The Bountiful Brighton Haul

So, what pretty bounty did I haul back with me from Brighton last Saturday then? Well, we did the rounds of the shops first, then we ate lunch and after that was the grand-swap.

Here's what came home with me last week :)

Shopping!

First stop was Ditto Fabrics (who have a great online store too by the way!).

All 100% Cotton (yay!).

x2 metres of Navy Blue/White Polka Dot remnant pieces.
x4 metres of Cream/Spot/Anchor-Print remnant pieces.
x4 metres of Blue Gingham.
x3 metres of Beige Floral Ditsy Print.
x4 metres of Deep Blue very lightweight cotton.

x4 metres of Dark Lilac very lightweight cotton.

See how lovely and lightweight it is?

It's now all soft and drapey 'cos I washed it the Sunday.

The blue and purpley fabric are the same type/weight. Gill at Ditto Fabrics says it's a little heavier in weight than fine muslin. (NB: When she says muslin she doesn't mean the thicker stuff we call "Calico" in the UK which across the pond in the USA they call "Muslin".) I'm thinking some tops for the warm summer weather - maybe some Sorbettos?

Next, on our stop was The Brighton Sewing Centre - here I picked up a few notions.

Pins - you can NEVER have too many ;)
Threads - to match the cotton fabrics from Ditto.

Buttons:-
Pink - is to match some fabric I have in my stash already.
Blue - matches the fabric bought at Ditto.


Then, a quick trip around the corner to see the the man on the market stall on Upper Gardner Street. Here, I found some lovely little pale yellow vintage buttons.

Plus, I got this mysterious thick yellow thread (I thought perhaps I'd use them to handwork some buttonholes on a denim skirt?). I'd heard others mention before that vintage thread (mainly old cotton's and natural fibre based threads I'd guess?) could easily break and be rotten. However, this stuff look thick, stuff and pretty darn strong, so for £2 I took a chance LOL!


The thread had some markings on the cardboard spool, so when I got home I did some Googling and found out what it was for.

This stuff is hardcore-industrial thread for shoes, leather, tents etc.!

Final shopping stop before our luncheon was New Fabric Fair. This store has a very colourful array of stuff on display outside

A pile of real leather offcuts for £2.00 Might make a cute purse/wallet! 

Outside of the store - an assorted display of curiously styled belts, Peacock feathers, sequinned fabric and faux-fur. Oh, and see the stripey rainbow-coloured satin fabric in the background? We reckon that would make a funky kids indoor play-tent.. but dress? Nooooo!

The inside of the store is a lot of fabric to see - problem is the setting is so tiny to get around that you only need to have 2-3 customer in there and you are overwhelmed. I think a trip back one early weekday morning when it's probably far more empty of visitors would give you better time to browse far more satisfactorily. I nearly bought some £9/metre seersucker Madras checked fabric (would've made a lovely blouse). However, I settled instead for this red and white beauty:

£3.50/m some Polyester/Cotton Blend Gingham - 2 metres came home with me :)

It feels pretty soft for a polycotton, so I'm thinking it must have quite a high percentage of cotton to it - as it doesn't feel as "artificial" as some polycotton's I've handled before.

Now, for the really interesting stuff!

Swapping-time!!!

I was able to pass on some fabrics to new happy owners, and in return the Sewing Gods deemed fit to bring these lovelies into my stash :)

Close-up view of the vintage patterns - I lurve them!

I kindly received these goodies from other sewists/bloggers. Thank you so much ladies!!!

Blouse Pattern - Bust 40" - so hopefully no FBA adjustment needed (yay!)
Dress Pattern - Yup, it will need an FBA!

Blue Floral Cotton Fabric - sooo pretty! Gonna make a top from this for summer I think.
Real Leather Offcuts (Navy and Grey) - are destined to become purses one day.

Essential Shopping Kit!

Kit I brought with me on the day:

(1) Trolley - for the fabric/notion haul (saves aching hands and arms LOL!)
(2) Shears (or sharp scissors) useful to get swatches in a store to think about buying another day. Plus we used them at the meet-up to cut up any long lengths of fabric during the swap (some of my donated pieces were over 4m long!).
(3) Calculator - helps working out costs - 'cos I'm useless at mental arithmetic, or for dividing up the lunch bill :)
(4) Notebook + Pen - if I don't write down what I bought, where, when & how much it cost then I WILL forget (sad but true!)
(5) "How Much Fabric Reference Cards" - no need to bring pattern envelopes with me when I have this handy gadget (from here: GwynHug.com)

Yes - last Saturday was a happy day for stash building :)!

P.S. Oh! And, this little handbag from Yoma might have forced itself into my affections too - they even give you a natty little bag to take it home in (I might use it to put my lunchbox for work in it!) ;)

Hmmm... this gorgeous little leather number called to me!

It's got a sturdy metal zip and 2 different detachable straps :)