Please take note of the fact that I am NOT calling my prized and most precious fabric collection a stash! I've written about stash mentality before...and I just don't possess it. I have a collection! *LOL*Lately there have been some questions regarding the size of my fabric collection. Now I can tell you that it is only a closet full - not a barn full (I had a friend who once had a barn FULL) or a room full (I know someone with a specially designed room FULL of fabric) and my fabric is folded flat...not rolled to get more space in the closet.
I will admit that part of the reason that I moved here was because of the closet and that I did buy special shelves and have them nailed to the floor to insure that they would be sturdy enough to hold my collection.
I will also admit that I have worked very hard these last few years to purchase every type of fabric that I like to sew...in several colors! *LOL* I make no apologies for my collection except to my daughters who may one day have to get rid of it! Ever since I was a little girl, shortly after learning to sew...I've dreamed of owning my own fabric collection...and now that dream has come to fruition.
So for all of those who have asked repeatedly...here are two shots of the closet as it appears now.
It is slightly disorganized...and needs to be reworked...but it's all mine and I love it! Especially when I can spend a lovely Saturday afternoon in it pulling out treasures to make some wonderful new outfits.
Okay breathe Lindsay! *LOL* And for all of you others out there who can't abide more than 10 or 20 pieces of fabric waiting on you at a time! I've finally come around to understand that this is what fuels your creative process...so please understand that the closet fuels mine...
...oh and this doesn't include the two Rubbermaid bins outside the closet door or the one in my bedroom! *LOL*
"...it's all mine and I love it." Oooh. Lovely reading that statement. That and the pictures of your collection are delights to behold! Thanks so much for sharing, Carolyn.:-)
ReplyDeleteHey you didn'tshow it all. I started to build a collection and hopefully one day mine will be in the running.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently in the minimal fabric stash camp, but I'm working on allowing myself a little more. I can afford it, so why not? I just need to get past my puritan upbringing! Being being able to shop your stash would definitely be an advantage, especially on those wet, wintery days when inspiration strikes, but I need to work on a notions/accessories stash as well. I never seem to have the right coloured thread/zip/interfacing and end up making a trip to the store anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou go girlfriend! I envy your stash. I have what some might consider an extensive (personal) stash, but it has some huge holes in it, which bugs me to no end.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is different. A stash like that would make me feel a bit guilty. I like to keep the stash at 10 pieces of cloth, mostly for the current season. This gives me choice as to what I sew next but no grumbles from husband of "haven't you got enough fabric?"
ReplyDeleteYou know I love my collection as much as you do! Love, love, love!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a an amazing collection.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are a brave soul . . . to bare your stash to the world!!! Loved seeing it, now I don't feel so bad about my own stash!!!
ReplyDeleteSome people collect stamps,some tupperware,some vintage cars,and there are those of us that collect fine cloth.... .....
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
You have got to love it because I couldn't even walk by there without feeling sick or having to run. I horde, uh collect, things too and dream of my fantasy closet, highly similar to Kimora's and Mariah's. I think every girl wants/needs her collection of something.
ReplyDeleteI love calling it a collection! I agree about feeding your creativity. I find outfits appear in my head when I stand and look at fabric and see combinations I hadn't noticed before. Thank you for sharing your collection with us!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is DAMMMMMM!!!...lol.
ReplyDeleteI love that you love your collection. I particularly admire that piece of melon or peach or pale orange on top picture on the bottom right. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy the fabrics that I have collected, but unfortunately my resources are limited to the internet. If I lived near the garment district in NY, I think I would have an easier time collecting beautiful fabric. Thanks for sharing.
I'm inspired by your view of your fabric... the idea of a collection appeals to the collector in me. BTW your fabric collection looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love your collection and envy it's depth. I have a nice collection, but like Ann it has some definite holes in it.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I would LOVE to have a collection such as that! I have a small collection right now - I LOVE it!! I cannot imagine having an entire closet filled with fabrics of my choice.
ReplyDeleteI do love your closet. I live out of 30 gallon totes (I admit that there are about 30 of them) and have to move the current seasons inside to my little cabinet. I'd use my closet, but it's full of fleece and flannel fabrics in plastic tubs. I do love shopping through my totes. Between my fabrics, notions and patterns, I never "need" to make a trip to the store or stop sewing because I don't have something I need. I love being able to pretty much make what I want when I want. I do lack buttons though.... I do dream of having the bulk of my fabrics in their own closet so I could see them every day, but then again, that may be too distracting for me..I'd have them piled in the middle of the floor. Oh I do have half of my linen closet filled with fabric. It's really tiny though - not nice like your closet. Maybe I can convince my husband to move his clothes into a laundry basket... but then where would my shoes go....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your collection with us!
I love having a bit of a stash. It feels good when I can pull a fabric from my bin and no worries about heading to the fabric store.
ReplyDeleteI love that you have some of everything--good, no great idea!
I was inspired by your beautiful fabrics! It was fun to take a glimpse into your collection. It all has so much potential and I can't wait to see what beautiful creations you will make with it all!
ReplyDeleteI *heart* you lol. I love my fabric also lol. I need to take a pic of my moms collection and show you lol.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely how you feel about fabric. But, you my dear have one up on me... I still can't quite get past the shopping on line without touching it part! I know, I know, you explained about that... and I say.... more power to you... guess I'm just wishy washy... I want to feel before I buy... you know, kind of like kicking the tires before you buy!
ReplyDeleteAnyway... shoping the closet is something I too really enjoy. Matter of fact I encourage my girls and my neice to come shop at Jean's fabric shop.... or Aunt Jean's shop... of course there are plenty of pieces that are totally hands off... but that's another story! LoL.... Enjoy... like you I probably have more than I will ever use. But, my girls also know that if they don't want it when I'm gone... they can donate it to someone who will!
OK - I love the attitude. Mu 'stash' is now my 'collection'.
ReplyDeleteBy the time I came to the end of your post I had a huge smile on my face! Thank you :-) One persons nightmares are another ones dreams - your closet would be my dream, I used to have a huge stash (sorry, collection!) but have let it lapse over the past few years. I had to cull dramatically when we emigrated to NZ, that was hard! Ove the next few years I am hoping to have the time and funds to increase my own collection.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing :-)
Amazing collection, you're right to enjoy it. I'm one of those who don't want to have a too big collection, but I definitely can see that you are happy with it.
ReplyDeleteI love it. I am on my way to having a big stash myself. I like being able to go through it at three in the morning and pick something to cut out.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a stash like yours.
I love your collection. If I only had your closet I would own more myself. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous.
ReplyDeletelast year I did a lot of shopping and it came in handy now that I can't shop as much, having a stash is wonderful for when you really can't shop as you like too
I'm on the minimalist collector side but really admire your closet. What I absolutely love, that many huge collectors don't do, is that you have it all, almost, highly visible. My small stash is the same and I find, like you, that it is so inspirational to see the colors and textures and start putting them together in your mind as you peruse. To have a collection in 30 gallon totes where there is no visibility to inspire is just unimaginable to me. So hooray for your closet and go for it!
ReplyDeleteI love your collection. I love my collection, although mine still has a few holes, particularly in the trim department...I probably need some help from a trim guru in that department.
ReplyDeleteIf it inspires you and makes you happy, that is what is important.
My husband brought me a 12'x16' storage house for my fabric collection. He knew it was taking over the house so he decided to solve the problem. I love to go to my little house and just look and touch my fabrics. I have bolts of fabric in there. I have shelves on the long sides and rolling storage containers on the back wall. I can stand in the middle of the floor and just admire my collection. It makes it easier to select fabrics when I want to make a piece. I tried to put things in order so I don't have to move things around to get to the fabric I want to see. It is just wonderful!! So is HE for thinking of me :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL!! You just knew I'd be gasping as I read this post. My stash fits entirely in two Rubbermaid bins and I'm thinking of giving some of it away to a friend's daughter.
ReplyDeleteSo if there's a particular fabric I need should I check the Carolyn Collection? I feel like I need to create pretty signage for your closet, you know, like what Mood has. Because this looks like a fabric store to me!
Oh, Carolyn, I love your blog and I love that you call your stash 'your collection' as that's exactly what I consider mine to be. Nothing makes me happier than to surround myself with my fabric goodies and dream. My husband is just concerned that one day the ceiling will fall through from the weight of my collection because my sewing room is on the second floor!
ReplyDeletePlease keep sending your wonderful blog.
I decided a long time ago that one of my hobbies is collecting fabric. Mine has a name. The Kathy *** Memorial Textile Collection. It has beena joke in my family since I read about a lady that died and left her fabric collection to the University I attended. I told my husband that now he knows what to do with it when I am gone.
ReplyDeleteI love your collection - how wonderful to be able to see it all at once. Mine is stored in plastic boxes and bags in various places around the house, and I spend hours hunting for some special length of fabric I know I have somewhere. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI remember a conversation with a woman pastor one day. She said that she was sure her friend's family was rich. When they needed a dress, mom went to the dresser opened a drawer and took out the fabric to make it. SO just count your blessings and wealth of fabrid
ReplyDeleteLOL. Also please note that I don't refer to it as a "stash" either. You've made your point on that one, so I've corrected my vocabulary! I love what you have - it works for you creatively, and it certainly makes you happy. My children think I have a lot of fabric, but I tell them I'm not a true collector. I told them that you are true collector, and that you're just as serious as those who collect frog statues, cookie jars or anything else.
ReplyDeleteLooks just like my "collection"...kind of. When I see a piece of fabric I like, I buy it. When I have a particular pattern in mind, I "shop" my collection first and then head to the store/online if I don't have a suitable fabric.
ReplyDeleteYour closet is like a dream to me. I could spend all day in there feeling and visualizing the garments that I could be making. I am also a collector of fabrics. I have a collection of my own. It does not compare to yours. The reason mine is not larger than it is because we no longer have any fabric stores where I live. Online is my next option.
ReplyDeleteYour closet is about like my cabinet. They probably are holding the same amount (My cabinet is large and tightly packed!) I love being able to just open it and pick something out to make at a moments notice or whenever the urge strikes. Like you, I like to take my fabric out, refold it and reorganize a shelf or two now and then. It definitely inspires my creativity!
ReplyDeleteI love your collection! I agree whole heartedly in collecting fabrics! When you see something that you like, you have to get it or you may never find it again!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!! I thought mine was bad, but you got me beat. LOL. I know what you mean, but I am totally committed to using up what I've got before I buy anything else. I only start wondering if I have too much after I buy new fabric for a project and then realize I have something better that I could have used and totally forgot about. LOL
ReplyDeleteRight on Carolyn! When I first started sewing my collection was small and it has grown to be similar to yours! I feel the exact same as you!
ReplyDeleteWhat I find most interesting when sewers post photos of their collections is that I rarely see fabric that I own, and I have a sizeable collection myself. It makes me happy because it makes me feel like we're not in danger of running out of choices anytime soon even though bricks & mortar shops are closing up at record speed. Viva la internet shopping sites!
ReplyDelete