Monday, January 23, 2012

European odyssey

Hard to know where to start with this post. I've just returned from 20 days in Paris, London and various parts of Spain with my 16 year old daughter who had just finished 6 weeks at school in Paris.
I had planned a travel wardrobe, but in the end I ran out of time and inclination. The only completed item is my striped t-shirt from Simplicity 3688 which I wore on the plane. Highly recommend this pattern and will definitely make again in a silk.  I also added a fur collar and made some length alterations to a second-hand overcoat.  I would love to have seen the original owner, maxi length legs and very short arms!
The main focus of the trip was art and culture. But would it been any fun without meeting up with blogging friends and fabric purchases? Of course not!  I was delighted to meet with Marie Noelle in Paris.  Marie Noelle lives in Normandy and we spent a lovely day together visiting fabric stores in Montematre and sharing lunch.  In Paris I bought two lovely pieces of silk (one habitae, one sheer chiffon) and 3 metres of very fine Italian linen.  I also bought some buttons, sans photograph.  I love that "Je suis la!" look I have in this photo.
London was also exciting from a sewing point of view.  First up I met with Jane at Goldhawk Road who bought along her pals, Alana and Suzy. Goldhawk Road is fantastic with many small fabric shops, including one Alladin's cave of last season Libery silks, voiles and cottons and some top quality, low price wool.
My loot included a fabulous piece of wool boucle, grey cashmere for trousers, some liberty silk, voile and cotton pieces.



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 I was also excited to meet Eugenia a blogger who I have amired for a long time.  We met up outsite Libertys looking at the current lines, then went to a few of her favourite stores nearby. I bought just one more piece of very fine cotton spotted blousing and some trim for a planned kaftan.

Last up I met with Paco in Barcelona. Paco is a very talented designer who has recently branched into pattern making.  While Paco's English isn't great, we spoke a common language of fabric. He took me to Roger de Luria Street, which has three large caverns of fabric at great prices. I had to be fairly judicious about my purchases as my suitcase was already bulging with cloth.  In the end I choose a really interesting piece of patterned ponte to make up Paco's 'unique' jacket and two pieces of black wool with a flower pattern in the weave.
Off to unpack, and plan some sewing. Happy 2012!


25 comments:

  1. How fantastic that you were able to meet up with bloggers everywhere you went. Good job you left plenty of room in your suitcase for all the lovely fabric you picked up on the way.

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  2. Welcome home and what fun to meet up with bloggers. Beautiful fabric pieces and I look forward to seeing some of them soon.

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  3. How fun! What a great adventure and it is so nice to meet other blogger. I especially love that patterned ponte. :D

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  4. What a fabulous trip, and what fun to meet up with so many other talented people! I'm so jealous you met the gorgeous Eugenia!
    AND some lovely new fabrics too!

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  5. What an awesome trip, meeting all those bloggers too! Sometimes I think it would be great just to do a round-the-world trip visiting sewing bloggers, never mind the other stuff!
    You've found some lovely fabrics, and each piece will remind you of your holiday!

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  6. Looks like you had a wonderful trip. You've really selected some beautiful pieces. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

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  7. Sounds like such a fabulous trip. Can't wait to see what you create with the wonderful fabric.

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  8. I love meeting with friends who just happen to be bloggers. Welcome back Gail.

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  9. What a great trip - love all your fabric purchases!

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  10. It was such a pleasure to meet you Gail. Can't wait to see your Goldhawk Road makes - especially the boucle jacket! x

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  11. Sounds like a fun trip, and you picked up some great fabrics along the way! It'll be neat that everything you make from these pieces will also have the memories of your trip tied into them.

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  12. Gail I am jalous of you realy. What a fun way to shop for fabric. I was delighted to meet both of you and your daughter. Your liberties trove are beautiful.

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  13. Very fun and friendly to share an afternoon with you and your daughter ... I hope to see you soon

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  14. Wow, that sounds like the most wonderful trip. And those fabrics! ENVY!!!!

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  15. I am envious that you got to meet those wonderful bloggers in person, and purchase those gorgeous fabrics. Thanks for the post. I enjoyed reading it.

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  16. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! How lucky you are to have met all the like-minded people. Your fabrics - to die for! (So when do we get to see all these sewn up?)

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  17. How fun! Can't wait to see what you do with each piece!

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  18. What a terrific sounding trip. What great fabrics! Looking forward to some of your gorgeous garments (no pressure- I am eeking out my Goldhawk Rd purchases for sentimental reasons ;)

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  19. What a fantastic trip! Isn't Paco such a sweet and generous man? The fabrics you purchased are just lovely and what memories you'll have every time you look at them.

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  20. How wonderful! It sounds like you had a fabulous trip with your daughter -- and how fun to meet fellow bloggers! Your fabric choices look amazing. I can't wait to see what you create with them!

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  21. Oh my .... You had a great trip and lots of fun! I admit I'm a little jealous of all those purchases and shopping trips. Wow!

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  22. Whow:Lokks like fabulous vacations, you have met so many people, I understand you had not time to meet. I wish one day I could do the same trip! To the other part of the world.

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  23. Did Australian Customs give you any problems with all the fabric you were bringing back in?? LOL! No, but really.....

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