Thursday, July 1, 2010
Do You Know What's In Your Stash?
A pretty piece of animal print knit appeared in my hands today. Well it didn't magically appear, but I'd forgotten I had it. I hadn't even bought it that long ago! I think that I am so organized with my fabric on a spreadsheet, everything in labeled bins stacked neatly on shelves in my fabric closet. But, honestly I have a lot of fabric so it' easy to forget what's in there. At last count I had about 365 yards of fabric not including interfacing or lining. I have been much more selective about my fabric buying lately, but sometimes that fabric just calls out to me. Or I get an idea for a new outfit and I don't have anything in my fabric store with which to make it. Some of the fabric I have just doesn't work with my lifestyle, so it stays on the shelf. Where, after all am I going to wear 2 yards of crystal pleated burgundy polyester from the workroom of Mary McFaddon? I bought it on a whim from Mood. Try as I might I can't figure out how it won't add 10 lbs to my hips or bust. This one is hard to forget I have because it's on a roll that stares me in the face every time I open the closet. Or how about the 3 meters of lavender and tan silk brocade I bought in India? Can't you just see me in that out measuring a property? I made a pair of silk and wool trousers awhile back. They fit well, the fabric is gorgeous, but really the sheen makes them a tad dressy for every day wear. That and they have to be dry cleaned. Periodically I open all the bins for the season I want to sew for and play with them to see what I want to make and invariably, like today I find something that I forgot I have. If I am lucky I might even still like it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
.JPG)
Mom, obviously the solution for that pleated burgundy polyester is to make me something cute!
ReplyDelete:-D
Love you!
OMG - Crystal beaded Mary McFadden - what will you do with that?...wanna sell it? I have to say everything in my stash pretty well works for me, it's just some of it is dated, and I'm waiting for it to come back in style again. I may not live that long!!!
ReplyDeleteI think your daughter is right--that Mary McFadden fabric is for her. I bet you can make her something fabulous. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is why I change fabric over every season. If I didn't I wouldn't remember half of what I have and it seems as if I have 3x as much as you do.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you should hold onto the Crystal beaded Mary McFadden fabric - you never know when you're going to get invited to the White House!
Do I know what's in my stash? Yes!
ReplyDelete(this and my online pattern scans are mostly for idle sewing daydreaming at work...)
I know maybe 97% of what I have in my stash by memory since I don't have a huge stash. The 3% mystery fabric is because I have not found time to be more organized. Yes! I have some "what was I thinking" fabric that I have outgrew in terms of tastes and lifestyle but I can't part with because they remind me of when I bought them. I am currently working on thinking up other ways to use them up...
ReplyDeleteYes. I mean, yes I agree and no, I don't know what all is in my stash anymore! Sometimes I think about selling off the Home Dec fabrics on eBay. But the garment fabric is mostly stuff I will like when I get around to sewing it. In fact, I am ready for autumn now. There are a few wools calling to me.
ReplyDeleteKeep the crystal beaded Mary McFadden. You never know!
I have no clue what is in my stash! My sewing "studio" has 4 skylights and large french doors = lots of sunlight! So I keep my stash in huge cardboard boxes to prevent fading. I pull a box and "shop" for fabric and it's like Christmas, lol!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I find a fabric in my stash, and sometimes I remember a fabric that I can't find...
ReplyDeleteNo don't remember whats all in my stash but each season I pull out and put aside the color story (ies) I plan to work on. The Rest sits in bins just waiting for their day. My dd often remembers piece in my stash that she wants turned into dresses for her. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy stash isn't huge, but it is put away in opaque tubs, so I DO forget what I have because I can't see it. I need to set up some shelving or something where I could actually see what I have.
ReplyDeleteMy stash is larger than it used to be, but not 365 yards (yet, if my buying/sewing rate remains as it was the past half year, I will soon exceed it). And I do find the occasional fabric I had forgotten about when I browse or organize my fabrics. I could do with better organizing (but it won't happen).
ReplyDeleteI have almost 700 yards catalogued in a database by type of fabric, color (with Pantone #s), yardage, manufacturer, and which tub # it's stored in. Of course, this does not stop me from buying more.
ReplyDeleteI find if I can't see it, I don't know it exists and therefore don't use it. My stash is not super huge like some so I am able to have it all folded on shelves and can see it every time I walk in the fabric closet. It also eliminates a need for bins,which hide fabric, and cataloging.
ReplyDelete