If Fabric could Speak
 

I have some fabric that I bought and put with other fabric in a "special place" in my sewing room. Started cleaning out scraps and refolding, found it and now I cant remember what the heck I was going to make with it. Honestly, I am talking a few yards all together. Next time I will put in a post it note to tell me what I had planned with it. Wish it could tell me. Last year I did this and used it for other projects then afterwards found the pattern it went with.....

I do that a lot. I put the pattern with fabric that I have chosen for that pattern and then put it somewhere and when I find it again....I either wonder what I was thinking or I decided something else would look better with it. I blame it on 'senior moments.'

Mine would say "I get no respect"

I've forgotten why I bought the fabric - like you, I've misplaced fabric.

I forget to put it away - the cats sleep on it. One time the ferrets dragged a whole yard into their cage.

If fabric could speak mine would be saying things like:
"Let me out of this cupboard"
" I'm tired of living in the scrap basket, I want to be something!"
"Ha, ha, find me if you can!"

Cute comments and maybe the things some of my fabrics might say!

If fabric could speak, mine would say "Ouch!"

I wonder what percentage of the fabric sold to quilters ever makes its way into a quilt. At my house I'm afraid the number would be in the single digits. <sigh>

Oooh, Dunster. That's just like garment sewers who use only about 25 percent of the many, many patterns they buy.....

Talk about a brain fart - I was going through my scraps and I can't remember the quilts I made from some of the fabric. I went through a period where I made about 25 quilt tops for charity in 3 months and I am guessing that what the forgot me fabric is from. Since about 1/3 of my fabric is still in cardboard boxes, it is probably saying "let me out of here".

This is generally why I only buy for projects as not just for stash. I'm afraid that I would a) forget why I bought it; or b) by the time I found it again, I'd hate it!

Me too I only have about 4 or 5 fabric that have no pattern intended and still can figure out what to use them for. The rest is kits for patterns I make myself

I also keep the pattern with the fabric for this exact reason! The problem is, when the fabric is great it goes with so many other things to make. I really have to use my will power not to get into it.

I have designated one shelf unit just for future projects. As I find fabrics I think I might use for one of the projects I add it to the pile. I finally had to start putting notes on the piles to remind myself which one goes to which project, especially the bolts of fabrics. Now my project unit is completely full and over flowing but told myself I couldn't start new project until I had what I've already started finished or at least to the point of quilting. I have one quilt on the frame, 4 projects on the design wall waiting to be quilted, 2 lap size quilts hanging up waiting to be quilted but need to design the quilting layout for them and have another project waiting on the side lines while I look for the perfect fabrics for it.

Attaching notes sure helped me to these projects as it may be a year or more before I get to them.

I forget I already bought fabric for a project, and buy more. By the time I get around do doing it, I find I've got enough yardage to make several quilts.

when I go into my fabric room - I imagine the fabric is saying "Pick me! Pick Me!"

I keep a spreadsheet (I know I'm a freak, but a notebook would also work) that contains all my projects, even if they are just ideas. When I have a pattern, I jot down notes on my spreadsheet or I scan/print the pattern page with the fabric requirements and make notes.

Wow... some of you are so organized and self-controlled! I just keep lots of fabrics around, no projects in mind for most of it, and when I want to make something I have my own stash to shop from. It's like a painter... who needs to keep all the colors in his paintbox for when inspiration strikes. I have a full paintbox... but there's always room for a fantastic new color!

I do the same thing, in fact, I sometimes find the fabric all folded together and don't even like the fabric anymore! I think to myself "what the heck was I thinking when I bought this fabric!"

That's me! Only twice have I bought fabric "just because I like it!" After at least 3 years, both pieces are still unused!! Budget also being an issue I buy for the new project. (rather pick around in the store that in my cupboard!)

Mine would say - "Cut me already - I have been sitting for a special project for some time now'!

That's always been my focus too...I have purchased some kids prints for baby quilts and pillowcases over the past couple of years, but I am trying desperately to keep my stash manageable. It seems my kids and their friends (all in their mid 20's-early 30's) are now all having babies... so I can whip up a small quilt on a whim with what I have.

you were probably thinking the same thing i thought when i bought some of the stuff i find in my own stash.
now, of course, the question is how to make a quilt i like from fabrics i don't. :confused:

good thing i like a challenge. lol

Mine yelled at me every time I open the closet "make me, make me". So I did -turned out great! So listen to your fabric!

I put drawings or a copy of a pattern with fabric like that. Because otherwise I'd forget it's even there.

I have way too much fabric that, I can't remember what I bought it for.

Mine would say "what are you waiting for, get me out and cut me up" or some would say " when are you going to finish making this project you started with me"

Maybe it should talk to us. I know I would get more done just to quiet the noise.

I Usually buy with a pattern in hand... or I'll see something on display at a LQS, and buy the pattern and the fabrics, take it home, and put it with the gazillion other "kits" I've done like that!!

So, I guess my fabric would say "Hi, come sit around with the rest of us" whenever I stuff a new project in with the rest!! :D