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

[gem]

Ok, not that I *need* stash, but I've been super-super virtuous about only buying fabric I need for specific projects for, like, two years now.  But I'm thinking of stocking up on some linen colors, and I can't decide how much to buy.  My normal stock length is 4 yards, but I'd like to hear others' take on this, as well. 

(This all started b/c I told Milord I'd make him a linen shirt when I finish Promenade, and we couldn't decide on a color.  We *agreed*--on *all* the colors! LOL  Milord is a terrible enabler and is encouraging me to buy a few to have on hand.)

[bellevivre]

all you can get your hands on!

well...

Ok, generally, it depends on the fabric and what you plan to do with it. Velvets i get a bare minimum of 8 yards- enough to stretch for a Tudor, and plenty for other applications. Linen, I aim for 6 yards, as I typically do Florentines with that. Really, just get an idea of what it could be useful for and over estimate your yardages.

[Katie Bookwench]

I buy fabric that I know I can use, when it's on sale for a good price.

I live for JoAnn's home decor and linen 50% off sales. The Signature silks (54" dupioni), linen and linen blends are my staples.

I usually try to have a lot of duck cloth on hand for linings/interlinings. They don't go on sale too often, but there's always coupons and red tag sales.

I might not have a specific project in mind, but if you can find something you know you can use down the line for 50% or more off the regular price, it makes sense to pick it up when you can.

(which is why my stash comprises several large plastic totes) 

[Dinobabe]

all you can get your hands on!

I concur!

I have used fabric for a project that I have had stashed for three years or more!
I buy a LOT of remnants and sale items because A) the regular price can be too much and 2) I usually start projects at the spur of the moment and then I have plenty to choose from.  I live 30 minutes to an hour from fabric stores so I have to have my own stock!
And no piece is too small (remnants), half a yard makes a bodice front or nice pouch!  Just make sure you have plenty of attic space.

[Alisoun]

Ditto on the remnants!  I have a tub full of remnants.  I use them for building up trim, piping and bias tape, flatlining, foreparts, hats, pouches, partlets--anything really.  I also attack the red tag section whenever I stop at JoAnn's just in case.  If linen is on sale, regardless of the weight, I snap it up because I know that I can use it.  I currently have 10 yards of mulberry med-weight linen that I just know will get used up eventually...I hope. 

[Lady Rosalind]

Generally, since I make noble garb, I buy in lengths of 8-10 yards for gowns and underskirts, and 2-3 yards for sleeve and forepart sets. So, whenever I shop, if I see something I like that might might a good gown, or sleeve set, then I buy in those amounts, so I know I have enough for the whole project (whatever it may be!). Another tip: if you pick up tablecloths after Christmas, get the longest oblong ones you can find, and buy three (should be about 9 yards total). 

Oh, and if you buy corduroy (actually, anything you really, really like), buy the entire bolt, because if you don't, you'll regret it! Some of the bolts at JoAnn are only 6 yards when brand new, and may not have a SKU for reordering. I have been searching for YEARS for corduroy to match my scarlet gown, and have come up empty every time. There was no way to order more, because it didn't have a specific SKU for that color.

I also always keep unbleached and bleached muslin on hand for mockups and last minute shirts/smocks if needed. You can buy bolts of this for a discount sometimes.

Again, as others have said, coupons really help build the stash! (I have one burning a whole in my wallet right now, but as moving day is 10 days away, I'm trying to resist the urge to use it).

Have fun! And if you can get to SR Harris, sometimes they have linen sales, where you can get linen for $3.99/yard!

[flidais]

My stash is mostly made up of good deals.  Like when JoAnn's has all their red tagged home decor fabrics on sale for an additional 50% off.  I recently bought like 15 yards of carmel cotton velvet for $3 a yard.  I had to buy all they had for that price. 

Also if I find something really unique when I'm out shopping, even if it is a little pricey, I'll buy it.  Even if I have no idea what it wants to be.

Another great thing is signing up for the doggie bag alert on www.fabrics-store.com  A great way to stock up on linen.

[Kate XXXXXX]

How long is a bit of string?

I buy whole rolls of lining, boning, elastic, horsehair braid, etc.  I buy 10m - whole rolls of easy-to-use fabrics like cotton curtain lining when it's on special offer, as I use this for toiles as well as lining garments, and as much as I can afford of other stuff.  3m minimum for shirts and smocks.

[Lady L]

As much as you can afford! 

[mollymishap]

ROFLMAO!!!

DEFINITELY as much as you can get your hands on!!!

What I do is that I know how much BARE MINIMUM yardage I need for the various "staples" of my costuming wardrobe: gowns (I can squeeeeze out a mid-period Elizabethan out of 5 yds doing what they did in period: piecing copiously), forepart/sleeve combo (depending on the width of the fabric I can get by with 1.5 yds), underskirts, chemises, etc.  

THEN when I see a piece of fabric I like, I measure it using my body's built-in tape measure (for me: holding a piece of the fabric at the selvage in my left hand, stretching that arm out, and letting the fabric slip through the fingers of my right hand until I hit a point close to my right arm socket = 1 yd).

Once I know roughly how much is available, I run it through my bare-minimum list in my head and if there is enough fabric available for the application it is best suited for, I snap it up!

As others have already posted, some fabrics used for linings, toiles, etc. I just get all the yardage available if it's at a good price, on sale, at a YARD sale, etc.

So, there you have it, Gem: I encourage you to buy whatever you think will be useful to you (not that you need ANY encouragement from me or even your DH--what you may wind up needing is a good storage system now!)

[Lady Rebecca]

My stash mostly consists of home decor remnants from Hancocks, so if it's something I really like, I usually just buy everything they have. At this point, my stash is only about a year old, and as a poor college student, I don't have the money to buy any fabrics that aren't on super sale, unless I'm using them for a project right away. (And even then, they're at least bought with coupons!)

[Margaret]

If I can swing it, my stash fabric is purchased in "gown amounts".  Anywhere between 5-8 yds.

If I see something REALLY COOL that is also REALLY EXPENSIVE, I buy "forepart amounts" usually 1-2 yds.

[operafantomet]

Not an answer to how much you should have in total, but I agree with others who say you should have enough of every fabric for the typical use. I, for example, use linen for chemises only, and need app. 3 meters for one chemise. For dresses, on the other hand, I need 6-9 meters, so I try to have that much of each fabric so I can start a new project if I feel like it.

But... I tend to go for very specific projects which needs very specific materials, stuff I have to hunt down for weeks in various shops... So my pile of stash isn't used as much as it ideally should.

But I love having yards and yards of trims (a LOT of each) available, as they give me many ideas and has saved me more than once when I've NEEDED to complete something. For trims is a grand faux-pas to buy too little.

Still not answering how much you should have in total, but in gives you an idea what to aim for when building your own "pile of stash"...  And very interesting to read other people's opinions.

[Jon Foster]

We are usually pretty tight on money these days. But when we find really good deals on material that can be used for several types of projects we buy whatever they have left. It actually work outs pretty good too. And it has never gone to waste yet.

Jon.

[Hoowil]

I garb for the kids too, so pretty much anything over a yard works for me. And as remnants around here are generally anything under 2 yards, if I like it, and think I can get away with buying it, into the bins it goes.

[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