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amyable
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 9:06am | IP Logged
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Hi everyone!
I have two somewhat related questions, so I thought I would put them together:
How/where does everyone store their fabric stash?
and
Does anyone save old clothes, say, in good shape but with one bad hole in it, to make things with? How do you store those things? Do you cut off usable fabric first? I remember on someone (Jennifer's?) blog someone suggested immediately cutting out squares, like for a quilt/patchwork. (am I dreaming this?  ) Ummm, what size?
And anything else related to these questions would be great!!  We just set up a "family closet" so my fabric stash area has had to move, but I have no good place to put it or my pile of "holey-but-usable-for-crafts" clothes. 
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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I keep all mine in a basket. sometimes I cut them, sometimes not. I depends on what it is, I guess. And yes, I do save the clothes -- especially velvet dresses!
I think you are right, it was on Jennifer's blog. I think her grandmother told her to do that. Smart woman! 
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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Mary G
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 9:40am | IP Logged
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The summer before I went to college, I made a memory quilt of all the scraps left from sewing projects that either mom made me or I made myself -- that quilt followed me to grad school and beginnings of adulthood (before it finally fell apart beyound repair and I had to toss it). The quilt was a twin bed size, which also made it perfect the winter that our oil tank was empty and I was alone in a drafty house in Williamsburg with NO heat and waiting for the oil guys (but too cheap to ask them to deliver on a Sunday which would have added $50 to the bill!).
Storing them can be done iether in neat, pre-cut sections -- maybe a standard 12x12 pieces or whatever. We always just rolled the fabric into "sausages" and stored them in a cedar chest -- for doll clothes, patches on the original or for the memory quilt.
I guess storage is just whatever you already do for your fabric -- but with scraps or clohes that you want to save, I'd probably cut into the largest regular-shpaed piece possible and store flat.
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 10:05am | IP Logged
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amyable wrote:
| How/where does everyone store their fabric stash? and Does anyone save old clothes, say, in good shape but with one bad hole in it, to make things with? How do you store those things? |
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I save SOME clothes but not everything because it starts to really pile up. If I save it I put it in a plastic bin with my other fabric stash. I just use those large plastic bins for fabric...the same kind I store out of season clothes in. But for my fabric I started buying the clear ones and switching over - so I can see what's what.
I culled four trash bags worth of fabric a few months ago, but I still have way too much. 
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
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juststartn
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 3:20pm | IP Logged
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Well, fabric I buy, I try to keep on the bolt (now that I am buying in mass quantities for dds' clothing as well as my own). Scrap type material, or smaller amounts, I have either folded up on a shelf, or in a clear Rubbermaid bin in a closet.
When I am salvaging from clothing, I get the buttons for my button stash, as well as salvaging whatever larger pieces I can in a relatively large format.
Rachel
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MaryatHome
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
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I cut mine into strips, and separate by weight. I don't generally sew with mine, but either crochet the strips into rugs, give the strips to my mother for her floor loom (especially the denims), or use the lighter weight ones to practice my newest fiber craft: locker hooking, a form of rug hooking.
I find that I am more apt to use them while sitting around in the evening if they are already prepared for use. It's also easier to store them in the bin as strips.
Mary
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 7:07pm | IP Logged
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juststartn wrote:
| I have either folded up on a shelf, or in a clear Rubbermaid bin in a closet. |
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Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I don't fold my fabric I roll it. It's easier to see in the bins that way (or on a shelf) and stacks nicely. It also seems like I can get more in a bin when it's rolled.
God bless!
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
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marcie
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| Posted: May 05 2007 at 4:18pm | IP Logged
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I have my fabric stored in rubbermaid bins, labeled for fall/winter, spring/summer, and baby fabric.
I have lots of antique fabrics and baby dresses, christening gowns that I roll up in white cotton king size pillow cases.
I have spent most of this day in my sewing room reorganizing, hoping to be motivated to get back to sewing.
The only clothes that I have saved over the years are the dresses and coats that I made for my girls when they were growing up. Those are also in cotton pillow cases. I have kept everything I ever made for them so I have a closet full!
If only my dh knew what was stashed in that closet!!!
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Marcie Melancon
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J.Anne
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| Posted: May 10 2007 at 7:04pm | IP Logged
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Hiya Amy. Here's what I've been doing with scraps. My husband picked up several wine boxes for me at a liquor store for free. They still have separators in them where the wine was stored. If I have more than a yard or so, I roll the fabric up and stash each individual print in a section. It's a super easy and cheap way to organize my closet. If I have less than that I have been cutting the leftovers into 5 by 5 inch squares for quilts - stacking each like fabric into a ziploc baggie. With the scraps, I have made a quilt, a few drawstring bags for party favors... I cut up some super small squares, sewed them together in a pattern and made a child sized apron last week.
I really have been trying to use most of my fabric before I buy more. I'm not sure it makes sense for everyone, but I am reacting to my mother who has sewn for forty years and has more fabric right now than she can EVER use. It is taking over her home. I think that would really bother my husband. I am a little over focused on keeping my stash small and neat.
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: May 10 2007 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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J.Anne wrote:
| I am reacting to my mother who has sewn for forty years and has more fabric right now than she can EVER use. It is taking over her home. |
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So can you fabric "shop" at her house??? 
Seriously though, you are a wise woman to keep an eye on that stash. And cool idea on the wines boxes.
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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J.Anne
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 7:49am | IP Logged
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Michele, I really want to go through all her patterns. I think it would be so neat for me to make my daughter's First Communion dress out of the same pattern my mother used for mine.
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Jennifer
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Matilda
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 8:42am | IP Logged
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Jennifer,
I love your philosophy behind using up the old fabric!
I have for years now, been keeping mine in a big clear plastic tub in the garage, but the problem is "out of sight out of mind". Your wine box idea sounds perfect!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: storing fabric, using "rags"
