my "stash"

about twice a month i'm asked about my personal fabric stash, and since this is fabric week i figured now would be as good a time as any to show it to you but i'm afraid it will be something of a disappointment. 

yes, that's it.  one shelf.  plus a basket above to hold some cutting scraps.

there was a time when i had much more--way too much in fact--but eventually i came to a point where having all that fabric seemed like such a waste.

not of money.  a waste of opportunity.

i don't buy into the motto, "she who dies with the most fabric, wins."  quite the opposite--i believe she who has fabric at the end didn't get to enjoy it.

some people don't use their fabric because they are afraid of "ruining" it.  well, that is what making muslins is for--you get to try out your pattern on fabric that is not so precious, make sure you get things right, then when you use the good stuff you don't have to worry about whether or not the thing will fit, or whether you know how to make the fancy hand-rolled hem.

other people are afraid to use the fabric they have, just in case they need it in some unknown future.  but the truth is that there will always be more fabric--they are making more of it at this very minute--much of it is beautiful and you will love it just as much as the stuff you have right now.

however, my fear is that i will have a piece of pretty fabric that i never get to wear, or that my child or husband or other loved one won't get to enjoy.  to me, that would be the ultimate loss.

so now i use up my fabric as soon as i can.  i cut it with (almost) wild abandon, and if whatever i'm making doesn't turn out "right", i know there is someone in the world who will like it, who it will fit, and who would be grateful to have something so well made (ok, so i flatter myself).

so this week, along with my intention to try using both sides of the fabric, i'm going to also try to make that piece of fabric something that i've been holding onto--something that i have been "saving".   but i'll save a small scrap of it too--just in case.  ;)

Comments

[Adrienne]

I too used to be afraid of using my fabric until I cut that ONE piece that I had been holding on to FOREVER! My life has since changed lol. I control my fabric....it doesn't control me! LOL Great entry!

[Grandma Connie]

Rowena,
Thank you so much for contiuing your blog. I for one, even though I may not comment much here, enjoy reading every entry. There's always something new to learn, whether it be a sewing tip, or an example of a loving mother who takes the time to teach values both to your child and to her friends. Things like "we don't hurt each other in this house". That's a powerful statement for many, even though most of us take for granted that unwritten rule.
As far as stashing goes, I am trying my very best to reduce my stash. I had planned a year or so ago to get rid of one laundry basket full every week for a year whether by sewing, gifting, selling or trashing. Then life got crazy again and I need to get back to that goal.
Thanks again for your inspirational blog!