fabric too pretty to be stashed

Nonsense!! The best way to display beautiful fabric is on your person. Are you not worthy of it?? At present, I mostly just get dressed up for "church on Sunday", but I do indeed dress up then (including hat and gloves). Back when I was working an office job, I found I could wear just one fancy fabric, say a blouse or a vest, along with a plain skirt or suit, and get away with it. Remember, the loveliest fabrics usually require the simplest patterns.

Warning: Any way you display yardage will spoil it. Eventually it will rot or the colors will fade or the fabric will crack along the fold lines.

Make it up and display it ON YOU.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I love your philosophy- I just can't bear to cut into it yet, what if I wanted something else. it's, so, so final. And besides I have a lot so while it's on deck, I wanted to store it in such a way that I could appreciate it, not just in the workroom. Don't worry it's going to another life- I love my scissors too, it's just the meantime- and I really like the way you think! Michelle Italy

Michelle, I just found a great way to display my stash, one that protects it from dust, critters, and the sun, yet still allows me to see what I have.

My husband's aunt gave us her old china cabinet, which wasn't in very good shape (paint dripped on the finish, legs broken, etc.). I cleaned it up, we fixed the legs, and hauled it up into my sewing room. Now almost all my woolens are there, in a spot that never gets sun. I like having it there; it's pretty, and I can see at a glance what wool colors I have.

Another method you could consider, if you the room, is to store it on open bookshelves, and then make canvas covers to keep over the shelving when you're not using it. It's not an ideal way, but is one option.

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

That's a great idea (the cabinet). I wanted to incorporate it in the living room so this would be a great way to do it. Thanks, Michelle Italy

fabric too pretty to be stashed (Atom1)

I love being surrounded by it and if I can convince my OH that it is party of the decor think of all the untapped space-heheh. I think there should be a OCD exclusive to fabriholics, it really is a beast unto itself. Michelle Italy

What do you mean, "there SHOULD be"?

I believe you've discovered a previously undiagnosed version!

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

Yes, but Olwyn Mary when you're like me and afraid you're skills aren't up to snuff you're afraid to cut into that beautiful fabric. I have some silks for blouses but just can't bring myself to touch them. (Not to mention the camel hair DBF insisted on for a coat. Got the fabric and the perfect pattern, but can't bring myself to do anything with it.)

Maureen

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Well now, let me share with you my deep, dark secret. My skills are not that wonderful either, certainly not up to those of many on this board, but.................. really lovely fabric is much more forgiving than the cheap stuff! My strategy is to buy some inexpensive fabric with a similar weight and hand to the good stuff, and make a muslin. Once I am sure that the muslin fits and that I like the style, I go ahead and cut into the good stuff, and, let me assure you, if you have several lovely silks you can make up a bunch of blouses, all in the same pattern, and no-one will notice as long as the fabrics themselves are different. (Unless, that is, you choose a really "different" style.) Basic or "classic" skirts and blouses can be made over and over in different fabrics, and no-one will ever notice the sameness.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Maureen, rest easy. The fabric has already been cut! You would just be cutting it more, and actually using it.

Olwyn Mary is right; make up that "perfect pattern" in a similar, but less scarily expensive fabric, and once you've satisfied yourself that it is, truly, perfect, go for it. Your alternative is to let it sit there.

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

Re: fabric too pretty to be stashed

long!! Bwahahahahaha!!! Cea

Naughty, NAUGHTY. I thought we were supposed to encourage the timid and the newbies on this board, not take advantage of them. Behave yourself!! :-) :-)

(wagging right index finger under your nose)

And besides which............. I answered her first, if anyone is going to profit it should me ME!!!! :-) :-)

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

I sometimes put mine out on hangers. Thread the yardage through the hanger opening, repeat with a second hanger. Hang up someplace so it's "out." HTH

--Karen M.

Okay, you two, settle. Separate corners, please, until you can play nice!

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

I'll send you the scraps Cea. LOL

Maureen

P.S. Nice beg!

Olwynmary wrote:

Two ideas:

1) When I got some drapes drycleaned they came back on hangers with fat tubes (like slacks hangers but really fat) so I saved them and now have some of my pretty stash hung in one of the sewing room closets. When I am in there and the sun is not shining on that closet I can enjoy those!

2) DD has a collection of vintage suitcases in the room where she sews. Opening one of those shows off some of her stash.

Jean M.

Re: fabric too pretty to be stashed Group: alt.sewing Date: Thu, Apr 8, 2004, 9:05am From: snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net (Jean=A0D=A0Mahavier) Two ideas:

1) When I got some drapes drycleaned they came back on hangers with fat tubes (like slacks hangers but really fat) so I saved them and now have some of my pretty stash hung in one of the sewing room closets. When I am in there and the sun is not shining on that closet I can enjoy those! 2) DD has a collection of vintage suitcases in the room where she sews. Opening one of those shows off some of her stash. Jean M.