About two weeks ago I was at the park talking to my friends about craft projects and fabric. The LA fashion District came up and we all talked about how we are dying to go there. Aleena said we should just go there, can everyone go this weekend. Well that weekend didn't work for everyone. So I figured it would just be something we would never get around to doing, since life always seems to get in the way. But Aleena was determined and it some how worked out that all five of us were able to go the following weekend. And the next thing I know we were in the car driving to LA with no kids (well two babies came but they were easy). We drove over Friday night and got a hotel room. We had our first encounter with an LA resident trying to park the van. I was driving so I rolled down the window to ask where we were suppose to park (she was working in the parking garage not just a random person) she was clearly put out that she had to pause her phone conversation, I asked her where to park and she said "Down the street miss?" (in a very rude tone) Well it was an intersection down the street, so I said which way do I turn. "Down the street miss means down the street." She was such a brat, but it gave us all a good laugh.

The next morning we headed to the LA Fashion District. It's just a shopping place that reminds me of being in Mexico, you bargain for better deals and everything is so cheap. It's also not the cleanest place to be. I wouldn't go there by myself for sure. We stuck to our group, no one broke away. We headed to the FIDM store first, which I thought was a little bit of a let down. They no longer have a dollar section and all the clothes they have there are the biggest sizes available. But they do have awesome fabric you can buy in the back for 2 dollars a yard. Tons of cute knit, just what I wanted. Afterwards we headed for Santee Alley and as we were crossing the intersection this lady said to me, you girls don't look like you know what you are doing. (everyone told us to try to). I said to her "we are trying to?" She said do you know where the alley is, I pointed right in front of us and said isn't that it. Nope, turn left and it's between those buildings. Thank you! Then once we got across the street she said to us, zip up your purses, tuck them under you arm and hang on. Yikes what were we getting ourselves into. But it really wasn't too bad. I think we definitely stuck out a little bit but I never felt scared. We did a little shopping in the alley but really we came for the fabric so that's were we headed. We hit Michael Levine first which again a little bit of a let down because their prices were definitely not cheap. But they're selection is amazing. So we just browsed around there for a bit and then headed across the street to Michael Levine Loft. They just have tons of cardboard boxes set up filled with remnants of fabric and they sell fabric for 2.50 a pound. It was fun digging through those boxes and making amazing finds. After the Loft we felt a lot better and definitely realized this actually is as great as it sounded. From there we went from one shop to another buying cheap fabric. I think could have lived there and never ran out of fabric that we wanted to buy. I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to shop at Joann's again without shuddering from the prices. I bought about 18-20 yards of fabric, three belts, jewelry, 13 spools of thread, 4 zippers, 5 yards of lace and I think that is it for about 65 dollars. AMAZING!!! We had a great time and I'm already looking forward to our next trip. Although next time I'm definitely going with a better game plan, I bought random things, with no real set project, but I know I'll find good use for everything I got. Thanks, Heather, Jordan, Aleena, and Katherine for the great time. Seriously the four hour car ride felt like 30 minutes, it went way too fast. Til next time!

Trying to figure out my timer...

At FIDM Michael Levine Loft. Such amazing fabric to be found here. Heather buying her fabric by the pound. Me getting mine. Loving our life right about now. Driving home after a successful day. My spoils. (And I made my curtains, quilt and lamp shade. I really need to do a post on my bedroom that I've redone, but there's still a few odds and ends to do and so I keep waiting) I already made my first project which I'll share with you all. I've really gotten into making clothes lately. It's my new favorite thing. I've made Maylee two dresses, me two dresses, my mom a dress, and myself a pencil skirt. I just love sewing. However the first dresses I made where t-shirt dresses, super basic and simple. This dress however I made everything, sleeves and all which scared me a little. And I did not use a pattern. I made my own. But I'm pretty happy with how well it turned out. I'm thinking I'm going to be needing one for every day of the week. HA!

In process, before sleeves. (excuse my pooch, that's what happens after 3 kids in 3 years) All finished! I think it turned out pretty good.