I made a few things for Penelope last week! In fact, while I was partying it up in LA, I found a lot of textiles just for her. She’s going to get a new wardrobe here by the end of the summer.

I picked up this burnout fabric (sort of similar, similar) at the Michael Levine Loft. You can buy fabric for $2.50 per pound. It’s amazing! I found a lot of sheer chiffons and jerseys that I just couldn’t say no to. This, being one of them. If you look at it closely, it’s got a little paisley pattern to it. It’s really quite sweet.

This is certainly not the kind of fabric I would use to make a shirt for me. Much too see-through. I was thinking of a summer hoodie, then I remembered Penelope doesn’t have a swim coverup. Heck, she’s never had one.

I’m not entirely sure how the idea came to me, but I thought about the circle dress I made a while back and thought if I added a hood, it’d be a great summer coverup. I made the opening smaller than my own waist and just winged the hood part. I grabbed one of mine and one of Penelope’s hoodies and quickly drew up a pattern. I didn’t even test it beforehand. Look at how perfectly those edges overlap! Huzzah!

Penelope’s impatience for mom (she stopped calling me mommy last week! WHAT??) is really showing here. She’s rearing to go outside and join her friends for some water games.

I opted not to put any arm holes in it. Laziness or simplicity? I’ll let you guess. It certainly doesn’t seem to bother her at all. Penelope got a few approving nods at the pool and with Chris on a fast-food run.

Felix is the cutest photo-bomber. He’s even trying to show off by standing up!

I don’t know if you’ve gathered from how much I’ve talked and instagrammed about Fabric weekend that I had way too much fun. I bought about 40 pounds of leather and fabric. I couldn’t help myself! Especially when it came to the leather. The pink and blue leathers were the first things I pulled out of my bag to show to Chris when I got home. Being just as excited as me about my spoils he asked, “What are you going to do with it?”

“Something awesome!!” I’m thinking leather handbag, leather skirt, leather trimming, leather books. . . .

Here are just a few pieces that I picked up while on vacation. I had to buy a new shelving unit just to accommodate the new arrivals. Look at my rainbow! Since I was in LA’s fabric district, I wanted to get prints and textiles that I can’t find at home. I’ve got all the basics covered since Jo-Ann is about 5 minutes from my house. Plus I only had so much room in my bags, so I had to be pretty picky. The highlights of my fabric shopping were:

Angel Fabric: Gold foil polka dot knit. COME ON! I’m working on a couple of ideas for Penelope. Help me decide below? (vote for your favorite and I’ll post the finished product next week).

@melissapher: What should I do with this gold foil dot jersey? Classic dress (yes) or hoodie dress (no)? #sewing #fashion #diy

FIDM Scholarship store: Oh my word, we had such a great tour of the school and their different departments. My favorite was the collaboration between the textile, fashion and decor departments. And that geometric print? It’s silk.

Photo by Bethany

Mood: Was expensive compared to the previous day’s average at $2/yard. Wandering through 11+ aisles of floor to 20′ ceiling of rolls of fabric made my head spin, everything was AMAZING! I don’t know how project runway peeps do that place in 30 minutes for $50.

After Mood we enjoyed the most delicious bacon-wrapped hotdog.

Michael Levine: The above three fabrics were from the loft. You sift through giant boxes of fabric. I also got some swim fabric at the regular store. Yes. I’m going to make a swimsuit. I’m crazy.

Fabric Planet: This hidden gem had loads of rayon challis (pronounced shallee, according to peeps at Mood). It’s hard to find anywhere, but Fabric Planet had quite a few modern prints to choose from. I’m totally digging the tie-dye print above.

Photo by Bethany – who I totally need to hang out with again

My trip wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Miriam (and Andrea). It was a much-needed girl’s vacation!

Justine, Jen, Stef, Jessica, Mie, Melissa, Miriam, Caila, Me, Leanne, Andrea, Cherie, Marissa, Merrick, Sabra, Abby, Beverly, Marigold - Photo by Justine

Now would you like to get the chance to win some great sewing supplies?

Grand prize winner:

• Brother 1034D serger! (This is the one I have and I love it! Donated by GoToPatterns.com)

Four lucky winners will receive $150 in prizes:

• $50 to GoToPatterns.com
• $50 to LowPriceFabric.com
• $50 for a class at Craftsy.com

Contest Rules:

Giveaway open internationally to contestants 18 years or older. Contestants must enter their email address to be added to the LowPriceFabric.com and GoToPatterns.com email newsletters to win*. All prizes are awarded in the form of gift certificates. Winners responsible for paying shipping. Gift certificate value of serger is $210. Contest open from June 11, 2013 through June 20, 2013 EST. Winners will be notified within 24 hours of winning. Winners have 48 hours to claim their reward. New winners will be chosen if prizes are unclaimed. Winners will be emailed their rewards within 7 days of claiming their prize.

ONE ENTRY per person. This contest is being held on multiple blogs. Please enter only once. You will be counted only once.

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