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What a fandango it was

Monday, May 16

I've been a very naughty girl, I went out on saturday, and bought a lot of fabric. I can assure though, I am entirely blameless. It was all Karen's fault. Karen, you see, is the special lady who organised a super duper shopping trip to Goldhawk road, for UK based sewing enthusiasts. This is the second time she is organising such an event, the first being a trip to Walthamslow Market. I missed that one, because at that point I was so lazy with my sewing, I did not even know where my sewing machine was.

You can find a more detailed account of the Goldhawk Road trip on her blog.

The day started with me waking up at 6:30am ( I NEVER wake up before 7am. even on weekdays). So my husband knew my bank account was in trouble. The only time I woke up earlier than 6am, was last year, when the Next sale started. but I digress......

Goldhawk road is a 20 minute ride from my house, so I would have been fine to leave the house at 2pm. But NO. I had my sights on one of Karen's shopping bags she made for the 1st 10 people. So nothing was going to stop me from getting there early. Not even the promise of a hot Zingger burger.
Picture stolen from Karen's blog ( sorry Karen)
I got to Shepherd's bush at 12:30, and decided to stop by LK Bennet in Westfields shopping centre, to have a closer look at the Selina dress I blogged about earlier. Next stop was Goldhawk road, just because I could not help myself anymore. It was my intention to buy nothing, but then, Goldhawk road is Goldhawk road is Goldhawk, and I am yet to find anyone (who loves sewing) who has been to Goldhawk road, and came out empty handed. So, I bought a couple of things I found in the remnant pile.

I met up with Karen and other girls in a nearby pub. By "other girls", I mean Zoe, Jane, and Winnie, all of whom I have been cyber stalking so much, it might be considered illegal.
Karen, Jane, Winnie, and Zoe
After downing a pint (badly needed), I followed them to where the action was.

Can you identify yourself?
She divided us into four groups, and asked us to go forth and conquer. and conquer we did.

It was so exciting being there. My group was made of Justine, Adrienne, Marie and Melizza, and we spent our time oohing and ahhing over fabric, then haggling like there was no tomorrow. We managed to get some bargains though.

At the end of it all, we met up with the rest of the girls at Vesbar, again pre-arranged by Karen ( is there something she can't do?). Kronnenberg never tasted so good.

Melizza and Marie




Now, to the fun part. What did I get?

I went there with the intention of getting fabric for my beignet skirt, a shirt dress from Lisette pattern, and for the selina dress. Did I buy any of those. NOPE!!!!!

I got these instead

Prints

Solids

Linning

A remnant to cut out the flowers and use as applique

and these (I'm not sure which), to make this dress
With this Butterick pattern 
Butterick 5416


Phew!!!! That was a long one. I am all spent now. 

I'm off to watch Mad Men. I only started watching the 1st series yesterday, and I can now understand why everyone talks about the dresses. I watch it with a pencil in one hand, and a notebook on my lap. My husband pays attention to the storyline, while I am nearby, furiously drawing the outfits. Expect to see a Mad Men-ish influence on my sewing projects in the not to distant future.

Have a nice week,

xoxo,

Dibs





















9 comments:

  1. Haha, great account of the day Dibs and again a massive thanks for haggling on our behalf!!!

    I'm so jealous that you've only just started Mad Men...you have a heck of a journey ahead of you...enjoy!!

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  2. Hey Dibs. So lovely to have met you on Saturday. And so impressed with your finds! Hope there's another one soon. Im hooked! :-)

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  3. Heya! Thanks for a great day, and for keeping an eye on me when I got left behind in random cellars and attics absorbed in cotton :P I must admit I am now seriously considering getting a blog! Can't wait to see what you make

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  4. Great to meet you saturday - I am looking forward to see what the results of a fabric fandango :-D

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  5. You were a superstar, Dibs! Thanks for leading a group.

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  6. Thanks girls. It was nice meeting everyone too. So much fun we had. I hope we do this again soon. Karen maybe an international meet-up? lol

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  7. Can.not.wait. to see what you whip up with all those finds! Well done on that massive fabric score.

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  8. I managed to come away from Goldhawk Road once with no purchases, but I was setting off on a four (ish) mile walk after that, and had brought minimal cash to make sure... It was still challenging!

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  9. Wow! What amazing fabrics.

    Sadly, the fabulous fabric shops of Goldhawk road are at threat of demolition.
    You can read the full details on Melissa’s blog:

    http://www.fehrtrade.com/article/444/save-goldhwak-road

    Please spread the word,join the facebook group, write to the council and lend your support in any way you can. Otherwise fabric shopping trips to Goldhawk road may sadly become a thing of the past.

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