Fabricholism...

[Cilean]

I recently started sewing but have had a fabricholism for a few years now. 

We tend to use the term "Fabricholism" as a tongue in cheek thought of something that could really be nasty.  I was watching "hoarders- Buried Alive" and it was a Man who kept purchasing things and storing them in his 3 bedroom home.  Truly someone who does not buy fabric, but his home was filled with things he was not using that still had the price tags on them.  His reasoning was similar to my own and had me pondering if I could slip into his psychosis.  He said "when the sale hits, and you know how much you are going to save, it just made sense to purchase it".  But then once home he would see that he had no room for this special item.

Starting out as a sewer especially in the realms of Ren Faires and SCA type historical genres can be difficult, so creating a stash is necessary and I think essential.  I have more funds than others to help with my hobby, this does not mean I want to throw money away so when I get see a sale on good fabric, you better believe I will pick up what I can and put it away sometimes for years!

Fabric manufacturers to not make the same fabrics every year, if you notice we are falling short on the damasks that were about just 5 years ago.  10 years ago I could get those lovely all cotton damasks on sale for $3.00 a yard and I would pick up 10 yards when I saw them. 

As for Joann's??  It is a large chain so it will be a hit and miss for those with specific needs that is why I was so excited to see 100% Linen in my favorite colors!! So yep I with my 50% off coupons I will be picking up more of the Aubergine and Gray I intend on having at least 16 yards of each in my stash, because I know the colors and fabrics change every year so if i want to have a Summer Elizabethan made from this fabric in 4 years time? IF I don't have it in my stash now, I might not be able to get said color next year.  Fabric regret is a terrible thing!!

Cilean

[LadyStitch]

My stash is mostly scarps.  For some reason I want to keep every little scarp; though I know I can't.  I had to make rules for my stash.  In other words any fabric I buy or keep has to be able to pay it's "rent".   Can I honestly say that I will be using X fabric/item in a project.  This has seriously cut down on my stash but I still have yards of fabric left over from shows and customer's projects.  If I can't honestly use it, it goes into the "blessing box" . The blessing box is a box once filled goes to a chairty of some kind. I've done spools of thread, extra tools, fabrics and things I don't need. I pass along my blessings to to others.  This means I now have room for new things to bless my sewing room. It also means I have more turn over of projects in my room now. 

BTW my criteia for keeping scraps is they have to be 6"x3"(size of the palm of my hand)  anything smaller goes bye bye.  The idea is I can 1) use them to patch costumes when there is an accident 2)  I can sew them into squares to make me a gypsy skirt. (did it this past Christmas.  Everybody loved it.)

[WindChime]

Unfortunately, i am also addicted to jewelry making and cross-stitch.  So I have no room for any more addictions!      Whats a girl to to?  LOL

Don't feel bad I have your same problem. I sew, collect fabric, make jewelry & other crafts and do polymer clay work. Good thing I have a lot of time on my hands right now so I can catch up on getting ready for faire in a couple of months.

[Lady L]

Fabric regret is a terrible thing!!

Cilean

Amen to that!

[LadyStitch]

I saw this and I'm REALLY tempted to get some of it for my niece,
http://www.fabric.com/quilting-fabric-retro-mod-quilting-fabric-skulls.aspx?cm_re=SL3-_-Home-_-Stephens.Pick

[DonaCatalina]

Starting out as a sewer especially in the realms of Ren Faires and SCA type historical genres can be difficult, so creating a stash is necessary and I think essential.  I have more funds than others to help with my hobby, this does not mean I want to throw money away so when I get see a sale on good fabric, you better believe I will pick up what I can and put it away sometimes for years!
Fabric manufacturers to not make the same fabrics every year, if you notice we are falling short on the damasks that were about just 5 years ago.  10 years ago I could get those lovely all cotton damasks on sale for $3.00 a yard and I would pick up 10 yards when I saw them. 
Fabric regret is a terrible thing!!
Cilean

Yes we joke about our desires to squirrel away fabrics and notions for which we have no immediate need, but purchased because they were good for our genre of sewing and on sale at a good price. But most of us do find a use for them further down the road. I bought 8 yards on midnight blue dupioni back in 2000 that was oversewn with a diamond pattern of matching trim. In 2009 his excellency received a set of Italian sleeves and 'slops' made out of that fabric. So there is hope for us yet!

[Kate XXXXXX]

The Stash means that I have almost all the farics I need to make the following kit fir an 18th C three-day event next year...

1 pair of stays
3 shifts
1 under petticoat
1 pair of pocket hoops
1 caracao jacket
1 quilted petticoat
1 polonaise Robe a la Angaise
1 sack back gown
1 cloak

I may have to indulge in a roll of boning for the stays, and some cotton sateen for lining a couple of the things.

There will still be a LOT of stash left!

[Cilean]

So I sometimes have this strange need to pick up something because I know someone else will need it, so when this showed on eBay for $25.00 the guy did not put in the ad that it was 10 yards but showed only that it had a 26" repeat so I think people thought this was $25.00 for 26" of fabric, so with $12.50 shipping the whole thing came to
$37.50.  A friend in the SCA has just been asked to become a member of the Laurel guild a really grand segment of the SCA and honor for a speciality for her in cooking I would think and she is an Italian Persona



Yes I think this would look smashing on her!

Cilean

[Rani Zemirah]

That is so gorgeous! What a lucky friend you have!  

[LadyElizabeth]

Cilean, what gorgeous fabric!!  I wish I had it to add to my stuff!!!!!!!!

[Becky10]

We have my old room as a sewing room and there is just piles and piles of fabric. I was trying to get my mom to buy an old bookshelf to lay the fabric in so she can at least be able to see what she has. How do you store it all?

Our best addition to our stash though is an entire brand new bolt of Ultra-Suede that we got for $7 at a thrift store cause they didn't know what it was. She always tells me if there's a fire save the fabric, then the animals, then her.

Cilean that is gorgeous!

[irish]

OOOOOOOOOOO.......how pretty!
I don't need any more fabric! Yea, that's right...I don't need any more! 
I need a meeting....sigh.......

[LadyElizabeth]

I'd definitely recommend see-thru tubs to put all your fabric in!!!!  It helps things look cleaner, and I seriously think it keeps the fabric safer from the elements, light pollution, and random accidents!!!!  Just a thought for you piles of fabric ladies... haha!

[LadyStitch]

I'd definitely recommend see-thru tubs to put all your fabric in!!!!  It helps things look cleaner, and I seriously think it keeps the fabric safer from the elements, light pollution, and random accidents!!!!  Just a thought for you piles of fabric ladies... haha!

I will second that. The stories I have heard of over turned sodas on to piles of stash ::shutters::   I like the see through contrainers because I can see what is in each one.  It helps me control my stash a little. 

[Dinobabe]

I layer my fabric by chance of use from the bottom up in clear tubs.
That way I can see what I have and the most likely to use fabric is closer to the top!
It's worked out great so far.