G Street Solo

Two posts in one day. That’s my plan, because I have been soaking up the wondrousness of shopping in America. Not just shopping, but my favorite kind of shopping: bargain hunting.

Yesterday I had both kids taken care of for the morning (thanks, mom-in-law!) and was moooore than excited to get out and about with only myself to worry about for a few hours. It felt totally luxurious. And what did I do with the time? I trekked to G Street Fabrics. The ride there? So lovely. So quiet. So peaceful. I lovelovelove my kids but it was a great morning to ride along by my little self.

The store? Not hard to find. And when I walked in the door I had to stop for a moment. Or two. Or six. I didn’t know which way to go. So much to see. After a deep breath, I reminded myself of where I always need to start in a fabric store: remnants. I wandered through designer knits, silks, suiting fabrics, velour, terry, skirted home dec…. and found myself here:

In heaven.

Everything on these racks was $2.98 a yard. I couldn’t fit it all in one photo. And there was so much digging to do! I took this photo, e-mailed it to Adrianna from my phone and then called her up to discuss the happy moment. And it was very happy. For about two minutes, at which point I told her she is the greatest, however, I need two hands for this. Bye, A.

After plucking a few prints and a whole bunch of solids, I hoisted it all on the cutting table. I’m planning on working on some Tutu Drive donations, and got plenty for capes. Late is better than never. Is now a good time to mention that Miss Cranky Pants was supposed to be shopping with me? Well, she was. But I fully understand the reason for her crankiness. And really? It was probably good that she wasn’t there. Because first I’d have been distracted by the blah blah blah nice-to-meet-you-in-person stuff, and then she’d have held something up for confirmation of awesomeness, and I’d have wanted it too, and we’d have gotten into it. And let’s just imagine that for a moment. Me vs. 11-month-pregnant Miss Cranky Pants. I could totally win, what with her balance and flexibility being all out of whack, but then I’d have had to feel guilty. Totally messes up the crafty shopping mojo.

So from there I had to trot back to the entrance to get a cart. I had been too overwhelmed upon entry to remember to prepare myself properly for the voyage ahead. And on the way, I find a bin full of plastic bags of scraps. And they’re $1.99 each. Whaaaa? So after hastily grabbing a cart, I was back at the bins rummaging. The bags are clear, so one can easily squish and squash and turn and poke to figure out what’s in them. I found one that contained a minimum of two silk scraps and tossed that in the cart. Here’s the bag before I disassembled it:

And here’s the loot, folded a bit more neatly:

It turned out to have THREE generous silk scraps, in addition to some stretch cotton, yarn-dyed plaid, some sort of chiffon, a couple polyesters, a lame and a brocade-esque stripe. I don’t know what else to call that one, but I dig it. I’d guess there are at least four yards there in total. If not more. Estimation is not my thing.

I also got some trims that I know Adrianna will love, some perle cottons for hand quilting, and a Q-snap frame– not that I have a specific plan for it right now, but if AMH says it’s good, then that’s good enough for me.

Aaaaah, so happy. And the very last happy part: the cashier gave me 15% off of my whole order. She pointed it out, said she had made a mistake, and said she was going to just leave it that way. I don’t like to complain…