Episode Two: If You Find Yourself In: Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

Hey all, I'm back! I've finally migrated enough equipment and tools to get back to stichering on my next days off so look for a regular update soon! Until then I'm posting from beautiful (and warm!!) Scottsdale, AZ. I found 2 fabric stores about 10 min from my hotel. I was asleep when I packed this morning and only had jeans (for 90 degree weather), tennis shoes (or sneakers, if you will), and no socks. But I battled the blisters and made it to Calico Corners and Interior Fabrics.

Now, Calico Corners has many locations all across the country and certainly isn't unique to Scottsdale. However according to the nice ladies working there, there aren't many fabric stores in the area at all, except Joann's; and as I mentioned before this segment is to help everyone find those unique (aka non-joanne) textiles that make a garment really pop!
If you go: most fabrics are pretty pricey, and they ask heinous amounts for silk dupioni (in-my-humble-opinion).
Highlight: check out the clearance corner and be sure to look at the remnant piles. Clearance are usually marked 50% off and the remnants are usually around $5/yard and always great for smaller projects like hats, sleeves, partlets, basket covers, pillows, trim, etc etc!
Here's what I got out of the clearance section, I'm thinking sleeves..

As for Interior Fabrics, they also have locations in Houston, Oklahoma City, Austin, New Orleans, as well as Scottsdale. Prices aren't great, but they too have a good sized "value-priced/discontinued" section as well as clearance/remnant 50% rack.
Highlight: Crazy cool trims! Really unique color combinations priced between $1.50-$5.00/yard for most of them.
I didn't get anything but I grabbed a couple trim swatches to keep in the swatch-book.

And that's all I've got! The Calico Corner folks were very sure (and disappointed to say) that there are few good fabric stores in the Phoenix area. So if anyone knows of others please let me know and I'll be happy to pass it on!

Ok, hopefully I'll see you all soon with a regular update!

New Segment! If You Find Yourself In: Berkeley/Oakland

Welcome back folks! The reason I haven't been blogging much recently is because I've become a flight attendant and I'm still getting my living situation worked out, leaving not much time for working on projects. The flip-side is that I'm getting to travel a lot and I'm finding great places to go fabric shopping.  Want to shop there too? Arn't you sick of Joann fabrics already? Wonder why you can't seem to find those great unique fabrics? Well I want to share my discoveries with you so check in here as I update a new segment called "If You Find Yourself In:"

Today I found myself in Oakland/Berkeley, CA

If you live in the area or find yourself there for any reason be sure to check out:

Discount Fabrics

http://www.discountfabrics-sf.com/

locations in Berkeley and San Francisco 

Highlights: Great selection, further discounts when purchasing whole bolt, monthly specials, 10% student discount

Special note: If you do a google maps search to get to the Berkeley location be sure you enter 3006 San Pablo Ave, BERKELEY NOT OAKLAND. Same address verrrrrrry different neighborhood. There's one cause for an "avoid ghetto" option on google maps. 

Look for these pieces I got to show up in future projects!