It’s been five months since I started my No-New-Fabric-Purchases-For-A-Year challenge.
The rule is simple; use as much of the 256 pieces of fabric in my stash. To make all those things I intended to make when I bought the fabric or make something else. It’s time to stop consuming and start creating.
So far, I have made two tops, two skirts, a wristlet purse, some gift bags, a tree skirt, a baby quilt (still needs quilting), baby bibs, a zippered pouch and two fabric baskets. That’s four garments, some crafts and one quilt. Not a whole lot of the stash used up so far. Mostly pieces out of the scrap bin really. I thought I would reduce my stash by half, at least use a third of it by the end of the challenge (the end of October). At this rate, and this is my reality, I might use ten pieces of yardage and reduce my scrap bin contents significantly. Not quite the impact I had hoped for. However, to look on the bright side, the fabric stash hasn’t grown.
I have had to buy interfacing, thread, some buttons, needles, grosgrain ribbon, and a large embroidery hoop for quilting the baby quilt that isn’t finished. But I have bought no new fabric.
It’s a mix of emotions, this fabric diet. I feel I’m doing the right thing; for me, for the budget, for an example to my kids of following through with what you say you’re going to do. I admit to feeling a little joy when I cruise by the mob waiting at the cutting table not having to join them. In contrast, though I feel I’m missing out when I delete all the fabric sale emails (I don’t even open them – too much temptation) and I feel disappointed when there is something I want to sew but I don’t have the right fabric or enough yardage of a fabric to make it.
Honestly though, if I had broken that promise to myself to use what I already own and bought some gorgeous, great deal of a fabric would it be sewn into something already or would it still be sitting on the shelf with all the other gorgeous good intentions?
This challenge has brought some adult reality checks. I’ve realized;
- I can only sew but so much in a given time
- I don’t have to own everything I like (this goes beyond fabric)
- I don’t always think before I buy (I need to remember this in all situations, especially bookstores)
- I have everything I need, and then some.
- It’s good to want something for a while. It makes you either really want it or realize you don’t need it.
In the next couple of months I would like to make a twin-size quilt. I have gathered a pile of large scraps and one-yard cuts that I think go together. I also want to sew two tops for my daughter (fabric was bought for these tops last September) and a couple of tops for myself (fabric was bought for my tops ages ago). I would really love to have the tops done in a month but I have a few non-sewing demands on my time as well. Seriously, am I able to sew a top a week including working out fit adjustments? Non, è impossibile but I will try. (The word “impossible” is much more fun to say in Italian and so we do in my house)
What if at the end of the challenge I’ve used only a handful of my fabrics? What if I still have 240 pieces left on my shelf? Will I extend the challenge and continue to only use what I already have? Maybe but probably not. I do believe though that when I start buying fabric again I will be far pickier about what I buy and buy when I’m actually ready to sew the fabric into a garment (or whatever it’s going to be).
I’m glad I’ve started this challenge. It isn’t always fun but I’m learning from it.