I think fabric stores are to sewers what candy stores are to 6 year olds. For actual fabric, I have to say I find 80% of what I need online. Between Etsy sellers and a whole army of independent online craft supply sellers, there's fabric galore out there. My local fabric store has a very exciting sale section where you can find some good deals if you want to dig (which I often do) but other than that I support the on-line independent sellers.
So, anyway, I usually only find myself at my local fabric store when I've run out of one notion or another. This weekend it was thread, which was a strange milestone because I haven't been sewing that long so this was the first time I found myself "out" of basic white quilting thread. My crafty in-laws had set me up with what seemed like an endless amount of thread so it was a slight shock to be suddenly out. A moment of "sh*t, what do I do now?"
When I realized it was as good an excuse as any to go to the fabric store I smiled a little conspiratorial smile. Conspiring with myself, I guess. Against who I don't know. Certainly not a napping Sean who gave a sleepy wave when I whisked by. So I grabbed the car keys and said, "Out of thread. Weird, huh? I'm going to the fabric store."
The notions section of the fabric store is so delicious. Sequins, ribbon, bias tape in all colors, buttons (oh, the buttons) and handy little devices for cutting and measuring fabric that speak to my love of straight lines and order.
And thread.
Thread in every color of the rainbow.
Spools and spools of thread. They are the jelly bellies of the notions.
So while I went for basic white quilting thread, I couldn't help but pick up some colorful goodies. And naturally I had a little photo shoot with the prettiest of them when I got home. Aren't they gorgeous? I have no idea what I will use them for. I did show some restraint and went for the polyester and cotton thread, rather than the silk. I think you have to have a specific project in mind when you spring for the silk. That's what I convinced myself anyway when I was standing there, four spools of silk thread in various shades of purple in hand and just about to give in to them. Another day. In the meantime...
Yum.
