. I typically find bargains I would never have expected, and that's what makes it an exciting adventure.

The things I like to look for are textiles (tea towels, vintage fabric, feedsacks, table cloths, quilt blocks, and miscellaneous linens), indoor and outdoor furniture, sewing machines/accessories, antique buttons, paintings, etchings, prints, old picture frames, and unusual home accessories.

Unless I'm looking for something specific and/or for a project, I like to keep my purchases to a minimum. This is what I recently found while shopping with my husband at a Northern Indiana antique mall:

Ship hand towel and floral tea towel.

Vintage fabric pieces.

Full feedsack.

Partial feedsack.

What was amazing to me was that my total purchases came to $12.

As an aside, an average starting auction price of one feedsack on eBay is around $9-$10, and you can find novelty and rare prints starting at upwards of $65-$100. Surprisingly, I found the red tulips feedsack for $1, as well as finding the partial feedsack for the same price.

It sure was fun finding bargains at the antique mall that day.