Saturday Adventure

I had to go to Mongkok yesterday for a check-up after half-day work and had made up my mind the night before not to go and visit the fabric stores. I have every intention not to ruin my fabric de-stashing plans which have been going quite well. Then I had a couple of hours to spare before the appointment, called my husband and he said why don't you go and shop for yarn. Well, ever since the Wool Shop in Mongkok closed down last year, there isn't any store I particularly fancy so I let my feet wandered a bit further to Prince Edward.

That district has rows and rows of shops like these that wholesale fabrics.

There's one store with a box outside with pieces of fabric sample remnants and I went to that store,  started rummaging and picked out these fabrics. The two from the left are wool (close up of the first one here), the blue one is linen and that on the right in beige is kind of suede fabric that I would like to make into cushion covers for the home.

And I also picked out two slippery, knit fabric for my mother, I think she'll make them into nice summery tops.

Then I started to feel excited, it's not often that I venture out to this part of Kowloon, so I just walked a bit further and a bit further and I got lost. The number of fabric wholesellers here is many more than I expected and I see a lot of merchandisers for the factories going to the stores and carefully picking out the fabric swatches. And then I spotted some outdoor stores that seem to retail and I had to go and take a closer look. For those interested, the outdoor stores are along Kee Lung Street, I guess I must have roamed into Shamshuipo, the sleazy district my colleagues warned me not to go alone.

There are not only fabrics but threads and notions too.

After going down the rows of stores and up again, I decided I had to break my fabric diet and buy some fabrics. Prices are much, much lower than those at Li Yuen West Street in Central. And there are some nice floral fabrics that I can use to sew summer dresses for my girls. Ji Yuan loves the one on the far left, close up here.

And there's even one that reminds me of Munki Munki.

I think I got too excited and maybe the heat made me tired and I ended up with some questionable purchases too like the below. Why in the world did I buy such a big roll of cord and a bag of shell buttons?

Anyway, I am very happy with my Saturday adventure (it's the closest I get to thrifting although it really is simply shopping) and after I came back, I decided to sit down, fixed the sewing machine and went into a sort of finishing frenzy. Let's talk about it later.

Comments

[Véronique]

Those are some lovely fabric purchases. I used to sew a lot, so I know the excitement of searching and finding some nice fabric. The backyard pictures from your last post are amazing! What a lovely view of the mountain and that in the middle of a huge city. I live in Manhattan, so I just see my neighbors apartments. We do have a number of fancy birds that live in the backyard though, which I enjoy a lot. Happy sewing!

[joy]

Your diet couldn't possibly stand a chance at a place like that. Next time you should take someone along to stop you, or buy as much as you to make you feel less guilty...like me! :) The pearl buttons are good to have around; they go with everything.

[carla]

I have seen some really cool necklaces made from shell buttons! I am jealous!

[toni]

You had far more self-control than I would have surrounded by so much luscious fabric.

[Jennifer]

What a lovely district full of yummy fabrics! Of course you had to break the diet. Who could resist?

[Anna]

I don't sew. I have somefabric lying around b/c I couldn't resist it but have no clue what to do with it. That being said, how cool are those pictures!! I love the little hot air balloons! I think I would have ended up with fabric as well...and then would have brought it home, looked at it blankly, and then put it away.

[Lauren]

Gorgeous fabrics. Shell buttons are always handy, and you could try knitting the cord into... something. It could be fun.

[diana]

What a wonderful shopping trip! I'm sure you can make something lovely out of all that cord!

[erin]

They're all irresistable, great finds. The names Mongkok and Prince Edward are really familiar. I stayed near this part of Kowloon when I was there last year. What fun to know this place exists.

[Scout]

Oh that looks like so much fun!

[mimi]

Sounds like you had an exciting shopping day with great buys! Couple weeks ago I found a textile district in Taipei and i just had so much fun browsing the area. Need to go back! ;)

[Angela]

I'm so jealous! You got some really great stuff. I think it's okay to break the fabric stash diet on these types of occasions. =)

[Susan]

the bag of shell buttons will be really useful though! i bought a bag in paris once and use them all the time! they go with lots of things, and then you don't have to look for other buttons if you're finishing something in a hurry. so don't feel bad!

[handknit168]

I know there is a street at kowloon selling fabric but don't know the exact location. It is excellent to know now (should seach from the map of Kee Lung St.) from yr message. From yr photo, I think it will cost me much time to choose one for my curtain. I always want to have this cotton fabric to make curtain instead of the curtain cloth, because they are much more beautiful and cheaper.

[Tracy]

I would be a lost case there. My credit card would be smoking!

[Justine]

I haven't been doing much blog reading lately but I must say I picked a good day to get caught up, what amazing fabric! I think you showed amazing self control by only coming home with what you did.
Your new sweater looks great as well and the girls are getting so big!

[joyce]

nice fabric purchases.

[jennifer]

that fabric store looks AWESOME!

[Victoria]

It's a wonderful store, I wish there would be anyone by my city like this, but I'm afraid there aren't.

Also, wonderful fabrics
Kisses from Spain

[Maryann]

Great buys, I've had a sewing machine for years but never sewn anything. So I gave it away... now I'm tempted to buy a new one.

[eyeleen]

a whole street of fabric heaven! Lovely new fabrics for your stash.

[KnitPastis]

It would be a dream to shop for fabric at that place! The fabric choices are just stunning.