I love being on this end of a project, the finished end. I'm always my worst critic and I could point out numerous things that could be better, but overall I am pleased with this one. It was a challenge to say the least and now that it's finished I can say with a smile, you have to accept challenges if you hope to improve. I would have said something different while in the midst of the challenge. My favorite job is one that is finished so this tops my list of favorites today.
I think I've mentioned here before, I live in a small rural town. The closest fabric store is JoAnn's and it's about 30 minutes away. JoAnn's is the walmart or target of fabric stores, but even with the volume of fabric they carry, many times I can't find a thing I want. Thank goodness for the internet. I've heard some people say they are nervous about buying fabric online and I don't understand why.* I've listed some of my favorite online fabric sources on my sidebar because I am frequently asked where I found this fabric or that one.
I love to buy fabric. It's necessary expense right? I can't make beautiful purses if I don't have beautiful fabric. Lots and lots of beautiful fabric.
None of these prints are available to me locally but thanks to the world wide web, they are just a few clicks away. I love technology.
What is better than beautiful fabric? Not much, except maybe free fabric. I was so excited to win the Free Fabric Friday drawing from the Sew Mama Sew blog. Check out my beautiful, free fabric.
I better get off this computer and get busy sewing.
*One recent example of the kind of customer service I've experienced with online fabric shopping. The Heather Baily Fresh Cut fabric was purchased from Flapper Girl Fabrics. I ordered 2 yards of the floral print. When my fabric came there was a note saying they only had 1 3/4 yd. of the floral. They sent that but only charged me for one yard and included a yard of the coordinating print free. WOW! You don't get that kind of customer service even at the friendliest of JoAnn's.
It seems lots of you like the bird print in the 4th picture, the cute little round birds. That was an ebay purchase and it doesn't have any writing on the selvedge. I will do some investigating and see if I can get any more helpful info.
I love to shop online, too. My local quilt shop is 45 minutes away, and Joann's is a little over an hour. We have a local Hancocks, but I think their days are numbered as Hancocks is going bankrupt.
I have lots of places that I like to online shop for fabric, too. If you are looking for something specific, go to quiltshops.com and do an item search. I always click on the thumbnails so I can see the fabrics right away.
The bassinette is beautiful. You did a fantastic job. I have been sewing for years, and I know for sure that I wouldn't have tackled that job!
Posted by: Amanda | May 16, 2007 at 10:25 AM
ooh your fabric is beautiful! I love the bird prints...been into birds lately! I LOVE shopping for fabric online! It feels like the customer service is much better with small online stores. Nice to know good customer service is out there somewhere! :-)
Posted by: Jessica | May 16, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Beautiful fabrics.
Where did you find the round bird fabric (4th photo from top on the left)? I have only seen a tiny little bit on ebay. I actually used the bird as inspiration for an appliqued onesie I made for my baby.
Posted by: lera | May 16, 2007 at 10:34 AM
ps. Besides that, I really prefer to spend my money with a small business than a mega mart like JoAnn's (though JoAnn's is a necessary evil). You know some of these girls online are selling fabric out of their spare bedroom and I would much rather they have my $ than the cranky ladies at my JoAnn's cutting counter! ;-)
Posted by: Jessica | May 16, 2007 at 10:35 AM
I LOVE the round bird fabric.. where did you find it? I did a quick search for it on the shops listed to the right, but couldn't find it. I'm ready for another round of online fabric shopping!
Posted by: Lynn | May 16, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Holy cow, Autum, that bassinette is GORGEOUS! You did an incredible job! It must be nice knowing that you're going to help a little baby go to sleep in such a nice place.
And thanks for the fabric shopping links! That's where I'm off to next...
Posted by: 3 to get ready | May 16, 2007 at 11:03 AM
oh i love all the birdy fabrics/patterns.
Posted by: bekka | May 16, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Love all the fabrics! If I can't find something local, I'd buy online as well. If you know the fabric maker, I think you can count on it being a certain quality. Nice work on the bassinet.
Posted by: Pam | May 16, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Your finished project is beautiful! You did such a nice job on it. And I love the fabric you've shown. I'm getting the sewing bug again - and your blog is part of the reason why! :)
Posted by: Beth | May 16, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Your posting today about fabrics is very helpful and I appreciate it. I love the bassinet photo--what a sweet and beautiful project you've made there. I've ordered fabric online as well and have never had a problem; instead, I also have been the recipient of graciousness from the sellers.
Posted by: June | May 16, 2007 at 11:15 AM
the bassinet turned out gorgeous!
the fabrics make me have fabric envy....both designs i have been aching to get my fingers on.
guess i better get to selling some handbags so i can afford more fabric. :o)
Posted by: Lori | May 16, 2007 at 11:34 AM
That bassinet project is sooo sweet. Beautiful. I have only ordered fabric online once but I'm sure I'll be doing more of it. I see som many great fabrics people are making projects with and like you said, JoAnns just doesn't cut it sometimes. That's all I have available too and it's a small one at that.
Thanks for sharing the links, I'll have to check them out.
Posted by: rohanknitterr | May 16, 2007 at 11:47 AM
The cover turned out fabulous! Love it! I'm a sucker for a pretty toile (is there such a thing as a not-pretty toile? I think not.)
Posted by: Mary | May 16, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Yippee!! The bassinet looks fabulous! Challenge accepted and project conquered. Go Autum!
Now I have to agree with you on the JoAnn's front. I walked around and around their prints this weekend and was SO disappointed - I didn't buy any of them. Can't someone just give them a hint on how to sell fabric? Get a designer and create collections. I like the Tracy Porter stuff, but I've never seen anything that coordinates - it's probably been picked through by the time I get there... Anyhoo - that's my 2 cents.
I haven't been to my favorite fabric store since surgery - I'm hoping to truck the boys out there today if I can work it in. :o)
Happy sewing!
Posted by: lindiepindie | May 16, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Oh - the bassinette turned out so, so beautifully! I want to sleep in it! You done good.
Also - your fabric looks scrumptious! It (almost) makes me wish I could sew, so that I had an excuse to play with it all!!!
Posted by: LLA | May 16, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Hi! I too have a fabric obsession! (Don't we all?!) I am in love with a bird fabric in the 4th faric photo (the one with A.Henry Raindrop Stripe, and the Echino bird print). Could you please tell me where you got it? Thanks so much, and I love your blog!
-Amelia
Posted by: Amelia | May 16, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Your bassinet is absolutely beautiful!! You did a great job on that.
I love all of your fabric too. I order a good bit online myself even though there is a Hancock Fabric store near me. I just can't find any of the bird print, Amy Butler, Denise Schmidt, etc. anywhere except online. Every order has gone really well for me. Sew Mama Sew. com, Hancocks Paducah, and a fave right now is fabriclovers.com. Her customer service is above and beyond. She actually called me to help me save on shipping! Can't beat that.
Posted by: Dinah | May 16, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Autum, the bassinet turned out beautiful! I bet the mom can't wait to put her baby it in. If I ever have to do a bassinet cover I will be calling you for some tips.
The new fabric you got looks wonderful, I bet you can't wait to get at it and don't you just love free stuff?!
Posted by: SilverLining Designs | May 16, 2007 at 02:00 PM
I love your basinet! It is so pretty!
Posted by: Katrine | May 16, 2007 at 03:01 PM
That is adorable!
Posted by: Mrs.P | May 16, 2007 at 03:23 PM
I am drooling over your fabrics! We only have Wally World here in town so I do most of my fabric shopping online too. I dont mind this because the selections are so good and the service tends to be great. Cia's Palette is one of the best as far as customer service!
Posted by: Randi | May 16, 2007 at 03:25 PM
The bassinet looks great. And you got the hood to look the way you wanted!
Lovely fabrics. And thanks for the heads up on that online store. I just came back from the store with some Freshcut fabric myself. I'll post a photo tomorrow.
Posted by: Anina | May 16, 2007 at 05:52 PM
I have recently fallen in love with buying fabric online. My favorite thing is to buy charm packs and then go back to buy yardage of the fabrics I must have more of. There is a seller on eBay called Quilt Taffy--she has been a great source for me.
Posted by: Pieces | May 16, 2007 at 07:35 PM
That bassinet is beautiful! It makes me want another baby.
Your fabrics are wonderful.
Posted by: Jody | May 16, 2007 at 07:46 PM
The bassinet is beautiful. And, to further echo the other commenters...I like buying my fabric online, too. Buying local...from far away!
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 16, 2007 at 09:12 PM