Sunday Stash - Tokyo Part Two

Now, where were we?  Oh, that's right - the fabric!

 

In total, I returned to Melbourne with 14 kilos of fabric.  Which is quite considerable!  But what I can tell you is this - I was actually very picky about my purchases!  I really thought about the fabric I chose, basically because I knew I'd have to get it home and also be able to fit it in my house.  I'm pleased to say I am very happy with each and every piece of fabric I chose....So, here goes.....

 

When Alyce and I walked in to Tomato, we stepped in to an alternate universe, where bolts of Melody Miller fabric were sitting patiently awaiting attention.  I knew there was plenty there, so whilst they continued waiting, I walked around the corner from the bolts and nearly fell over my jaw which was dragging on the ground.  Huge rolls of wide Melody Miller prints.  HUGE I tell you!  AND $4 A METRE!  Just let that sink in for a minute.  $4. A. METRE.  It took about 30 seconds for Alyce and I to crash tackle the rolls and join them to our hip.  I'm proud to report we emptied the roll of arrows between us.  I think we got four metres each.  There's about the same of the other two up there also.  Great quilt backings in my future.....

 

We returned to the smaller bolts a little later, and I happily got myself some telephones and roller skates.  What for?  Who knows!

 

I bought these gorgeous linen blends from Pandora House.  I think I have three metres of each, but once I was home, I wished I had more!  I've fallen in love with linen this year.

 

All of the little precuts on the bottom of this photo are from Tomato.  Some Sarah Jane, Kate Spain and Cotton + Steel to name a few......  The geometry print and Ghastlies Xmas were from the shop I can't remember the name of!

 

All of this deliciousness came from Pandora House also.  Love me some low vol prints.

 

Tomato's extensive range of American Designer prints was very satisfying.  I was able to get some Cotton + Steel prints I didn't have, as well as stock up on a couple I really love.  These were all around $10 a metre.

 

Now, if you ever head to Nippori, there's a little pre-cuts store down the street from Tomato.  The cuts are all in clear packaging and they are all DIRT CHEAP.  The pink C+S butterflies was a 2m cut for $12!!!!!!  AMH was from Tomato in the remnants and the pretty deer print was from Yuzawaya in Ginza.  I had a morning to kill time one day by myself, so printed off the address and hailed a cab.  I had been told great tales about the Yuzawaya stores (think Spotlight, but way better), but I have to say I was a little disappointed with the newly opened Ginza store.  I think it's quite small compared to others!  I still managed to find some goodies though....

 

These two double gauze prints were from the precut heaven.  Enchino on the left and Nani Iro on the right.  I bought both to make dresses/tops for my big girl.

 

And another win from precut heaven - Jolli Pomme.  I think these were about $6 per metre!!!!

 

Japan obviously has an amazing supply of Enchino!  I picked up various different prints from all of the stores I went to.  And they were all around $10 per metre.  A few were remnants and were even cheaper.

 

And a close up - because the colours of these fabrics are sublime....

 

I grabbed a few novelty prints!  Frozen fabric for my husband's cousin who wants me to make her nurse scrubs, as she works in a children's hospital.  And princesses and unicorns, because - why not?

 

One of the few things I specifically marked on my shopping list to purchase whilst in Tokyo was Liberty.  I am one of the few quilters who did not own any Liberty.  And basically only because of the cost factor.  Here in Australia, we pay around $60 per metre for Liberty, which is just so far out of my budget it's not even funny!  Given it was half that price in Japan, I selected a number of prints I REALLY liked (because it's still frigging expensive!) and got myself 30cm cuts of each of them.  I really adore the Hello Kitty range of Liberty, so made sure to get some (far left).  I also realised I really am more of a geometric girl when it comes to their prints.  But there are a few florals I threw in for good measure.

 

But you know what I really got excited about??  I bought myself an Enchino umbrella!!!!!!!  I was bummed I couldn't get one of the long ones, but hey, who cares!

Last but not least - I also did some serious fabric shopping for my Mum.  She put in a special request for lots of indigo fabrics - which I had absolutely no problem finding!  I also got gorgeous precuts of Japanese fabrics and a few bright American designer prints.

Phew.....

I hope you're still with me!  That, my friends, is my fabric tale from Tokyo!  I did SOOO much more than fabric shopping whilst there, and have a million tales to tell.  But will save them for another day.  Tokyo is an amazing city, and the Japanese people are sooooo beautiful.  If you ever have the opportunity to travel there - GO!!!!

Sunday Stash - Tokyo Part One

It has been two weeks since I returned from my trip of a lifetime to Tokyo.  I had many a plan to blog about my trip earlier than this, however, it took me a week to actually recover from my holiday!!  It was literally exhausting - but incredibly exhilarating!  The one question everyone asks me when I tell them I went by myself on a holiday to Tokyo is "Why?"  Well, I am lucky enough to have a handful of amazing friends I have known since grade one.  And one of those friends has lived in Tokyo for around 17 years.  You will know her as my Tokyo BFF.  Last year, my husband wanted to buy a new TV.  I panned this idea and suggested that when we got our tax returns in 2014, he could get a new TV and I would go to Tokyo..... All in jest..... Fast forward to earlier this year, and we both changed employment and got generous payouts.  He bought his TV.....and much to my surprise, I went ahead and booked tickets to Tokyo!  It was one of those pipe dreams that I never thought would be a reality.

Soooooo, this post is a little entree to my fabric shopping during my nine days in one of the most amazing cities I have ever visited.  I arrived very early Friday morning and literally hit the ground running!  From the time I was greeted at the Tokyo bus station, I did. not. stop.  I spent the first few nights sitting on the lounge nodding off, doing that hilarious head roll whilst trying to stay awake!  It was a long weekend in the city, so I was fortunate to be able to see a bit of everything!  Friday we spent the day wondering around the Tokyo Dome area - where I woke up when I stepped on to this monster....

We then did what I'm sure was completely normal, and headed to the HUGE day spa at L'aqua.  Cue the hilarity of me finding out I would be spending the next couple of hours naked and surrounded by complete strangers - all naked too.  And then being told I had to leave because I had body art....too funny!  It was certainly a great introduction to Japan.....

Saturday morning was my God-daughter's sports day at their kindy, followed by an afternoon and evening walking all around Tokyo - taking in Ginza (OHEMGEE) and the Imperial Palace.....

Seeing parts of a city that are hundreds and thousands of years old is mind blowing.

Sunday we travelled a couple of hours out of the city to Hakone.  A pirate ship took us to a port where we hopped on cable cars that travelled WAYYYYY up the mountains to some amazing geo-thermal sites.

The sulphur steam spewing from the ground smelt awful, and when we went for a big walk up one of the hills to see everyone eating the black eggs the area is famous for, I spent some considerable time gagging!  No black eggs for me, but I was most interested in the decent rumbling under foot.....

Monday.  Now known as the day I first spotted fabric in Japan.  We headed to a couple of local shopping centres.  At AENO, we wandered around getting bits and pieces for my friend's children.  She then casually mentions there's a fabric store up the other end, called "Pandora House".  I hot-footed it over there and was greeted by this.....

Little pre-cuts of Yuwa and other Japanese prints.

And a rack of Enchino.  So freaking good!  I also found some beautiful cotton/linen blends solids.  Lovely start......

We then drove over to Lalaport in Toyosu.  Found the most amazing stationary store EVER and then was led to a fabric store that I cannot for the life of me remember the name of!

It was FULL of amazing fabrics - all the popular Japanese designers as well as a fabulous range of Liberty.  I actually made my first ever Liberty purchase here.  And for around $30 a metre, it was completely justifiable.

So Monday was a great day :)  Skip forward to Wednesday.......

And I had my trip planned out.  Simple really?  Just had to navigate the Tokyo subway system all by myself.  Ahemmm.......

I set off in the morning, tugalong case on hand.  A 15 minute stroll to Tokyo Central Station, a minor panic attack through a million travellers, and I eventually got myself to Nippori.....

Nippori Textile Town (a whole freakin town!!) is what I would call Heaven.  It's only around 15 minutes from Tokyo central and is a rather quiet little hub FULL of different fabric and notions stores.  Before my guide arrived, I sat in a lovely little coffee shop and read the Woman's Weekly I had brought her with a hot chocolate to boot!

Then my guide arrived!  The delightful Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts has been an online friend of mine for quite some time now, so it was very exciting to finally meet in the flesh!  This is a shocker of a photo, but I love it, because it was before the rush of fabric hit me in the face!

We headed down the road to a humble little store called Tomato.  And by humble, I mean frigging HUGE!  Over five floors of different fabric, the ground floor was more than accommodating.  Straight in the door and we find multiple racks of old school Melody Miller.

 

And on the quilting cotton floor - jackpot!  Rack upon rack of Japanese designer fabrics as well as walls FULL of American quilting cottons.  I very happily took advantage of the hour we spent on that one floor alone...... It was like quilt candy every direction you looked!  It was with great self control that I managed to not buy one of everything.....

And thankfully the thoughtful staff had reminders around the store in regards to their cutting practices......  I'm still trying to figure out whether I am separately competent.......

I don't think I need to tell you I had a brilliant day?  We cleared Tomato, had a reallllly yummy lunch and talked and talked, then headed to a couple of amazing smaller stores.  And with my tugalong jam packed and overflowing with fabric, got on the train and headed for home.

To be continued........

ps.  I'd normally be linking up with Glamour-puss Molli, but the glitter is on the shelf at present.  Go send Molli some love!

Sunday Stash - The "I've been to Tokyo and bought lots of fabric but am so stuffed I can't show it all to you" edition!

I'm home.  Crawled in to my own bed at 3.30am this morning.  Had a few hours sleep and then have powered on through today - handing out gifts to the kids and husband, sorting all my washing out and then heading to the shops for a SANDWICH!!!!

Tokyo was amazing.  Totally and utterly mind blowing.  I promise I will come back when I am more awake and able to type eloquently.  In the meantime, I leave you with this.....

Approximately 14 kilos of fabric.  That I somehow have to make fit in to my sewing room shoe box.  I may seriously need to destash before they move in.

Needless to say - the fabric shopping in Tokyo is THE BOMB.  Before I almost passed out and lost all energy, I did manage to take lots of pretty photos of these beauties, and will endeavour to have a full blog post featuring them all next Sunday Stash!

Promise.

Sunday Stash - New Stuff

Some of you may remember the very recent Homespun-gate, which lead to my Bernina's meltdown?  Well, since then I have been investigating my options for good solid solids.  I've asked in a couple of my favourite FB groups, and have been given a range of leads, from Bella to Kona; Art Gallery to Michael Miller.  The majority of those beauties retail in Australia, on average, for around $14 per metre.  Now, given I have been used to using solids that cost around $7 per metre, I just about spat my peppermint tea out when doing such research!  I know, I know - quality blah blah blah.  But my dollar is very important to me, and I like to see it spent wisely.

Sooooo, a while back, my lovely friend Louise from The Oz Material Girls, sent me a sample pack of their quilter's solids.  I took this little pack out again a couple of weeks ago, midst research, and gave them a good looking over, as well as a good feel.  And then decided to jump in and order myself some.  I was able to take out the fat quarter pack of Nightshade I was using for a project, and hold the little sample squares up to them and figure out which colours I required.....

The following day, these lovelies arrived (Yes, Louise even express posts if you ask her nicely).  And I have to say, they are beautiful.  And only $9 per metre.  I made up my quilt top over the following couple of days, and was REALLY happy with how lovely they are to work with.  I could just become a convert.  If you want to try them out, you'll find them HERE.

P.s. - This is NOT a sponsored post.  I just like to tell you when I find something I like.

Another new addition to the stash......

Was this little bundle of brightness.  Straight from Tokyo via the Tokyo BFF.  The Japanese characters you saw in a little bag last week.  And the Disney Frozen prints were sent "just because".  So I've whipped up a couple of cute simple little skirts - one for my daughter, and one for my God-daughter in Tokyo.  I have some decent sized off cuts, so am thinking I'll make up a few zippered pouches or messenger bags for gifts and/or to sell.

And last, but certainly not least.....

This amazing parcel of Aurifil goodness arrived this week! I know, I know, Aurifil is not new around these digs, but some of the products in this parcel are!  You see, the lovely Alex Veronelli asked a favour of me on IG a couple of weeks ago - to see how many bobbins it takes to empty a 50wt spool of thread?  I quite happily obliged, and he very generously sent me all of this in return!

Now, admittedly, I have only ever used 40 & 50wt thread, because you know I'm no hand sewing fiend!  But these lovely little wooden spools of Floss almost make me want to!  The Lana wool thread is amazing but I need to do some more research on how to use them and well, the 28wt cotton spools will be fabulous to quilt with!  If you have any knowledge and/or advice to share with me - feel free to spill!

I hope you are all noticing an absence of new designer bundles entering my stash of late?  I finally put a stop to my purchasing in anticipation of Tokyober.  What's that I hear you say?  Well, in less than three weeks, I'll be off on my Tokyo journey.  At which time, I shall more than make up for my lack of fabric buying at present......

I'm linking up - You can too!

Sunday Stash - New Additions.....

A week or so ago, I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, and saw Pink Castle Fabric's "Deal of the day"........ A Low Volume FQ pack for $6.50! Damned if I could let that get past me, so off to the website I trotted. And of course, I couldn't justify paying shipping for six fat quarters by their lonesome, so promptly added a Koi FQ bundle and two charm packs......

Koi - The most divine colour palette and prints!

Low Volume Bundle - Don't mind if I do!

Sunnyside charm pack - to match the one Kate Spain sent me.  And Simply Style charm pack to go with the leftovers of my Wonky Star cot quilt.

I also remembered that I came home from the Melbourne QCA get together with a slightly heavier handbag....

I purchased the Cuzco charm pack and Simply Colour jelly roll from one of the ladies for next to nothing!  And the Blush charm pack was my present for attending.  Winning!

A few days ago I was chatting online to my Tokyo BFF.  She told me there was a little parcel in the post for me - with some goodies for my nieces and "oh, I just popped a little fabric in for you"......

Needless to say, I LOVE my Tokyo BFF!  These are all divine Cotton Gauze - pretty dresses and/or tops incoming!

On a side note - I made a proposal to my husband last week.......  He wants a new tv.  We don't "need" a new tv.  Sooooo - I proposed he could get a new tv after next year's tax return - and I will be going to Tokyo.....  Fair?

I'm linking up with Sunday Stash being hosted by Hot Pink Quilts - You can too!