I find fabric shopping stressful. I'm no good at it and I can't choose things. Even if a real life shop, I get baffled and confused and a bit panicky. I like pre-cuts because someone else did the choosing. For the same reason I like bundles. And I love Peg and Becca at Sew Fresh Fabrics because, not only are they the queens of bundle making, but they are so great at choosing fabrics. I emailed them to order some Echino London fabric for a secret project I have in mind which you will see in June and I said - and add in some FQs that go with it. And look at this. How perfect? Totally perfect and no fabric shopping stress for me.
I would also like to say that, in preparation for that secret project, I invested in this book. Shame on me I didn't know that Lisa Lam, only the international queen of bag making and owner of bag making supplies shop, UHandbag, lives right here in the UK. There were a few bag making books on the shelf of my local bookshop but the others were not a patch on this one. If you now, or at any time in the future, want to make a bag. This is the book to use. It is comprehensive, detailed and understandable by bag-making numpties like me but goes right up to advanced bags, techniques and fastenings for those of you out there who are not bag-making numpties like me.
I would also like to say that, in preparation for that secret project, I invested in this book. Shame on me I didn't know that Lisa Lam, only the international queen of bag making and owner of bag making supplies shop, UHandbag, lives right here in the UK. There were a few bag making books on the shelf of my local bookshop but the others were not a patch on this one. If you now, or at any time in the future, want to make a bag. This is the book to use. It is comprehensive, detailed and understandable by bag-making numpties like me but goes right up to advanced bags, techniques and fastenings for those of you out there who are not bag-making numpties like me.
Thank you for pointing me to Sew Fresh Fabrics! Such cute things. I will be doing some shopping today.
ReplyDeleteI agree, they are the best. However, I like to pick my own fabrics! For me, that's the fun part!
ReplyDeleteFabric selection is one of my favorite things, so much so that I enjoy helping others who are fabric shopping phobic. I'd suggest starting with a focus fabric that you adore and then picking some light, medium, and dark fabrics that match or coordinate with your focus fabric. It can really be fun.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric! My daughter is just about to start her second bag. I wanted her to make something more challenging than a tote this time, so this book will be perfect. I have been on Amazon and ordered it, ready for next weekend. Thank you for the tip.
ReplyDeleteLisa's book is excellent, great reference for different zips, pockets, handles everything!
ReplyDeleteoh...now I want to start saying "numpties" LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe tonight I can casually mention "There are numpties in the conservatory"...
Would that even make sense? Oh who cares...no on in the states knows what numpties are so they can be anything!!
They do great fabrics, a perfect word numpties....haven't heard that one in long time. Kx
ReplyDeleteOooh, I cant wait to see what you get up to with Lisa's book, did you know there's a new one almost finished? I've got 2 from that bookmarked to make for June too ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove Lisa's book - it's so nice when you're making a bag of your own and you want a tip or two to point you in the right direction. I have to say at the start of your post I thought you were being ironic or something about the stress at fabric shopping. The most fun part of the whole process for me is selecting fabrics to play together.
ReplyDeleteI know - you are making the queen a bag for her diamond jubilee on that weekend in June - or is something else more important also on the same weekend. I'm such a numpty as I booked to go to France - there's always next year!
ReplyDeleteI a slightly addicted to SF Fabrics and that is a fab bundle.
ReplyDeleteLove bags and have had my eye on that one for a while.
Any book that has Bag and Bible in the title is worth a gander!
ReplyDeleteOoooh I got Echino London for Christmas (for June) too! Cheesy, but I don't care!
ReplyDeleteI love Sew Fresh Fabrics and Peg and Becca are aces.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I have a new book to check out!
Peg & Becca rock! Always so friendly, helpful & quick to reply, even though I know they are busy girls!
ReplyDeleteI love the vibrant tangerines in the bundle - lovely stuff!
ReplyDeleteYay for great fabric selections, can't wait to see what this turns into!
ReplyDeleteAs for that book, it is awesome, I refer to it all the time (although I've never actually made any of the patterns). Her blog has a whole heap of free tutorials too, which are almost a bonus extra!
Great fabric selections! I'll have to look for Lisa's book. I use her blog tutorials all the time for framed pouches and she has a very good tute on interfacings etc.
ReplyDeleteSuper fabric selection Lynne. Here's hoping I get some stuff finished, and the decks cleared this year so I can indulge in a SFF fabric package. I love bags and have seen Lisa's group page before, but I do love the Japanese bags too, the detail in them is amazing
ReplyDeleteI love Lisa's book as the first one where I've been able to understand the instructions :)
ReplyDeleteLove the bundle!
I find choosing fabric difficult too. Not because I can't, but because I need to have a project in mind before I choose fabric. I'm hopeless at just saying I like that fabric so I'll buy some.
ReplyDeleteI have the Bag Making Bible too and it's terrific. I've made several bags from it and the instructions are really easy to follow.
Lisa's bag making bible might just be able to break my bag block <-- LOL alliteration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantabulous stack of fabrics! I love that lime and the orange, oh and the purple ... that would be all of em then ...
I wish i could let go enough to let someone else choose my fabrics for me!
Hey - we could help each other out here - How about starting from our own focus fabrics, you pick out a bundle for me, and I'll pick out a bundle for you!?? Could be fun?
I love the word numpty
ReplyDeleteGot the book ! It is great and so is the blog, website et al! Check out Lisa's visit to Amy Butler's house! Cool gal or what!
ReplyDeleteLove what you are planning or at least I will! Must get me some of that London fabric!
ha, I've looked at this book on line and put it back so many times, just not sure, now I KNOW I NEED it! lol from another bag making numptie :)
ReplyDeleteOOOOh, so now I'm thinking 'cool 50s style London material + cool bag making bible book + JUNE' = my birthday present. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let me be right oh God of quilting.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that someone I hold up on a pedestal as far as sewing and quilting has a hard time choosing fabrics. ME TOO>
ReplyDeleteYou can do it Lynne. Bags are simply quilts sewn in half with handles on. I've used that Echino print for our passport holders! It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteWonderful fabric - good luck with the bag making, I think (hope!) you'll enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend bought this book for me over christmas. It is AMAZING. Can't wait to get started on one of the bags.
ReplyDelete