Sew, Mama, Sew Stash Interview

• What do you usually sew?

I usually sew bags and purses, stuff for my kids.

• When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)

If I see something that I like, but don't have a use for, I typically buy 2-3 yards. I know, I know. I'm on a fabric diet, so now if I see something I like, I find it online and bookmark it, so I can buy it when I do have a NEED for it.

• Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?

Typically I go out looking for something that I need and buy lots more on impulse.

• Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it?
  

I pre-wash fabric as it enters my house. That way, if I want to sew something, its already ready to go.

• Do you iron it?

If I absolutely HAVE to. But I don't iron before I put it away. I iron it if I NEED to before I cut it.

• How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)

I sort my stash by type of fabric. Fleece is together, cotton wovens together, twill together, etc.

• Do you have any special folding techniques?

Yes, I employ the "get-it-in-the-closet-as-fast-as-you-can" techniques.

• How do you store your fabric?

In a closet. Without a door. In our playroom/office/craft room.

• What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?

Don't. Buy what you need, when you want to sew with it.

• When do you say enough is enough?

When it starts to become overwhelming. Like you have too many options for a project. Or you don't want to sew it, because you're bored with it.

• What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?

Crib sheets. Pillow cases. Big messenger style bags. Mei tais are good stash busters too.

• Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!

My favorite print in my stash right now is this. Although its very very very hard to choose. My favorite might be different if you asked me tomorrow.

• What’s your definition of the perfect stash? (Consider sharing a picture or two of your stash & storage, or direct us to a pic on Flickr!)

Here is my current stash as of January 1st. Since then, I haven't bought any fabric for my stash and my goal is to sew through my stash before buying more fabric.

January 1st:



February 5th:

You can actually see a dent! Yay for progress!