in which I ponder.
This weekend brought me some new, bright and shiny fabric goodness.
Loving Haven's Edge by Tina Givens! Those charms at top left are from the collection, as are the Walls in Turquoise and Walls in Violet. I knew at first sight that these tonal geometrics were must haves. So glad that Sew Love Fabrics stocked them!
I also indulged in a little tasting of Soul Blossoms by Amy Butler. That Delhi Blooms in Lime is a particular shade of green that is totally lacking in my stash. I tend to buy up olive green, but lime looks great with lots of colors! In fact, I actually like it with all of these fabrics (excepting the charms). That would be an interesting color palette for a quilt, would it not?
After making my Love pillow, I was completely out of Woodstock in passion from Innocent Crush. And, I decided, I can't be through with that yet so here we are. Below I picked up two more prints from Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner. Again, they're stash balancers - I have so much aqua blue and few "true" blues. Plus, I'm almost out of stripes. (must. have. stripes.)
But I can't ignore the brightest and most outspoken in the group... Have you met Kumari Gardens? This is Tarika in gem, my favorite of the collection. She reminds me of clouds and summer and cotton candy. I wonder what she'll grow up into someday?
Do you worry about that, those of you fellow fabric stashers? And to those of you who don't buy fabric without a particular project in mind, does this kind of shopping seem reckless, I wonder?
There's a very interesting discussion going on about stashing, stashbusting and scrapbusting at a new-to-me blog, Completely Cauchy. She posed a question about the terms themselves and our motivations when creating within the context of these words. The entire thread of comments is fascinating. I replied:
I have used the turns “stashbusting” or “scrapbusting” without much introspection before. This is giving me reason to pause. Yes, there are negative connotations here that are not quite right. I do not have too much fabric. And, yet, at the same time, I rejoice when I make something entirely from my already owned fabrics – it feels so resourceful. Sometimes the fabric inspired a project. Sometimes a project requires a new fabric. But, when the two work hand in hand (when I have on hand what I need, as a previous commenter mentioned) the experience tends to make me happiest of all. There is a satisfaction to be gained in using what you have.
OK, I’ll also admit that my scrap accumulation does make me a little nervous. I don’t like the feeling that I may not be able to ever keep up with “using” all of the scraps that are created by my sewing. But, the simple solution is to give them away to someone less scrap-blessed. Is that scrapbusting? Let’s say we need a new word.
I'd love to hear your take on all this. I suppose the word "stash" might imply something hidden away, not to be used, to be hoarded. I'd like to say that I don't think this way about my fabrics at all, but just the other day I was processing that I should piece together the backing for my next quilt, rather than buying new yardage. And, I felt an odd mixture of "yes, wonderful, let's use these lovely fabrics" and "oh, no, then they'll be gone!"
But I think that's normal, right? Afterall, that's kind of how I feel about my children getting older. I rejoice in each new milestone and the way in which our relationship evolves with their maturity. On the other hand, I wish I could pause it all because I don't want another stage to be gone.
Back in fabric land... Perhaps the terms "stashbusting" and "scrapbusting" derive from our need for a little push to go ahead and use up beautiful fabrics. And then the idea of "stashing" describes our joy in replenishing our creative resources for another inspired moment. One thing I know for sure - I don't buy fabric to "have" it, just as I don't make quilts for them to sit in a cupboard. I appreciate Cauchy's prompt for self-reflection. Today seems meant for just that.
*****************************
Did you see, did you see, did you see? Anna announced our January winner to be Jolene of Blue Elephant Stitches! Her beautiful dresden plate pillow was made extra special by her love for her grandma. Congrats, Jolene!
Rita of Red Pepper Quilts is going to kick off our February party with an announcement of the prize(s) on her blog. That's right - plural - cause Rita's stitched up a little something extra for you!
Loving Haven's Edge by Tina Givens! Those charms at top left are from the collection, as are the Walls in Turquoise and Walls in Violet. I knew at first sight that these tonal geometrics were must haves. So glad that Sew Love Fabrics stocked them!
I also indulged in a little tasting of Soul Blossoms by Amy Butler. That Delhi Blooms in Lime is a particular shade of green that is totally lacking in my stash. I tend to buy up olive green, but lime looks great with lots of colors! In fact, I actually like it with all of these fabrics (excepting the charms). That would be an interesting color palette for a quilt, would it not?
After making my Love pillow, I was completely out of Woodstock in passion from Innocent Crush. And, I decided, I can't be through with that yet so here we are. Below I picked up two more prints from Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner. Again, they're stash balancers - I have so much aqua blue and few "true" blues. Plus, I'm almost out of stripes. (must. have. stripes.)
But I can't ignore the brightest and most outspoken in the group... Have you met Kumari Gardens? This is Tarika in gem, my favorite of the collection. She reminds me of clouds and summer and cotton candy. I wonder what she'll grow up into someday?
Do you worry about that, those of you fellow fabric stashers? And to those of you who don't buy fabric without a particular project in mind, does this kind of shopping seem reckless, I wonder?
There's a very interesting discussion going on about stashing, stashbusting and scrapbusting at a new-to-me blog, Completely Cauchy. She posed a question about the terms themselves and our motivations when creating within the context of these words. The entire thread of comments is fascinating. I replied:
I have used the turns “stashbusting” or “scrapbusting” without much introspection before. This is giving me reason to pause. Yes, there are negative connotations here that are not quite right. I do not have too much fabric. And, yet, at the same time, I rejoice when I make something entirely from my already owned fabrics – it feels so resourceful. Sometimes the fabric inspired a project. Sometimes a project requires a new fabric. But, when the two work hand in hand (when I have on hand what I need, as a previous commenter mentioned) the experience tends to make me happiest of all. There is a satisfaction to be gained in using what you have.
OK, I’ll also admit that my scrap accumulation does make me a little nervous. I don’t like the feeling that I may not be able to ever keep up with “using” all of the scraps that are created by my sewing. But, the simple solution is to give them away to someone less scrap-blessed. Is that scrapbusting? Let’s say we need a new word.
I'd love to hear your take on all this. I suppose the word "stash" might imply something hidden away, not to be used, to be hoarded. I'd like to say that I don't think this way about my fabrics at all, but just the other day I was processing that I should piece together the backing for my next quilt, rather than buying new yardage. And, I felt an odd mixture of "yes, wonderful, let's use these lovely fabrics" and "oh, no, then they'll be gone!"
But I think that's normal, right? Afterall, that's kind of how I feel about my children getting older. I rejoice in each new milestone and the way in which our relationship evolves with their maturity. On the other hand, I wish I could pause it all because I don't want another stage to be gone.
Back in fabric land... Perhaps the terms "stashbusting" and "scrapbusting" derive from our need for a little push to go ahead and use up beautiful fabrics. And then the idea of "stashing" describes our joy in replenishing our creative resources for another inspired moment. One thing I know for sure - I don't buy fabric to "have" it, just as I don't make quilts for them to sit in a cupboard. I appreciate Cauchy's prompt for self-reflection. Today seems meant for just that.
*****************************
Did you see, did you see, did you see? Anna announced our January winner to be Jolene of Blue Elephant Stitches! Her beautiful dresden plate pillow was made extra special by her love for her grandma. Congrats, Jolene!
Rita of Red Pepper Quilts is going to kick off our February party with an announcement of the prize(s) on her blog. That's right - plural - cause Rita's stitched up a little something extra for you!