A Fabrics Kind of Weekend!

I did my usual Friday and Saturday estate and garage sale running around this weekend and, as mostly but not always happens, found great deals and met interesting people.  Most of my finds were fabrics - wonderful fabrics that I could not let go (and already wish I had bought more)!

At an otherwise so-so estate sale in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, I found silk and other luxurious fabrics piled in a dusty corner - the pieces ranged from 2-6 yards - large enough for small to medium sized chairs or a tight-seat settee.  I have silks in my current inventory that I take out every now and then to consider for various projects and often put back - my upholsterer does not love doing pieces in silk.  It doesn't stretch like other fabrics do which makes the piping and other details a little harder to execute.  Also, silk has a reputation for being a "fancy" fabric that does not take abuse well and wears easily.   I do have one silk chair in my current inventory of refurbished furniture - link to website - but tend not to have too many.  In my own home, I have a silk plaid chair in both my kitchen (desk chair) and family room which have done well and are still spotless and beautiful after almost 10 years.   But nevertheless, silk does have that reputation!

Silk Fabrics Purchased on Friday - there are almost seven yards on the red and cream stripe - should be wonderful!

I have found that silk can be managed with a few basic rules:

• Keep water or other liquids away - it spots and does not forgive
• Keep out of direct sunlight - the fibers can break down
• Enjoy!!

Silk Chair in Wydeven Design Inventory

I bought a number of other fabrics - none were labeled - there are damasks, stripes, toiles .... great looks all!  The total yardage was about 30 - I got all of these for less than $2.00 per yard!  

On Saturday, a neighborhood sale in the midtown area of Atlanta yielded even more fabrics and, if possible, even better deals!   The seller works (or worked) at ADAC (Atlanta Design Center) and she was selling large samples (2.5 yards bound) of Cowtan and Tout, Jane Churchill, Pierre Deux, Roma and other TOP-END fabrics - 3 for $25.00.  These fabrics typically sell for over a $100 a yard retail.   I bought seven pieces - 2.5 yards is enough for very few upholstered pieces so this was probably not the best idea but I just loved them and could have bought just about all of them.  

Here are some of those beauties!

The pieces were bound on all sides so the resulting measurement was approximately 84 by 52 - which actually works quite well as a tablecloth.  I put one on my kitchen dining table and VOILA - it works and looks very springlike and lovely!  So, these are double-use!  I can use as tablecloths and also on smaller chairs!   

What a great weekend!  

Cowtan and Tout fabric sample - as tablecloth in my home - love it!!