"If you're going to San Francisco..."

34 comments


"...be sure to wear some flowers in your hair." My college roommate told me that she thinks of me when she hears that song. Probably because I would always wear flowers in my hair or maybe she thought I was a hippie, who knows. I digress, I am going to San Francisco this summer for a quick day trip (with minimal fabric shopping, sad I know). Anyway, Colette Patterns put together a Knitcation contest using their two newest knit patterns, Mabel and Moneta. Here's the gist, you sew at least one skirt and dress from the new patterns and make up a travel wardrobe for either a real or pretend vacation. I'll be in SF, but only for 24 hours, and this is what I would wear if I was there for a little longer, didn't want to pack a ton, and knew that it was going to be sunny with no fog.

Look 1: Scout top and Mabel skirt. Vintage scarf to tie in my hair for a pop of color. Bought the scarf the same day as the LA Sewist meet up a few weeks ago :) Sightseeing outfit for sure.
Look 2: Leopard Mabel and American Nightmare band shirt. Pair this with red lipstick and my old Converse. Side note: I have owned the same pair of Converse since high school. They are a little beat up, but I refuse to get rid of them. They'd be great for jumping on and off the cable cars!

Look 3: An unblogged Moneta, I just finished it last night! Leopard cardigan Renfrew mod. I could go cute with this and wear black flats or make it a little more rock and roll with Converse. Magenta lips are a must. Luke and I are going to a comedy show and this outfit will most likely be worn.
Look 4: The same Moneta dress paired with a red Bananna Republic cardigan. I rarely buy RTW, but fell in love with this sweater a couple of years ago. This look would be something worn out to dinner with black flats.

Look 5: Salme Kimono top with an unblogged Mabel. Leopard print shoes to complete this outfit. Did you guys know that I like leopard print???? LOL. This combo will be worn when I am cruising around Union Square in search of Britex.
Look 6:  Mabel and Scout. Just need baby pink flats to wear on my feet, a bun on my head, and soft pink blush on my cheeks.

Look 7: Just realized that I photographed the back of this Moneta dress and not the front, whoops! Guess I need to invest in tags at some point. This dress would be worn on Haight Street and I would make peace signs while posing for photographs that my husband would be forced into taking.

I'm glad I decided to do this Knitcation challenge. I would have made the dresses and skirts with or without the contest, but it forced me to think about my clothes in a different way and combine things that I normally wouldn't or hadn't thought of yet.

Let's talk about San Francisco, do any of you have any restaurant recommendations? If you could go to one fabric store what would it be?

34 comments :

  1. What a great holiday wardrobe...the Mable sure is versatile! I hope that it's sunny when you visit - we had such an enermous amount of rain when I went to SF a few years ago!

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  2. How fun! I love your outfits Erin! I wish I saw this, but I was on vacation. Oh well! I love San Francisco! I would recommend Sotto Mare, but you might have to set a reservation. Ice cream Bi-rite...salted caramel is yummy! Britex for fabric shopping, I think that's one of the well known fabric stores, but I've never went because it's kind of expensive for me.

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  3. Mission Cheese for all the cheese, and then just a door or so up go to Craftsman and Wolves for amazing pastries, bread and cakes. Argh I am going crazy just thinking about how good SF is!
    Your knitcation wardrobe looks great for SF assuming as you say there isn't too much fog.

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  4. This is so fun! I love seeing all your mixing and matching, and what great items to add to your wardrobe!

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  5. awesome holiday wardrobe - looks so stylish and fun while also being comfortable too - perfect! I love how you can dress these pieces up and down and mix and match them in so many ways. #6 is my favorite with your description of pink ballet flats and a bun - that would look so lovely!

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  6. I went to SF State, worked in SF for two years, and have lived 50 minutes away my whole life. I know jack shit about SF. (I commuted to school and work). I think Britex is the only major fabric haunt. Did Jessica McClintock used to sell fabric? I like typical tourist fare down by the wharf. I did eat at the Stinking Rose once and it was delicious.

    I love your Mabels and Monetas! And leopard print!

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  7. My daughter lives in the area, so I've gone to visit her quite a few times. And I think I've shopped, during these ten years at every fabric shop in that whole area. You will hear a lot about Britex fabrics which is right downtown in the Financial District of San Francisco. A great store. super expensive however -- but someplace wonderful to shop for buttons - on their 3rd of 4 floors! But my absolute positively favorite fabric shop is http://www.stonemountainfabric.com . It is located in Berkeley, across the Bay but reachable by BART, their public transportation store. ABSOLUTE great range of fabrics -- including a fairly good amount of knits. Very helpful clerks -- if you get there when it is not so busy. I suggest a non weekend time. Early better than later. An absolute must. Have fun.

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  8. All of these outfits are so cute! Love your descriptions of makeup and accessories too!

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  9. Britex is lovely to look at and even shop for stuff in but they are QUITE expensive so unless you want something really, really special stick to fabric stores in LA. They do have an outstanding button and notion floor on 3 so that is worth the walk up stairs. Stone Mountain and Daughter in Berkeley is MUCH more affordable and SO worth the trip! If you're up here and have time I'll meet you in the city and take you to Stone Mountain, we could even fit in L'acis if you have time : ) I'm a short hop across the bay from The City and would be happy to play tour guide.

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  10. OMG, You should go to Burma Superstar in the Inner Richmond, or (and) Brenda's in the TL. BOTH ARE AMAZING (but have long waits, so be sure to get there early)! I have several other restaurant recs, but only 24 hours isn't a lot of time. Also, you need to make sure to bring a jacket, SF in July is usually windy and cool, at least in the evenings.


    I always go to Britex, someone mentioned Stone Mountain & Daughter, and I like Discount Fabrics in SoMa (it's actually reasonably close to Britex).

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  11. So awesome! Great mix and match wardrobe!!! :)

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  12. Ah they are all great!! And you know I already am in love with Look 7. I really really need to make up these patterns!! And I too still have my old Chucks from high school. The first pair I ever bought and I have been addicted ever since. They are maroon and sooo dirty and beat up. I'm so stupid but when I bought them I purposely wore them in mud and scuffed them up to make them look like they were my skateboarding shoes....and I didn't even own a skateboard. HAHAHAHA!!!!

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  13. Love this! I live in the East Bay and will also plug Stonemountain & Daughter as well as toss in A Verb for Keeping Warm (limited but unique fabric selection) and Lacis (trims & tools) for an East Bay shopping excursion (there is a Discount Fabric up the street from avfkw for a total of 4 stops if you'd like).

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  14. Love all of your outfits! My perfect day in SF is shopping at Britex (across from Macy's, btw!) , lunch at Miller's East Coast Deli, thrift store shopping in the Mission and dinner at our fave Indian restaurant in Walnut creek (not in SF, but on the way home!).

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  15. Yay! Have a fun trip! I love all your outfits- you're going to be one stylish sightseer! San Francisco is one of my very favorite cities- wish I was going! :)

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  16. I'm a (former) east bay girl, and I will caution you to never think you *know* there won't be any fog. Don't tempt fate like that lol! Britex is kind of the only game in the city. Go, browse, marvel. But as others have said, the affordable fabric shopping is on the sunny side of the Bay. I used to haunt Verb and love it, but to make to most of it I'd do the fabric shopping at Stone Mountain, and get some nice hand dyed (in the dye garden out back!) yarn at Verb for all your knitting projects.

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  17. Don't worry, Sarah! I'm for sure bringing some warmer clothes. This post was a perfect world scenario :)

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  18. Man, those sound like some awesome places!!! I have actually been to A Verb for Keeping Warm when Sarai from Colette Patterns was in town and it was cool. Unfortunately, it was before I learned to knit, so I didn't realize how amazing it was!

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  19. hahahh! I used to tell people I skateboarded because I thought it was funny. I actually am considering getting a longboard to cruise around on.

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  20. Mmmmm I ate there once and it was sooooooo good! I went to the one near Green Apple Books. No idea where that is located, but it was a memorable evening of good food, books, and friends :)

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  21. You are so so sweet, Loran. I would LOVE to meet up with you, but I will literally be in town for less than 24 hours and my husband and I have plans scattered throughout the day :( I would love to come visit with you another weekend! Maybe we could plan a little meet up with other sewists? Bay Area meet up!

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  22. I read this comment to my husband I think this is where he wants to eat now! Thank you for the suggestion! xo

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  23. Thanks for the suggestions, Gail. It sounds like I really need to make it over to Stone Mountain, quite a few people have recommended them.

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  24. Thanks, Elisha. I will definitely be brining a coat, as we will be out and about at night.

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  25. Thanks, Kate. Now I just need to find the perfect pair of pink flats. I had to get rid of my last pair, they got too dirty!

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  26. Mmmmm I love cheese! And pasties. And bread. And cakes. Sold!

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  27. Thanks, Kathy! You always know where the good spots are located!

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  28. I'm crossing my fingers for good weather!

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  29. Anytime : ) Since we're only about 5 or so hours apart I'm SURE we can manage at some point!

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  30. On a good day, about 2 1/2-3 hrs away :)

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