A Girl’s Get Away, where I get to fabric shop all weekend long? Yes, you heard me right.
Fabric Weekend 2013.
The incredibly talented Andrea from The Train to Crazy and Go To Patterns was the mastermind behind this dream weekend, with the help of Bev from Flamingo Toes and Justine of Sew Country Chick. 20 sewing blogger friends flew in from all over the nation to have fun, and shop the renowned Los Angeles Fabric District. And let me be the first to tell you – we literally shopped til we dropped.
Our first stop was the world famous FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. We were lucky enough to receive the most amazing tour of this college, which showcases products from some of the top fashion icons of our time.
We were even brought into a classroom, where a teacher was kind enough to demonstrate how their classic knitting machines worked, as well as show off their 2 cutting edge multi-gage machines.
As someone who doesn’t have the patience for knitting needles, this was probably one of the coolest things I had ever seen.
There was a whole lot of social media going on throughout it all.
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| Jen – iCandy Handmade, Bev – Flamingo Toes, Melissa – MelissaEsplin.com, Miriam – MadMim, Leanne – LeanneBarlow.com |
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| Justine – Sew Country Chick, Stef – Girl. Inspired. |
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From there we went to the incredible Michael Levine Fabric Store.
For those of you who might be unfamiliar with Michael Levine, this place is a mecca for all fabric lovers. We had the pleasure of being given a full tour, from fashion fabric to upholstery, apparel, home decor, and notions…this place has it all. We even got to see the warehouse where all of this incredible goodness is kept, and were treated to an incredible lunch courtesy of Larry, the owner. We also learned all about how #larrylovesfabric.
Yeah, that would be me, browsing down the warehouse aisles…
But I didn’t tell you the best part. You can buy fabric.
You can buy fabric by the pound!!!
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| Marissa – Rae Gun Ramblings |
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Holy Smokes it was awesome!
I bought fabric by the pound, I bought incredible Ikats, I bought LEATHER, and I even bought some gorgeous designer prints. I bought so much fabric, I have no idea how I am going to use it all!!! I was swooning and petting fabric all over that store. They must have thought I was a crazy person.
So the next time you are in Los Angeles – be sure to go there and check it out. It was in-cred-i-ble.
Michael Levine Inc. – Fabric Store
920 Maple Ave Los Angeles, CA 90015
After that was dinner…
I did my husband proud by ordering his favorite hometown dish – carnitas tacos. I may or may not have ordered a cerveza to go with it.
Day 2 came around, and we were on to Mood. You know…the store where you see all of the Project Runway contestants running around like a mad person? Well, they recently opened up a location in Los Angeles and we couldn’t miss an opportunity to stop by.
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| Abby – Sew Much Ado |
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| Mie – Sewing Like Mad, Melissa – Melly Sews |
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I was supposed to have self control in Mood, especially considering the day I had before. I gave myself a pep-talk and everything. Control yourself, want vs. need, help others first, pinch your pennies, think long term…it all went out the window the second I hit their wool aisle.
Lucy had some splaining to do when she got home.
Lucky for me (or my wallet), from there I had to split off from the group so that I would have plenty of time to prep for the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Girl’s Night Out. Girls Night Out is a Blogger Get Together that I have the privilege to host, all aimed at bringing sewing bloggers together to laugh, share, have fun, and bond – all over their love for sewing. This event occurs quarterly, in different cities around the nation, and was the absolute perfect culmination to this incredible Fabric Weekend.
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| Image of my local Jo-Ann Fabric Store – Hilltop Plaza, 1725 Laskin Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23454 |
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Most of us don’t have the pleasure of living in a fabric mecca like Los Angeles, but it just seems that no matter where you are, or where you live, Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores is nearby. And I love that.
But even in a fabric heaven like Los Angeles, you know you will always find exactly what you need at Jo-Anns.
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| This photo is courtesy of Marigold from Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!, who was also one of my roomies, shopping at her local Jo-Anns Store upon returning from Fabric Weekend! |
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Having Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores as the Title Sponsor for my Girl’s Night Out events means so much to me. I grew up going to Jo-Anns, my Mother and my Grandmother go to JoAnns, my cousins all go to JoAnns, and in my every day life – where do I shop? Jo-Anns. Why? Because Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores is the nation’s largest specialty retailer of fabric and crafts, that offers an unmatched, under-one-roof selection.
Jo-Anns is my, and so many other seamstresses out there, hometown go-to store.
And well these two ladies here, they are pretty much rock stars in my book.
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| Bev – Flamingo Toes, me, Andrea – The Train to Crazy |
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From driving everywhere, to being on top of every last detail, they took care of me like nobody’s business, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. Just the sweetest, kindest, funniest ladies that you will ever meet. They showed every female there a fabulous time, and we all returned home from a trip that will be remembered forever more as THE BEST SEWING RETREAT EVER. (aka – my fabric honeymoon).
I will end here with Part 1 of the awesomeness that was Fabric Weekend.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for Part 2, and to see all of the fabulous photos from GIRL’S NIGHT OUT!!! We had so much fun, I am still laughing over everything! You don’t want to miss it!!!
Oh so jealous! It looks like yall had an AMAZING time!!!! 🙂
It was so much fun!!! I had no idea it was going to be as amazing as it was!
My husband is not going to be happy I read this…only 90 minutes from those places. Guess what I am asking for free Christmas…lol
Great photos! I’m so glad I got to go. Miss everyone already, and despite an entire day of washing new fabric, I don’t think I got enough.
Mine is all still sitting on a pile on my floor, I just like looking at it. But first, I need to clear room on my fabric shelves. Thinking a de-stash is in order 🙂
Great post and great photos (okay maybe not the one of me showing ALL my teeth BUT that IS the way I look when I do a big laugh sooooo that’s life 😉 SO happy to have been part of it!!!
I LOVE that photo Mie! I think you look so great and happy in it!
So much fun! I live in Richmond, there needs to be a JoAnn’s Girls Night Out in VA!
We just may be able to accomplish that – I happen to live in VA Beach 🙂
You already know I second that request since I’m here too!
I am getting quite the list of VA bloggers – I had no idea!
Wow, that sounds like a fun weekend! I would have been in fabric heaven as well! <3 Enjoy all your new goodies!
Thank you so much Tanyia!!!
Amazing! I’m about 5 hours away from Los Angeles and have never been to the fabric district. I’m thinking a road trip is due.
I want to go!!!!!!! I am so sad I wasn’t there. I told my hubby, I had to stop looking on instagram because I wanted to be there so bad. Oh, well……can’t do it all. But, I can’t wait for Girls Night Out Chicago (wink, wink) :). Thanks for sharing all your amazing photos……it’s almost like being there!
I would love to do a Chicago one Lindsay! I do miss my family that lives there, haven’t seen them in a while! Would be so much fun to visit and see them, and of course hang out with you some more! You were missed this weekend!!!
I can’t quite decide if you’re sweet, or evil for showing us all the things that we couldn’t buy! I kept looking at the photos thinking “Oh, what’s that next to Marissa’s head?” and “Shoot, Look at the floral behind Abby!” 😀 So glad you guys all had a good time though. It looks like a lot of fun was had by all!
hahahhaha – I am sorry!
WOW how much fun! The perfect getaway! I’ve always wanted to go to Mood in NY, but seeing as there is one in LA now and I can also go to the other shop and get fabric by the pound perhaps I need to make a trip to Cali instead of the Big City!
I have shopped in both NY and LA before, both are fabulous! But I would definitely say LA is cheaper…unless you are looking for fabulous European cotton, then NY!
Sounds like a fabulous trip!
Was so much fun Jen!!!
Thanks for the recap! It sounds like a super fun and successful event!
It was!!! I think she is planning on doing more…
Wow! What an amazing trip! I might be in a little bit of trouble (or my wallet would be) if I lived so close to so many fabric stores. This looked like so much fun though 🙂
Me too! I kept thinking…I could live here. Lol
Great post! You got such amazing photos. Was so much fun, one of the best girls weekends ever! Loved rooming with you and getting to know you better.
this looked so amazing and fun! hope i can join you next time!!!!
What an amazing trip! Thanks for the referrals. I live 2 hours away and haven’t been yet. I am waiting for LBG Studio (Vanessa) to visit, so we can go together;)