Maybe TOO Much of a Good Thing?

I have been reading a few of the posts over at Sew Mama Sew, about people's fabric stashes. I thought this might be fun to participate in, although I am slightly embarrashed but just HOW MUCH fabric I do have. I am excited to say that I have been in my sewing room lately and have been organizing my fabric so that it is easier to use because now I know exactly what I have.

What do you usually sew?
I love to sew boutique clothing for my children and baby gifts. I also like to make quilts. Pretty much if it can be sewn and requires fabric I like to make it.

When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)

I usually buy 1-3 yards of a fabric if I really love it and think that I might make my daughter an outfit, lately if I am wanting fabric for a possible quilt I will just buy a half yard. The good thing is, is that I use cotton fabric for most clothing and quilting so I can use the fabrics for either.

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?

YES! But lately I am trying to just use my stash and not go shopping.

Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it?

I generally put my fabric in the laundry room as soon as bring it home. But if the fabric is for a project that I know will not need washing I like to leave the sizing in and don't wash.

Do you iron it?

If it gets wrinkly.

How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)

My cotton quilting/clothing fabrics I sort by color. I put all my flannels together. And any of my chenilles go together. And then I have all my novelty fabrics together. My nicer clothing fabrics hang up in my sewing room closet.

Do you have any special folding techniques?

I just recently organized all my fabrics and refolded them using this technique by Monica at The Happy Zombie. And I LOVE IT! It takes up far less space and I can see EVERYTHING at a glance.

How do you store your fabric?

I have shelving that I store my fabric that is 1/2 yard and more on. Smaller than a half yard I have sterilite drawer containers. I hang the nice fabric and my scraps I have organized by color in see thru containers and baskets.

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?

I think that you need good variety in the fabrics that you love but not necessarily a ton of fabrics. If you have friends that quilt arrange a swap to help build variety in your stash.( i have never done this but always thought it sounded fun).

When do you say enough is enough?

I think that I am at that point. Because do I really NEED all this fabric?? And do I really LOVE ALL of it!?

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?

Lately I have been making a lot of scrap quilts, which I am totally loving. Right now I am working on a string quilt for my daughter's bed. It is scrappy but I am being picking about the scraps I am using because I want it too look a certain wayI also love the method that Amanda Jean uses over at Crazymomquilts, where for instance you take say your pink fabrics and just keep sewing pieces of fabrics togther until you get a large enough piece and keep doing that until it is big enough for a quilt. Here is an example of one that Amanda Jean has made.

And here is a picture of one that I made.

Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!
I have several favorites.

What’s your definition of the perfect stash?

I feel that I have a pretty great stash.

I feel fortunate that I can pretty much create a quilt from start to finish entirely from my stash.

I look at is as "Fabric Food Storage".

I don't think it really matters how large or small your stash is, the important thing is that you love what you have. And only buy fabrics that really make you happy.

Memory Game is...

Finished!! I can't believe that it took me so long to finish this fun little game. I started when Rachael was 3 1/2(she's now 5 1/2). I got this ideas from Amy at Happythings and thoght it was a great way to use up some of my novelty fabric stash. Yes this is all from my stash.

I am really please how it turned out. The "cards" are approximately 4x5 and I sandwhiched batting in between to make them soft. I also made a cute drawstring bag to hold the little darlings. Now my 7 month old and my daughter can both play with this. Instead of it collecting dust in my sewing room. And I get to add this to my WISPS for 2009 completed list.

Have a happy day!

Spreading the Love Giveaway

Hey! Did you hear?? Kim over at Bitty Bits and Pieces is having a 100th post giveaway.

You must go and check it out, she has some fabulous prizes. In order to get your name into the drawing all you need to do is post a comment on her blog and she will enter your name. And if you post about on your own blog she will enter your name 5 TIMES.

So what are you waiting for? Get over there and check it out.

January WISP Completed

I finally finished this quilt. I think I started it back in the beginning of summer. This was inspired by Amanda's house of girls quilt. I used only fabric from my stash with the exception of the back which is pink chenille. The quilt measures 42x45. I really enjoyed this method of quilt making. All I did was take pieces of fabric and sew them together, until I had a quilt. I will definitely be making this type of quilt again.

New Challenge

So I just signed up for the one project a month challenge, hosted by May Britt and Kris.
The goal is to finish up one WISP(work in slow progress) project and then make a monthly list on your blog of the projects that were finished in that month. So, since I have several quilt tops that are just waiting to be quilted I decided that this would be great motivation. I will be posting a picture of my first WISP project for the month of January shortly.

Favorites

I snagged this meme from Sarah over at House of Krom. Here is my variation...
my favorite -
color - Periwinkle
food - giordano's stuffed pizza with spinach and cheese
vegetable - Sweet Potatoe/yam
dessert - chocolate pudding served warm with redi whip
drink - water or milk
tv show - not really a favorite
reality show - Biggest Loser
hobby -sewing anything ie, quilting or making something for my daughter
movie - i have several
children's movie - Enchanted
child - just kidding
time of day - night
season - whatever is warm
ice cream - Most all of them.
favorite activity - spending time with my children and Hubby.
favorite snack- orville redenbacher 100 mini bag kettle corn
celebrity i would like to meet - Bill Harper or Jillian Michaels
type of clothes to wear - Yoga pants and a fleece pullover shirt

How about those Utes!!

Way to go Utes!!

They blew Alabama out of the water. Everybody except Utah fans said that Utah didn't have a chance at winning the Sugar Bowl. But Utah kicked their Hiney!!!

Way to put Utah on the Map!