Second this post is all about my unabated fabric addiction. See February is a cold, dark and dreary, short month to be creative in...well at least here in the Northeastern US it is. I have ideas but I don't feel as if I executed them well soooooo I bought fabric instead. Which is an anomaly for me because in the last couple of years I've managed to keep my fabric buying to a minimum in January and February...but NOT this year!
I started February with an 11 yard overage in the collection. I've added to my overage this month by adding another 9.5 yards more than I sewed. While I've rearranged things in the sewing cave to make room, I still own a lot of fabric. This is discouraging to me. Mostly because I'm usually better at quelling the fabric buying genie at the beginning of the year.
This month is Sew Camp and the sojourn to Fabric Mart - my Disney World - so fabric will be bought. Just how much fabric remains to be seen. All this to say that my in and out totals for February suck! *LOL*
YTD In: 60 yards - MTD In: 21 yards
YTD Out: 39.5 yards - MTD Out: 11.5 yards
Garments sewn ~
I completed three garments:
2 Dover Jackets
...and an embroidered vest
These were involved sews and February is short. I did start a pink linen shirt which will definitely make an appearance in March...
(Sewing room realness in the background!)
...the Simplicity 8265 vest is finished and waiting to be photographed since I decided to work on the "Sew Your View" pattern this month.
My sewing is pretty planned out from March to June (I have several events to attend this year) and a lot of that fabric is already on hand. The key will be not to buy a hellavua lot more...and in that vein...here is the last 9 yards that came in from Fabric Mart before the month was over. I just couldn't resist the $3.99 per yard pontes/doubleknits.
I'm beginning to think that 2019 is going to be "The Year of the Fabric"...
...as always more later!
I did the same thing in Feb with yarn. (OK, I did it in Jan. too...) There's something about needing to pet the fabric and the yarn. It's not about the finished product but the potential in this fallow time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe pink linen shirt is so pretty, and coming along nicely! I admit that some fabric sales have gotten to me too! I am glad you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteYes, you have a lot of fabric. Many many of us do. However, you also sew a great deal of it and add so much to the sewing universe by all that you do including buying fabric. You teach us, entertain us, and keep the sewing universe humming along. I live in WA state and go to Sewing Expo every year. Every year it gets smaller with a lot of the big names no longer coming to the event (its still a big deal). We all need to do our part to keep the sewing world going if we want it to continue. You do more than your part and again, part of that is buying fabric. Please give yourself a small break. You will probably do another big donation and make the numbers more in your favor. And frankly, I think a lot of us get a thrill seeing what you are buying and then go look for it or something similar. So I want to thank you again for all that you do and am glad you are feeling better. And to my point above, I would buy this Dover pattern if it was paper just because of your makes. Jean
ReplyDeleteJean - I'm sorry to hear that about SewExpo because I loved attending both times I went...trying to figure out how to get back next year. Some of it is because I think the younger generation of sewists don't attend these types of events. Before the internet this is all we had to meet sewing peeps...now you can see sewing peeps on YouTube, FacebookLive and IG Stories on your phone, your computer or tablet. Such a difference!
DeleteBut you are not meeting them face to face! I love seeing your fabric purchases and know that many, myself included, live vicariously through your displays of resources new on the scene! What is that "hole-y" fabric? I can't imagine what you will do with it but know it will be great.
DeleteBunny - it seems like that generation is perfectly fine with computer interaction. The young lady who sits next to me constantly tells me that she'd rather do something over the internet than have to interact with a person.
DeleteThe white holey fabric is a die cut ponte. For $3.99 a yard it was tooo cool to leave behind even though I have no idea what I'm going to use it for, I'm sure I will think of something in the future.
SewExpo is always quilting first, everything else second. This year there were some companies no longer doing the tour (Sewing Workshop, Tiltons) and some taking the plunge for the first time (L'Etoffe, Drygoods, Rusty Crow). This year we got TWO cosplay presenters, and more alteration lectures (sleeves sleeves sleeves). Best of all, some folks bringing their vintage stash or their studio overruns and selling it.
DeleteThere are still folks who don't own a website or a shop and only sell at the expos (Seattle Professional Sewing Supply's only retail appearance is at SewExpo, same for Kai Scissors).
There was more fashion fabric this year than last years. I was strong, and only bought one piece, but I was spoiled for choices. Two lingerie supply booths. A ton of button merchants.
(edited because tired)
SJ - I forget that Pullyap is about quilting first because I've always thought of the sewing peeps who go!
Deletethe representation of garment fabric and sewing was fine at Expo, though this was my first time. I go to OSQE in Cleveland and that is always quilting and more quilting. Vogue Fabrics is usually the only garment store. Many of the pattern companies have dropped OSQE, at least in Cleveland. In comparing the many shows, I think Sew Expo is by far the best. The West Coast doesn't realize how good it really is. We have nothing here.
DeleteYour post, and the subsequent comments, have made me feel better about the fact that yesterday I bought 7 metres of fabric! At least it came from 2 small, independent shops.
ReplyDeleteMy DH made me promise that I would not purchase any more fabric until I get my patterns finalized. I'm about to trace the Dover jacket, which I had printed at a copy shop and saved the hassle of taping hundreds of papers together (ok, maybe not 100!). I have agreed with DH because I am working with a fitting expert and will have a second appointment in mid-March. Once I have my TNTs I will not emerge from my sewing basement until I have reduced my stash (or get hungry for dinner!) My problem is that I think I have already made all of the fabrics in my stash. I know several ponte knits will end up hanging with my other pants. Don't worry that you purchased more fabric - it will be waiting for you when you feel the urge to sew it! Mary Jackson
ReplyDeleteThat fabric thing is just a part of the sewing hobby. I am always inspired by how much you sew out of your stash.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have a return of your smile and enthusiasm for life in general. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could have a stash busting sale! You've got enough in the sewing cave to do it I bet.
ReplyDeleteConnie - I'm horrible at going to the post office, hate paypal and generally don't wanna deal with shipping fabric to others. So that's a no go due to my deficiencies! *LOL* Thanks for the suggestion though.
DeleteCarolyn, an artist isn't expected to use up all of his paint, so don't feel bad about not getting rid of your fabric? We need to have it around to look at and touch to get inspiration. Glad you're feeling better. I always love your comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who is buying fabric. Glad to be in good company
ReplyDeleteI attended Sew Expo several years ago. It was first & foremost a quilting show in my opinion ,but I felt there was some representation of garment sewing . Sewing alone at home can be very lonely , it’s great that there are so many social media options . But I felt sad when I read your co worker was ok with just interacting with social media . I’m very lucky to have an independent sewing store that offers many classes & meet ups . For me this person interaction is an enhancement to my sewing .
ReplyDeleteI am also a proud fabric collector 😍😍
I know exactly what you mean! I went to Sew Expo thinking I would not buy any fabric because I have so much. Just patterns and notions. Well, I saw several pieces that I HAD to have, so it all came home with me. I filled the empty duffel bag I brought. It's all gorgeous, so I don't feel bad. But yeah, its a lot of fabric. I need to sew faster.
ReplyDeleteI skipped the annual crud in 2018. Yesterday, however, I woke up with a funny feeling in my throat and today I definitely have the crud. Been binge watching TV instead of any sewing related functions. Love your new fabrics!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I chuckled when I read this post, thinking I don't have the crud. But January and February are certainly bluh months for being creative or doing much of anything except watching TV. All January and February I forced myself to sew something. No fabric diet for me either. I like the way you catalog your fabric purchases and fabric sewn. I have more coming in than being sewn. Anyway, I really like what you've made and your new fabric.
ReplyDeleteUse the Google translate, please....ctrl C..ctrl V
ReplyDeleteSono una signora italiana (Bologna - nord Italy) più o meno della tua età e più o meno della tua taglia ...e.... ti adoro.
Ho scoperto e letto negli ultimi giorni tutti i tuoi blog, anche vecchi, e sei diventata una mia "amica", scusa se mi permetto. Come vorrei vivere negli U.S.A. per conoscerti, veramente.
Sei una donna fantastica sia per quello che cuci ma soprattutto per l'umanità che hai, i tuoi pensieri e il tuo essere allegra e spiritosa...e la tua forza d'animo. Ti ammiro, se mi permetti ... ciao!
Teresa
Non mi risponderai, certo, ma sappi che hai un'amica in un piccolo paese lontano, l'Italia.
Google translate fa dei brutti scherzi a volte e traduce le cose in un modo mmm poco attendibile, però..
Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling better! I love those jackets...wow.
Looking forward to Sew Camp!