How much fabric to buy if you're stash-building?

[LadySeasan]

1-As much as you can afford

2-As much as you can get!

3-remnants

For me, I usually buy for my fabric stash when I see items on sale, and I can picture them working with future projects that I have coming up

[gem]

Thanks, everyone.  I went with 20 yards--10 of a navy blue for a Campi gown and a mundane top, and 5 each of a green and a light brown (neither of which has a purpose... yet!).

Now I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to wash ten yards of blue linen....

[Sitara]

The laundromat is perfect for that!

[Katie Bookwench]

1-As much as you can afford

2-As much as you can get!

*Enough to take an occasional 'Fabric Bath!*



(Like the 'Treasure Bath' from History of the World Pt. 1)

[Cilean]

Ok, not that I *need* stash

Hello Gem,

Well I can say I used to tell people 10 yard rule especially if they did anything 16th Century. However now I know we can make a gown even at my height and weight with 6 to 8 yards (Depending on 54" wide or 45" wide) I am going to say 7 yards for fashion fabrics.  What most people forget are the 'nuts and bolts' fabrics, things you don't see at all but are essential completing the look.

Nuts and Bolts
Nuts and Bolts materials like: Canvas for building bodices, and peascods, or linings for your skirts to make the fashion fabric have more drape, sometimes people will find fabric they will cut to make trim for other clothing, and toile/mock up fabric.  These are basics but we tend to forget about them until we need them.  So I say pick up as much as you can get, you will use them in time and it is better to have in the hand rather than having to wonder in the bush for it when you really need it!

Fashion Fabrics

 In the past when people asked me I would say 10 yard rule, always have 10 yards of a fashion fabric on hand because you want lovely skirts.  After speaking with Ninya Mikhaila and Jane Malcolm-Davies as well as Bess Chilver from Myladyswardrobe.com, I now know that our version of skirts and well Farthingale (Hoop) is way to large for the actual Elizabethan silhouette.  I am now advising people of 7 yards if it is 54" wide and 8 yards for 45" wide fabric.   Now for men? 4 yards of 45" and 3.5 yards for 54" for a typical male and if his chest is a 65" then you will add 2 more yards to make sure. Add more for cape of course.

Sales and Once in a Life Time
So if you get a great deal on something? Like you find linen lawn that is typically $45.00 per yard and you can get some for $12.00 per yard? You buy as much as you possibly can afford because you might not see that again.  I had the chance to pick up 4 yards of M Perkins 86 pounds per yard (This means it was at the time $172.00 per metre) for $15.00 per yard...so I got all 4 yards.

When it was still cold in California, JoAnns had out their linens, and they have a magazine they sold with 2 50% , and 4 40% off coupons on the back cover.  It sells for $2.95  I purchased 10 of them.  I saved over $1,000 with them from my $30.00 mag purchase.  JoAnns is now selling Shot Silk Dupioni and if you get lucky you can get it for $7.50 per yard.  In the home dec section they also have Dupioni but it is $19.99 so it goes down to $10.00 per yard and velveteen is only $5.00. Now while it is still pretty hot here we are getting the Fall Fabrics so this means Woolens.  Personally I use summer weight wool for our family.  

Why do you need a "Stash"?

What is out this year, might never be seen again.  Simple.  What I get on the West coast might not be seen on the East of the US. I am lucky I have family on all coasts and Alaska too! LOL  In fact I shall be in Alaska next week and I will be checking to see what exactly is going on fabric wise in Anchorage.

Fabric regret is awful and it bothers you for a long time.  When I show one of my stashes a deep purple corduroy with silver printed and well it is loud but would so be a grand gown? People ask me to purchase it and I tell them no.  I hoard Fleur de Lys fabrics and if I could get fabrics with Tudor Roses I would be running with credit card in hand and laughing joyfully (manically?). While I do believe you should not just purchase willy Nilly, just to gain a stash, I do believe in having one. It truly does save money in the long run, I mean I am part of Margo Anderson's Yahoo Group's 'Iron Dress' competition and so you can only use what you already have in your stash.  I have some gold dupioni from some gown and I have 5 yards for my under dress, I have 7 yards of the fashion and yardages of canvas, boning and etc, I even have pearls on hand, I don't think I will have to use the 'slush fund'  of $25.00 just in case money. I think I will have a kick butt Venetian at the end of the challenge too.

So collect slowly, you are so good at only getting what you need I think you will be a success in picking things that will not be there tomorrow, so store now.

Good luck!

Cilean