Dearth of interesting fabrics
04-20-2013, 03:29 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vermont
Posts: 7,048
I solved that problem by making scrappy quilts with small pieces, so, as the old song says, "Anything Goes"!!
I will be shopping from my fabric stash in my attic for years to come. Over the years we were lucky enough to get a lot of unwanted scraps from 3 ladies, each of whom had a cottage industry making quilts. I guess to modern eyes the small prints look old fashioned, but I love them.
I will be shopping from my fabric stash in my attic for years to come. Over the years we were lucky enough to get a lot of unwanted scraps from 3 ladies, each of whom had a cottage industry making quilts. I guess to modern eyes the small prints look old fashioned, but I love them.
04-20-2013, 03:36 AM
#23
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: on the Texas Coast
Posts: 4,020
About the only thing that inspires me now is Civil War reproductions and some of yhr 30s repros.
Maybe that means I'm getting old!
Glad to see you're still with us Tim
Maybe that means I'm getting old!
Glad to see you're still with us Tim
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http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathykwilts?ref=ss_profile
04-20-2013, 04:04 AM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kansas
Posts: 164
In some ways, I have had similar experiences as the original poster. I've been super excited to have the day off, have extra spending money, and make a long trek to a fabric store, only to hunt and hunt and hunt for something to buy. I chalked it up (mostly) to being in a quilting slump. But I am also a quilter that does not have young children in my immediate circle of family and friends and thus I pass by on all the kiddie stuff.
As for the inspiration part, I have found that if I flip through an older magazine, I can see a pattern that was done in calicoes that I know I can make look more timely by using my own stash. Scrappy quilts become more interesting to me.
Here is an example of something that motivated me. The pattern, called Pulsar, was published in a magazine 18 years ago. I used up a good amount of leftover scrap stash for it and then only had to hunt for the dark blue border fabric.
As for the inspiration part, I have found that if I flip through an older magazine, I can see a pattern that was done in calicoes that I know I can make look more timely by using my own stash. Scrappy quilts become more interesting to me.
Here is an example of something that motivated me. The pattern, called Pulsar, was published in a magazine 18 years ago. I used up a good amount of leftover scrap stash for it and then only had to hunt for the dark blue border fabric.
04-20-2013, 04:08 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Oh My Gosh! I don't know where you are shopping, but I look at Moda fabrics and want them all. I think the choices now a days are beyond fantastic. I am not too crazy about the modern stuff and some of the colors that are current, but find that there is always something to chip away at my creative thoughts. The newer batiks are just phenomenal! I can't even imagine going into a store and not falling in love with at least a half dozen fabrics.
04-20-2013, 04:18 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Winston-Salem NC
Posts: 659
Have you tried "touring" Hancock's of Paducah's web sale fabrics? I find I am always amazed at the interesting combinations that get thrown up on the "by price" pages, because the fabrics aren't grouped in any particular way. Sometimes seeing a fabric orphaned from its original collection can spark an idea, or allow you to see the fabric differently. Plus, sale fabrics are affordable! I rarely get off those pages without making purchase...
Alison
Alison
04-20-2013, 04:44 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 3,140
I've been disappointed in lots of the fabrics I've been seeing lately but I see a lot I like too. Guess I'm in the middle. I don't buy as much as I used to since the prices have started climbing and the store I liked best has stopped honoring coupons which hurts also. I'm lucky to have a fairly large stash to pull from. Lately, the quilting urge has been very low. I do hope I get out of my slump soon.
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