I will admit to loving sales. Craving bargains. I don't buy anything just to have it, except fabric for my stash. Recently Hancocks was having a great sale (Is there ever a bad fabric sale?) and I went in with a list of fabrics for some fundraising projects for my daughter. We needed fabric to make hot-cold bags, their slipcovers and complementing fabric for hostess aprons. We needed sale, closeout, aka bargains.
The bolts were piled on long tables. My hand stroked them lovingly (Hello! My name is Heidi and I am a fabric addict!). Florals and stripes were pulled to find colors that would mix and match enough to look nice. It was a quest for beauty and potential sales.
We loved this floral. It has a great mix of colors making it super easy to coordinate a stripe and extra appealing to a potential buyer.
And this stripe. Bright and cheerful.
And this floral. Perky and dark enough to not show stains from messy cooks.
It wasn't until I had my pattern drawn and ready to lay out that I noticed I had picked up some 'designer' fabric by M'Liss Rae Hawley. I love her fabrics but sadly they are not usually in my budget. I want fabric for under $5 a yard and preferably $3 or less. I have 2 kids in college, so my budget is wrecked, LOL. The Hot House by Top Drawer isn't a designer but it is named. Most of my fabrics just have colored dots on the selvage.
When I started following quilting blogs, I started tripping over people raving over the various designers collections. I admit they are pretty and it must be gratifying to buy a group of fabrics and have them all coordinate without any effort. But .... my budget doesn't allow me to spend $10 a yard. And I'm fine with that. Less pressure to be amazing you know?
I have to say though, the M'Liss fabric is fabulous. It may come from Hancocks - a budget price fabric store rather than a fabric boutique, it is still great fabric.The colors are vivid. The thickness and texture is spot-on for what I need. I may have to relax my budget to include more of her lovely creations. Hindsight, I wish I had noticed at the store and searched for more of her fabrics on sale.
You can explore her story here ... M'Liss Rae Hawley
Do you buy collections of fabrics? Favor any particular designer or line? I can feel the upscale fabric world pulling me to the yummy side ... LOL.
Have a great day! Go create!
I know how you feel, I love looking at that designer fabric, but cannot afford it either.
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