How Fabric Shopping made me think of "Back to the Future"

The life of an expat can be challenging, boring, fun, frustrating and a multitude of other conflicting emotions often occurring simultaneously.  Yesterday, I went into stress/panic mode when I found out that we may need to leave the country (for good) in days rather than months.  Skipping any boring details, I may find myself stateside very soon so...when the tough get stressed, the stressed STOCK UP!

A trip to my fabric zone was required.  I went to the ever dirty, dusty, crowded, sometimes odorous, hot, sticky, fantastically priced and fabulous area of Hyderabad known as General Bazar.  The last time I went was with a girlfriend, and her driver said to me "Madam, you are a true Hyderabadi.  In all of my years driving expats, no one has EVER asked to go to MG Road in Secunderabad (ie a very specific location in General Bazar)"  I really don't mind going off the beaten path, especially for great prices.

I spent about 3 hours and went to 4 shops.  My 6 bags looked innocent enough, but I came home with some serious loot:

6 Bags looked innocent enough

Colored Lace

White Lace

White Lace

More white lace

Fabulous black lace--I have plans for this!

Peacock Embroidered Patch

Large Paisley Embroidered Patch

Small Embroidered patches with mirror work (pardon the flash)

cotton: love this one!

More cottons

Indian motif cottons with matching poplin

Some Indian motifs and block printed cotton

cotton prints

More cotton prints

Clockwise from Top Left: Crepe, Satin, 2 cottons

Dull, boring, poplin and lining fabric

 That was just the fabric and lace.  This was my haul from my favorite "Tailoring Materials" shop owned by my favorite shop keeper, Mr. Prakash, whom I lovingly refer to as "the Zipper Guy".

Lots and lots of Buttons, Zippers, pins, machine needles and pinking shears

The total tally was a whopping 88 meters of fabric!  Seeing that number immediately sent a scene from "Back to the Future" through my head: when the time machine first disappears and Doc jumps up and down cheering: "What did I tell you?  88 MILES...PER...HOUR!!!

Yes it was heavy to carry, and yes I got fantastic deals.  Because I'm a geek, not only did I tally up the total meters, but I calculated the average price for those 88m.  Ready?  The average price per meter was $2.12!!  All of those 16" zippers:  $0.12 each!  Yes, you read that correctly.  Thank you India!

Hello My Lovelies, Welcome to my Stash!

I went grocery shopping the other day and afterwards popped upstairs to the new shop that sells sarees, dress materials, jewellery and more.  I went in looking for an inexpensive saree to cut up and make a new pool coverup.  I came out with that, and so much MORE!!  I bought 3 sarees (yes, 3) and 4 sets of crepe dress materials: 2 coordinating fabrics (2.5m each) and a chiffon scarf/dupatta/chunni/stole--whatever you want to call it)

Lets discuss:
Set #1 caught my eye while I was looking at sarees:
Brown and purple:  Ovals and Pixy Stix designs:

Next: Turquoise blue leaf print with coordinating diagonal stripe:


Next: An Un-Indian subtle beige/seafoam green/coral print with a plain (gasp!) coordinating fabric:


The one that made me say "OH! I love this!":

Let's not forget that I did buy what I came in for: sarees.

• The first was a bright pink with a navy squiggle pattern all over.
• Next was a coral and maroon print
• The last one I picked out had an allover print in beige and wedgewood blue.  Once I got it home, it wasn't beige, but more of a celery color.  This one might turn into a gift.

So did I go a little bit overboard?  Maybe.  In my defense I have already made my pool coverup from the turquoise diagonal print, and I have plans for a skirt made from the brown and purple "Pixy Stix" fabric.  So I may had added some bulk to my stash, but I'm hoping they won't stick around for long.  :)