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From: lendube
Date: 10-08-2006, 08:31 PM (1 of 7)
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Boy, it's one of those "mixed blessing" kind of things. I know I'm lucky. I'm very grateful for the fabric but the decisions! Where to put it, how to sort it all, do I keep the stuff I don't really like because I might just have a need for a piece of it some time in the future?, etc. etc. It's tough. There are about 6 of the "under the bed" containers about 2'x16"x6". I got 3 of the containers but the rest in paper grocery bags. About 1/5 of it is Christmas fabric and panels. Some pieces are up to a yard but most are 1/4 or less. Overall it's not really my taste but I like a lot of it. Right now I've got it preliminarily sorted into color piles and one of Xmas stuff. There's a lot of other holiday themed fabric too. Any advice? Do you find you ever use the stuff you keep just because you don't want to get rid of it?  I'll get back to it tomorrow. thx, Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 10-08-2006, 10:35 PM (2 of 7)
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Two things you might use it for if it's fabrics you don't hugely like: 1. Use it to make muslins of outfits you are planning on making and need to do fittings on. 2. Cut up into smaller pieces for quilt blocks, I've got the most hideous fabric that I don't like as a big piece, but works wonderfully for quilts because it really pops. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 10-08-2006, 10:35 PM (3 of 7)
| You ask if you keep stuff even if you don't like it ? It depends on you as a person & your feelings. I think it all depends too of who had it before you & your feelings there. I brought back my mom's fabric when she passed away. She was a quilter. Also her quilting mags, & quilting design templates she made herself. Some I've used & some not but they are precious to me. Then I was sent a quilt she'd made but it was in awful condition. I couldn't part with it & couldn't even look at it as it hurt too much. I put it away for 13 years. Then I carefully ripped out all the good pieces & drew out how it was made. Someday I'll make that quilt again & put those good pieces in it. I was finally able to throw the bad pieces away. So it depends who the fabric was from, what it means to you if anything, If there's no special meaning then donate it to someone else, sell it, give it away but don't keep what you don't want or like. At that point it's just clutter that takes up space. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: paroper
Date: 10-08-2006, 10:44 PM (4 of 7)
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It sounds like there should be two types of quarter yard fabrics. Those that are a quarter of a yard long and those that are square cut and 1/2 yard long. The square cut fabrics are fat quarters...a quarter of a yard in area but cut square so that it is wider. This sounds like a quilters' stash. If the quarter yard sections are 100% cotton, you have a yard sale bonanza. Every quilter in a thousand miles will flock to your house if you decide to sell them. It just gives you a great alternative! Also the fat quarters are used by crafters for all kinds of projects, including purses! Sounds like if you are up to the challenge, you have a fantastic opportunity....just start thinking outside the box.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: kmccrea
Date: 10-09-2006, 02:17 AM (5 of 7)
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Usually, if I have not used something after about 6 months, I'll give it away or sell it. Some exceptions is if I do have a plan for the fabric or if it means something sentimental to me. I've even wrapped small gifts with fabric I think the recipient will like. If you just can't stand something, it might be better to let some one else who likes it have it. Good luck! Kate Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
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From: Patty22
Date: 10-09-2006, 09:41 AM (6 of 7)
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Someone really loved you to give you their stash. Since you already know some of these fabrics just don't make your heart sing..............sell them and use the money to buy something you really want (notice I said want, not necessarily need). And if quilters don't live close to you, you can always go to them with eBay. Go on eBay and do a search on quilting fabric - you will be amazed how many hits come up. Browze through the items and maybe you can come up with some ways to sell it in lots, fat quarters or charm blocks. If this sounds like too much of a hassle, give the fabric away to an organization that makes charity quilts (local guild, co-operative extension, 4-H group, church women). And if you just can't part with the fabric (but don't necessarily like it) follow Ticia's advice and use it as a muslin foundation. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: lendube
Date: 10-09-2006, 11:56 AM (7 of 7)
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Thanks everyone! You've been helpful. I'm not a quilter so the info on fat quarters was great. I hope to get into quilting and therefore the confusion as to what to hold on to. Most of the pieces aren't big enough for muslins. These pieces belonged to a crafter, not a quilter per se. This stash came from my brother's wife's sister. She died about 5 years ago from breast cancer at age 50. Neither my sil nor her mother sew so they passed it all on to my mother about 4 years ago. My mother did something very special with it before she stopped sewing. (She's losing small motor skills in her right hand.) Patty, the lady that died, had one son and shortly after she passed away her son and his wife found out that a baby was on the way. My mom used Patty's fabric to make a special quilt by hand for the baby incorporating many different fabrics but especially something for each major holiday. It turned out beautifully and was very special and well received. I'm sentimental about this stash only because I love my sil and she and her sister were very close. I didn't know Patty well at all. I'll pick away at it again today and make some more decisions. Thanks everyone. A sewer's stash lives on!!! Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
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