I completely forgot to take a "before" picture...LOL, and these are almost an "after".
Saturday afternoon found me pulling ALL the fabric in my stash off the shelves and onto the floor. The piles were as high as the seat of my chair(yes, I did much of the sorting sitting down). Ebby came in, took one look at the mess and retreated to the nice warm blanket in the bedroom. I sorted well into the evening, and then again all day Sunday. I was still at it yeaterday, but with some breaks for stuff like Income tax prep, etc.
I've been thinking about the best way to "have" my stash, and I'm not sure this is a forever plan, but I'm giving it a try.
I sorted by color into piles, and then pulled out all the brights. I used computer paper boxes to hold the fabric as I folded it into it's category. I've got all the big yardages(for possible backings or borders) stacked on the top shelf for now. I've put what seems like a bushel basket full of smaller pieces that I'm going to cut up into scrap baskets. I probably should put a "FINALLY" in front of that particular cut up statement. Do any of you have that "last piece of it" complex. I've spent years hating to see the last little bit of some fabrics gone. And I have found that I have had an "error" in my thinking. I've saved alot of small( 5 or 6") pieces suitable for small parts of applique. The problem with that is that I don't do applique...LOL. They work equally well for those great scrappy Country Threads type patterns, but I rarely do those anymore either. Soooooo, with great determination, I'm putting on my brave face, and cutting them into squares, etc. It feels good to have made that decision. I think I've been a reluctant learner when it ocmes to my sewing habits. I love to sew. I love to sew in the morning. I like to sew in my jammies with a mug of coffee right by my hand. All that love of sewing doesn't include love of cutting so I can sew at a moments whim. Well, by gosh, I'm going to be able to as I conquer the scrap cutting...*VBS*
And here an "after" for you, a new day had dawned...bright! Very bright. It's all of my really bright fabrics. Lots of KP Kids in there, some Jan Mullen, but mostly South Sea Imports. the KP Kids line. If I had a shelf over my cutting table I think I'd stack them there just so I could look at them..*VBS*Thanks to all of you who suggested ideas for being to see what I am typing more easily. I haven't found the perfect for me solution as yet, but I've got ideas to work with now...Thnaks!! and hugs for all of you.
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18 comments:
I've caught the bug too. I took today off work and prob will take tomorrow off as well, to organize stuff.
I have the same problem with little pieces of left over fabric. I hate to see something that I really loved disappear. We are really addicted to this fabric stuff, me thinks.
I am in the middle of doing the same but not making near the progress. I just can not stick with it long enough to finish. I have concentration issues!
Take care, dear Finn.
What a great job done. The bright stash looks very impressive, and I'm sure a lot of fun quilts will come from it.
I'm still chuckling about saving the scraps for applique but not doing applique :o)
Lisa
I've got the opposite problems...I tend to throw things away that I shouldn't since I do applique! I guess it's whatever works for us as individuals. Good job on the sorting...want to come sort mine when you're done? :o)
Wonderful progress! I'd have those brights on a shelf over my workspace if I could too :- )
I am also afflicted with the inability to throw away or use that last tiny piece of a favorite print... and I don't applique either! I finally decided that I get to use those last pieces in something that I'll keep for myself. At least that's the plan ;- )
Wonderful progress! I'd have those brights on a shelf over my workspace if I could too :- )
I am also afflicted with the inability to throw away or use that last tiny piece of a favorite print... and I don't applique either! I finally decided that I get to use those last pieces in something that I'll keep for myself. At least that's the plan ;- )
I wonder if there is a vaccination for the fabric bug??????? hehe!
I got it too!!*****VBS*****
Take care dear, never mind your spelling, I know people who can't spell and can see very well!! We love you any way you are!!
Oh Finn - you 'put on your big girl panties' and just cut right into those fabrics. I know just how you feel. I have some fabrics that I can't bear to use up the last of - there are some smidgens so small that they wouldn't be useful for anything . . . yet I just can't bear to get rid of them *s*
brights, my all time favorites...love the kp kid stuff the most too...wow, you have been the whirling organizer!
I agree, I want to sew, not have to do a whole lot of cutting. However, the benefits are so worth all that time spent cutting! way to go Finn!
Oh gah! I save for applique too! I can still see luckily, but am kidding myself. I need to get on & just cut!
I love all your brights, sitting there humming with joy!!
I'm hanging on to a few bits that I don't want to use up, like 2 of DD's old summer dresses - the fabric is irreplaceable. I love your brights and I really don't blame Ebby for taking one look and retiring to her blanket. Our Magic has got fed up with me rummaging around in boxes and has gone off rabbiting!
I LOVE KP Kids!!!!When Chelsey was 9 or 10 and dabbling on the sewing machine, we made pillow cases, and patchwork pillows-- what good memories....great pieces of fabric. You gotta smile when you see those colors. I even took the scraps and cut out figures and ironed them on to cardstock for letters to my 4 year old sunday school kids. Awesome fabrics, you can never be sorry you have those!!!
You're making terrific progress! And the ideas that start whirling around in your head as you see each piece is great incentive. Those brights are fantastic!
What a great project for a snowy and blustery weeekend. Your fabrics look great. Which reminds me, I need to get some of my scraps sorted!!!
ok, dear Finn,
you have forced us all to take a hard look in our scraps (hearts) and decide if we can discard any of it??? alright, alright, I have pieces that are only good for making dime sized yo-yo's
eek
lyn
I too have *the bug* partially caught from you!:>) but finally realized I'd be so much happier & productive if some pieces were *ready* for me when a notion struck!! As for typos; mine happen 'cause I get going & my fingerws *walk* sideways :>)
keep inspiring!!!!K.
Please send that virus to me ASAP! I am in desperate need.
I'm the same - I have some fabrics that I absolutely LOVE. Mainly those in a coffee colour that are 'just right'. I used some recenly in the brown quilt I made, but I despair of using them all up.
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