Last month, I took a day trip to Silicon Valley California. There wasn’t much time for shopping but I did stop by the bohemian town of Berkeley to check out this shop:
Stone Mountain and Daughters is an awesome fabric shop! When you first walk in the shop, you see the quilting fabrics on display. The room on the right was far more exciting for me because of the apparel fabrics there. Check out these cool textured silks.
Textured Silk
What was also eye-catching were the many sample garments on display from the Decades of Style pattern line.
Decades of Style #3101 Parisienne Coat
L to R: Decades of Style #3009 Capelet, #3010 Crossing Coat, #3007 Button Dress and #2004 Tier-rific Ensemble
I liked the samples even better than the samples shown on the Decades of Style web site and was inspired to try the Collar Confection Blouse based on this sample (sorry for the blurry cell phone photo).
Decades of Style #5003 Collar Confection Blouse with #4004 Empire Waist Trousers, #5007 Object d’Art Dress
I loved the red silk brocade used to make this blouse. It was perfect for this style. I hunted for it in vain but unfortunately, I couldn’t find any more of the fabric. I still picked up the pattern though.
Stone Mountain has an impressive stock of indie patterns. I was tempted to walk out with stacks of them but held back.
However, I didn’t have as much control when it came to the fabric. Especially when I discovered the clearance section upstairs!
The prices were very reasonable. This is my haul (from left to right): white silk, grey pinstripe wool, crinkle silk organza, animal print lining and grey wool suiting. The white silk was a steal. It is thick in weight and perfect for my foray into experimental fabric dyeing.
Stone Mountain & Daughter Fabric Goodies
This woolen hairy beast was also a steal. It will make a warm coat. Need to find a simple, non-fussy pattern though because it is quite thick to sew and probably sheds a lot.
Stone Mountain & Daughter Fabric Goodies
After my shopping excursion, we headed back to the hotel. On the way, we had a quick meal in Palo Alto. Downtown Palo Alto was beautiful. Someday, I hope to be back for a longer visit. Perhaps for a Sandra Betzina class at Stone Mountain Fabrics? 🙂
Palo Alto at night
What a lovely trip. I’m hoping to go to San Francisco next year and this time I will make a point of getting to Stone Mountain Daughter.
You must go! I wanted to make it to Britex ( I’ve never been there) but happy I made it to Stone Mountain and Daughter instead. The prices are reasonable and the quality is good.
What an inspiring store! Id love to see those patterns made up!
I agree! I like the fabrics chosen for the samples. It made me change my mind about a few of the patterns.
Oh, I feel online shopping will occur soon!
Hee hee- very dangerous!
You picked a great blouse style.
Thanks! It was good to see the sample- I need to find a fabric that is not too drapey but not too stiff. Time to shop the stash!
Fabric shopping is always fun for sewers! Clearance? LOVE the word!
I’m interested in dyeing fabric too but first I think of is failing… haha
Thanks Jeyco! Haven’t had time to make anything but somehow there is always time for fabric shopping! I tried a few dyeing experiments last spring but not good enough to post yet. This white silk is perfect for experiments. It was on clearance because it was a bit soiled.