Friday, November 15, 2013

The Garment District In Los Angeles Is A Fantasy Land For Lovers Of Jewelry And Fabrics!

Started out with a trip to Mood Fabrics, because it was number one on our list.  Spent an hour trying to decide if it was possible to narrow down what I wanted to one or two pieces.  It wasn't, so I didn't buy anything at all.  I know - I was surprised at myself.  The prices are quite dear, so I needed to know exactly how much my finished project would take.  I wish I had that brown sequin fabric to make a tank top, but at $60 per yard if it takes more than 1/4 yard, I'll pass.

  This Brown Sequin Fringe is so beautiful!
  Been back twice to Maple street, thinking I would buy this Rhinestone Mask, but haven't been in the mood for the haggling expected by the shop owner.  Maybe next time.  I don't need it until December since it would be a present for Nick's girlfriend, Kelsey if I do buy it.
 Two of my beautiful nieces playing around with by the pound fabric at the Michael Levine Attic Outlet.  That piece was about $1.50.
  And here's the main Michael Levine store, which was one of the three places on our list as not to be missed.  Surprise, we never got there.  Although we spent a lot of time checking out this fab fake fur on the sidewalk across the street from there.
 And finally at the third place on our list, the FIDM Store. Look at these beautiful Gold (filled, I am sure) earrings for only $8.  Did I buy them?  If I say yes, then my daughter will be expecting them to be in her Christmas stocking.  They do have the Fleur de Lis which as the national symbol of France would be appropriate wear for someone teaching Freshman French at Cal.  It is also the symbol for the Boy Scouts, and both her brothers are Eagle Scouts.  So I'm not saying I bought them, but if you happen to pop into the FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), I'm pretty sure they won't have any.

6 comments:

  1. sometimes stacks and stacks of fabric can be overwhelming, I admire your restraint though :) The earring are really pretty too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carolyn - When I was in Perth, I went to a few Spotlight stores, so I know just what you mean. If you don't have an exact idea of what you're looking for, you could just go wild. I wanted fabric for a sequin tank top and bathing suit lining - certainly not fake fur.

      Delete
  2. I was the same in Montmartre at the fabric shops. Way too much to love, too hard to choose! I definitely need to have a PLAN when I go fabric shopping. It's too easy to buy too little or the wrong stuff - as my fabric stash will attest. I found it safer to just walk away and come back another time. Whittling through my scraps making Christmas gifts just now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shelley - I love it when someone makes me a Christmas gift. I was just washing a little pouch made out of cherry print that my daughter Amanda made for me when she was about 10. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy every time I look at it. I have resisted the Montmartre shops by never even going near them. Maybe next time.

      Delete
  3. So you too have been in the fabric shops, Beryl! I had no such restraint in my recent trip to Sydney, and went with the envelopes of a number of patterns, so I could focus on them and buy accordingly. It half worked!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia - I would love to see what you bought! I promised my husband that I would come with him on every other trip to Australia, so in the unlikely event that he is sent there again, I will bring the empty suitcase and do some fabric shopping. And tea, Vegemite, chutney, Tim Tams, & Lamingtons. (Stone & Flour or maybe it's called Rose & Flour near the Museum in Sydney has amazing ones!)

      Delete