I don't even know how to start this post. I'm not really whining about being able to afford a fabric collection. Nor am I whining about owning my own business which is finally doing really well. I guess what I am doing is mourning the loss of days of uninterrupted sewing time.
As we all know, 2020 was a weird year. It was the year that the world changed and we're still reeling from it. I became a mask maker and used up a lot of small cotton scraps and some larger pieces too. I mailed fabric to friends who couldn't find any. And I bought fabric that I didn't have time to sew.
I've gotten in the habit of taking fabric straight to the laundry room and washing it before it heads to the fabric closet.
This is the stack of washed fabric sitting on my dryer because there's no room for it elsewhere in my house. Most of it is cotton, although there's a couple of linens in there and with the exception of 3 pieces - they are all florals!! At least I'm true to myself.
With very few exceptions, each piece of fabric was bought with a specific garment in mind. Because, honestly, that's how I've always bought fabric. That doesn't mean that garment always gets made, in fact, that often isn't the case. But I do try to start with a plan.
On top of the fabric in the laundry room, there's a basket under my ironing board filled with shirts cut and ready to go for JB. The interfacing is cut and the buttons are folded with the pattern pieces. So there's no reason they aren't getting made - except time.
McCalls 7969 with a pretty floral from JoAnn Fabrics. Top cut, hesitating to sew because shapeless sack. Also predominately white.
Vogue 9299 Inspired by Carolyn in lightweight polka dot chambray
SBCC Stinger Dress - Green on the left is from deep stash (what is deep stash? How old?) for a wearable muslin and then the purple floral is for the final dress
Cute cotton ditzy print Fringe dress with snap closure. Might have to get snap pliers to put the snaps closer together than I can get them with the snap source setter.
So - all of that to say that this all feels heavy lately. Like the dreams of new garments are mocking me and I'm feeling a bit guilty for not sewing up it fast enough.
And in the next moment, I'm looking at FabricMart for a piece of fabric to make another Hope Woven Dress or the Vali.
How do you handle having an excess? Does it feel heavy? Does it block your creativity?
My excess was added to very significantly 4 years ago when my dear sister died and left me her two rooms of fabric, yarn, patterns and notions. I spent that first year bring it all in car loads to my house and sorting through it, plus my stuff as well, with an eye to getting it under control. I know she did not want me to personally keep it all, but it was too good to pitch out, plus I am not the type to do so. I work from home , so I had to do this in between clients and everyday life.
ReplyDeleteIt was quilting and dress making fabrics mainly, with some bins of yarn as well. It went to guilds and groups that quilt for charity, the local theatre for costumes and a sewing class that they have there, individuals that requested fabric and yarn, school sewing departments, and a group of ladies from up north that had lost all in a forest fire that took out their town and ladies at a women's shelter that needed sewing supplies. Some also went to friends and family. I also tried to finish as many of her unfinished projects as possible and gave them back to her family as mementos. It was very emotional, but I knew she would approve.
I know have some of my house back , but I am still operating on the "what can I purge" mode. I have done very little of my own sewing over the past few years, so I need to get to a place where less is enough and I have space to create again. Yes, it is heavy, but there is work to be done to deal with it. Also I wish to fully retire in the coming years, so I don't want to get rid of it all...I will need projects to do and funds will be less. I keep telling myself that the more stuff I buy, the goal of retirement stretches further away. Also lesson learned from sorting through my sister's stuff-it will be out of style, or seriously dated before you get to use it. Take care and happy sewing,
Barb
I have donated fabric every time I've moved the stash the last 6 years, once packing it to move, then I sorted with a new eye unpacking. Then I moved the fabric from the open shelving to a closet and got rid of more. I'm still hanging onto some wools and a couple pieces of silk - but honestly, it's not practical to wear a silk top when you're in the kitchen breakfast or when I'm cleaning the toilets -- which is totally my life right now.
DeleteYes, having too much does feel heavy. Too many things shouting "what about me?!?!", "Work on MEEEE!!!", like an episode of Twilight Zone in my head. Sometimes fabrics and patterns throw themselves at me, or push others off the shelves when I open the closet door.
ReplyDeleteHow do I handle the excess? Not very well, I fear. I have gone through and taken out fabrics and patterns that moved to the "what I was thinking?" category. The fabric got donated, the patterns sold as there was quite a stack. Sadly, any room made in the stash and my mind was soon filled up by newer fabrics, patterns, ideas, and plans. Even though I'm now retired, I still can't quite bring myself to get rid of those fabrics and patterns for garments I no longer have need of, but still like the idea of making. I have no idea what to do about that.
One thing that has helped - since retiring, my need (and budget!) for shopping therapy has greatly reduced. Of course it helps that the vile contagion hit shortly after I retired, so about the only places I've gone for 2 1/2 years is the grocery store, and I don't buy garment fabric on line.
Hi Gail! Unfortunately, I do buy fabric online and I live fairly close to FabricMart - too close in fact. I'm always tempted by those sale emails. I have sorted patterns multiple times and am (mostly) committed to to buying any new patterns - because really, what's new? For something I love, I'm saving pictures and trying to challenge my brain to "hack" a pattern I already have to make it work. However, sometimes I am buying a new pattern for an element, to see how it's done. I'm very sad to say I got rid of all my kids & doll patterns, so with both a granddaughter & grandson I'm now rebuying those patterns.
DeleteThe good fabrics, the gorgeous wool that I can't part with, I'm sewing those up for my adult daughters who both have careers that they dress for. It's nice to use some of those fabrics that I'm still not quite ready to part with. g
"Heavy" is EXACTLY how it feels. How did all those dreams of fantastic garments turn into piles and bins of heaviness? And why, despite the abundance, do I not have the fabric/ color/ weight/ etc that I need for the next thing I want to make?
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa! Those dreams turned into piles and bins because life happens. When we were younger we thought we could do it all. Sew up a complete new school wardrobe in the 2 weeks before school? Sure thing! And 4 of 6 outfits got made and the 'ingredients' for the other 2 got set aside with fingers crossed that we'd get to them. But then school started and what the kids thought they wanted wasn't what everyone else was wearing. OR I went crazy buying fabric at a meet up or on vacation and then again, not enough time to sew it up. g
DeleteHi Gaylen!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what you are feeling! I was going through my patterns the other day and pulled out a dress pattern I bought when we went shopping together at Fabric Depot (sadly gone now 😥). When was that? 20 years ago? It made me sad that I had not made that up way back when, because it really doesn't fit my lifestyle anymore. What I am doing to try and overcome that heavy feeling is be specific about what I need in my wardrobe and focus on those projects. I need pants and Jean's, so I have been exploring new patterns in shapes that will be the best for my current shape. I've had good luck with the Closet Core Pietra pant and True Bias Dani pant. I need to tweak the Lander pant a bit. Sewing comes in drops and drags though. Even though I'm retired, it seems that my time is still not my own. I buy fabric when I see something I just can't live without ( I'm looking at you Fabric Mart 🤣), but I am trying to sew those garments right away. I hope you find your JoJo again, because sewing can be a calming distraction in these trying times. Hugs to you! Mary
Mary! Seriously that Fabric Depot shopping trip couldn't have been 20 years ago, could it?! I still don't like wearing pants. I like my dresses. But I have this weird hang up that I shouldn't be dressed 'fancier' than the guests, so I tend to wear the kind of clothes that I would wear on vacation. You should hear some of our regular guests when I do actually wear jeans ::LOL::
DeleteAlso, while I do have a dedicated sewing space, it's in the living room and hubby complains about how noisy my machines are. Finally, even though everything is out - cutting table, iron & ironing board, sewing machine & serger, I have trouble sewing in 15 minute spots of time. I just really want a good long stretch to get lost in the process and when that can't happen, I just don't start. Hope you are well! g
Because I am so ADHD I don't allow myself to buy any fabric until what I have started is finished.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was so disciplined. I never meant to have a cupboard of fabric - it just happened.
DeleteI totally get this issue. I've been giving away fabric for ages, and yet it still accumulates. I've had to have some tough conversations with myself and move some things along that feel more like a burden than inspiring. I do love the feeling of clearer spaces and a lot less guilt.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm the mother of all fabric collectors and understand how you feel but I wouldn't trade my collection for anything! I'm purging too by giving to friends and looking for another high school to donate to but I still believe that I will sew. I'm making time to pursue this hobby that gives me life. I know my circumstance is different from yours and understand how your time constraints are working against you now...but I still believe I can sew my way through! And if I can't my daughters will figure out what to do with the rest! :)
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