Hello everyone!.  Two weeks ago, I  went to the Michael Levine Loft in Downtown, Los Angeles to take advantage of their 30% Off sale.  Because I don’t check their monthly sale calendar often, I found out about the sale 1 day before it ended.  Therefore, I went on the last day of the sale, which happened to be on a Saturday.  I don’t usually visit the fashion district on weekends because of the large crowds, but I didn’t want to miss this sale, so I decided to join the crowd.  If you’re not familiar with the Loft, it is a small space above the Michael Levine Home Décor Building.  All fabric at the Loft is sold for the low price of $3/pound.  The space is set up with oversized boxes of fabric on the floor; shelves line the walls with cardboard tubes of fabric; a small cutting table for customer use; and the check-out area.  If you’re willing to dig through the boxes, sometimes you can find great pieces.  I will say that most times it’s worth the dig because you just never know what you’re gonna find.  I’ve purchased great yardages from the Loft that have become amazing garments.  At times it requires extra muscle to pull out pieces that have become twisted and tangled with other fabrics.  On this particular trip, I had to actually enlist the help of the attendant to get a couple of pieces that were entangled with fabrics from two different boxes.  Haha!  Sounds crazy doesn’t it?  Well, like I said, “You just never know what you’re gonna find.” 

Check out some of the pieces I have sewn in the past using fabrics purchased from the Michael Levine Loft.

• Sweater Cardigan & Skirt HERE / Variegated Knit Tunic HERE / Fall Maxi Dress HERE /

The majority of fabrics sold at the Loft are knits.  Because I love knit fabrics and sew with them most of the time, the Loft is especially beneficial to me, as I can purchase loads of fabrics for both, wearable and practice garments.  Using fabrics that I purchase from the Loft for my muslins is great because of the low price.

The only drawback to purchasing from the Loft is that you don’t know what you’re getting, in terms of fabric content that is.  I just go through the boxes and pull out what I like, without concerning myself too much with the contents.  Sometimes I can find the same fabric at the main store or on their website, which is always nice, because I can check content that way.  Otherwise, I take my best guess and move forward.  I’m currently learning about all the different fabrics.  If I pull out something that looks like lycra, I treat it like lycra.  If it looks and feels like a double knit or sweater knit, then it gets treated as such.  I ALWAYS wash my fabric when I get home before storing it away.  In the rare case that I don’t wash it right away, it stays in the shopping bag until I can get to it.  That way it doesn’t get mixed in with the fabrics that have already been pre-treated.  I just love shopping at the Loft!  If you’re ever in the Los Angeles area, maybe you will take a trip to the Loft and find yourself some treasures too.  Here is a photo of all the fabrics I purchased on this last trip to the Loft, during the 30% OFF sale.  I paid $2.10/lb for these.  WooHoo!  Now THAT’s a sale!!!

For today’s dress, I chose this delicious mustard colored, ribbed knit fabric (pictured in the center of the left stack above), along with Burda 7137.  I decided to use this fabric because I knew I already had the shoes to match.  The Peter Pan collar is what drew my attention to the pattern.  Because ribbed knits tend to stretch out during wear, I knew I was taking a chance on using it to make this dress.  I  strengthened the shoulders and neckline at the seams with hem tape (or you can use clear elastic), and the lining gives it the extra layer needed to help prevent those things from showing through that we want to keep hidden.  If you decide to make this dress, I would use either a woven fabric or a Ponte knit.  Oh gosh, it would be absolutely beautiful in a mustard Ponte knit.  Hmmm.. maybe I will make it again someday. 

My total cost to make this dress was under $15 (including fabric, lining and zipper).

NEVER MISS A POST!!!  Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list to be notified of future blog posts.  

All Photos Courtesy of CEMO!

Create The Look!

• Pattern = Burda Style 7137 (View A with collar from C)
• Fabric = Ribbed Knit
• Lining = Poly/Spandex
• Shoes = Steve Madden (Old)

What About You?

Do you have a local spot where you can get fabric at incredibly low prices?  Share in the comments below. 

Have you subscribed to my blog?  If not, you may do so now by entering your email in the designated box below or in the side bar and clicking the “SUBSCRIBE” button.

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember:  When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!

Anita