(It's actually vintage, but it's new to me!)
I swear, folks named Rita are really good luck for me lately. Rita C. emailed me out of the blue and said "Not positive you would be interested in this bicycle fabric ..." Bicycle fabric! I don't think I finished the sentence before I clicked the link. I can't remember the last time I browsed fabric on eBay, so there's no way I would have seen this fabric without Rita's kind offices.
It was Buy It Now, too! Check it out:
It was from seller MarilynSue, although she doesn't have too much other fabric listed right now.
I love that this was marketed as a time-saver -- don't wait for your fabric to be cut, just grab a "pak" and go! This is the fabric equivalent of bagged lettuce (which I love, btw)! I wonder if it was sold at stores that didn't otherwise have a fabric department, like the crappy thread they sell in the grocery store -- or used to, I haven't seen a notions section in a grocery store for ages.
What will this turn into? Well, it's 4 yards at 35 inches wide, so probably a narrow shirtdress of some kind. When I know, you'll know!
I swear, folks named Rita are really good luck for me lately. Rita C. emailed me out of the blue and said "Not positive you would be interested in this bicycle fabric ..." Bicycle fabric! I don't think I finished the sentence before I clicked the link. I can't remember the last time I browsed fabric on eBay, so there's no way I would have seen this fabric without Rita's kind offices.
It was Buy It Now, too! Check it out:
It was from seller MarilynSue, although she doesn't have too much other fabric listed right now.
I love that this was marketed as a time-saver -- don't wait for your fabric to be cut, just grab a "pak" and go! This is the fabric equivalent of bagged lettuce (which I love, btw)! I wonder if it was sold at stores that didn't otherwise have a fabric department, like the crappy thread they sell in the grocery store -- or used to, I haven't seen a notions section in a grocery store for ages.
What will this turn into? Well, it's 4 yards at 35 inches wide, so probably a narrow shirtdress of some kind. When I know, you'll know!
Lucky, lucky ebaying! Well done!
Posted by: Emerald | 01/05/2009 at 05:41 AM
The Job Lot near me now has a pre-cut section of upholstery fabric. My boyfriend( who works there) got so excited and told me I had to come in because they had "Fabric, really cheap fabric!" Well I came in and needless to say we were both rather disappointed, because I can't really use upholstery fabric.Well I could, but it would be very very hard.
Posted by: Lisette | 01/05/2009 at 06:14 AM
I like the bike print, Erin. I bought some of that same print, different colorway (red) a couple years ago, for my daughter, who likes to ride a tandem bike with her sweetie.Colleen
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/05/2009 at 06:28 AM
Eeee! Can't wait to see it. That print is utterly adorable.
Posted by: Sal | 01/05/2009 at 07:03 AM
The fates have smiled on you...that is a great find!
Posted by: What-I-Found | 01/05/2009 at 08:02 AM
I'm happy to report that my grocery store still has a notions section. Well, maybe not happy to report, since, as you noted, it's crap thread. They also have a random set of size 5 double-pointed knitting needles.
Posted by: Amanda #1 | 01/05/2009 at 08:03 AM
Oh my. That screams "full circle skirt" to me...with rick rack trim? I could see it done with a white, criss-cross wrap style, v-neck blouse...some chunky black/grey necklace/braclet/earring combo...maybe a black cardigan. Okay. So I'm a sucker for a full circle skirt...with matching belt and shoes, of course...lol...
Posted by: Rachel | 01/05/2009 at 08:18 AM
Bicycle fabric for a little cycling fun? Cute!
Posted by: the_lazymilliner | 01/05/2009 at 08:44 AM
That fabric is adorable. It reminds me of a cardigan sweater my friend Jina had in college that I absolutely coveted. No matter what you end up making with it, you should definitely ride a tandem bike while wearing it.
Posted by: winifred | 01/05/2009 at 09:13 AM
That is *very* you! I love it!
Posted by: Defrost Indoors | 01/05/2009 at 09:34 AM
Love it! An auspicious start to the new year, no?I do believe I have a much smaller piece of that print stashed away for a blouse - in red ;)
Posted by: Birgit | 01/05/2009 at 11:09 AM
Daisy, Daisy indeed - some of the bicycles are tandems! We have a grey thing going in my house at the moment and that is a particulalry nice shade. Just the thing to set off bright accessories. Great!Don't suppose you had time for sewing during the holidays? Any stunt dresses for the festivities?Cheers,AJ
Posted by: xstpenguin | 01/05/2009 at 12:20 PM
Love the fabric. I was reading a sewing blog the other day (name escapes me) and she was in Paris and went to several shops that sold fabric pre-cut in 2 or 3 meter lengths. (these stores had "coupon" in their name.)
Posted by: vespabelle | 01/05/2009 at 12:22 PM
Rita is a true friend (or possibly an enabler). In the past, one could find pre-cut fabrics in non-fabric stores, like Woolworth's, Zeller's, and also some larger places (sort of pre-Walmarts). I made a skirt when I was about 13 from one such piece. Thy had paper labels stapled on, and they hung on racks like the skirts they would be. Price was around C$2.99 for the skirt length, I think.
Posted by: elke | 01/05/2009 at 12:28 PM
I'd buy pre-cut fabric, especially if it came in decent chunks. 3 yards, minimum! Just last year I went cold turkey on remnant-bin browsing, and the addiction lurks just beneath my veneer of sensible fabric buying. But doesn't everyone buy four or five yards at a time, without knowing exactly what will be made of it? I don't even understand people who peer at the back of their pattern envelope and request "2 and 3/8 yard, please."
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/05/2009 at 01:30 PM
I love that fabric!
Posted by: Marge, Born Too Late Vintage | 01/05/2009 at 03:20 PM
Might I suggest that "if" the fabric came with this tape on it and it's been around (vintage)... you best have some good tape remover stuff available! I had some trim that I got years (too many to think about) ago and just recently took off the tape! It was a mess... white trim with yellowed tape stuff on it. Let's just say that it will take time to get it out! Hopefully your's won't be the same type thing!Cute print though!
Posted by: Jean | 01/05/2009 at 04:00 PM
Mmmm! I think red trim on this would be nice. Look how neat the red wrapping looks on it! Plus some other people have mentioned owning this is a red colorway....so it's really all a karmic "cometogether". (I especially like grey with navy, yellow or lavender...but this bicycle print calls for something more active, I think, as a partner.)Cute!
Posted by: Cookie | 01/05/2009 at 05:55 PM
PS: Someone in the Global Sewing Conspiracy needs to take on the [advertised] name "Priscilla Percale-Pak", don't you think?(signed) Francesca Bentley
Posted by: Cookie | 01/05/2009 at 06:00 PM
So. jealous.Can't wait to see it made up!
Posted by: Nora | 01/05/2009 at 06:57 PM
This can't be vintage, can it, if its still for sale by the bolt at retail stores? How old does something have to be to be called vintage? Is that just a special word for second hand?I ask because I bought this same print off the bolt just a couple years ago.
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/05/2009 at 08:13 PM
I love the bicycles- they are crying out for rick rack, can't you hear them?
Posted by: Little Hunting Creek | 01/06/2009 at 07:24 AM
I saw cut packs of fabric somewhere recently...big lots? Dollar General? YEs, it was Dollar General!
Posted by: Theresa | 01/06/2009 at 07:30 AM
Great fabric, Ein. Can't wait to see what you make. One year when I was in grammar school, my mom make my sister and I matching, but different color, shirt dresses and the print was bicycle wheels.
Posted by: AuntieShel | 01/06/2009 at 08:39 AM
Too excellent!
Posted by: neighbourhood.gal | 01/06/2009 at 02:24 PM