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Conversational Threads

Misplaced Fabric Stash!?

kbalinski | Posted in General Discussion on

It’s obvious you have too much fabric when you can’t remember where you stashed it!  This past Christmas I did an amazing organizational job, labeling and filling boxes with shirting, flannel, kids’ prints, knits, and suiting.  Somewhere there is a box labeled “Linen”, but hell if I know where it is!  I’ve searched and searched, gone through every labeled box and checked every unlabeled box.  I’ve looked inside my scrap bags, and checked every drawer.  I’m feeling…

1. Frustrated (I’ve got the perfect project for a few pieces)

2. Embarassed (I could clothe a small country with the yardage I have socked away)

3. Foolish (Am I that old that I can’t remember where I put it)

4. Helpless (Can’t ask Hubby to help me look, he’ll see the rest of my stash!)

How ridiculous is this?  If I can make someone smile by posting this, I’ll feel better.  I’m off to check every other dark corner in the house now…

Kristine in Michigan

Replies

  1. Teaf5 | | #1

    Thanks for the giggle!  My hubby and I spent several hours yesterday, looking for the hardware to a drafting table that we know is "somewhere in the garage in a slightly yellowed plastic bag with masking tape on it."  No luck on locating it yet, though!

    Maybe you intended to label one box "Linen" and then got interrupted or distracted before you actually did, or decided that you didn't need a whole other box for it, so you put it in with the silks or denims.  Or you pulled it out for another project or have already used it?

    A famous Spanish author once offered a very valuable tip for finding things: he said that we lose things when we vary from our usual routines and habits, so we just need to re-wind to that point at which we did something even slightly differently, and we'll find our lost item.  So, if the doorbell rang while you were labelling the "linen" box, maybe the label was dropped near the front door while you were talking with a neighbor, and then it never got onto that box.

    This tip has helped me find a lot of things (except the table hardware), but when it doesn't, I rely on another tip:  when you are looking for something, always clean up as you go.  Often, the cleaning will unearth the desired item, but even if it doesn't, everything looks better after you give up!

    1. kbalinski | | #2

      Thanks for the help...

      I FOUND IT!  In a box of "misc.", at the bottom, underneath all the other contents.  Of course.

      Most of my fabric boxes are xerox paper boxes, and I set them their side as I place the fabric, so that when I lift the top, I can see a small portion of all the contents.  Except in this particular box, that was too deep, so there was a bottom layer hidden.  Time to get more boxes and repack some things!

      I'm just glad I found it, I was starting to think I accidentally threw it away, so it was really nagging at my brain.  So much so, that I couldn't do anything else until I found it.  Now I can get back to the things I'm supposed to be doing today...

      1. User avater
        ThreadKoe | | #5

        I am so glad you found your linens so quickly! I would be going absolutely mad looking until I found them, of course, in the last place I looked....somewhere where I figured they wouldn't be. Who would be silly enough to put that there??? Not me of course, I have elves who shuffle my stuff around when I am not looking. Cathy

      2. Teaf5 | | #15

        How funny--right after I replied to your post, I was looking for a sleeping bag for a trip and found my "lost" box of yarn in the laundry room cabinet!  I knew I had it somewhere, but the last few times I wanted something from it, I could never find it.  No wonder, though, as it was unlabelled and stashed next to the camping gear!

        I've pulled it out and vow to label it and find a more logical place for it, or better yet, sort it out and donate most of it.

        We stashers must be kindred spirits; mine is in copy-paper boxes, too.  I like your method of stacking the fabrics sideways so that you can see what you need--thanks!

  2. User avater
    purduemom | | #3

    This did bring a little giggle only because we must be kindred spirits! Teaf5 had some good suggestions - but, a variation of Murphy's Law always seems to rule whenever I find myself in a similar situation. If you have your heart set on the linen project - buy more now! (Justification: It will be on sale!) If that doesn't cause you to discover the elusive box, you are practically guaranteed to find it 'post-linen season' in November or December when you open one of your boxes expecting to see Christmas decorations :) I have intentions of tackling a similar organization job but worry that if I am too organized, I won't be able to find anything!

  3. starzoe | | #4

    Yes, I did get a laugh. I have lost a hammer. I'm the only one in the house, I am very good at putting items back where they belong and have since cleaned the garage. The darn thing just grew legs and took off.
    It has given me something to look for at garage sales and voila! on Saturday I found a new 16oz hammer for $5.00. Now, for sure, the missing one will turn up; am sure of it.

  4. jjgg | | #6

    We could start a support group - OH, Wait, that's what this forum is all about!!!

    Do we need 12 steps to it?

    Hi, I'm Judy, I'm a fabricholic (do I have to admit to my beads, yarns, embroidery threads etc etc?)

    I just got better lighting yesterday in my fabric closet! I got my deer hubby to put up a nice bright florescent light fixture so now I can actually see whats in the closet!

    1. Tatsy | | #7

      I make no excuses for my stash. It's the result of an extremely trying work situation which was best relieved by stopping at the fabric store on the way home. When I realized what I was doing and how much longer I had to work, I took up beading. Now that I'm retired I get to smile for two reasons. My goal is to have the treasure trove manageable before one of my DILs has to deal with it when I move into the home. At the rate my mom's going that should be another 40 years or so. If I can't find something, I make something else. Everything always turns up eventually, and the grandkids and great-nieces and -nephews are learning that clothes are made by ordinary people, not just factories.

    2. User avater
      KraftyKandi | | #8

      It's great to see that I have soul-mates across the country. Let me sign up for the 12 step program too ... Hi, I'm Kandi, and I'm a fabric-, yarn-, beads-, sewing book-, and crochet pattern book-a-holic. If my husband actually took the time to notice, I think he'd divorce me! I, too, hide (and try to organize) much of my stash, but, the only thing I can say on my behalf is that he (we) never have to buy birthday and xmas gifts for our families. It's such a dirty little secret to have ... I feel so much better getting this off my chest. Sometimes, I worry that if I suddenly "pass away", that my whole funeral will be dedicated to everyone laughing at my squirly ways...

      1. MarieCurie | | #9

        The stuff about "she who dies with the most, wins" is really a bitter truth.  My mother very nearly died almost 10 years ago.  When she got better, she realized how hard it would be for us, her children, to go through all the stuff she had accumulated in the house.  So she got rid of all the stuff she never used any longer--yarn, fabric, patterns, clothes she couldn't wear, stuff in the kitchen she hadn't used in 20 years.  Mostly she donated it the local senior center.  It was an amazing, cathartic experience for her, and I brag about her strength all the time. 

        1. User avater
          KraftyKandi | | #10

          Thank you for sharing your mother's bravery...I recently lost my mother, very suddenly, and I, alone, had to pack up her home. My mom taught me to sew, and she, too, had a treasure trove of fabric, patterns and notions. As I was going thru her things, I alternately laughed and cried as each piece of fabric reminded me of one of her projects, or something she had made me or my daughters ... I couldn't bear to part with any of it, so it has been added to my "stash". I guess it is genetic to accumulate things you love.I was responding, laughingly, to the post about "losing" a box of fabric marked "linen" ... both my mom and I did that constantly. She would call me and swear that I took the fabric, and I'd do the same to her. It would be fun to just have someone to blame - now, when I can't find something, I "talk" to my mom like she's there and chide her "where did you put my eyelet ... did you take it? I know you were eyeing it!". My daughters are always threatening me with putting me in a "home" ... and I'm only 53!

          1. kbalinski | | #11

            My mother also taught me how to sew, but had no stash to leave me.  Instead, I inherited her "angel clock", like a cuckoo clock but 4 little angels come out and play a song each half-hour.  Amazing how little time I spend downstairs, but that clock always seems to chime when I'm passing through!  I miss her reminding me how to move the paper pattern pieces around to squeeze every possible inch out of it so I could make a matching hairband!

            Kristine in Michigan

          2. Palady | | #16

            Kbalinski's post of her Mom's angel clock chiming when she passes by it brought a memory of the son of my daughter's friend.

            When his Gamma died he was a 3 yr old.   He would ask for her from time to time because her visits with him stopped.  He voiced a wonder as to when she would be doing so again.  His mom would hug him & explain, yet again, that Gamma was unable to visit in person now because "she was with the angels."

            One morning his mom realized she hadn't seen of heard any activity of her son in their home.  Calling his name, he spoke out saying he was "over here."  Mom found him wedged behind a display on which they had placed Gamma's angle collection.  Several had been moved about.  Some on the floor.  To mom's gentle question of what he was doing. he replied very quietly he was looking for Gamma.

            nepa

          3. Sancin | | #17

            What a wonderful story!Re: lost stash. One of my best purchases was a mechanical labeler. It helped me to put like things together and helps me find things. In visiting my sewing room, sometimes it seems like a store!!

          4. sewelegant | | #20

            Your angel story is wonderful as well as poignant (is that the word?)  It is something how children take our words so literally.

            As for the stash thing... I think we are all in the same boat but each of us has a unique excuse as well as managerial technique.  I really did plan on making a specific something when I had the fabric cut, but somehow life got in the way and other projects and activities took precedence and before I knew it I needed something different for a new season and so my stash began.  It's kind of like buying too much fruit in June and July because it all looks so good - even when I KNOW we can't eat it all before it spoils (or I get around to preserving it). 

             Except the fabric doesn't go away.  I don't know if that is good or bad for me.  My biggest disappointment in my stash is that I never seem to have enough yardage for a new project I think will be perfect so it goes back in hiding.  At one point I solved this dilemna by purchasing more fabric than I needed!!!  Big mistake.  It is so much harder to store 4 yards instead of 2.  BUT, get rid of it?  I don't think so.  I love my ultra suede paperback book covers and so do the recipients.  I just wish I could get around to making that jacket before there isn't enough left to do it.  My two granddaughters love their white boiled wool rabbits I made for them when they were small.  So maybe all is not such a waste.

          5. kbalinski | | #21

            Thank God fabric doesn't have an expiration date, because my basement would stink!!!  My stash is so big, I can shop in my fabric bins without making a trip to the store.  I usually have all the notions on hand, too, so the bonus to my fabric addiction is that I'm more productive because I don't have to set a project aside to buy something! I'm also usually able to find a coordinating piece, if I want to make more than 1 piece.  I started collecting about 5 years ago, if you were wondering. 

            I had given some thought to packing my fabric by season, but it really is much easier to find it by fiber or wearer (DS and DD have their own box)!

          6. sewelegant | | #23

            It is interesting, isn't it? How much our stash seems to "go together".  I suppose it is because I always buy something I love and the colors I love are usually the same.  Denim blue is one of my favorites and it is fun to go through the stash and find all the items that go with denim.  My only problem and the reason I have so much is because I outgrew jeans and no waistline makes wearing a skirt uncomfortable so what next?  Are jumpers still in style?  Now I'm into the stretchy slinky stuff because it works for me, but there's no slinky in my stash!  At least, not yet.

            I too have been more likely to file by fiber than color. 

          7. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #27

            I have tried storing by colour, by season, by type, by fibre, and none has been satisfactory. I ended up going by weight. I keep the bottom or suit weights together, medium weights and cottons together, and the silkies and dress weights together. Now I just have to pull out the boxes according to the type of project I want to make. Still not perfect, but works the best for me so far. Cathy

          8. ohiostar | | #19

            I have a similar story only I inherited a sister's MIL's sewing room. This woman had also been a long time friend of the family and I knew that she sewed for others and had been a window dresser for a high end store in her younger days. Going through her room was a trip through all of the retail stores that sold fabric and have since gone out of business`---over 30 years of fabric history. Because she was a professional dressmaker, I found wools, silks, silks I had to go an learn the names of, poly's, quilting fabric, zipper stashes, snaps, buttons, need I go on? INTERFACINGS!!!! Threads, patterns. I have purchased and lost 2 copies of Vogue Book of Sewing, and sure enough she had one of those. I also inherited her 3 ft jack stand weaving loom, a long time dream to own one. It's taken me three years to integrate this into my own stash. My kids are nervous, but I'm sewing as fast as I can!

          9. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #22

            Seeing that there are so many "stashers" like me, I'm wondering if we're "subconsciously" ""losing"" our fabric ... I can only speak for myself, but sometimes, when I can't find that particular type of fabric for a pattern I'm admiring, or there isn't "enough" fabric to make it, it takes me about 1/2 a minute to grab my keys and run to my local (40 mi. away!) fabric store ... it can take me up to two days to go to a grocery store when we're out of milk!I've learned to sort my fabric by type and put it in labeled clear storage boxes so I can see the colors/prints without taking out and opening every box ... trying to learn to write the yardage on a tag, too.I crochet as much as I sew, so now I put my yarn stash by color, thickness, etc. in open wire baskets that stack on one of my sewing tables so I can grab and go. I take my crochet projects everywhere I go in case I have a couple of minutes wait somewhere.My sister lives about 5 hours away, in a remote mountain area and she visited recently ... she went crazy in my "craft" room and said it was better than going to a large chain store (like Joanns) ... I was pretty stingy though, because everything she asked to have I was reluctant to give up ... but she did clear out a little of it, much to my dismay. I'm sooooo embarrassed, but she'd do that to me, too, if I was in her stash!

    3. User avater
      ThreadKoe | | #12

      Hi Judy, we have met before, I am Cathy, and I am a confessed stashmaster and fabricaholic.I too have the tools for other thread crafts stashed about as well, but lucky me do not have to hide my stash. My DH, bless his heart, actually understands my need to hoard the supplies for my creative impulses. Rather than a 12 step reform program, I am trying a 12 step use it up program, tee hee hee. For every couple of pieces used from my stash, I get to bring new stuff home. ;)
      I am happy your lighting is making life easier on you. I wish my house had closets. Oh wait, then I would have to fill them up. Cathy

      1. sewluving | | #13

        I too am a fabricholic.  I got rid of all my stash about 20 yrs ago.  Wasn't going to sew anymore..........Hah..........then I was at my sister's 2,000 miles away and she had a serger..........then I got a serger.......then I got fabric.........(again).......then my wonderful kids bought me a new sewing machine.

        I got together with my  new hubby about 12 years ago.  Moved into his apt. condo and we made room for 'some' fabric........then I started 'stashing' again.....LOL....we then moved to a much bigger condo.  I now have at least 4 or is it 5 big utility shelving units in the storage are of the basement.............FULL and I keep adding. 

        We have a store here called Fabricland.  There are 5 stores in the city.  The one I go to is moving to another location and has EVERYTHING in the store at 50% to 70% off.  I have gone there twice now and come home with more for my stash, also lots of neat tools, scissors, buttons, elastic, double edged binding, etc etc and oh yes, more fabric for my stash.   As my friend's Mom used to say 'you can't pass by a good buy'.........how true. 

        I am telling myself that this winter I will SEW when it is cold and miserable and I can't go out.  So I will need encouragement and will join the '12 Steps Use it Up' program.  I love that concept and the name. 

        Heather in Calgary

        1. dancingdamsel | | #24

          I need to sign up for the 12 steps "Use it up" program too. But we need a rule that starting something doesn't count - it's not used up till it's finished! Sometimes I think half my stash is in my UFO pile. Hi, I'm Diane and I'm a fabricaholic and yarnaholic with bits from other crafts as well.

          My hubby doesn't complain about my stash too often, because when he does, I remind him of the boxes of models and paints he has stashed, waiting to be used!

          Currently trying to finish some of my UFO's as I need to start on my daughter's boyfriend's sisters formal dress next week. All tulle and diamantes! In the current UFO pile are jeans for my hubby and I, and a jumper/jacket for youngest daughter (5). They are just the items at the top of the pile.

          Happy sewing all!

          Regards

          Diane (Hunter Valley, Australia)

          1. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #28

            I definitely agree with that Rule, tee hee hee. Cathy

          2. sewelegant | | #29

            Hi DancingDamsel, since you are from Australia and also a bit of a crafty person maybe you will have come across this:

            A few years ago I was taking a class in creative design.  One of the ladies had just visited Australia and she brought in a wonderful little ball for "show and tell".  She wasn't a crafter and couldn't tell us how it was made but it looked like the ball was wrapped in many layers and then sliced open at intervals to reveal all the colors of the layers.  My thought was a chenille technique, but I have no idea how it was done.  Have you seen anything like this?  The ball was about 4" in diameter and I thought it looked like a wonderful pincushion.  Have you any enlightenment on this?

          3. dancingdamsel | | #30

            Hmmm, nope, never seen a ball like that, but I will look out for it and let you know if I find anything. Any idea where she got it?

          4. Ceeayche | | #31

            I too need to enter a 12 step program. Except I've never gotten beyond the first step which I belive is to acknowledge you have a problem.

            As for storage strategy:  I've got my stash sorted in a couple different ways:  in the sewing room I have four 35X35 cabinets with 9 cubies each where fabric is storted by type (decor, cottons, dressy, suiting) then by color.  There are scraps from various projects which have been grouped by time period and placed in those vacume-storage bags.  I also have a large (enough to house a human) trunk from college that has all the fabric I haven't been able to sort.  There are several hat boxes that have interfacing, stiffner, etc. In the garage are several large cardboard boxes filled with plastic bags of fabric from my mom's stash (recently inherited).  I know that's an awful way to store it---for so many reasons-- but hopefully that's temporary and by fall I'll have it sorted and integrate it upstairs. 

            I'm currently on self-imposed restriction that I can't purchase new fabric.... but I recently got and end of season deal/steal on outdoor fabric for my deck furniture and there was the chintz I ordered for the wedding that's on Saturday.  yeah I might not get that made in time.... I'm waiting for the fabric store to open so I can go get the pattern.  If Walmart's fabric department was open, I'd have tackled this last night.

          5. jjgg | | #32

            HI,
            I'm Judy and I bought another sewing machine today. :) My machines are starting to rival my fabrics.....But in all seriousness, at least it's a used machine, and it's a very specialized one for my tents.

          6. Tatsy | | #33

            Oh, Judy, I have a cure for this one, but it only works if you have sons: give the oldest machines to your daughters-in-law. Hi, I'm Tatsy. I thought I was making progress on the 12-step program, but I slipped on Tuesday. Beverly's just had too many cute things on sale. Besides some generic pants fabric for my grand-nephew and some cute flannel for a nightgown for his mom, I scored a 50% discount on a half-yard of the most delicious sherbet-colored fur for granddaughter's winter coat. Can't wait to get started on that, but I had to spend 90 minutes neatening up the sewing room. The french curve slipped off the sewing table and was eaten by a bin of fabric. I couldn't finish altering the pattern I was working on until it surfaced again.

          7. jjgg | | #34

            So there is help for me then!! I have 2 sons, but they are too young still for wives (they are 24 y.o - twins). I'd rather give the machines to grand daughters! that's what I'm waiting for.You would have been very proud of me, I went to Gail K Fabrics in Atlanta today, I thought I'd died and gone to fabric heaven, Get this! I didn't buy a thing. (OK I had just bought the sewing machine, the pocket was empty).I don't know if anyone here is in ATlanta Ga. but that is one fantastic store.

          8. kbalinski | | #35

            My disgust with my stash has done wonders for me! The last time I went to Joann's, I left with a zipper, a spool of thread, and a book.  I actually can't remember the last fabric I bought, so that's also a good sign, right???  Thankfully, my machine collection is non-existent; just the Kenmore my parents bought me 20 years ago, which I learned everything on, and am saving for my daughter! Works great, except for the reverse button, but that's not a deal breaker!

            Kristine

          9. Tatsy | | #36

            I'd feel proud of you, but I was in Beverly's on Tuesday and left without buying a thing. Twenty-four hours later I was ringing up 7 yards of 5 different fabrics. The only good thing was that I was able to use a 40% off coupon for my husband's birthday card.

          10. sewelegant | | #39

            OK.  So, you went in there to buy the card?  Hmmm.

          11. Tatsy | | #41

            No, I went in to see if their knit prints were on sale, but that's not until tomorrow. The birthday cards were in a spinner at the checkout and I was thrilled to find one that worked for hubby's birthday, which is today.

          12. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #44

            OK, everyone...all these stories about actually entering a fabric store and NOT buying anything gave me courage. I had a fistful of coupons for Joann's, but didn't take them with me when I went - just to test my resolve.Hate to admit, but I "fell off the wagon" in a big way. The more embarrassing story is that I checked out Fabric.com (as suggested by another poster) and my credit card was screaming at me to be used.What can I say ... I'm a slave to my addiction. Good news is that I've already made 5 blouses, 2 skirts and am finishing a summer dress (all for my two daughters). My husband is exasperated with me, but he has addictions, too, so we're made for each other ... just as long as I don't take up any room in "his" garage (which houses 5 surfboards, 4 wetsuits, three motorcycles with helmets and "gear", 10 pairs of ski's, poles and 6 pairs of boots, 3 snowboards, 4 skateboards, tennis and racquet ball rackets, 3 mountain bikes, etc. etc. etc.) and he's just about turning 50! I can claim to be the "winner" because all my stuff combined (fabric, machines, yarn, books) doesn't cost as much as ONE of his motorcycles!

          13. sewluving | | #45

            Oh that is a very funny story.  True I know.  How does he ever fit all tha into one garage?  LOL

            I succumbed again to adding to my 'stash' yesterday.  Fabricland is the store here in Calgary that I go to.  I mentioned earlier in this thread they are having 50 to 70 % off everything.  Well, back I went yesterday..........and came out about $125. poorer.  All in all I've spent about $450. there on 3 visits.  I CAN'T go there again until this sale and their move is over.........I really can't. 

            However, their McCall's, Butterick, Simplicity patterns were only $2.99 and Vogue only $4.99.  So I'm stocked upon patterns for me, my grandsons, also notions, and fabric.  Now I need to 'get sewing'.  Will be a fun winter of sewing for me.  Now, where to put it all.  Most of my shelve are already full.  LOL

            Heather in Calgary

          14. Tatsy | | #46

            Take a deep breath and remember that you're doing your part for the economy: when you buy fabric that you don't need the fabric store is less likely to go out of business before you do need it again.I think one of the reasons I'm not sewing so much anymore is that I'm retired and don't need the clothes nor the motivation that sewing used to bring. When I was teaching English, I'd get up on Saturday morning, start bread, start laundry, lay out a garment, vacuum a room, correct three papers, punch down the bread, mix a quickbread for breakfast, cut out the garment, vacuum another room, correct three more papers, etc. It went on like that all weekend with family running in and out, church, shopping, and everything else there was to do with running a household full of teenage boys. By the end of the weekend, I had a clean house, new clothes, baked goodies for the rest of the week and most of the grading was done. Maybe everything didn't get done, but nothing was left unstarted and everybody was happy, especially me, because I had something new to wear to work and good food to eat during the week.Then I found out I was allergic to wheat, so baking was out, and I sort of lost the rhythm that had kept me going. Now I'm retired and if I sit and read or just laugh at the fabric growing in the sewing room (and the second bedroom)there's really nobody else to worry about it. My husband is teaching night classes in addition to his day job and he's busy grading. He thinks it's great that I'm sewing for me, the grandkids, my sister's grandkids, etc. He does want me to go back to substitute teaching, but I'm not that bored. I am thinking of moving the CD player from the sewing room into the kitchen so I can clean out the refrigerator and wash windows, etc, in the front of the house while I'm listening to novels on CD. Maybe then, I'll feel energized enough to come in and attack a stack of fabric the way I used to.

          15. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #48

            We may live in different countries, but it makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone with this "issue".I think I get a lot of sewing and crochet projects done because Hubby's OUT OF THE HOUSE so much using his "toys" ... it's a great motivator to me (and, honestly, I really look forward to him going so I can hole up with MY toys). Where we live, it's pretty much summer all the time - we live about an hour from the beach, and 20 minutes to the local ski resort, with the desert only 30 minutes away. So, with all of his "extreme" hobbies, it creates a "winter" atmosphere for me ... year'round! It's also a good excuse for me not to go with him - last time I did, he jumped his dirt bike (motorcycle) in front of me to "show off"... ended up with a compound fracture of his clavicle ... spent 8 hours in the emergency room ... and all I could think of was how much I could have got done at home (haha - that is AFTER I knew he'd be okay, though).Enjoy using your new purchases!

          16. kbalinski | | #49

            I completely sympathize! Hubby is a firefighter and works 24 hour shifts.  It's the only time I can really sew (without him nagging me), so I savor his "shift" days!  The 4 days off seem to last a week!!!  I'm usually encouraging him to call a friend and go to the shooting range those days...

            Kristine

          17. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #53

            You're so lucky that he HAS friends! My husbands' friends are dropping like flies - literally. So many of them have gotten hurt trying to keep up with my husband that their wives won't let them play with Hubby anymore! I get interrupted during sewing (all the time) to take a call from a wife who wants to yell at ME for what my husband talked her husband into doing ... go figure, right?Also, LOVE the idea of a home for senior (or young-ior) crafters ... they have "half-way" houses, right? Can you imagine the chaos if we all got to look in each others stash? We'd most likely sound like cats fighting (or is that just me?). Honestly, imagine the creativity that would ooze out of there! Problem two ... we'd all look like "creatures of the night" after not seeing the sun for days! And about taking up all the room in the house ... I'd be happy to just sleep on my stash - oh, heaven!

          18. Gloriasews | | #56

            I loved your word picture of us in the seniors or young-iors home with our stashes - maybe we can swap what we don't want with others!  I can also see us looking like creatures of the night, spending our days sewing!  That might be the only way to take our stashes, too, by sleeping on them, as there sure wouldn't be room for a bed.  We might have to take a ladder, though, to get into bed! haha!  We'd feel like we were at sewing camp, with bunk beds!

          19. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #57

            Or "The Princess and the Pea", where a button is at the bottom of the stack!I'm so glad someone else thought this would be fun ... it would be my DREAM!! Especially with all the talented posters I've seen on this site ... can you imagine all we could learn? I'm a little worried, tho ... to some it might seem like a "sweat shop" but the main difference would be that we'd all have silly smiles plastered on our faces!We'd also need to buy the home next to a super fabric warehouse so that when we ran out of our stash, we could replenish it without going into "withdrawals" (or, me, anyway...)

          20. Gloriasews | | #60

            Nooooooo!  Not next to a fabric warehouse!  That's too tempting!  Our stashes then would take up the whole room & we'd all be sleeping in the halls :).  We must join Cathy's 12-step program & work on our present stashes first.

          21. sewluving | | #61

            Heck no.  We would just move into the fabric warehouse and save the headache of finding where to put it all.  LOL

          22. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #63

            I adore how you think! LOLOLOL

          23. Gloriasews | | #66

            You have a point, there, Heather - but, I don't think I could live with the smell of all the new fabrics :).  I always wash my fabrics as soon as I bring them home  Also, the warehouse owners wouldn't let us just help ourselves to the fabric - free.  Bummer! :)

          24. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #64

            First I agreed with you ... then with Sewluving... Maybe we need to do both? This is go great, I almost tricked myself into believing we'd actually do this!

            Edited 8/7/2009 9:51 am ET by KraftyKandi

          25. kbalinski | | #65

            Wait, we'd also need classroom space to teach each other and to pass on sewing skills to the younger folk! 

          26. Cityoflostsouls | | #68

            I noticed on kbdesigns (Christine?) that she mentioned plaids with a metallic thread runnng thru them  I gave two beautiful  fabrics just like this to my DIL that I had had for 30 years!!  It's back!  And they still looked brand new.

          27. kbalinski | | #69

            It's that little sparkle that my daughter loves about that shirt! Little girls love that glitter...

            30 year old fabric?! How did you store it?  Amazing!

          28. Cityoflostsouls | | #70

            The fabric was always covered by other fabrics and was never in any light.  I understand plastic is bad for storing material but I don't believe it was ever in a plastic bag.  As for the metallic threads in it I had 2 spools of metallic thread from the same era that I had never used and it never deteriated which is surprising.  The qualityof the material was good-a gift from my sons-don't tell them I never made it up.  The plaid I guess.  I've sewn plaids but I was always "too careful" about matching it.  I always look at readymades to see if things are well matched and when they are the price is usually higher.  It wouldn't take so much time now if you use a walking foot.  Then it was a lot of meticulous pinning and watching your matching points.  It's neat to know your daughter loves hers so much.  My DIL made up one of them but I don't know about the second.  She is 6' tall and sleeve lengths are a big problem for her off the rack..

          29. Gloriasews | | #67

            I wish!  It's a great idea, but maybe it just need further thought . . .

          30. sewluving | | #50

            Krafty,

            I just read your profile.  You are too funny.  53 3/4 yrs.  LOL  I'm let's see now 63 yrs with 29 days till 64........:)   Just love your sayings too.  Crochet and sewing are my hobbies too.  Maybe we would end up in the same 'home'.  Or we could start a 'home' for all the sewers, crocheters, knitters, etc ........hmmmm where would we all put our stashes though.........oh dear problem number one already.

            Have a good day and keep sewing/crocheting etc.  Too nice a day here right now so will have to give up those and get outside.

            Heather in sunny (today anyway) Calgary

          31. Gloriasews | | #51

            Heather - I love your idea of an old-age home for sewers, crafters, etc. - wouldn't it be fun?  We'd all be busy, happy seniors inspiring each other - & probably living a lot longer, too!  You're right, though - the storage of our 'stuff' would really be a problem, as most of those senior's rooms are pretty small! Too bad!

            You're lucky you can go outside & enjoy your day after last night's windstorm.  It's too darn hot here in BC to do anything but sit in front of a fan & hope for cooler weather.  Of course, come winter, we'll be complaining again. 

          32. sewluving | | #52

            Gloria,

            That windstorm came up so fast and left just as fast last night.  Today was fine and hot temp about plus 30 Celcius.  The saddest thing though was the little 3 yr old girl who died last night when hit with a piece of flying debris while out walking with her parents and 7 yr old brother.  That was right here in Calgary.  Then another lady died after a stage collapsed at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose when the windstorm hit there. 

            Heather in Calgary

          33. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #54

            I'm so sorry about your windstorm - I thought that just happened to us in So. Cal.! We down here really sympathize, with our Santa Ana's wreaking havoc every season - fires, roofs blowing off, trucks turned over on the freeways, etc. Stay safe!

          34. Gloriasews | | #55

            That was a terrible storm, alright, & quite widespread, too.  I read about the little girl in the paper - very sad!  I saw the storm video on youtube, too, of the Jamboree.  Strange weather!  Temps dropped by 10C in an hr. here today - what a relief!  I actually had to change from my shorts to sweat pants & a sweater & turn the fans off!  Will be nice to sleep tonight, though. 

          35. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #58

            Just wanted to say "thanks" for the compliment ... I try to keep smiles on the faces of all I meet.This website is heaven to me ... finally a chance to see how others feel about sewing and crafting ... it makes me want to do better work! Sometimes sewing or crocheting is such a solitary hobby, and I miss having anyone around me who loves these as much as I do. Unfortunately, we live in a fairly affluent community, where the other women I meet would rather send their housekeepers to Nordstroms to pick something up for them to wear to dinner ... and we (in our house) are definitely NOT affluent! I almost have to keep my hobbies a secret, because no one even knows how to sew on a button! So I haunt fabric stores (we only have Joanns), and Michaels craft stores, trying to find someone else who understands, not with much luck!Hope your weather has been better ... good cheer to you and I look forward to seeing you "post" in the future!

          36. Ceeayche | | #59

            Krafty,

            I grew up in So.Cal with the Santa Ana winds a whipping through the 'hood-- used to get the occaisional tumbleweed too.  I now live 3 thousand miles away and also in a neighborhood where I have little in common with my much more affluent/older neighbors.  Because I work, I don't hang out with them on the golf course or at the club.  I have neither child nor dog/cat so I don't connect there either.  On top of that you add a diversity difference, and there's little interaction with my neighbors-- and I'm sure they'd be surprised that I've turned a whole floor into a sewing studio.  So I totally emphathize with you!

          37. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #62

            It's too bad we can't interview our future neighbors/community, huh? I need to migrate closer to some of you ... I'd finally find a "home"!Have a great one ... you made me smile, so thanks - really needed that!

          38. Cityoflostsouls | | #71

            My son was very proud of winning a bike race near Denver for the "Over Fifty group."  Even happer last week to see Lance Armstrong (?) in person.

          39. User avater
            KraftyKandi | | #72

            OMG! (As my teenager would say) ... Lance Armstrong (swoon). Congrats to him for winning ... even in a "Senior's" race. I always have to laugh about the categories ... most of the time, the Over 45 races and sports events are WAY better than the youngsters ... the kids think that since we're 50+ we can't be as competitive, but that's not true at all ... experience trumps youth every time!You must tell him how proud we are to hear that he won, and keep up the good work ... (still blown away that you have a son over 50!)

          40. Cityoflostsouls | | #73

            I'll tell Steve!  My children are 7 and their ages are 8 1/2, 57, 55, 53,49, 48, and 47 and 4 are adopted children (the 4 youngest.)  I'll' see you all later.  Thanks for the  note! 

          41. Ceeayche | | #74

            I share the excitement for your son. Girl you are an angel with all those children! And one almost my age! You Go Girl.  I need to stop whining!

          42. MaryinColorado | | #77

            Wow!  Congratulations to your son, it's so wonderful to enjoy our childrens accomplishments.  How exciting to meet a celebrity like Lance!  I got a bicycle this year but haven't ridden it much yet because of all the hills out here.  Anyone who rides in Colorado, let alone entering a race here impresses me.  And your son won the race, yahoo!  Mary

          43. Cityoflostsouls | | #79

            I don't know whether I told you or not but my son lives in Englewood, Colorado.  As a boy he was not in athletics but physical fitness seems to be his thing now!

          44. MaryinColorado | | #80

            I think it is wonderful that he is taking such great care of himself.  Thanks for reminding me he lives in Englewood, it's hard to keep everyone straight here when I was offline for awhile. 

            Where is the City of Lost Souls?  Mary

          45. Cityoflostsouls | | #81

            I live in the country at the edge of Las Animas, Colorado (The City of Lost Souls) 20 miles east of La Junta.  Boggsville (home of Kit Carson) is here as is Bents Fort and I am on the Santa Fe Trail (Route 50). Most of my children live in Denver.   Sue

          46. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #37

            Ahem...I'm Cathy...and I'm a fabricaholic. I went to an antique show this weekend. I bought lace and needles for my antique sewing machine. My husband laughed at me and said I could probably buy sewing machine or sewing stuff in a welding shop. I didn't tell him I had... Cathy

          47. decoratrice | | #38

            Here in the States I have seen these--they are made of wool felt in many layers and do indeed make great pincushions.  I believe you could get them from Waechters Fine Fabrics (just Google it) as I think I saw some there recently.

          48. sewelegant | | #40

            Thank you for the info.  I did google Waechter's but did not see it among all the wonderful merchandise they offered.  It's hard to describe something I did not check out thoroughly when I did see it.  Since I still think about it, I should have, but that seems to be the way life goes.  My thoughts are it is not mass produced so if they do have something like that they probably do not have enough to offer it on-line.

          49. decoratrice | | #42

            do contact them and ask about felt pincushions--their customer service is fabulous!

          50. lou19 | | #43

            The wound balls come from japan and the craft  is called TEMARI..........look on amazon and you will see several books on the subject.

            My mother made them several years ago, very pretty.

          51. sewelegant | | #47

            Yes I did liken it to Temari, but it looked more like each layer was glued to the previous layer and where it was slashed you could see all the colorful layers.  The slashing was done in a small geometric pattern around the ball. 

        2. User avater
          ThreadKoe | | #25

          Fabricland is one place I really should stay out of.... I have a membership card, so I buy my basics there for the discount. I never get out of there without buying something more than the spool of thread and zipper I needed... he he he Cathy

      2. User avater
        KraftyKandi | | #14

        I'm IN!!! Love the "use it up" idea - will probably burn up my sewing machine & serger, but shucks, just means I can upgrade!My big problem is that I live in So. California and the weather is usually pretty nice much of the time, plus I have a 14 yr old at home, and three grandsons ages 8-10 who visit a lot ... we always have a full house because we have a pool. I try to get my "fix" of sewing in between kids - maybe I'll try sewing outside!

        1. User avater
          ThreadKoe | | #26

          Youngsters are so much fun at those ages! And they love to help you sew too! I love crafting with my nieces and nephews who are all in that age range, and it uses up a lot of odds and ends that have been lounging in my stash for too long. Cathy

      3. jjgg | | #18

        OOHh, Cathy, you are lucky. When we've been on vacation to places that have casinos, my husband likes to gamble (I can't stand it), but the deal was dollar for dollar, what he spends (loses) in the casino, I get to spend on fabric!!I had a big stash before we ever got married, so he knew about it from the start!
        Judy

  5. rodezzy | | #75

    I was crackin' up.  I laughed and laughed. 

    1. Ceeayche | | #78

      Rodezzzy!

      Good to see you back in the swing my friend.

      1. rodezzy | | #83

        Actually, I didn't realized how much I missed this site, until I came back.  You'll hear more now that I've settled down.  giggle.  I have so much to do as usual.  Let's Get Ready To Rumble.........!!!!!  Yea

    2. Gloriasews | | #82

      Welcome back, Rozezzy!  Seems like you've been gone a long, long time & I was about to post a 'Where's Rodezzy?' message.  :)

  6. kayrosie | | #76

    I got tired of that and started writing numbers on my boxes in book and then started putting them on computer to so I would have.  But it takes a lot work and a lot of time and then when you take one piece out and don't get it in the same box you are in trouble---but it works for awhile. good luck.

     

  7. dancingdamsel | | #84

    Do any of you use a database to record your stash? If so, which one? And do you like it?

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