Vancouver Trip (Fabric Store)- Part 4 of ?

Downtown Vancouver has a number of wonderful fabric stores...

 ...but this one was our favorite.

                                                   Here's my friend, Sandy...

                                         ...heading into Dressew's 'Halloweened halls'! ')

                                                  Judging from the crowds...

                                    ...this is 'the' place for Halloween costumes!

    

                                        People were picking out masks and wigs...

                                                                  ...hats...

                                  ...plastic accessories (like helmets and swords)...

                                                           ...feather boas...

                                                                 ...gloves...

                                     ...and other fun props, like giant diaper pins...

                                         ...makeup, pennants, and giant scissors!

                             Dressew also carries a huge assortment of quality fabrics...

                                                  ...leather, ribbons, thread...

                                      ...zippers, buttons, and other sewing notions. 

                                                     We loved it so much...

                                          ...we actually made three trips here!! :)

                                                         Disco ball anyone?

                                             Next time: fabulous shoes and hats!

I've Dyed and Gone to Heaven

 

 

 

 

Well, today's my birthday...

...and what a fun week it's been with my friend Nancy, so far!

She has lots of ideas and expertise...

...plus the energy of a jackrabbit!

We made a thrilling trip to my local, strange and amazing fabric store, Jomar's...

It's like nothing else!

There are dollar shirts and pants and 'remaindered' items of all varieties...

...I snatched up a cheap pool noodle and two rattan beach mats for use in my felting.

And there's fabric...lots and lots of fabric...

...stacked on large, open, rustic wooden shelving...

...some of it for as little as $1.00 per yard!

I bought some soft chartreuse lace, red burlap, and netting for my felting...

...and we found some lovely pale grey and cream, soft-draping silk to dye.

Nancy showed me how to prepare the acid-dye solution...

...and we made our dye bath.

We were very careful, wearing a mask and eye protection...

...but I'm still a little afraid of the dye (and even the Synthrapol has a scary warning label on the bottle!)

We've dyed things orange, green, yellow and indigo so far...

...tying and clamping and overdyeing pieces as we went.

It's a lot like felting you know...

...since you don't really know what it'll look like 'till your done!

More photos of our work next time...