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A Different Perspective (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 8/17/14 2:51 PM ET
I was watching an episode of Craft in America yesterday while I glued crystals on a ballroom gown. One of the artists they featured referred to his collection of materials (recyclables mostly) as his "Library of Visual Solutions".
I pulled back my shelf curtains and looked at my stash in a whole new light. Whether for colour blending, trying new colour combinations or just looking for that perfect fabric for the next project -- there are lots of visual solutions on those shelves.
I've watched several of these episodes and have loved them all ... and learned about a great many artisans from quilters to fiber artists to metal sculptors to furniture makers. Huge variety of artists from all over the U.S.
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I pulled back my shelf curtains and looked at my stash in a whole new light. Whether for colour blending, trying new colour combinations or just looking for that perfect fabric for the next project -- there are lots of visual solutions on those shelves.
I've watched several of these episodes and have loved them all ... and learned about a great many artisans from quilters to fiber artists to metal sculptors to furniture makers. Huge variety of artists from all over the U.S.
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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
Posted on: 8/17/14 3:24 PM ET
What a nice way to think of the stash... as bunch of solutions rather than a problem! 
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“Guilty feelings about clothes are totally unnecessary. A lot of people earn their living by making clothes, so you should never feel bad.” --Karl Lagerfeld (this counts for fabric too, right?)
Posted on: 8/18/14 9:31 AM ET
The light bulb goes on!
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"This is the day that The Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!"
Building my stable one machine at a time: Viking circa 1975, Viking Sapphire 870, Bernina 930Record, Huskylock 905, Babylock: Sophia2, Evolve & Flourish(embroidery only), and finally TOL Viking Epic.
Most prized possession: Grandmother's Singer treadle machine with the drawers filled with her things, just like she left them.
Building my stable one machine at a time: Viking circa 1975, Viking Sapphire 870, Bernina 930Record, Huskylock 905, Babylock: Sophia2, Evolve & Flourish(embroidery only), and finally TOL Viking Epic.
Most prized possession: Grandmother's Singer treadle machine with the drawers filled with her things, just like she left them.
Posted on: 8/18/14 10:03 AM ET
Well, THAT makes me feel better!
Thanks for sharing that.
It's not what you are seeing, but how you look at it.
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Thanks for sharing that.
It's not what you are seeing, but how you look at it.
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MartiP
Ruckertt's Law; There is nothing so small that it can't be blown out of proportion.
Bernina 1230 Bernette 007D
Brother CS6000i Brother 2340 CV
New Home L372
Singer 221K (off white)
U.S Blindstitch, Model SL 718/2D
Simplicity SE2
Brother 700II
Ruckertt's Law; There is nothing so small that it can't be blown out of proportion.
Bernina 1230 Bernette 007D
Brother CS6000i Brother 2340 CV
New Home L372
Singer 221K (off white)
U.S Blindstitch, Model SL 718/2D
Simplicity SE2
Brother 700II
Posted on: 8/18/14 10:22 AM ET
Now I know how to explain it all away to my DH next time he natters on about my ginormous stash. 
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mamacita
Posted on: 8/18/14 10:29 AM ET
My DexH used to make all kinds of snide comments about my stash though he was quite the clotheshorse/spendthrift and had a huge investment in our closet (taking over much of my space as well). I just said it was my wardrobe, just mine was still flat/folded as there would be NO ROOM to hang it in the closet even if made up!
That is a nice way to look at it though. It is a library of ideas, possibilities not yet come to life, etc.
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That is a nice way to look at it though. It is a library of ideas, possibilities not yet come to life, etc.
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Posted on: 8/18/14 10:30 AM ET
In reply to mamacita
Fortunately my DH doesn't complain about my "Library" -- after all he has been responsible for adding a significant portion of the volumes to the shelves.

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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
Posted on: 3/16/15 10:42 PM ET
I really like that term "Library of Visual Solutions". Today, I spent some time reorganizing the newest of the stash (stuff acquired in the last 2 years) and fell in love all over again! If there's time tomorrow, think I'ma have to go into deeper/older stash and fall in love some more! I'd forgotten about half of the paisley fabrics I had gotten to make button-down shirts out of; I'm getting seriously inspired.
I so love my stash!!!!! Especially since my memory is kaput; it's like shopping for free in a fabric store perfectly suited to my own tastes. Anyone else feeling the stash love? :)
-- Edited on 3/16/15 at 10:45 PM --
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I so love my stash!!!!! Especially since my memory is kaput; it's like shopping for free in a fabric store perfectly suited to my own tastes. Anyone else feeling the stash love? :)
-- Edited on 3/16/15 at 10:45 PM --
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"Housework won't kill you. But why take the chance?"
-Phyllis Diller
___________________________________
UFOs completed in 2019: 1
Projects started in 2019: 3
Projects completed in 2019: 2
Yards bought in 2019: 29.375 yds
Yards sewn up in 2019: 7.5
-Phyllis Diller
___________________________________
UFOs completed in 2019: 1
Projects started in 2019: 3
Projects completed in 2019: 2
Yards bought in 2019: 29.375 yds
Yards sewn up in 2019: 7.5
Posted on: 3/16/15 11:02 PM ET
In reply to SheBear0320
As someone who works in a costume shop: I wholeheartedly agree. You just never know what you are going to need; the right color or texture is out there somewhere.. and it's so difficult to go out and buy the exact thing you need, exactly when you need it. So you have to grab it when you are out and about, "just in case". Hoarding? I prefer "being prepared"
Posted on: 3/17/15 1:56 PM ET
I love my stash, too! It's like a color box, but room-sized and more challenging. ;)
I've been having lots of fun lately finding new uses for old fabrics, and that's been very cool--things I never ever had in mind when I bought the fabrics became lovely, inspiring surprises. It's also funny how you can't always predict the usefulness of a fabric. Something that seemed *so* specific (color-changing bronze taffeta) has become possibly the most versatile fabric I've ever bought. I keep finding more ways in which it's the perfect choice for a project.
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I've been having lots of fun lately finding new uses for old fabrics, and that's been very cool--things I never ever had in mind when I bought the fabrics became lovely, inspiring surprises. It's also funny how you can't always predict the usefulness of a fabric. Something that seemed *so* specific (color-changing bronze taffeta) has become possibly the most versatile fabric I've ever bought. I keep finding more ways in which it's the perfect choice for a project.
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
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