- Invisible zipper - check!
- Lining - check!
- Rayon hem tape - check!
- Piping materials - check!
That's why I don't understand when other sewists say they don't stash. I honestly don't comprehend that concept. Do you pre-plan your sews? Make a list and head out to the craft or fabric store to purchase the needed items? Or horror upon horrors, do you STOP sewing the project because you realize that you're missing something, then head to the store. Now see I just don't get that! Just like you, the non-stasher, doesn't understand how I could own all this "stuff" ~ I don't understand stopping in the middle of your project to go out and buy something!
Anyway, that is the chicken and the egg conversation that sewists always seem to have, and not really here nor there. So why am I particularly thrilled with my stash? Because I took this avocado linen bias binding...
...and this already made ivory piping...
to make this finished piping...
Now before you start asking why did I use ready made piping in my home made piping, let me 'splain. I've stashed rat tail in two widths. But neither of these pieces made the kind of piping that I wanted. Both fillers were too delicate, floppy and not very stable. However, when I added the pre-made piping as a filler, I got the firm piping that I wanted.
If I hadn't already owned these pieces, I would have had to go another route or stop until I had the materials. This people is why I stash! Three yards of made-by-me piping later, made me a happy sewing camper because this piping coordinates so well with my project!
I'm not going to turn this into a "Do You" or "Don't You" stash post. I'm just celebrating the breadth and depth of my stash.
Finally a quick peek at the dress shell on the hanger...
...as always more later!
there are times when I've had to stop or make do. I have a lot of stuff, but not always what I want at the time. But I have had to stop to go get a zipper - and that bites!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is another winner. g
Ooh, such a pretty dress! And I love your stash too!
ReplyDeleteI am torn on the subject of having a big stash, but I have no trouble seeing that your stash has enabled another lovely dress.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I am also a stasher, though mine is not quite so deep. Yet. I do make plans and lists for projects and things I need before I go out to buy them. Though I find I am much better at stashing fabric than notions. I have a lot of zippers in the stash, but not the exact one I wanted for my latest project. It has been waiting 2 days for a zip. Clearly, I need more notions. Must work on that...
ReplyDeleteMy atash is broad and deep as well - all well catalogued and stored. That way I can pretty much do anything. I also think about projects that I might make, and make sure all the necessary might be things are put in the stash the next time I visit the store. But I guess everyone is different, and I think that's great as well. I'd love to be hyperorganised, with lots of time to super sew with just the right amount bought in at the right time. But most of us fit sewing in around work, study, family etc - so the stash cave is essential, I think.
ReplyDeleteMy stash is not nearly as broad and deep as yours but I do have one, have had one for yours and like you, I too love my stash.
ReplyDeleteOops, that should say have had one for years.
ReplyDeleteWorth celebrating too! I have an itty bitty stash. I have little money or space at the moment to indulge my hobby. But I can dream!
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks pretty.
lovely dress. I have a love hate relationship with stashing. Living in a small cottage storage is an issue, but on the other hand living rural it saves a trip to town just for cotton/zip etc. On a whole I prefer to plan, buy then make, but I tend to pick up bargains on my travels then I cannot find a pattern to use with it, Hence the stash box.
ReplyDeleteIn the process of sorting out a bigger sewing room, my stash has pretty much exploded. I need to be better at stashing notions. My threadbox has been raided too many times rather than a trip to the store for the correct colour! Pretty dress x
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on this
ReplyDeleteI try to keep my stash down. You're right, it does mean more trips out to buy things, but I usually plan the big projects ahead of time, and I have neither money nor space to store a large stash.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving building up my stash and so wish I had fabric and notion stores I could actually walk into and visit as I love touching and feeling everything... kind of feels like heaven to me. I've built up some wonderful fabrics and for my last few sewing projects I've had everything on hand that I needed and it sure does make a difference. Here's to be happy stash builders and non stop sewing LOL. By the way I'm loving the look this project and can't wait to see it on you. I think the colour is going to look fab on you for sure!
ReplyDeleteI have a stash of patterns, fabric and more. Yet I find there are times I still miss something. My personality is more spontaneous than organized. I just get to the end differently than an organized person. Having said that I continue to work on building up some button stash that is usually my downfall.
ReplyDeleteYour dress is looking good!
Great dress! My stash is accumulating but I do have those horrible experiences from time to time of having to the fabric store for a missing component in the middle of a project - yuk.
ReplyDeleteI'm working towards an organized expanded stash :)
My stash exploded long ago. I really love having it-really happy I am able to have so much on hand. I have to drive an hour one way now to touch fabric so it is wonderful to look through a great selection of everything when I want to sew. Mine is not as nice quality as what you stash but is perfect for pattern testing and everyday wear for my lifestyle. At the price of today's better fabric it is great to work out the tnts on what is already here that cost me very little from store closings and bargain shopping.
ReplyDeleteLife is grand isn't it? Personally I am a stasher, but the fact that we can choose is wonderful. I, like you, like having everything there for a spontaneous project and sometimes, something that you have in stash is better than what you had in your mind. Happy Dance!
ReplyDeleteI like this fabric. I love my stash also. If you work full time it's a pain to have to go to the fabric store for supplies. Go Stash!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! I love having a big stash of goodies to hoard and dig through. It's so nice to have the ability to pull out coordinating trims and zippers and even linings and facing fabrics, without ever having to run to the store mid-project. I always find sewing notions and fabrics at my thrift and flea haunts for super cheap (or else they're just given to me by someone who doesn't sew anymore), so of course I'm gonna snap it up and squirrel it away until it's moment in the spotlight! Although, having a big sewing space to store it all in helps ;) I think our sewing rooms (and corresponding stashes) would be great friends haha :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I do this stupid thing where I think that I DON'T have something in my stash, so I buy it again (pretty sure I've bought 1" elastic something like 4 times and only used it once, whoops!). I'm so impressed by your stash (and that it's organized enough that you can find what you're looking for!).
ReplyDeleteIt's a special kind of wonderful to find just what you need in your sewing cupboard. My stash is silly compared with yours and I have that experience reasonably frequently. Of course, I also have the opposite experience and I end up running to the store more often than I'd like (though generally before I start the sewing part of the project, I do take an inventory).
ReplyDeleteI am a stasher. I have deceased friend's or friend's of friend's stashes too! I can't the many, many times I have rummaged through my stash (zippers, buttons, fabic, patterns, etc. etc. etc.) and found exactly what I needed. Now that I have things pretty organized and labeled, it's even easier to find my things. I have sewing friends that call me saying "I know you've got it in your stash." I have also sewn over ready made piping, because someone gave me a bunch of ready made piping in colors that I would probably never use---why waste it---just cover it and keep it moving!!!
ReplyDeleteI tend to think of my (smallish) fabric stash and my (larger) notion/trim/lining stash as separate animals. I love being able to pull out a zipper or elastic or hem tape from the stash on demand. But for fabric and trim, I love to shop for just the right thing when I'm gearing up for a project.
ReplyDeleteJust like you Carolyn my stash is deep a I am so proud of that fact as well...It is so annoying to have to stop sewing an item because you don't have something on hand that is vital to your completion of the garment...Beautiful dress by the way!
ReplyDeleteLove, love that dress! I agree with you completely. I too have a godd sized stsash of everything. I seldom have to pick up necessities to finish a project.
ReplyDeleteDeep stash is good but basic stash works for me. It seems I end up with boxes of unusable items and then never have the right button, trim, or other notion for my current project. Sometimes even my (ever growing) fabric stash doesn't fit the pattern I want to sew. However, I approach my sewing like I approach my cooking--I'm usually well stocked with basics, then do my shopping (if needed)before I start.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a frbic stasher, but I buy tons of notions in lots from estate sales. I am amazed how well that works out for me sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGreat new dress... love the colors.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about the stash... my thought is... I don't want to "wait til it's on sale" but depending on what it is... I don't want to pay full price either! I'm somewhat cheap! Frugal is a better word! I love to sew but don't want to have to end up with a dress I like that cost as much as the designer either. I love to look and then go ahead and make something similar. Specially if I can find the fabric in my stash! Sorry... I figure once it's been there at least a year... what I make with it is Free! LoL..
Great dress!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, one of my friends calls my stash a "fabric aging system" - need to sew more!
The dress is beautiful. I'm waiting patiently to see the finished product.
ReplyDeleteLiving over an hour from a fabric store and no longer being able to drive has led to stash building from online shopping. I keep a running notions list in my purse ready for the next sewing shop visit. Stashing is a great thing!
I don't stash. I usually keep 6 or 7 pieces of fabric -- too small to be called a stash. I don't stash notions either and I end up going to Joann about 3 times a week! The frequent trips get to be a bother sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI'm a quilter. Not a seamstress. But following your blog makes me want to recall lessons from my home ec classes from decades ago and tackle a few simple loose fitting patterns this summer. You make sewing seem fun and do-able.
ReplyDeleteI have a large deep stash. I live in a rural area and usually have to order notions anyway. It's better to buy in bulk and have what you need than drive 50+ miles and not find what you want.
ReplyDeleteStashing is a good thing, most of the time I have everything that I need. Except for the dress that I'm making for DGD who decided that she wanted a yellow dress for Easter. Now I have to go to the store to get stuff to finish the dress. Ugh, going to Joann's this weekend is not going to be pretty.
ReplyDeleteA timely discussion, since I had to STOP what I was doing to get a zipper, thread and lining for a pretty new piece of stretch denim that just made it's way into my house. Usually new fabric sits in the stash long enough for me to collect the essentials to go with it,but not this time. I guess that means I need to work a little more on my notions stash *GRIN*
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
Hello. I'm a little late (catching up on your posts). Must have felt great to have everything @ your fingertips for this project.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog and glad I re-discovered you. Even though I'm nowhere near to your level & expertise in sewing. I'm beginning to see (reading some of your older posts) the value and QUALITY of education from sewing BOOKS.
I personally found that (as one of your followers stated) many online blogs that have tutorials, etc. are not detailed enough--even those that are professing to post beginner items.
I'm old school: always loved to read, taught myself as a child how to crochet by reading (Coats and Clark), went to a SINGER sewing class in my neighborhood, etc.