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Hi and welcome…a quick word about this blog…
I'm a mad fabric collector but I've gone a bit overboard, so I've started this blog to re-home some gorgeous, top-quality fabrics at really great prices. Mostly ex-designer fabrics from places like New York's garment district and Milan's fabric mills, and mostly single pieces. Please see the 'About' and 'FAQ' at the top of this page for more info. (Australia only)Archives
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Anna Sui cavalli charmeuse cotton cotton voile crepe de chine designer dress embroidery flowers french georgette Gucci italian Italy Japan japanese linen M@rc Jacobs Marc Jacobs marni Milly Miss0ni Moschino NYC NYC designer Oscar de la Renta print rayon/lycra remnant scuba silk silk/lycra silk charmeuse silk cotton silk crepe de chine silk georgette silk twill stretch stripes thakoon viscose viscose/lycra wool woollen
Monthly Archives: November 2014
Lovely new Missoni SOLD
GONE NOW, MANY THANKS
There’s always something a bit uplifting about running your eyes over a Missoni fabric I think. The colours are so happy and joyous and singing together in harmony. And even those who may prefer the most monotone palettes will still be pleased with Missoni colours.
This one is a viscose/wool blend fabric. (more…)
Demi-Couture Part 2 – Prada
I debated whether I should title this post part 2 in the demi-couture series (such as it is…which is coming along slowly!) or if I should kick off a new ’embellishment’ theme.
Demi-couture would normally be understood to involve a lot of handiwork in the garment construction, not just the embellishment of the final piece. (more…)
Grey with black etched ellipses silk SOLD
GONE NOW, MANY THANKS
Just because I am offering up a lot of fabrics it doesn’t mean that I don’t love them. This is one of the very loved one – it is a superb quality silk, the print design is perfect, classic but modern, the colours are versatile. It is a great piece.
Brilliant designer wool/silk gazar SOLD
GONE NOW, THANKS VERY MUCH
There is a story to this fabric, and a few people can probably tell the same tale. 
(more…)
Dries Van Noten
The fabric just posted made me think of Dries Van Noten. He loves these dense and rich textures and has come up with some exquisite fabrics and designs over the years.
Black & white graphics cotton Sold
ALL SPOKEN FOR NOW, THANK YOU.
Now for a classic black and white fabric with an nice modern and clean graphic.
This is a medium/suiting weight fabric. The bonus is that it is completely reversible, with the black emphasis on one side and white on the other. (more…)
Flowers on fire hammered silk panel SOLD
GONE NOW THANK YOU
This is an amazing fabric. First, it is a hammered silk, and you don’t see this type of silk often at all.
Second, it is superb quality. The weight and drape is sublime. Third, the print itself is gorgeously intense with shades of deep cobalt, fire engine red and poinsettia submerged in shadows.
Jersey Shore designer silk SOLD
This fabric is something really very special. In fact I can’t recall seeing a fabric quite like this before.
Classic white with black thread silk suiting SOLD
GONE THANKS
I listed half of this fabric before, kept half back, but honestly, I am not sewing at all so this piece will surely have a better home than mine. It has been a while since I have made a Ch@nel-type jacket, but this fabric is just calling out to become one now. And it must have fringing.
The basic weave here is a rough-hewn effect black and white threaded weave and warp. Over the top, thicker off-white threads have been woven through. The effect is to make the fabric lighter rather than darker but still maintaining the classic black and white thing. (more…)
Milly spirograph daisies suede silk/lycra SOLD
GONE NOW THANKS
Ok, I really love this Milly print. I spotted it sitting high up on the top row of a wall full of fabrics in a tiny NYC garment district shop. Couldn’t touch it, couldn’t even see closely, but something about it called out to me.
When they finally got the bolt down for me, I swooned.
Millefiori silk crepe de chine SOLD
GONE, MANY THANKS
There is such an enchanting level of detail in this lovely little silk and I’m absolutely positive the print was inspired by millefiori glass work.
Milly orange & white graphic silk cotton voile SOLD
GONE THANKS
I’ve made a point of collecting Milly fabrics where I can. The prints are always engaging, the quality is fantastic, and if you can located the original garment then there’s good inspiration for your own ideas.
Black, white and grey cross-hatch stretch cotton SOLD
GONE, THANK YOU
This classic colour scheme of white, black and grey is made modern by the irregular cross-hatch pattern, looking like a graphic urban landscape.
Chl0e black & cream stripes cotton SOLD
ALL GONE NOW, MANY THANKS
My last piece on offer now.
Well, I’ve just set the scene for Chl0e in the post underneath this one (now further down in this blog). This particular cotton is from one of Chl0e’s best collections and made runway appearances as these dresses and tops.
Big bright butterflies Roberto C@valli silk GONE NOW
The time has come, finally, to relinquish this Roberto C@valli silk beauty that has had a prized place in my fabric stash for quite a while now.
Nothing I say, and none of the images, will be adequate enough to really communicate how stunning this fabric is. I can but try. (more…)
Designer botanical gardens cotton SOLD
GONE, THANKS
You could learn a lot about botany examining this lovely cotton. So many lovely blooms tumble around in a free-fall of flowers.
Missoni – blue blend wool SOLD
GONE THANKS
The cooler seasons will be upon us before we know and I for one can’t be happier as I am a true winter lover. I have a very big stash, full stop, and it includes a fair share of woollens and cooler weather fabrics. I do need to cull some, and my Missoni fabrics are amongst them.
Navy & indigo silk crepe de chine SOLD
I’ve looked and looked at this silk and still remain entirely unsure whether I should describe the pattern as a woodgrain or marbled effect. Maybe it can be both…
Milly spider mums silk charmeuse SOLD
NOW GONE, THANK YOU
This was a Milly favourite from a few years back, a fabulous silk that sort of suggests an oriental influence with the print pattern, hence the spider mums reference, but that could be just a rorchach test thing going on.
Chinese new year fireworks silk crepe de chine SOLD
GONE NOW, THANKS
Moving quite a few more silks along now, including this very excellent silk crepe de chine.
Foil & foliage silk/lycra SOLD
This is a New York designer fabric, not sure which designer though. It is a substantial silk/lycra fabric.
The fabric is fluid and completely malleable. It has the texture of a crepe de chine, but it is much closer to a 4ply weight silk, though it falls just a little bit short of that classification. It is a really top quality silk; just wonderful.
Ikat/crosshatch blue & white cotton stretch GONE
GONE THANKS
When I look closely at this fabric it appears to be a cross-hatch print. When I look from a distance it seems to have strong Ikat characteristics. I think it is a combination of both of these graphics.
Blue crosshatch silk twill GONE
PENDING, MANY THANKS
I admit I am really drawn to crosshatch prints (and there is another crosshatch type fabric I am also posting with this lot), especially if there is something a little bit different about them, as with this print where the crosshatch has become all swirling.
Th@koon 4ply silk crepe yellow paisley catwalk fabric SOLD
AND IT IS NOW GONE, THANK YOU!
Ok, so this one is special. It will probably go very quickly, if the interest expressed behind the scenes is any indication, but it is worthy of a longer post.
First, it was a big-time catwalk design for Th@koon from a couple of summer seasons ago. (more…)
Tokyo gardens silk charmeuse SOLD
GONE, THANKS
Now that I’m looking at this silk it really presents as a sampler of symbols and motifs from traditional Japanese textiles, especially kimonos and haori, but presented in a completely modern way.
The Mums are one of the most dominant features in Japanese designs and they are exploding all over this fabric, but you also see the bamboo leaves, the background hexagons and may other traditional symbols. (more…)
Big green embroidered blooms silk SOLD
GONE NOW, THANKS
A profusion of embroidered green blooms adorns this high-quality dupion silk. 
This fabric was an exclusive fabric from one of the mills that used to produce some of the best embroidered textiles out of Rajasthan. (more…)
Designer cotton/lycra cream leaf brocade SOLD
GONE, THANK YOU
I’m not going to be sewing again for years I think, and I’m facing up to it. If I wasn’t, there’s no way I’d be putting out this stunning J Crew brocade-come-matelassé stunner.
Purple pixelated silk crepe de chine SOLD
GONE NOW, THANK YOU
For those who may be looking for a dress length of great quality silk this might be for you.
Interlude – this is surely the dress of the year…
This is a dress of magnificence by Valentino and has now made more appearances in the recent magazine editorials than any other dress this season I think.
Image from Grey Magazine
Moschino neon flowers silk crepe de chine remnant SOLD
GONE, THANK YOU
Moschino designed the right garments for this sunny silk – lovely, swishy caftans.
Unfortunately there is only a remnant here, but it is still a sunny silk, no matter it’s a small piece! (more…)
Soft pastel flowers silk crepe de chine SOLD
GONE NOW THANKS
I look at this fabric and it makes me think of impressionist paintings. The basic palette is one of soft blues, pink and cream, but the soft mushroom outline adds a nice edge and stops the fabric from being too sweet, if that makes sense.
NY designer white and green chrysanthamums silk SOLD
THIS FABRIC IS NOW SOLD, MANY THANKS
In Phi!!ip L!m’s hands this captivating silk became stunning, embellished skater dresses that were snapped up at lightening speed.
I was very lucky to get this piece. It arrived the afternoon I visited a particular garment city shop. There was only this one length, and I understand that was all that ended coming out of the studio. (more…)
Save the Queen SOLD
NOW GONE – MANY THANKS
Bold fabrics seem to be a theme this evening. Some will know about Save the Queen; others, here is your introduction.
Save the Queen is a brand that was an early adopter of digital and montage prints. They have assembled some incredible montage fabrics for their garments over the years…more crazy creative stuff. (more…)
Miuccia and the grommets
Before Proenza Schouler did their fantastic thing with the grommets (see the post underneath this one) they probably went back over the archives and checked out how Miuccia Prada incorporated them into garments.
No doubt others have embellished with the grommets before, but did anyone make them such a design feature as this? (more…)
Deconstructed plaid designer viscose/lycra stretch SOLD
GONE NOW, THANKS
…keeping the stretch fabrics coming along here… They are so quick to make up, so versatile to have. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve struggled to find good quality, good fibre (non-poly), good design and reasonably priced stretch fabrics here in Australia, so I have bought up over the years.
Fiori field Japanese cotton SOLD
GONE, MANY THANKS
Continuing with the light cottons for a moment, this is a Japanese cotton, and they are always fabulous quality, with delicate flowers teeming all over the surface. Actually, it is apt that this is a Japanese fabric. The great Japanese designer Sacai used a cotton very, very similar to this is her most recent summer collection, which is just now hitting the stores.
I bet you haven’t seen a floral cotton made up like this before – a mish-mash trimmed with army green. Sacai makes it work!
DIOR COUTURE
Just sharing some exquisite images of the Dior Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2104 Couture collection. These gorgeous images were taken by Sophie Carre.
Paintball silk crepe de chine SOLD
GONE, THANK YOU
Take one quick flick through the latest fashion mags and gorgeous prints are everywhere.
This silk is the best of both worlds…a versatile black background with splashes of colour, as if you’ve walked out of an artist’s studio…or a paintball game? (more…)
Bloomsbury stretch cotton SOLD
GONE, THANKS
Here is a length of stretch cotton in a sophisticated palette of deep wines and army green, punctuated by splashes of magenta, cream and lime. It’s a print for print lovers…and those who may not normally be drawn to prints…
Touch of whimsy red & white cotton voile SOLD
GONE NOW, MANY THANKS
Red and white small motif prints are so happy and cheery I think.
This one is a very good quality cotton voile from the NYC garment district. (more…)
Designer cosmos silk GONE
GONE NOW THANKS
Here is a Phillip L!m silk and this is a new type of silk for me too.
Apart from the great good luck to have visited the NYC garment district many times, one advantage is to be exposed to so many different fabrics types that you ordinarily don’t encounter in the stores. It makes me realise that I have to expand my fabric knowledge when I have no idea what to name the types of silk.
Moroccan medallion graphics cotton voile SOLD
GONE NOW THANKS
This looks like a Moroccan inspired print to me, with the large scale motifs overlapping each other creating a lace effect.
The fabric is a cotton voile, possibly there is a bit of silk in it, maybe 10 or 20%, but I am not sure.
Indigo/white Ikat stretch cotton – Marant anyone? SOLD
SOLD, THANKS VERY MUCH
This is not a Marant fabric but the instant I saw it I thought of Isabel Marant and her iconic jeans…low rise, cuffed above the ankle, graphic prints, the coolest jeans on the planet.
This fabric is a medium weight cotton stretch and it is made to be turned into jeans/pants.
Gucci – a fabric with a provenance story to tell SOLD
THIS FABRIC IS NOW SOLD – MANY THANKS
Some 10 years ago Tom Ford dominated the fashion world, at his apex when he was the creative director of both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Every now and then he would produce an absolutely iconic work. A garment for the Gucci 2013 SS collection from which this fabric eventually derived was one of them.
Demi-couture part 1 – Bottega Veneta
Time for a moment’s diversion from fabric posting. I admit to a fascination with the fine details of fabric craftsmanship and have tried here and there to bring a few elements to my own sewing, with varying success. But I always like to admire the work of others.
Bottega Veneta epitomises the demi-couture approach.
Spice market silk GONE
GONE NOW THANKS
The colours in this silk are glorious…pomegranate, aqua, saffron, lime, persimmon, amber, on an off-white base, with dark scrolls linking the medallion patterns.
Pink daisies viscose/lycra stretch SOLD
GONE NOW THANKS
For the lovers of stretch fabrics here is another quality viscose/lycra with a pattern of charming small scale daisies.
Off white and black threaded cotton GONE
GONE NOW THANKS
Here is length of a cotton (or cotton blend? possibly with a hint of viscose in it?) from everyone’s favourite NYC fabric store.
It has a fabulous weave, with the black threads woven through to form patterns resembling ironwork scrolls.
Lace inspiration…
There’s some great inspiration around for how to bring lace to your garments without looking like you belong in a bridal party.
Prada Resort
Plaids and checks are as strong as ever; afternoon tea dresses Prada-style, lots of chiffon and georgette; beading and jewels made to look like top-stitching; the love of demi-couture continues.
Do you like seeing this sort of thing? I always like Prada, even when I don’t. But I really like this collection. This top-stitching them has been continued in the latest runway SS collection, where Miuccia used brocades, raw seams and top-stitching to abundance.