Stash, stash, stash

One of my plans for 2015 was to really try and use up my stash.

I have ALOT of fabric.... Some of it is really nice fabric and some of it has me scratching my head and wondering how it even ended up in my stash! Funny how that happens. 

I have done a fairly good job up to this point! I have used  77.25 yards and only have purchased 39.8 yards and the majority of that has been for linings, underlinings and interfacings.

However, I ran into the problem of searching for a fabric that I know I have.... But who the heck knew where it was 'stashed'??? I hate when that happens!

See.... Total mess!

My main focus is garment sewing. So there are yards upon yards of fashion fabric in this stash. I have the majority stored in a repurposed TV cabinet form the early 90's. You remember those big giant honking pieces of furniture with the doors that closed so you didn't have to look at that giant old TV? Well I had quite a nice one from Broyhill. Solidly built and well made. So last year it was repurposed into a fabric cupboard. My husband helped me to add shelves and lighting in the top part. 

This fabric cabinet is massive! Bonus that I was able to reuse an old piece of furniture.

It started out very nice and organized and not quite full.... 

Top shelf had silks, laces, rayons and other silky like fabrics

Middle shelf was all knits

Bottom shelf was wools, denims, corduroy and other wovens. 

Now these shelves are all mixed up and a bit overstuffed!... Hence why I m trying to use mostly stash fabrics for awhile. It's been working out pretty darn well for me. I have some nice fabrics in that cabinet!

One of the drawers hold lining fabrics and the other holds surplus sewing notions and expensive trims. 

The bottom cupboards have a mix of coatings, large fluffy fabrics, and specialty fabrics. Such as a small collection of silks a friend brought back from China. Shibbori type fabrics from Nepal and India. Some vintage textiles from my grandmothers stash that I inherited when she passed. At one point I literally had to put the fabric in with my foot so I could close the doors!!! So not an ideal situation. 

Now, I also have 2 big plastic bins. I with sweatshirt and polar fleece types and one full of various types of interfacings. Much of those interfacings are more for crafting and purse/bag making that I dabbled in several years back.

I am also sad to say that I have a cardboard shipping box from smugglers daughter that is full of more fabric. Eels!! It is kind of wedged sideways under my cutting table.

Then I have a rolling cart with 4 drawers. Top 2 drawers are full of sewing machine accessories. The bottom 2 house my collection of good interfacings. 1 with fusibles and 1 with non fusibles such as imperial batiste and silk organza.

And that's not it....

I have an entire cedar lined dresser full of cottons, mostly quilting cottons. Every once in a while I get the bug in my head to make a quilt as a gift for someone (mostly baby gifts or lap quilts). I don't really follow any patterns or rules just do what I want. It can be quite a creative process. I also use these high quality quilting cottons in my garment sewing. Usually as pocketing fabrics and facings and once I a while as a detail. 

What can I say!!! I really am a textile lover. 

This week I pulled out every yard of fashion fabric! 

I had some crazy notion that I was going to swatch and record every piece. You know, on one of those neat key rings with tags that show how much and what type... Ha! Like I'm ever going to be that organized. Besides it would have taken up way too much of my most precious resource, Time!

Knits: anything smaller than a yard went out. Any piece at around a yard I only kept if a, I really, realy like it or b, I like it and the previous garment I made has held up well. You know not all fabric is created equally and we all end up with some that just are very crappy. Stretching, snagging, pilling, etc..... All the crappy fabrics went into the trash bin.

I was able to fit all my knits on the center shelf of my cabinet.

Wovens: this was FUN to pull out and touch and play with. I have some extremely nice wools and it makes me happy to just touch it and dream of all the projects I want to make. I didn't have too many small pieces of my regular wovens and only got rid of a couple of things. These filled up the lower shelf.

Silks: (well mostly silks) another lovely group of fabrics to touch. This top shelf was a bit of a mess. There were also several polys or as one store calls them 'silkys'.  I wanted to make sure of exactly what I had so I took the time to burn test anything I was unsure of. This took a bit of time but was well worth it. 

I took all my slippery silks and folded them with tissue paper. I already had some stored this way and it keeps them crease free and keeps,them from being slippery and messy. 

In the plastic bins under the table I found a plethora of polar fleece. I took the majority of these out (mostly cheap ones from JoAnns) and repurposed them into new dog beds and blankets. The dogs were very happy!! This also freed up room in the bin to put my smaller cuts and free up some room in the cabinet so things were not so squashed. 

Tissue wrapped silks.

And now everything is so much neater and organized and less stressful when I open my magic stash cabinet! 

I'd love to hear how you manage your stash!

Happy Sewing

Happy grand baby snuggles :)

Fabric Bowls = a great gift!

I whipped up these 2 fabric bowls this afternoon as a birthday gift for a friend of mine. Due to my broken leg we missed her birthday outing back in August. So tonight we are making up for it by having a small dinner party.

While my husband was busy in the kitchen all afternoon cooking... I was busy in the sewing room whipping up this set of bowls.

My first intention was to make one for me and one for her but I later decided that they looked so cute together that they needed to be given as a set! They are made from cotton quilting fabric from my stash and the 2 sides are fused to a layer of timtex for stiff support. The nice thing is that they are reversible and washable as well.

 

A new shirt for me, Simplicity 4878

I have had this pattern ready and altered and sitting on my sewing table for several months now. I finally got around to cutting it out and sewing it up :)

Simplicity 4878 from 2004 line. Style E and I used a multi size pattern with the 16 on top and graduated to an 18 through the hips and I added 3 inches in length. (I really hate when my shirt pulls up in the back and you get that strip of skin between my pants and the top and most shirts do that, I think partly from the lower waist styles of pants)

The fabric is all from my stash, I did not quite have enough of the body knit to do the arms and collar with so I decided to pull a basic black knit from the stash to make it in a color blocked version. The blue multi colored knit has been in my stash for probably 15 plus years... It is nice to finally have used it!

I really need some more casual, hang out, grocery shopping etc clothes. and this fit the bill. I am a little unsure of the collar, it is not a collar type I would normally wear but it looks good on and nice to have something slightly different.

I still need to hem the sleeves and body portion and then it is finished.

Basic knit T pattern with shoulders cut with the sleeves

I choose the most basic and did view E, the drawing shows the collar flatter than the picture on the pattern front, which shows the collar standing straight up.

My version

The collar here looks even floppier, but very comfortable on. Will make a great spring, summer evening shirt. the Knits are lightweight, 3/4 length sleeve and loose collar.

Side view

I finally got around to straightening up my sewing room! Too many things were beginning to accumulate all over the place!

On another note, I ordered swatches today of equestrian fabric. I am need of new show breeches and simply cannot afford the super high priced ones from the tack shops. Good show breeches can run anywhere from 150$ to 300$+. And of course since I am a real woman with curves it seems that only the super expensive ones ever fit me! I figure I have one pair of nice breeches that i bought on super clearance a couple years ago so I may as well take a try at copying them and sewing my own. Sure can't hurt to give it a try!

A quick project: Sneeze Catchers

This was a super quick, fun and easy project. and one that I was not intending on doing last night!

My goal was to straighten up my sewing room, get ready for my next project and to organize my shelf of cotton quilting fabrics. I am not a huge quilter... but I like to dabble, especially in art quilts. I have some idea drawings for several art quilts hanging on my sewing room wall and I wanted to organize my quilting fabrics by color schemes so I would be able to better locate and use my stash. Almost all of these fabrics are in 1 yard or less cuts. some 1/2 yard and even some fat quarters. Most are a yard and this is because if I like a fabric I should buy at least a yard!!

And this is the reason why I always have so much scrap fabric left over from quilting projects... I buy an entire yard for a 5 inch square piece... hmmm, I know I am not the only person that does this!

So as I was straightening up I came across the directions for a 'sneeze catcher' on a 5x7 piece of paper. It was a free handout from QuiltTricks that I picked up when I attended the Chicago sewing and quilt expo in November.

I placed on my sewing desk next to one of the machines to hang on one of my bulletin boards. And it made me think of the 2 full cases of pocket tissue packs that I have in the laundry room that I got for free last winter. I thought 'hmmmmm.... sneeze catchers and I have about 100 packs of pocket tissues downstairs...

So then I was organizing my quilt fabrics and came across these 2 remnant pieces that I must have used in a dozen projects over the years and went 'ohhhhhhhhhh, I could finally get these fabrics used up and out of here!!! I am frankly a little tired of looking at them!'

So, in the space of 30 minutes I whipped up 6 'sneeze catchers'. One for me and the other 5 for girlfriends that I will be seeing this Saturday evening.

Thanks for the handout QuiltTricks! It was a nice, easy, quick and useful project that will make my GF's smile.

Outer fabric is a stained glass look, the lining fabric is a pretty yellow print.

The ends, serged and cornered.

All stuffed!

Tied in pretty packages with extra tissues.

Now I am in Boston on a work trip for a couple days... Hope everyone has a great week!

More Holiday Gifts

So, I have been so busy making Christmas gifts for everyone else that I have not had time to work on anything for me :) That's OK! I still have lots of fun and these little gift bags are a great way to take my mind off of everything.

These are a bit smaller than the Black and White ones that I made a couple weeks ago. Almost 1/2 the size. They are full of some goodies for my barn team mates. A couple little things for them and of course some horse treats as well!

Best of all, I actually used stash fabric this time :)

Pants Progress

A little update on my pants progress...

Monday: I finished pattern alterations, made a muslin and adjusted the fit, altered the pattern to match the muslin and cut out fashion fabric and interfacing.

Today: I fused the interfacing to the waist band pieces and cut out the lining

Due to the number of alterations I did on the pattern I decided to make up a muslin and I am glad I did. Maybe the measurements I took were skewed since I did not have a helper, or maybe the Cynthia pants fitting workbook was for a style of pant that was not for my taste or maybe a combination. (you are supposed to use her pants pattern with the book)

From the muslin I decided that I needed to cut most of the pattern an entire size smaller, I did have to add a bit to the depth of the back crotch, I have a tush, so unless I add like an inch and a half to 2 inches in the back then the pants are always showing my crack and I don't like that.

I did need to shorten the length from hip to knee and lengthen from knee to hem to keep the pants proportions correct and to fit me. I also needed to deepen the back crotch seam to take out the bagginess under the butt. And the last thing I did was to make them slightly narrower, they are still a little on the wide leg style but the original width cut from my hip measurement was too wide. I guess that's what happens when your hippy :)

Unfortunately I did not get a picture of me in the muslin pair...

Muslin fabric, the blue lines are the stitching lines.

I used some horseshoe and star cotton fabric from my stash.

Fashion Fabric, gray, slightly metallic cotton/Lycra blend

Lining fabric... another cotton blend found in my fabric stash and smelled like attic so must have come from either my mom's or one of my grandmothers.

I like interesting linings, like a special surprise just for me to enjoy my clothes :)

Front lining pattern, cut with the yoke included, don't need pockets in my lining!

My trusty helper, Baby Blue. Red Bone/Blue tick hound.

She thought it would be a good idea to try and make a 'nest' out of my fashion fabric... she carefully tried pulling it right off the cutting table when I wasn't looking! That stinker.

2 new fall shirts

After a bittersweet week spent in NJ (bitter because my 'Babi' passed away and sweet because I spent time with my family) I needed some creative me time in the sewing room.
I was a little bad when I was with my family and went out with the girls for some retail therapy, well retail therapy and to get something for my sister to wear to the services. I broke my vow and bought 2 shirts and a pair of black pants... I know it was bad of me, but it was the first time I have gone to a clothes store in a 4 or 5 months. (except for horse riding breeches!)

Anyway... I have been trying very hard to use up my never ending stash of fabric... which just keeps on growing thanks to donations from my mom!

The first shirt is a striped knit with a little bit of 'sparkle' in it. Perfect for the current metallic trends. It has 3/4 length sleeves a fitted body and a crossover piping detail at the neckline which adds some interest.

The second shirt is made from a semi sheer fabric with some nice drape that has also been in my stash for a while. I just could not think of what to make with it with those large bands of color. No matter what I draped in horizontal or vertical I was just not pleased at all. Then I had one of those 'ah-ha' moments and cut the fabric on the bias and I really like the look of it and how it hangs. I kept the neckline, and hem finishes simple using a dark blue woolly nylon in my serger and making a rolled hem. A combination of the bias cut and semi-boat neck allowed me to leave off any neckline closures for a nick sleek and clean look. The sleeves are 3/4 length and slightly flared.

I must admit that I was not expecting this shirt to turn out as well as it did. Between the decision to cut everything on the bias along with the slippery nature of the fabric I was preparing myself to trash it if necessary. I just took my time, used lots of pins and my serger on the entire thing and it came out just fabulous!

Next on the agenda is my Halloween costume (a pink 50's poodle skirt) and then on to some mending and hemmimg, then maybe a re-fashion or two if I am inspired before back to the fabric stash! I am really wanting to try a pair of pants...

Part UFO, Part new, ALL nice!

This jacket part of this ensemble was another UFO that I finished up. Of all things all it needed was to have the sleeve linings finished...

wool blend fashion fabric with iron on interfacing all over and a fun lining.

I recently wore the jacket on a trip and was doing some shopping at the Pittsburgh Airport while waiting for a flight delay. (this airport basically has a full mall in it!) the Tie rack was having a blow out sale on all woman's scarves and as I was browsing the store manager came up to me and gave me such wonderful compliments on my 'Chanel' look. I was thrilled :)

The top and skirt is a new project that I whipped up from New Look 6735.

I like this pattern, easy to work with and since it is for knits I can whip it up on my serger in no time! The only thing that I will try changing the next time I make it is removing the back seam. It is only slightly shaped and I don't think it is needed on this style shirt.

The belt was from my stash, I actually bought it quite a few years ago to be used with a pirate Halloween costume.

Nice looking outfit! Great for travel and meeting with customers.

This project is from a larger project idea that I had to put together several separates that I could use while traveling for work. I often have to travel several days in a row and I often try to coordinate my color palate and style so that I can minimize my accessories and still look good! (and keep the suitcase lighter!)

My color/texture/fabric palate to work with

Project bin

I first assembled my fabrics at various lengths. I buy fabric because I like it and have a rough idea how much yardage I need for different pieces and then figure out a pattern later. The color palate I went with here is teals and browns. I also like to use a 'project' basket where I pull all the necessary items from the various places in my sewing room and put them all in one place. I find this makes it easier for me when working on the project, I don't get myself distracted looking for things.

I have several more pieces that I am planning to add to the collection. A dress, a pair of knit pants and a short sleeved shirt. So far I am quite happy with how it has turned out.

UFO: lurking in my sewing closet!

So, I have been trying to clean up my sewing room. A never ending task... but must be done! I need a semblance of organization to get things done.

I had this red/black/pink plaid jacket UFO hanging there for well over a year now and I decided to tackle it and do my best to A, figure out why it is a UFO and B, whatever the reason is, deal with it.

The pattern is from a small independent company. I bought it because I tried on a model garment at the trade show and liked it. I wish I could remember why I really like it and had taken some pictures, or at least wrote down what size I had tried on.

Just For You! by Darlene Miller 'Triangle Jacket'
"your own 'Designer Canvas' Jacket!

Apparently my brain was just not functioning the day I decided to cut out this pattern because I cut it out for an extra-large and according to the measurements on the pattern I only needed to cut for a medium.... hmmmm.... maybe I was feeling fat that day???? Who knows.

The fabric is a cute poly blend plaid slightly open weaved, not very expensive. I think from vogues super sale tables. But, I like the fabric and decided to just be creative and try my best to make it work. I figured worst comes to worst it could be delivered to the trash can (or recycle bin).

UFO: unfinished front

UFO: unfinished back, pointing right to my hiney :-/

It was huge on me, I was swimming in it and my barely c cups were invisible. And the back of the jacket had this point that ended right in the middle of my hiney. Not to flattering.

• I added extra tucks at the waistline
• I added a dart above my breast that goes vertically from my bust tip almost to the middle of the shoulder seam to take out some extra fullness.
• I tapered in the side seams
• took off the point in the back
• shortened the whole thing by an inch
• used pink buttons from the stash for interest
  
• tried to move the buttons in as much as I can without throwing off the whole front.
  

What this left me with was an interesting short jacket that actually looks quite cute with a black knit tee underneath. It is fitted (sort of) at the waist and then boxy higher up. The side sits just at my waist with the back dipping slightly below in a nice graceful curve and front points extend below waist line. And the sleeves are dropped with a raglan type look to them.

Finished front

Finished back, no hiney point :)

I do believe that I will try this pattern again...and make sure to use the correct size!! and then I can give it a proper pattern review!

Hi

I have been working on this idea of re-use, re-cycle and make my own cloths and accessories for several months.

But, have not really gotten super serious about it.

I have this great sewing/craft room all to myself and over the past 9 years in this house it has seen untold number of projects come through. From craft items, scrapbooks, to Halloween costumes and power suits and quilts projects. And it has seen it's days as a guest room and when our daughter moved out it even turned into a storage room for a while.

I have recently re-claimed my room!! Yeah!! And have been working on some projects. All the hype in the media about 'being green' and being environmentally responsible along with the dreadful economy really got my ideas flowing.

What kind of things could I do?

• save money
• re-use favorite items
• re-fashion outdated items
• find new homes for things (to actual people)
• re-cycling
• composting
• etc... etc...

So , it all started with a bag of clothes that I had put aside for Goodwill. Goodwill is an easy way for me to feel like I have not wasted clothes and other items. But... I just kept thinking there is so much more I can do.

I went back through that bag of clothes, which consisted of old clothes, clothes that did not fit and things I just did not use anymore. My closet was too stuffed with unworn items. I reorganized my closet and ended up with a big black bag of stuff that sat in my sewing room for a long time.
Out of this bag I came up with several very cute and sexy tops that I passed down to my daughter and some of her friends. Great items for a night out on the town.
I had some awesome button down shirts that just did not fit anymore and were well appreciated by the college girls. I also had some work shirts that I made over into rags plus a cute zip-up. Etc.... etc...

And on top of it all... I have a massive stash of fabric. Yes I am a fabric whore, can't help myself.
I am vowing to NOT BUY another single piece of fabric until I can at least store all my fabric neatly in the sewing room closet. (I may not be buying any fabric for a long, long time!)