Geez, that took me FOREVER!
After looking at all this fabric, you would have thought that I have been sewing for years.
Sadly, only three.
Anyway, here are a few photos.
Isn't it pretty?I still have about 3 totes to go through. Mostly corduroy, fleece, and chenile.
All of my short cuts of 1/2 yard or less, still are waiting for me to fold them, but for now, I am happy!
My wife used to sew alot.
When she had a project to do, she would look at the pattern, see how much fabric it took, and go to the fabric store to get it. If a project took 7/8 of a yard, then that is what she got!
Ummmmm, when I go to the fabric store, needing only a 1/2 yard of fabric, I come out with much more.
Wonder why?.....
Let's see....
First, I have to muster up enough courage to walk in by myself.
Second, I have to endure the stares of the "Cranky Quilt Ladies" who happen to be cutting fabric today.
Third, I have to search endlessly for the perfect shade of "pink" that my Picky Princess wants.
So, to sum it all up.
Man walks in fabric store with list (I only need a half a yard of fabric)....
Ladies look at him as if to say, "Hey, the sports store is two doors down!"...
Finds the perfect "pink" to match... along with a couple of more options in case my idea of "perfect" doesn't pan out...
Walks up to cutting counter....gets number (Lord, I forgot that important step once.... NEVER AGAIN!)....
Lays the fabric down on the counter...
Cranky Quilt Lady asks how much do you need?....
I shamelessly blurt out 3 yards of each please!
Uhmmmm...... What just happened here? I only needed 1/2 yard of each!
I feel so like Ralphie telling Santa he only wanted a football for Christmas, when what he really wanted was "An official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time" Only I can't climb back up the slide and and tell Miss Cranky what I really only needed.
So... relutantly I pay the bill.... Go home and hide the stuff so that my "only buy what you need" wife doesn't see it.
Well... now it is all out in the open... my very own mini fabric store. AHHHHH!
If I only need a half a yard, I will cut it!
I don't have to deal with the Cranky Quilters looking at me over their little half reading glasses.
This should stay like this for a little while.....
Until I hit the fabric stores again, looking for the perfect shade of "aqua".
Must remember these words.... "Only a half a yard please!"
Has this ever happened to you? If it has leave me a comment, I would love to know if it is only a "guy thing"!
21 comments:
Wow. I am totally impressed, and want to come play at your fabric store!
You know I don't sew, but it doesn't matter what store I go in to, I always seem to come out with more than I intended! :-P
Whoa!!! You really do have your own little fabric store! Hey, the more you have at home, the less you will have to endure the cranksters, right?
I've been dealing with cold stares and attitude for years. I used to think it was because I was a youngster, then I became convinced it was because I always had a dirty child in tow. Or heck, maybe I am just that unlikeable in a fabric store setting (I do tend to get overly excited).
I'm coming to realize it isn't about gender, age, or bad behavior. It is about what we do with our yardage. The fact that we sew that lovely fabric into garments for children is probably unconscionable for a quilter. And we threaten their very existence, you know. What would happen if everyone went in there and bought a few three yard cuts rather that 53 fat quarters??? They'd be out of a job!!!
I loved this Tom and am in LOVE with your stash, I could stare at it forever!
Now that is a thing of beauty! Just looking at your fabric shelves makes me happy! I just got my bolt of Minnie Dot from Hancocks, I think I need to unwrap it and look at it lol.
I think I'll maybe just check with you first next time I'm looking for some hard-to-find fabric, sheesh!! :-P That is some stash!
And CarlaC nailed it - they don't approve of what it is we do with that yardage. I think that they think that we think we're "too good" to quilt....hmmppff. Alrighty, that's enough "thinking" for now. LOL
I love your stash! I seriously need to build up my stash.
oh my, Tom! Your post completely cracked me up. I could just picture the scenarios in my mind! I am in awe of your stash! Good luck with the challenge!
holy fabric stash batman! i love it.
it def doesn't only happen to men. i'm an over-buyer too. *hangs head in shame* no strike that! i hold my head up high--cause i've got an awesome stash too!!!!
I'm so jealous of how nice and clean that looks! You may have inspired me to get to it!
My goodness I wish my stash was so nicely and neatless displayed! I just have a half dozen totes full so I can't really tell what I have LOL! I always buy more than I need, too. Thus, the reason why I have so much fabric!
OK- can I come over and just sit and stare and dream of things to make with your fabric? I also think Carla was right. I once had a lady helping me at my local quilting store, she was all nice and chatty untill she asked me what I was making with all my fun fabric. After I told her I was making outfits for my daughters she kinda gave me the cold shoulder.
Oh goodness yes - happens to me all the time. I forget the shops now and buy the full bolt! lol. I REALLY have a store. People stop by all the time ;) Feel free to email me and I'll let you know what I have!
Tom, what a beautiful stash! I too have gotten a stare here or there, but not always. I think most of them look at me and think I can't know how to sew, I am so young. Or, well I was young! I don't tend to get the odd stares as often anymore.
I always be sure to take my kiddos with me when I have lots of fabric to buy AND I make sure they are wearing a fabulous outfit made from one of my Euro patterns so all the ladies can just go gaga over that and that seems to stop the "looks". Did you wrap your fabric around cardboard or something? How do you get it to stay neat? And I LOVE how you have it color coordinated! I have effectively received 4 stashes from people that have realized that I sew--I TOTALLY need to organize it...or SELL it so that I can get the TDF fabric that I *REALLY* want!
Thanks for sharing, Tom. I always buy extra too. I make handbags and I know I will always want to make a matching make up bag, checkbook cover, cell phone caddy, matching purse for my daughter...something! That's why I can't find anything around here - I have fabric up to my eyeballs. I'm envious of your organization - it looks awsome!
Of course I always buy more than I need! After all, 3, 5 or even 10 is so much easier to say than 1/2 yard, and anyway, you have to wait in line so long to get your fabric cut you want to make it worth your while.
Wish my fabric was as orginized as yours. I keep mine in space bags just in case we get another huricane with a storm surge like Wilma in 2005. Had to throw out lots of fabric after that one.
I love it! I go to the fabric store and always buy way more than I need because I may need it again :) Then I always hit the remnant bin and dig through it, usually getting another several yards of material that I don't really need but can't live without.
Yes, Tom, That happens to us ladies too. I went to Wal-Mart today for a couple of yards of fabric to make a doll and walked out with $46 worth of fabric and none of it was for the doll.
Definitely not a guy thing, I just can't seem to leave the fabric counter without at least three yards of each fabric!!! Which, is why most of my basement is covered in fabric.
Oh my gosh, you are too funny!
Your shelves are total eye candy. I wish my stash was that organized!
Mary Ann
(Sweetstitches)
Oh my! I LOVE your stash. I am truly jealous. I have just started organising mine but it isn;t half as colourful as yours.
When I go in I always come out with more than what I need plus a few new gadgets or trinkets that I "need". Then I have to go home and hide it all!
I did take hubby in with me one time and when the lady asked how much fabric I'd like I said "Oh one meter? Maybe two? Hmm..." Then hubby said "She'll have three metres. I don't want to get home and hear her say 'I wish I had of gotten more!'".
You could have knocked my socks off!
Post a Comment