I love my fabric collection. I have taken the time to carefully store it and categorize it. I have lovingly purchased each piece. I have hopes and dreams of wonderful garments to be made from these pieces. And I get so much joy each time I open the door of my closet and stand inside it. I can actually hear it singing lovely songs to me. Am I crazy? Maybe...definitely crazy about fabric.
I love the color and feel of the textures. I love how it handles. I love sewing it and I love owning it. It is one of the best parts of sewing ~ turning a flat piece of fabric into an awesome three-dimensional garment.
I have likened owning fabric to the paintbrushes and paint that an artist uses to paint an amazing picture or portrait. Or the gardening tools that a gardener uses to till and grow a beautiful garden. Or even the pages and computer that an author uses to create an imaginery world that we all want to journey to. I mean we all create things, right?! So why wouldn't you have many different pieces of fabric, thread, notions and patterns to use to fashion your own wearable fantasies!
Okay, I admit that owning a lot of anything can be overwhelming. But how have you stored your precious treasures? Are they just out and laying about shouting to you and interrupting your creative flow? Are they stored in a dark and dingy place and treated like second class citizens? Or are they treated like the precious tools that they are?
So are you ashamed of your collection? Or are you invigorated, challenged and deliriously happy about it?
And here is a peek at mine! Just a little peek but if you want to see more detailed pictures, please feel free to check them out at my yahoo album.
I'm not ashamed of mine. I think some of this from the socialization of girls in the US. We are taught to martyr ourselves for others, and so, anything that might smack of self indulgence or spuriousness becomes shameful. Just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am ashamed of my fabric stash.
ReplyDeleteNow, let me say I have no problem with other people's fabric stash, heck, have at it. It's your life, your money, your fabric.
I am frustrated because mine has gotten to the point that it has paralized me. I look and all this fabric and don't know where to start.
I tend to be a perfectionist and instead of doing things and getting them done I get into the mindset of it has to be perfect. Can't use this fabric because I don't have the right pattern for it. Can't use this fabric because I need to make a muslin first and I don't have time to do it right. Can't. Can't. Can't.
It is a horrible mindset to get into. Why do you think FlyLady has so many subscribers to her list?
I guess, just because you do not understand another's feelings does not mean that they are not valid and shouldn't be respected.
No, my fabric stash is filled with things I love and potential. That said, when I have to move it, it becomes a little overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I think that the key with you, is that the fabric is chosen because you love it, and will have a need for it in future, and until then you have it folded and waiting.
ReplyDeleteGigi describes her stash as her personal "store" that she can shop in at any hour. She has all her interfacings, notions, thread. EVERYTHING.
That's my long term goal, and I know it will take years of judicious purchase to build up.
I don't have a stash yet, but I do have some "mistakes" that will be used for muslins, and it is nice to have unimportant yardage at hand just to play with.
I think that the shame might come from impulse purchasing that wasn't thought out, will never really serve the needs its owner and takes up space.
Carolyn, I really enjoy reading your blog. Your philosophy is refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI have to resonate with Ginger. My stash is huge and I am just now beginning to organize it. I have forgotten 3/4 of what I have. I continue to buy and I am not really upset about it, but I am irritated with myself that I can't get my act together to organize it. I also see a lot that I really don't love and I need to gather that and eBay it. But there is also a LOT that I won't part with because someday........
Carolyn, I really enjoy reading your blog. Your philosophy is refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI have to resonate with Ginger. My stash is huge and I am just now beginning to organize it. I have forgotten 3/4 of what I have. I continue to buy and I am not really upset about it, but I am irritated with myself that I can't get my act together to organize it. I also see a lot that I really don't love and I need to gather that and eBay it. But there is also a LOT that I won't part with because someday........
Carolyn, I really enjoy reading your blog. Your philosophy is refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI have to resonate with Ginger. My stash is huge and I am just now beginning to organize it. I have forgotten 3/4 of what I have. I continue to buy and I am not really upset about it, but I am irritated with myself that I can't get my act together to organize it. I also see a lot that I really don't love and I need to gather that and eBay it. But there is also a LOT that I won't part with because someday........
Somehow I missed this post two years ago but better late than never, I guess. I agree that fabric collecting might seem very self-indulgent and wasteful to many people. But, like you, I LOVE my stash! Each piece holds possibilities and memories. I can lovingly caress a piece of fabric bought long ago and think back to where I was and who I was with when I purchased it. And yes! having one's very own in-home store is downright necessary for survival when most of us don't have a nice shop around the corner where we can buy fabric. Why, just this week I made a dress, three throw pillows, a slipcover for an ottoman, a table skirt and runner and some ribbon from stash fabric! When the urge hits I want to sew now.
ReplyDelete