Here it is! Here is my stash! It’s not a huge stash but there’s a good amount of fabric there that needs to be used. I set a couple of fabric related goals for the year; to use my stash and to think carefully about the fabrics that are suitable for certain garments.
My largest storage box contains my bigger cuts of fabric. I actually thought I’d got more than this, so I’m quite pleased that I’ve already reduced the pile without even realising! I organised fabrics into 3 piles, based on their lengths…though I didn’t measure them exactly! It was just a rough guess! The fabrics left in the box are reasonably big pieces but they are all odd shapes so I’ve kept those ones separate.
3 + yards:
1.5+ yards:
Roughly 1 yard cuts:
I also have 3 smaller boxes of what I like to call scraps – the bits less than 1/2 yard that I just can’t bring myself to throw away. Surely they’ll be useful for something right?!
My aim is to use most of this fabric before I buy ANY more! To give myself more of a challenge too, I’m going to see if I can have an RTW ban for at least a couple of months! I’m hoping to analyse my wardrobe at the start of each month and question whether or not I need to go out and actually buy anything. I know for certain that I don’t need to buy any RTW for at least 2 months!
So, I would now like your help!
Can you think of any clothing patterns that use 1 yard cuts of fabric?
And, any ideas for those really small scraps of fabric?
threads + bobbins 
Well done for getting organised! The free BHL Polly top might be worth a look for getting rid of some smaller pieces. And the Maria Denmark Kimono T doesn’t use up much if some of them are knits? (Also free). I take my smaller scraps into school for the textile department. Might be worth sending your most local, secondary school an email? That way you can just get rid of the smaller stuff on one, fell swoop!
Thanks! Oooh free patterns, definitely going to look into those ones! Good idea about the school too; we’ve actually got an art centre close to us so I might have to send a couple of emails. 🙂
Sounds perfect! My school apparently does a lot of small appliqué work – bags and cushions, etc so smaller pieces are really useful for them. Good luck!
1 yard cuts, hmm. I would say children’s clothes but you don’t have any kids! 🙂
Yes I thought that too, even thought about friends who have children but they are boys! The majority of my fabric is very girly 🙂
Love your organised fabric ‘stash’. Cute summer tank or halter tops perhaps? Spaghetti straps / binding with the small scraps? So many possibilities~happy sewing 😀
I certainly think that tank tops will be the best option & binding is a great idea! Think I’m going to have a look for one of those binding making tools 🙂 Thank you for the ideas!
So organised!! I use fabric scraps for contrast pockets mainly, or headbands. Also, take a look at my latest blog for details of a textile recycling scheme…that’s where most of my stuff will be ending up!
Thank you Helen! Ooooh I like the contrast pocket idea! Good one! I’ve just hopped over to your blog to have a look at the scheme, unfortunately my local H&M is almost 3 hours away!
I have just got a Grainline Scout Tee out of 0.70m – if a frictional print then one sleeve would face the other way – if that makes sense. I think it’s a really good pattern girls using up the odd metre. Good Luck – I think I need to do the same
Thank you – Good suggestion as you’ve reminded me that I’ve actually got the Grainline Scout Tee pattern! I think I will be getting it out sooner than I thought 🙂
Well, you can always do some colorblocking and mix your fabrics to make blouses with, say, the back yoke and sleeves out of a contrasting fabric. I used to use smaller pieces to make vests because all you need are the two fronts, and the back can be a contrast; traditional vests don’t seem to be much in fashion at the moment, though.
As for scraps, you KNOW I’ve got a million ideas for those, right? 😉 There’s quilting, of course, but also lots of small projects: coasters, oven mitts, placemats, fabric boxes, rice bags, purses, bunting, pillows, microwave bowl cozies, etc. There are several free BOMs starting up this month (let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll find the link), and don’t forget the free resources page on my blog has plenty of good stuff: https://livingincolorblog.wordpress.com/resources/.
Thank you so much for all of the grey ideas 🙂 my mind is buzzing with ideas now!!
I’m a big fan of quilting for using up little scraps 🙂
Yes I think they may be good for smaller quilting projects, such as purses and pot holders! I’m not a huge fan of big scale quilting
Hmm larger quilting projects are very time consuming! 🙂
I think this is a very workable stash – as in you have plenty of fabrics to choose from so you are not limited as to what to make, but also it’s not so huge that it will overwhelm you. I tend to think smaller pieces are good for gifts or you could use them as trims or pops of colour such as for that top with triangles that was part of the indie pattern bundle? Do you have any patterns with contrast yokes?
Yes I think it’s a workable one too so hopefully it won’t be too difficult to use it all! I’ve just been having a look at the top from the indie pattern bundle and it is perfect!
Well done on getting organised. I’d always hang onto smaller pieces for patchwork.
Thank you! Yes, I’ve seen a couple of patchwork zipper bags that I could do with having a go at 🙂
I’ve got some smaller pieces i am hoping to make a few Polly tops out of.