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Fabricholism...

Started by mellingera, May 08, 2008, 07:27:25 PM

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LaurenLee

I reorganized this past weekend.. labeled each bin with the fabrics inside.. and I put in the trim, lining and thread to be used with each project, so I wouldn't pull a bonehead move and use those things for something else, leaving me short...

I should have taken swatches before I folded and stored, I suppose.. but at least I now have it all safe and labeled.  Now the long rolls of fabric, they are still standing in the corner of the bedroom, mocking me and my lack of time to turn them into something spectacular.. :P

Lady Gwyndolyn

I have a shelving unit full of fabric as well as about 8 - 10 rolls of fabric.  All seperated by type. 

Dark Wolf says that I have a "mini JoAnn's" growing in the basement.
Lady Gwyndolyn
Duchess of Kearsley

Lady L

I had everything organized in 2002...then, I found more fabric I had to have... when it was on sale or something. After Christmas 2008, I did reorganize several plastic totes, so I did make an effort. However, I think it multiplies in the sewing room, when I am not looking.  ;)

I just bought another notebook binder and plastic pages for my ideas. Organized them by style/theme.
Not quite as organized as some of you, I guess, but it works for me. I could use a LOT more room though, yeah, that would help.  ;)
Former Shop Owner at MNRF

Syrilla

That last batch of fabric that I purchased is going to be used!!! For a commission, but hey, it's being used!  I have fabric that I bought 10 years ago, that still hasn't been used.

Lady Kathleen of Olmsted



I hear you Lady L and Syrilla!!!  I am trying to keep myself from buying fabric I do not need at the moment for things I want to make.

But!!  When I see something unique, if I don't buy at least 10 yards of it, I kick myself the next time I go to the fabric store and it is gone.
"As with Art as in Life, nothing succeeds like excess.".....Oscar Wilde

Lady L

Isn't that the truth, Lady K!
I look at it this way...it isn't fattening and it helps keep the textile industry in business.  ;)
Former Shop Owner at MNRF

LaurenLee

Blanket Bags!  I just found a stash of them for sale on ebay, and bought them.  18x22x6.  I think it may help me with my fabric disease - I can put everything in CLEAR bags and stack on the shelving units in the basement...  It won't get dirty, and the next time I head to Joann's, I'll take a look first, and know that if i see more blue velvet on sale, I shoud walk on by...because I already have 93 yards of it!!

Of course, that won't stop me from buying the Red Tag Clearance brown velvet... or beige linen... or green dupioni...... ;D  (I said HELP with the disease, not cure it!)

LaurenLee

flidais

My mother always said.....She who dies with the most fabric.....WINS!!!
I'm sure you've all heard that and it looks as though we are all trying very hard to win.  hehehehe
I havn't worked out a way to keep my fabric stash organized.  And seems as though I'd make that a priority seeing as how I add to the mess almost daily.  Matter of a fact I'm waiting on two orders of fabric to arrive now. 

But I agree with you Lady L, there are worse habits we could have.  And a piece of pretty fabric can just brighten any day!!!


Lady Gwyndolyn

We bought those bags that you fill up and then vacuum the air out of them and they are suppose to save you room.  We tried putting all of the velvet in one, broadcloth in another, and so on.  Well, it didn't work very well.  We had the bags so full that there was no air left in them!  And with 3 dresses to make before October, I had to open them and just got so frustrated that I put all the material back on the shelves.  I have to go shoping!  Hubby isn't going to like that much!!
Lady Gwyndolyn
Duchess of Kearsley

Lady Marielle of Andorra

I am so glad I'm not the only one!  ;)

LadyShadow

I tried using them.  My vacuum hose isnt big enough to work :(  But it was helpful in getting fabric that I dont use as much out of the way.
May the stars always shine upon you and yours.

Royal Order of Landsharks Guppy # 98 :)

mollymishap

Just as an FYI on those vacuum sealed bags (or I imagine anything that's sealed/lidded tightly enough to prevent air from coming in/going out freely):

I bought a BUNCH of those back about 8 years ago when I made my big move from Florida to NH.  I used them to store clothing as well as fabrics.  Since I wasn't sure if I'd be staying in NH at first, I only brought the "basics" with me, and left behind a number of those sealed bags in storage at my mother's house in a spare room.

It was about 2 years later that I decided to stay in NH and I brought all my stuff up in a big U-Haul truck.  Since by then, I had already replaced some of the fabrics with new stash--of course  ::) --I didn't go into some of the fabric-stash vacuum bags for another year or so, which means that they had been "sealed" for at least 3 years by then.  This is what I found consistently:

Bags that had ANY synthetic materials stored in them AT ALL developed that funky old polyester smell mixed with something nastier that I can't identify or describe.  My best guess is that they off-gassed some nasty VOC's which, combined with the inevitable organic matter in the bags (dust mites, whatever), left a really nasty smell behind.

What was worse was that even the 100% cotton fabrics that were stored in those bags ALSO acquired that nasty smell.

When I first discovered this "whiff of death"', I opened up all the bags and went through a laundering-frenzy in an attempt to get rid of the odor.  It took several washings & dryings before enough of the smell got out of the materials to make it bearable for me. 

What's bad, though, is that the smell seemed to come back.  I had put some of the squeaky-clean fabric in large plastic trash bags while I figured out where to store them, and when I got around to opening them up again (about another year later) the smell was back, though not as bad as before.  Maybe the plastic bag's VOCs re-triggered the reaction. I dont' know.  Right now, those fabrics are hanging out some one of those open-mesh pop-up laundry hampers which allow air circulation.

But anyway, most of the material was "saved" since it was washable.

The point is: if you're storing synthetics with natural fabrics in a VERY tightly sealed container, watch out for the off-gassing smelly stuff!  Placing an odor-absorbing charcoal filter or something like that in the bag before it gets sealed may help, but I don't know.

OH, and P.S.: I've found something similar starting to happen with some garb I've had hanging up in the closet that I had placed into those clear garment bags with the zipper on them to protect the clothing from dust.  I've since opened up all the zippers to encourage more air movement and that seems to be helping. 

When I get around to it, I might start using some of the larger 100% natural & BREATHABLE remnants from my stash to make my own garment-bags to promote even better air circulation...when I have time... ;)

LadyShadow

I read somewhere taht if you add about a cup of vinegar to the fabric when washing it thats supposed to remove the smell and keep it from coming back.  But I dont remember how much and all the other details.
May the stars always shine upon you and yours.

Royal Order of Landsharks Guppy # 98 :)

Lady L

Today I bought 8 yards of black cotton velveteen, for $4.00 yd. I had been keeping an eye on it since Christmas, as the price went down. I decided if I didn't get it now, it might not go down anymore, or someone else might buy it.  :o

I am planning on making a wizard robe for Sir R. I was thinking of painting some iridescent designs on a 5" wide strip of microsuede and then sewing that onto the velveteen. Make my own trim, as I can't find anything similar to what I am imagining. I have painted some test strips already and it takes the paint well. Not something that should be washed a lot, though.

Also found a remnant of burgundy microsuede...1yd 8 inches...for $5.64. I know I can make a bodice for my granddaughter out of it, or use it as trim on another piece I have.
Former Shop Owner at MNRF

Lorraine

So far I've been pretty good about sticking to the deal I made with myself, I'm only allowed to buy equal yardage to what I've used up recently. I just went through 5 yards of corduroy and another 5 yards of cotton velveteen (a corset and two pairs of pirate bloomers), plus another 2.5 yards of quilters cotton, so I finally got to order some damask for my boyfriend's doublet. He wanted a burgundy and gold damask, and everything we found was either too hot for our climate, or he would find something he loved in a completely inappropriate tissue thin fabric. I found someone on ebay who sells upholstery remnants and snagged some Kravet Burgundy and Gold damask, 2 yds for $10, and 5 yards of a beautiful light gold damask for $13. I'm figuring the 2 yards will make a nice sleeveless doublet, and I'm thinking of doing a sleeved one with the gold, maybe some slashes or cut-outs to make it more exciting (he isn't too thrilled with the gold as of yet, it's "boring"). I'll post pics in the progress thread when I get started, for now it's back to my friends bodice (more fabric to use up, yay!!).