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Nifty Item #3: It’s a Fabric Bonanza!

It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Yee haw!

bonanza [bəˈnænzə] n

1. a source, usually sudden and unexpected, of luck or wealth.

I’m one of those people who never wins things.  Raffles?  Stopped bothering buying tickets.  Contests?  Not since the seventh grade poetry contest.  Giveaways?  Please.

Until now!  This past September, by a wild act of God, I won the September Sponsor Giveaway on one of my favorite blogs, Lil Blue Boo.  I was shocked – – floored – – when I heard the news.

Over the past month, various gifties have been arriving on our doorstep – – it’s like Christmas and my birthday and Publishers Clearing House all rolled into one.

One of the most delightful boxes to open was from the Fabric Fairy (yes, she’s real) – – and the box is called, THE BONANZA BOX!  I was initially really just drawn to the word “bonanza” when I placed my order online; it conjures up images of exploding confetti, circus performers, Michael Landon riding into the sunset.  But the concept behind it is really quite nifty.  Essentially, it’s a flat rate box stuffed full with a variety of high quality knit fabrics, size 0-18 inches; you can specify a theme for the box (such as girly, stripes, toddler)…but the rest is a surprise.

Opening up my Bonanza Box upon its arrival was like opening up Mary Poppins’ carpet bag: the fabric just kept pouring out.  I was also impressed with the variety of the textiles that came with my “girly” box.  I ended up with a beautiful stack of 18 different pieces.

It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
“And beneath twenty downy mattresses, I’ll place one tiny pea.  If that pea destroys her slumber, then a true princess is she!”

I’ll highlight some of my favorites:

It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Playful prints.
It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Holiday prints!
It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Fabric so soft, you want to make an entire wardrobe out of it!
It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Stripes – – suitable for all ages!
It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Pretty in pink prints.

With the remainder of my gift certificate, I purchased 1.5 yards of the knit below.  I don’t have any plans for it yet, but was just drawn to the graphic and colors.  It’s even more brilliant in person if you can imagine.

It's a Fabric Bonanza via The Thinking Closet
Seaweed Wrap Cotton Interlocken Fabric by Patty Young.

I highly recommend you experience the Bonanza Box if only for the sheer delight that comes with opening up a package with surprises inside…from a fairy.

Now, back to reality.  What am I going to do with all of these knits?  As a beginner sewist, knits honestly intimidate me.  I know they require different techniques, different hems, different needles…right?

I recently posted a question on the blog, Siestas & Sewing, asking Cindy if she had any tips or suggestions for approaching a project with knits for the first time.  I was so touched when she wrote me an extensive response via email with some great suggestions and a few projects that might be good starter ones.  (Thanks again, Cindy!)

But I’ll throw my questions out there again to any of you sewists reading along:

  • What tips do you have for working with knits?
  • What projects would be good for smaller cuts of knit fabric?

And to close, just because I couldn’t resist….

This is Lauren, signing off.

P.S. I was not compensated in any way for writing this post.  I’m just THIS enthusiastic about my bonanza box, for reals, yo.

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8 Comments

  1. Hi Lauren, I know this is an older post but it popped up in ‘you might also like’ on today’s post and I thought it was just too funny so I had to share, you’ll never guess what is playing on my TV to the left of my computer as I type this — Bonanza!!! it’s on ME-TV and although as a child I hated it, I watch it everyday now as an old woman (well 40 something-closer to 50). My absolute favorite of the old shows is now ‘The Rifleman’ which also comes on ME-TV, Chuck Connors is soooo hotttt!!!! My Daddy (God rest his soul) would be tickled pink that I actually watch these old shows. Love the fabrics, going searching now to see what you made with them, this is a cool idea from the Fabric Fairy, I am not much for sewing although thanks to my Mother I have 4 sewing machines and enough fabric to open a store in my home, so I really should just sit down and learn, maybe something you’ve done will inspire me.

    1. I’m so glad that you DID pop by this oldie-but-goodie and that it so serendipitously coincided with your watching of Bonanza! That’s awesome! Growing up, I loved watching shows that were from older generations, be it I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, Dark Shadows, Leave it to Beaver, or Bonanza! They’re classics.

      And I’m ashamed to say that I have yet to tackle a knit sewing project, although you will see one of these fabrics in the background of my Rhinestone Onesie post. I’ve got a sewing project I’m working on right now with duck cloth, and once that’s done, I think I’ll have the confidence I need to tackle some projects using knits. Some baby hats would be cute!

      4 sewing machines? Fabric galore? When can I come over? (Ha ha.) But seriously, if you’re wanting to learn, I really recommend working your way through Raechel Myers’s Sewing 101 course online. I’m on the very last lesson, and it has really boosted my confidence as a beginner sewist!

  2. Oh my goodness that video cracked me up with the standing there and smiling as the name appears below! 🙂 Congrats on this win, Lauren! Woah, jackpot. Can’t wait to see what you do with ’em!

    1. Ha ha! I’m glad you pointed that out. It’s actually extremely awkward – – you can tell by their blinking and trying to keep their horses still. They sure don’t make TV show intros like THIS anymore!

  3. Can’t wait to see some of your projects from your fabric bonanza!! And loved the Bonanza theme song! That was one of the shows my parents, brother, and I watched faithfully each week together when I was a child! Good memories! Congratulations on winning so many great items from the September Sponsor Give-away from Lil Blue Boo!

    1. Once again, Cindy, you’re so helpful! I love the shirred fabric flower hair accessories you linked up – – those will be great for utilizing scraps! Might take me a while before I’m ready for such a project, but when I do, I’ll be sure to share it. 😉

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