Replies

1. 
   DONNAKAYE | Aug 16, 2006 05:36pm | #1

   Although I haven't started it yet, my project is to create a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Categories:

   Weight (bottom, dress, blouse, suit)

   Content (cotton, wool, poly blend, novelty or specialty)

   Color(s)

   Yardage(s)

   Width

   Weave (gabardine, twill, tweed)

   Description (diagonal stripe, floral, tropical, calico)

   PreShrunk? (y/n)

   Planned Project(s) (McCalls XXXX)

   Previous Projects (floral dress w/matching belt and drawstring bag; 3-piece pique suit)

   Comments (use something lighter weight next time; try silk; alter hipline of pants pattern)

   Hope this helps....

1. 
   costume lady | Aug 16, 2006 06:33pm | #2

   Thank you this does help. I forgot a few things and you help jog my brain this morning. Thanks again

2. 
   Teaf5 | Aug 20, 2006 03:52am | #3

   What a great list!  I think I would add Date Purchased and Care Instructions, since I always wish I had those when I use a piece I've had awhile.  And, if it was a particularly good deal and/or I was charging for the garments, I'd probably want the Purchase Price, too.

   There's no way I'll ever get my fabrics organized like that, but I have started to annotate my patterns much more and have found that taping a small square of each fabric I've used with a particular pattern onto the metric (unused) part of the envelope back helps me recall a lot of important information about both the pattern and the fabric qualities.  I also write a lot of comments on the pattern pieces, things I think of while sewing that might make the next garment easier or things that might be interesting to add or change.

3. 
   Ckbklady | Aug 23, 2006 06:08pm | #4

   I would also add "Store Purchased At" to "Date Purchased" so I could possibly go get more if it was a recent purchase or so I could remember the source of particularly lovely fabrics long after I had bought them.

   :) Mary

1. 
   costume lady | Aug 24, 2006 04:18pm | #6

   Thank you great ideas

2. 
   zuwena | Aug 23, 2006 11:27pm | #5

   All the suggestions given are great. MY own listing that I prepared along these lines about 10 years ago also includes two other items: location (needed because I have a small apartment and things have to be stored in various places) and "status", i.e., currently available, given away, etc. Also, I might suggest creating the database in Microsoft Access rather than Excel, or even better if you have it, Filemaker or FilemakerPro. Hope this helps. Zuwena

1. 
   costume lady | Aug 24, 2006 04:19pm | #7

   I not very good at access but this might get me to be better at it Thanks for the idea

1. 
   zuwena | Aug 26, 2006 05:55am | #8

   Access is one of the more difficult applications to work with successfully. Although on the same principle as Filemaker, it is not as user friendly but I don't think Filemaker makes a microsoft compatible version anymore. I suggest that you use one of model templates and simply substitute the field names relevant to your project. When you become more familiar you can modify the format. Happy trails. zuwena.

1. 
   costume lady | Aug 28, 2006 07:27pm | #9

   Thanks