Old fabric or new?
01-15-2023, 03:40 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,240
I identify myself as a modern quilter. I started sewing 25 years ago, and I don't have any fabric from when I started. I started quilting about 15 years ago and have always gravitated to modern style fabric. It took me a long time to figure out I do not like scrappy blocks, so I do not keep scraps either, so no fabric is around from when I began quilting. Which is fairly modern compared to reading through this thread. I don't always pick my fabrics from the same line, I feel comfortable mixing and matching fabric to suit the design of what I may be working on. I am currently restoring an antique quilt, so I am using civil war reproduction fabric and rather enjoying the process. To me, it's a vintage look, but modern fabric, since civil war reproduction fabric is a quilting style that is popular currently. Best of both worlds really.
01-15-2023, 10:07 AM
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 264
I like scrap quilts and love using small scraps saved from clothing construction. I have scraps that Mom used in some of her clothes or to make clothes for us as kids. (I just turned 79. ;-). ) It is such fun to use these memories i whatever I am making.
01-15-2023, 11:41 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 347
Originally Posted by RedGarnet222
When Ben Franklin's fabric stores went out of business, there were two of them in my local. I bought all I could afford. It was the better end fabrics, and I knew I would use them someday in projects. I can't resist 50, 60 and 70 percent off great fabric. Could you? I bought as many blenders and neutrals as I could. The problem is that I had no shelf space and had to store them in bins. It hasn't helped me because." Out of sight, out of mind." But, I do have one planned for this year. A black, white and mixed colors one.
I truly love my older fabrics, even the scraps. I applique blocks sometimes with those smaller pieces. Getting rid of them is impossible for me.
To make matters worse, I also sew garments. So, I have those types of fabrics around in bins. Hubby thinks I am a hoarder. But, I don't think seven or eight large bins are hoarding. Do you? With the price of fabric almost quad-tripling since I started quilting, I am too frugal for that.
I truly love my older fabrics, even the scraps. I applique blocks sometimes with those smaller pieces. Getting rid of them is impossible for me.
To make matters worse, I also sew garments. So, I have those types of fabrics around in bins. Hubby thinks I am a hoarder. But, I don't think seven or eight large bins are hoarding. Do you? With the price of fabric almost quad-tripling since I started quilting, I am too frugal for that.
01-15-2023, 12:48 PM
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
Posts: 16,521
Originally Posted by mmunchkins
RedGarnet22, have you had to rent a storage unit to store your fabric. If not, then you are not a hoarder!
BeckyBoo1, I even sold some gold to buy fabrics. Now that was pressing it, but, I love my fabrics I got. There I said it. I am a fabric-a-holic.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 01-15-2023 at 12:51 PM.
01-16-2023, 10:10 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,137
When I started quilting, I bought my older sister's stash. She had about 300 yards of quilting fabric she'd bought when she worked at a quilt shop right out of college. That was in the 70's. It's intermixed with the rest of my stash, and I use it when it works.
01-16-2023, 10:31 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,827
Originally Posted by mmunchkins
RedGarnet22, have you had to rent a storage unit to store your fabric. If not, then you are not a hoarder!
01-16-2023, 10:34 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,827
Originally Posted by annievee
I do try to use some of my older fabrics but first give it a tug in all directions ! Most of it is still good but occasionally there might be a ripper !
As to repairing an antique quilt, new fabric will probably be too strong for the antique fabric and make a new problem.
