Sometimes it's hard to say goodbye

I'm having a bit of a summer wardrobe crisis.  (OK, you would be forgiven in thinking that this might have been a serious post!!)  Three of my much loved summer staples, the stalwarts of my wardrobe are in their last throws, i.e. they need to be thrown out!  I've worn them and worn them and worn them and now they are worn out.  This skirt is going at the waistband, although I think I can salvage that as it is inside and won't be seen.  Then there are a pair of light weight green trousers which I love.  Such a good buy, £15 about 15 years ago - not bad I'd say, but I fear that they are really beyond repair now.  Yet despite this I'm keeping them because I might just get round to making a pattern from them and trying to replicate them (Hmmmm . . .  the likelihood of that happening ?!).  Then there is a lovely white skirt with an elasticated waistband, which was such a good fit, unfortunately I discovered that I could still wear it when I was pregnant, under the bump and two pregnancies later and lots of wear pre and post pregnancy has finally meant the elastic has stretched too far that even my hips can't stop this skirts gradual descent!

It wouldn't be so bad if I had something to replace these clothes, but it is almost impossible to go shopping when you are trying to look for something similar to those much loved items.  I've come to the conclusion that I need to make my own clothes, not a new thought by any means but it seems now is the time to get back into it.  I used to make everything I wore when I was a teenager - even making my own coats.  The problem I have and one of the reasons I stopped making things was that I just can't seem to find any good fabric shops, which sell material for making clothes.  It seems everyone is so geared up to quilting these days.  So I'm sending out a call for help, if anyone knows of any good online dress fabric sites please let me know in the comments section.  Please help - my wardrobe needs YOU!