Thursday, September 11, 2008

Fabric Scraps

Have you ever worked with a piece of fabric that you just loved? I mean a piece of fabric that has such a wonderful hand that your scissors sliced through with ease? A piece that just felt so luscious in your hands? And it sewed like a dream?

Well I cut a piece like that this past weekend. It was so very soft and so very luscious that I had a hard time parting with the scraps.

And there were only scraps left after cutting out the garment...no real usable pieces that I could hold onto and dream about...so I let them sit on the cutting table in a pile until I finished making the garment. 'Cause the fabric was so special that I just didn't want to let it go...regretfully, I finally did put those precious scraps in the trash.

So has this ever happened to you? Have you ever been tempted to hold onto some precious scraps because the fabric was so dear?

Today's Parting Shot:
Since it feels like early fall here in the NY/NJ area, I wore the argyle vest today...however, I definitely hemmed this to wear with pants and may have to revisit the vest's hem to make it more versatile...


31 comments:

  1. I NEVER throw away my scraps. They always end up being a collar here, a cuff there. Sometimes they even turn into another garment piece depending on the size of the scraps. So you can imagine the size of my scrap pile? My philosophy is never throw any scrap of fabric away if you really like.

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  2. Lookin' good! A vest like that is on my list for Fall as well.

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  3. Great looking vest. Did you get the fabric at fabric.com? I might have to see if they have some left.

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  4. Can't believe you made that vest....

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  5. I like the vest, although I think you might be right, while it looks great with the red blouse and skirt, it could be just a tad shorter. Lookin' good!! g

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  6. Sometimes I keep small pieces of scraps, sometimes I don't. I did get a great Christmas stocking out of scraps of velveteen for my daughter her freshman year of college. I pieced it like a crazy quilt.

    I do keep novelty pieces that are more than 6"x6" because I can make those into "rice babies" (cold compresses filled with rice and polyfill)for my place of employment. Children like to check out the fabric after their "owie" isn't hurting anymore before we return them to the freezer for the next time.

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  7. I'm like ebbyj, I keep all my scraps. I make cards out of them, but that hardly dents the growing mountain ...
    You can see some examples here:
    http://hashiworks.blogspot.com/2008/06/june-15.html
    and here:
    http://hashiworks.blogspot.com/2008/06/june-26.html

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  8. I tend to keep too many scraps, though sometimes they get recycled into things and sometimes they just sit in the scrap hamper. Who knows, some day there might be a purpose for a few bits of fabric I couldn't let go.

    Love the vest. I wish Fabric.com had had that argyle print in another color, because I really would love to make one but that red just wouldn't work for my wardrobe. Looks great on you. Maybe a bit shorter, but it works well as is.

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  9. Dang your vest and the whole outfit is just excellent.

    Of course I hold on to my beloved scraps.
    There are vest fronts, piping, and since ebbyj reminded me: collars and cuffs.

    I even save itty bitty ickle pieces that I swear I am going to use for a Victorian crazy quilt someday. Or that patchwork jacket idea. Or a make up bag.
    Etc...

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  10. Adorable vest, I'm really kicking myself now that I didn't pick up that print!

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  11. I like the length of this vest on you; I think it is very flattering. Linda

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  12. I like the proportions as is. I wouldn't go shorter...

    I keep just about all my scraps..just in case!

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  13. Cool outfit!

    I keep most scraps that are at least 4"x4" that could be a yoyo or a patchwork piece if it is cotton or a blend usable for a quilt. Larger pieces, definitely. You never know where you could use them to embellish or even to repair the item. That's part of the fun & (original) thriftiness of sewing.

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  14. Your vest looks beautiful. I love that fabric!

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  15. scrap hoarding is a sub set of the fabric hoarding gene, and closely linked to the pattern hoarding gene I believe! My scraps bag is huge 'cos I can't bear to throw anything away, so I know how you feel. I love this vest, it goes so well with the lovely red blouse you have on and matches your lippy. Thanks for the blog award by they way!

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  16. The vest is gorgeous. I love it paired with the red blouse and I love those colours on you. Comfortable and stylish!

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  17. You look amazing! Red is definitely a great color for you and the vest really shines.

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  18. Work it Ms Argyle.. the Ensemble looks Great! I'm actually wearing my blue argyle vest today..hehe.

    In the beginnig I would hold all my scraps in the hopes that I could use it for something, but now I toss the scraps after I finish a garment.

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  19. Oh, are you all fall chic! You look great!

    Scraps, well that depends on what it is. If it suitable for contrast collars, etc. or even to be made into trim I might keep it. That would be things like really nice cottons, silks and velvets. Other than that, I don't have room or patience to organize it all. BTW, what size and color are these lovely scraps of yours?

    PS - Yes I am enjoying my time at home. While I am getting quite a bit of sewing done, it seems like I've inherited other people's projects, too. I've put out an ultimatum that I am not working on said other person's project after next Thursday. I need more sewing time!

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  20. Very pretty. You've done a great job, Carolyn. As always!:-)

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  21. I am not a vest person, but I LOVE THAT VEST!

    Feel free to send it to me. I think you know my address. ;-p

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  22. Carolyn,

    I don't have anything to add about scraps, but had to say that this outfit is simply gorgeous on you! The colors, the fit, the overall silhouette...wow! :)

    SherryV

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  23. I love your vest! The entire outfit look so nice!

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  24. The vest looks great, Carolyn! I agree a bit shorter might look better, but the colors are fantastic on you and the ensemble is very professional-looking.

    I am a scrap saver, too (sigh).

    BetsyV

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  25. The only small scraps I might hold onto are very nice quilting cottons or something wonderful that might want to be a collar or binding. I did wish recently that I had kept the scraps from a project last year as it would have made a great bias binding on a tank I was making. I at least hold onto the scraps for a little while now as I once emptied the trash and decided I needed to cover some buttons. That experience alone is one that will cure you for tossing too fast. I just cannot keep every thing fabric wise that is left behind but at least now think harder if it should be used in another way before letting go. mssewcrazy

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  26. Great outfit! The red is amazing, and I think the proportions are just fine!

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  27. What about putting a band of black on the bottom edge? It would make it a bit more veritile?
    Other then that suggestion, it looks great! Your so getting ready for Fall... I've still got Spring/Summer stuff I'm not done with!

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  28. I do hold onto some of my scraps... Like the ones from my navy blue top (I used some scraps sent by Paco to embellish the collar and I still keep the scraps that were left!)

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  29. I love, love, love, this vest, it looks great on you! It would probably look great at any lenght but to me it looks great just as it is.

    Scraps...I tend to get rid of the scraps unless the fabric is really special.

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  30. What a great vest! I hoard my scraps as well, as i tend to be a packrat. I figure when the spirit hits and the sewing machine comes out, I just may be able to use them some day as you never know!

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