Yes, those are little orange and green books on a black background! Isn't that adorable? I bought it on eBay yonks ago — I bought it actually while sitting on a plane (thanks, GoGo Wireless!) and yesterday I was ALSO sitting on a plane, which reminded me that I'd never posted about this fabric.
I don't have a ton of it — four yards, maybe, but it's vintage fabric so it's very narrow, under 42 inches wide. What would you do with this fabric?
A Dress A Day 
Bolero jacket to go with a complementary colored dress… COVERED BUTTONS.
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Ebay bidding while on a plane? How wild. Falling books…imagine if books really fell from trees and not leaves?
Anyhow, you asked what to do with your narrow piece of fabric. I’d mix with another sympatico print in a newer, wider width and then go wild with your favorite dress pattern!
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I think it would make a cute shirt dress or skirt.
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A skirt, ful and gathered, worn with an orange J. Crew 3/4 length sleeve cardigan. And Mary Janes in black. And dark rimmed reading glasses.
Swoooonnnn….
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a shirt with contrasting fabric inside the cuffs and collar (as in a recent Threads feature).
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Bag for library books.
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Well..there’s enough for a Heidi!
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It must be part of a cute librarian look! Maybe a blouse with a peter pan collar and pearl buttons?
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The images in the fabric seem to be swirling, so I’d make a cape, or a tablecloth for the small round table near the front door where you stack the books you just brought home from the bookstore or library. In any case, something to keep that swirl . . .
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Definitely a fullish skirt and style yourself as a naughty librarian. Super cute.
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I can picture this fabric design in a sleeveless blouse or short sleeve blouse.very 50s or 60s style.. A bolero would be adorable indeed. and if it is really vintage, keep a piece and frame it on your sewing room wall!
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Maybe this is a boring idea but the first think I thought of was making a cushion for my office chair!
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a gathered skirt gets my vote. I see that others have beaten me to this idea!
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See, me, I’d make a vamp dress ala Joan from Mad Men out of it.
This is JUST me, tho. I like the idea of sexy and bookish tho.
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I would make a smock and play “librarian” at home while wearing it.
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I know this is dress a day, but I second the office chair idea. However, I thought of one of those cute low backed small chairs that seem perfect for a library nook!
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Sexy strappy, sundress. Librarian eye glasses. Loafers. Done.
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Textbook covers
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I immediately pictured a full skirted dress, white buttons on the centre bodice, a little white collar and cut-on sleeves that poke out slightly wider than the shoulder. Oh and all the “Librarian” accessories. Glasses. Pearls, narrow belt, flats.
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Oh my God, a skirt, a 1950’s skirt. I love that fabric!
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Personally I would take a swatch of it with me to the tattoo artist, because I’ve been planning a book tattoo for a while and it’s surprisingly hard to find good illustrations of an open book.
However, for you, I think a pleated skirt with pockets would be gorgeous in this. It would also make a great contrast fabric, or how lovely to catch a glimpse of it in your pocket lining!
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…with black penny loafer that have a stacked heel…
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update: a long sleeve blouse with ruffles down the front with little pearl buttons, to be worn with a wool pencil skirt, tights with a chevron pattern, then the black penny loafers with a 3″ stacked heel.
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An a-line skirt to wear with a white blouse with a peter pan collar and an orange cardigan, green glasses and green penny loafers. And then I’d sit under a tree and read a book.
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What a cute fabric! And it’s a non-directional print, which opens up quite a few possibilities with 4yds (even at 36 or 39 inches wide). A shirt-waist might not be one of them though, as those tend to be more fabric hungry.
It would be a shame to use a dressmaking length on something that only requires a fraction of it though (like a bag or a blouse). It’s so rare to get good lengths of vintage fabric!
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My favourite suggestions are the library book bag and the bolero jacket. This is too cute though. I’m tres jealous.
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Make an insanely form fitting sexy librarian dress with it!
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Hmm, I love Rachel’s skirt outfit idea, but part of me says it’s too wonderful for clothing (which you can’t wear everyday because people start to look at you funny), so I’d probably go with Kathie’s idea of a book tote.
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Make a slipcover for my Reading Chair.
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Four yards might be enough for a tailored sleeveless dress with a flared skirt (because gores take less fabric than gathers) reaching to just below the knee. I’d also be tempted to make a reversible bolero jacket in black and matching green. With piping.
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I would use a bit to make a cover for my daughters Sony book reader
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