Stash organizing?

[vtmartha]

After all those comments, why would you want to build a stash?

At this point, I wish I had not!  It began when I got back into sewing for myself and learned about online fabric suppliers.  Living in the 'sticks', I thought a stash might be handy.  In some ways it is, but, on the whole, it is stifling.

[DebbieY]

After all those comments, why would you want to build a stash?

I guess it depends on how you define stash?

What I consider a stash would barely be a blip on the radar compared to the fabric collections people are lucky enough to own and treasure. I have gone through the fabric I found earlier and I have very little decent useable fabric. There is maybe enough for 3 or 4 tops, a couple of sweatshirts and shorts for the kids, a few pieces destined for pyjama pants, and that's about it.

We don't have great fabric stores close by and having to go on a fabric shopping expedition with a toddler is not always practical nor easy. I would like to have some basic fabrics on hand that I can use for testing patterns before buying the final fabric. I would also like to have on hand a few materials in plain colours for wardrobe basics. I would also like to have on hand some more patterned drill fabrics so I can get a start making shorts for the boys before Spring/Summer arrives.

I guess some people wouldn't even consider that a stash, but to me it would be

[sewsy]

After all those comments, why would you want to build a stash?

At this point, I wish I had not!  It began when I got back into sewing for myself and learned about online fabric suppliers.  Living in the 'sticks', I thought a stash might be handy.  In some ways it is, but, on the whole, it is stifling.

Yeah, I used to feel that way about my stash, too. Stifling. But, I'm retired now, and don't have as much disposable income to purchase fabrics 'at a whim' like I could when I was working. I also had an 'aha' moment of sorts a couple of years back, when someone posted her grandmother's 'stash' on YouTube. Seeing all that fabric/notions/patterns made me wonder about my vast collection of sewing things. After seeing that video...."sewing THINGS" felt more like sewing "STUFF". I felt pretty bad for a few days, but have since decided a few things.

1. My love of sewing is part of who I am. I absolutely LOVE being able to sew clothes. I'm not a quilter, have nothing but the utmost respect for those who quilt, but I'm a garment sewer. It is soooo much fun. It's hard to imagine what I would do if I couldn't sew.

I know a lady that has advanced stages of MS. I've watched her body ravaged by MS over the years, (I believe that she loves sewing more than me, she owned a fabric store) and now she can't sew due to her illness. In light of things like that, if I complain or worry about 'all my fabric', then it's kinda like being ungrateful that I can just get up whenever I want, pull from my 'stash', and go sew.( For me, it's really like being a kid again, I took my first sewing lessons when I was eight, and public schools had sewing as a stand alone class. Anybody remember that?) Let me state here that I am truly grateful.
Now, please don't take offense. I'm not talking about anyone but MYSELF, here.

2. Being able to sew, for me, is a reflection of the way I position myself in the world. I LIKE being able to fashion (excuse the pun) things with my own two hands. To that extent, I need my collection of fabrics, notions and supplies in order to do that.

3. Ultimately, it's all in the way you look at it. I'm really grateful, and I mean this sincerely, to be able to go into my private fabric store, filled with personally selected yardages that can be transformed into... whatever I'd like.

That's how I feel about my fabric stash/collection/cashe/bank/horde....whateveryouwanttocallit. I'm so glad I have it!!!  

[cmarie12]

Yes my fabric collection is my treasure!  But this is one of those topics where either you believe in stashing/collecting or you don't and we should just respect each other's position and not try to impose our feelings upon each other.

Mine has gotten a little disorganized since the fabric closet was first assembled.  I am planning on scheduling a few days off from work to pull everything out of the closet, refold the pieces, make a donation pile and maybe even a catalogue of items...though I don't seem to have a problem remembering what's in there!

I like my fabrics accessible like Kathryn said.  And mine are on shelves by color because I find that I look for the color first and not the season or type.  They are also in a closet to protect them from dirt and sun and when I remove a piece to use, as Gigi said, I give it a good steaming first unless its going into the washer and dryer.  Because not all pieces are pretreated before finding a special spot in the fabric closet.

Again, I would like to state that stashing/collecting is a personal choice and you should do what makes you comfortable and respect each others choices...as I chose to accumulate as much fabric as possible! 

[sewsy]

With this form of communication, one can't discern meaning by the inflection used while speaking. I'm not suggesting that one should or shouldn't love their stash, collection, whatever. The comment was... why would you want to build a stash?
My answer was the above. Please don't take offense, none was intended.

[Gigi Louis]

Sewsy, I don't think anyone took offense!

Why would I   want to build a stash?  I'm just trying to keep up with Carolyn!  No, seriously, I want to build and maintain a stash because I think of my fabrics as an artist would think of tubes of paint.   I LOOOOVE shopping my "collection" because there's so much great stuff in there!  I feel good knowing that I can sew whatever I need right now - from a swimsuit to an evening gown.  Hmmm, sounds like my collection is a bit of a security blanket.  

[sewsy]

Thanks for that, Gigi. I feel the same about my fabrics!! Your collection doesn't seem like a security blanket to me.... I think it's just all so WONDERFUL!!!

Not tryin' to impose my views on 'ya. If you think of your collection of fabrics as a security blanket, then...COOL! What a wonderful security blanket to have!!

[sdBev]

After all those comments, why would you want to build a stash?

..

I didn't have a stash until Walmart came to town and put the only decent fabric store out of business. After that I had to travel 90 miles to buy good fabric.  It's been years since I've had good fabric available close to me and I turn those fabric shopping trips into a mini-adventure for me.  I also took the reins off and quit buying for just the current project.  Slowly I've built my stash - which I always refer to with pride.  I like having at-hand fabrics that I want to sew whenever I need to make something or just want to sew.  I'm not a quilter either, but parts of many of my fabrics do find their way into everyday-type quilts.  I collect garment and home dec fabrics.  I'm pretty sure of my tastes in both areas and as I say the odd pieces make their way into quilts and accessories.  I have bought foolishly at times, succumbing to sales and cheap prices.  Also, I've been "gifted" fabrics of questionable value.   Recently I have been purging these fabrics and also pieces I know I won't use.  (I've been keeping my retired-lifestyle uppermost in mind.)  I do feel it's better to pass these fabrics onto someone else who can value them.  Also as a knitter, I've acquired a sizeable yarn collection and I've  been purging these as well.  Although these unfortunate buys have more to do with the interpretation of colors on monitors.  I've resisted buying fabrics via the internet, but no so with yarns.  Unfortunately colors don't always show true, as many of us have noted with our own photography efforts (how many times have I read "the color isn't right. I don't know why" on sewing blogs)   

Anyway that's my story.  (1) I love having my collection of fibers to work with, especially when that 2AM urge to create strikes.  (2) Local sources are not available.  I must travel to purchase and when I drive 2 hours for fabric, I buy all the fabric I like. (3) Please don't take offense at my lifestyle.  It's OK with me if you don't want a collection of fabrics.  Heck it's OK with me if you don't want to sew.  I have many friends who have no need of sewing or stashes, we're able to find other intrests and activities to share.

[jodiwell]

I started stashing when the babies were little.  Who could sew during the day with 2 wee ones 13 months apart?!  All my best stitching time was at night, stores closed, kids and DH in bed.  I remember DH surprising me with a week of summer vacation at the beach (in Wa state, that means COLD) and the kids didn't have warm coats that fit.  They were 2 and 3 and sorry, I couldn't make the 2 year old boy wear the 3 year old girl's too small pink coat from last season   So I stayed up late and made them matching grey fleece lined and hooded button front jackets, all from stash and I had everything on hand.  DH was really impressed.  And I always had things on hand to make last minute birthday party gift for their friends.  Fast forward 20 years down the road and all of the fabrics I didn't use for them are STILL in the closet!  Baby and young children's  fabrics are timeless, as are heirloom fabrics and laces.  I have a heck of a stash for grand babies when the day comes and enough for me that when I am in the mood, I can always find something to work on.  And cross my fingers, I retire in 5 years.  If I am broke, I'll have enough to keep me sewing for a good long time!

To me, it's not so much a stash as it is a savings account!

jodi

[cindyintampa]

I have a huge stash of fabric that I accumulated working in fabric stores in the summer when I wasn't teaching.  I love having that fabric available, but I have some tips for new garment sewing stash builders.  Stash only the best fabrics, as you get older you will want better fabrics.  Limit the number of prints that you purchase.  I have found over the 30 years of "stashing," prints go in and out of style.  The big graphic prints that are popular now may look very dated a few years from now.  If you move around a lot, remember the regional differences in fabrics.  I have wool that I will never use here in Florida, but it moved with me the farther south I moved.  Fabric has always been used to pad fragile items moving, so it always moves with me.  The fabrics that I wouldn't wear now get used for muslins, but I do wish now I hadn't bought so much, or had been more selective in what I purchased.

[vtmartha]

I definitely need to make a bit of an attitude adjustment  and begin looking at my fabric supply as a resource rather than a challenge.  Cindy's tips have proven valid for me.  I purchase much nicer fabric now that I know how slowly I sew and I do much better with prints if someone else picks them out (a nod to Jodi, here  ).  I'm thinking at some point I might enjoy the exercise of sewing up some of the fabric with far more than my usual abandon  and passing the results on to Goodwill after a single wearing.

[Gigi Louis]

sdBev, internet buying is a lot less risky now that so many vendors are posting the Pantone numbers.  I have the Pantone Shopping Guide so I can check the colors before I order - no more surprises!

[cmarie12]

To me, it's not so much a stash as it is a savings account!

Jodi - I love this line!  I know I definitely think of my collection that way but I love the way you put it!

[CarolynB]

Jodi I loved your comment. My stash has, in fact, become my savings account, from which I am now withdrwawing 

I started stashing many years ago because I didn't have access to any decent fabric where i lived, so whenever I had the opportunity to buy, I took advantage of it.  Over the years, my stash has grown, particularly when I lived within walking distance of the NY garment district.  Now we are retired, and given the current economic situation, and the fact that I don't have any fabric stores where I live, I am so glad I have my stash.  I recently reorganised it, and after all these years, there were only two pieces that I 'think' I'll give away.  I always
purchased within my colour palate, so things can be co-ordinated.  My colours may not be in vogue, but they suit me, and that's what I really care about.   I love being able to shop my stash when the urge or need strikes me.   I am so grateful I can sew. 

CMarie, I so enjoy reading your blog about your shopping adventures.   Whenever I get to the NY garment district (not very often these days) I think of you and some of the other gals who shop there.  Oh, how I miss it. 

Cindy, good advice. 

VtMartha,
That's exactly the conclustion I came to after reorganising, that I could start sewing with more abandon, and if things don't work out, someone else will have something new to wear. 

I know stashing isn't for everyone, but there's room for all points of view, and what works for me may not work for anyone else. 

Carolyn

[ejvc]

I realise I have some fabrics in my "collection" that are sort of "orphans" -- meaning I never feel the urge to sew them up, really.  But what I realise I WANT in my collection and I don't have are the absolute basics: like white shirt-weight cotton (could be dyed any colour and used for zillions of things); a lot of muslin/calico for test garments etc.  If I were to BUILD a stash (Stashing With A Plan)  -- now that's interesting. Hmm.

Well, I believe in a neutral base for a wardrobe, and my best neutrals are brown, navy, and grey.  So the base of my stash would be brown, navy, and grey in wool, cotton, linen and silk, woven bottom and top-weights, knit top-weights, some heavyweight wovens too.  Ideally many with textures, some dressy satins, some casuals.  These last forever.  You could buy bolts but I'd be inclined to buy 3-5 yard lengths because I don't want my clothes to be the same fabric year after year!

Then lights, I'd want white cotton, linen, silk and wool, because as I say, because what can't you do with it? And cream, for the same reason.

Then colours: for me, all kinds of blues, a smattering of red, a bit of teal, some yellow, a little burgundy -- maybe I'd get my colours done and seek out cottons in all those colours.  Cottons because they really are available in a wide variety of colour.  But really, colours and prints I might want to buy and sew seasonally, while keeping the neutrals and such in stash.

What about you?  If you were to actively build a collection, your own "My Personal Fabric Store" how would you do it?

[Hen]

Wow, there seem to be good reasons to build a stash and to enjoy it!
I bought almost every fabric with a plan, sometimes a vague plan, and to me it feels a bit like a huge To-Do-list.

[BetsyV]

What about you?  If you were to actively build a collection, your own "My Personal Fabric Store" how would you do it?

Neutrals in my best colors; classic not faddish prints; bottom and top weights for both winter and non-winter. Leave room for the impulse in-fashion fabrics that get made up fast before they go out of style.

Actually, that was the way I built my stash. Like CarolynB, I lived for many years in an area without good access to great fabric, and my mom and I got in the habit of buying twice yearly from the local Leiter's rep. Then when I was out of college and working, I belonged to the Natural Fiber Fabric Club for years, and added to the stash that way. Just got used to mail order, even though I did have access to good fabric stores by then. Didn't have enough time around work then grad school to make it up as fast as it came in so the stash built up almost by itself.

If I did it again, thinking about work/office clothes, I would add a supply of white and offwhite shirting/blouse fabrics. Those I never had in my stash, although right now I have a bit of white silk duppioni and georgette for a lined shell.

I also will never again put my sewing machine away for 10 years just because I put on 40 pounds and couldn't wear the dress I was halfway done making.

[Carole]

I think I have a stash only because I love to buy fabric (more, it seems, than I love to SEW fabric).  Every fabric purchase starts with my vision of a perfectly sewn garment; it just appears in the air above the bolt.  I also seem to be obsessive-compulsive about fabric and books, but I love both collections and justify them by being very careful about almost everything else I purchase.  Well, almost everything else...hmmm...

[PeggyLynn]

Due to all the effective online enabling I've quickly gone from a single large clear plastic storage container of stash fabric, including muslin, to four numbered boxes. That's paltry compared to many other people but it's enough to totally discombobulate me without some sort of organization.

To save my sanity I put all of my fabrics into a database using these fields:
     Number (unique fabric number)
     Box# (the numbered clear box where the fabric is stored)
     Photo (copy and paste vendor's photo from the web)
     Content (fabric content)
     Type (woven or knit and what type)
     Yards (number of yards remaining)
     Width (width of fabric)
     Weight (weight of fabric - light, medium, heavy)
     Drape (drape of fabric)
     Colors (colors in fabric)
     Coordinates (fabric number of coordinating fabrics)
     Source (vendor)
     Item# (vendor's item#)
     Date Bought
     Price
     Preshrunk (Yes or No)
     Pattern (pattern company/number if fabric was bought for specific pattern)
     Thread (matching sewing thread - company, type and color number)
     Silk Thread (matching silk thread info for hemming)
     Coordinating fabric# (for matching lining and/or coordinating fabric)
     Pattern(s) Used (pattern(s) actually used)
     Notes (notes about any oddities in working with fabric)
     Flag (field used to flag for printing labels)

I use a label layout to print this subset of fields on plain paper which I cut up and pin to each piece of fabric:
     Number
     Yardage
     Width
     Content
     Thread
     Silk Thread
     Coordinating fabric#
     Pattern
     Source
     Date Bought

This sounds like a whole lot more work than it actually is. It only took me about half a day to set up the database, enter the data for all my fabrics and tag it all. Now, I just enter the data whenever I place an order. My stash is modest enough that it is easy to quickly scroll through the database to see what I have. I'm also finding the database search feature to be very handy when planning a sewing project. I've thought about printing out the database on file cards with attached swatches to make it easier to sort out coordinating fabrics for new arrivals but so far it's been quick enough to check the photos in the database and verify matches by checking the storage box. I've been so happy with the database that I'm planning on doing my patterns next.

My fabric info is in a database program but something similar could be done in a spreadsheet program that nearly everyone has.

[DebbieY]

What about you?  If you were to actively build a collection, your own "My Personal Fabric Store" how would you do it?

This is what I am doing, on a very small scale and starting out with just a few fabrics leftover from previous stash of many years ago. I am a full time SAHM and don't need office attire so most of my clothes are casual.  I intend to get some basic skirt/pant/jacket fabric in navy or black, shirt/blouse weights in white, stretch fabrics for tops, double knit fabrics for quick and easy straight skirts, a few fabrics suitable for kids pants & shorts. As we are currently in winter and spring/summer will be here before we know it I am also on the lookout for lightweight fabrics for tops and suitable fabrics for 3/4 pants etc.

[CarolynB]

Betsy, you brought back memories. I too belonged to the Natural Fiber Fabric Club.  There was also another one, 7th Avenue Fabric club. From memory they used to have the fabrics that Vogue Magazine made the patterns in.  Later on I belonged to Vogue Fabrics by mail, which was a wonderful resource. 

PeggyLynn, I admire your organisational skills.  One of these days I hope to set up something similar.  As there is another move in our future I'll probably leave it until I'm unpacking yet again. 

Carolyn

[BeeBee]

PeggyLynn, I admire your organisational skills.  One of these days I hope to set up something similar.  As there is another move in our future I'll probably leave it until I'm unpacking yet again. 

Carolyn

yeah, what Carolyn said. 

[Karendee]

Oh to have an organized stash as described in this thread. My "PLAN" for a stash consists of buying fabrics that I can't live without. I buy fabrics that touch me in some way and I have to have them. Now of course I could resist (as I am doing right now, for lack of storage in my home.) I felt it would be rather foolish to rent a storage unit just to store fa bric in. LOL. Actually, like Carole, I prefer the selection of fabric to sewing on it. No, that's not exactly right, I love the fabric, and the sewing, but not the planning or cutting out/measuring etc. My love affair with my fabrics does bring me so much pleasure; I look at it, feel the hand, and enjoy the fabrics so much. Perhaps that's where my love of old textiles began.

I say to each his own in their stash quest.

Karen

[Terri]

Thanks PeggyLynn for posting your organising methods.    I've copied and pasted to for starting a system of my own. I have a similar type of thing on an A4 sheet that you are supposed to clip a sample of fabric to, and include all those details, and then create a binder of fabric swatches. I think for me, a data base may be a better option. Having just gone thru my stash, it's a good idea. I kept finding fabric where I thought ...why Terri, why? why did you buy that?    or, hmmm, i wonder where this peice came from    alternatively, there was thouhgts of , now where is that red suede that is meant to go towards making that Montana jakcet pattern.... [which i didn't find the answer for. still have the pattern, but didn't find the suede.. must look further].

i think it is important to realise my own limitations, personality and lifestyle. i'm a hoarder (trying to kurb my ways  ), a bit of an over achiever [ hence, too many projects on the go or planned at anyone one time to be realistic], and way to busy up in my head to actually remember what it is that is going on in there at any given moment, much less years later.  i've had that Montana jacket on the 'burner' since about 2000.... so, i've got several years of memory to work from  lots of memory files to sort thru 

I've recently had some experience with pattern stash organising - I've culled my pattern collection and then put them back into numerical order in Pattern Company groupings. I used to have a system where I had the pattern envelopes in clear plastic slips in a ring binder, sorted into groupings (ie. kids, skirts, tops, jackets, etc, etc). And then I had the pattern peices in another evelope, filed in a filing cabinet (again, numerical order , but this time in company groupings - Vogues together etc). The idea was to have the ability to sit and ponder my patterns by having access to just the pattern evelopes (with instruction sheets). It worked while the pattern stash was of a manageble size. Then it got too big and out of control, I stopped sewing..... well, it just needed changing back so I did. But it could be a way of managing pattern stash. One think I'm thinking of doing is creating a note system to put inside the pattern, that tells me years down the track why I bought the pattern and for which fabric [assuming it was bought for a specific project and not just because it's pretty]. As I was going thru the stash I kept asking myself, why on earth did i buy that pattern    i found several [many?  ] patterns that were essentially the same version of something, and i suspect that i bought them primarily as design inspiration or to check out the sewing techniques in the instructions. i more logical choice would be to keep a digital photo , printed out details from a website or such , and then ask about sewing techniques at forums such as this    So, I'm planning on creating a similar system for the patterns, but i suspect a database would be overkill for that. just a file card in the pattern envelope would suffice. essentially a memory prompt for the ever aging memory cells rattling around in my head 

[PeggyLynn]

PeggyLynn, I admire your organisational skills.

Organized isn't exactly the term that comes to mind to describe someone who has managed to misplace her shoes in the freezer. I just hate the feeling that my sewing hobby is complicating my life rather than being fun.

It actually took more time to think through what information I wanted to include than to set up the database, enter the data and tag the fabric. It's a lot easier for me to keep a mental grip on what I have in a searchable database than to try to organize the fabric itself in a practical, useful way.

[BetsyV]

Hmmm. I find it better to organize my patterns by type of garment. Then, it's by size of envelope so it fits in the bin better. And the large envelops function as index tabs. Sort of.
Tops
Pants
Skirts
Dresses
Jackets as in suit jackets
Outerwear
Ensembles (wardrobes or suits)
Evening/Fancy dress
Men's (I only have 3 or 4 of those)

[Liana]

I admit that I have a LOT of fabric.  I go through more and less organized phases, and since I store the fabric in various places (large drawers, plastic bins, shelves, etc.) it can make it hard to find things when I move them from where I have noted that they are.  I tend to pull out groups that I'm thinking about putting together, and then I don't always get everything back in its place.  Then things kind of go downhill from there. 

PeggyLynn,  Your method sounds really good, and now that I have a laptop, and can take the computer to the fabric, I might even try a database.  Hope springs eternal that the next good idea might take care of my spreading inventory. 

Patterns aren't such a big problem for me, as I don't think I have as many as some of you, although I think I have a lot.  I have them in 2 large plastic boxes, with 2 rows of envelopes in each, like a file cabinet, by company, and then number.  I have my Marfy patterns in a smaller box, and the Burda WOFs, Patrones, etc. are in a bookcase.  The patterns I trace that are 'important' I hang on a multi-clip skirt hanger.  I put all the pieces in a pile with the top edge even, fold a swatch of my fabric over the top and then use a clothespin to hold it together.  I clip one leg of the clothespin with the skirt hanger clip.  I think this is easier on the tracings, when I unclip, I can carry the pieces to my cutting table without worrying that I'm losing anything, and the swatch makes it very easy to find the one I want.