Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Confessions from My Stash

Whilst mooching through my lovely fabric collection for some more fabric to make some work trousers, I came across some grey wool fabric.  It is quite soft, about 3.5m in length, and I started thinking about it . . . . and when I purchased it.  Let me tell you my story - then you can tell me your fabric confessions!

I knew that I bought it from the Birmingham Rag Market (UK) when I needed to make some office appropriate clothes for a new job.  I knew that 3.5m would make me a jacket and a skirt, possibly trousers.  So far, so good.

Hey, I hear you say, so you didn't get to make a suit then - that's not so bad.  Until you put some dates to this. . . . . . First of all, I moved to Canada nearly 10 years ago - and I know I brought the fabric across the pond with me.  I joined the Police in 1996 - and I certainly didn't need any suits for that.  My previous job was office based, and I was there for about three years - yep, I'm thinking 1993.  At the earliest.



The trousers are my usual TNT pattern and this time I added a very thin tuck in the centre of each leg piece to make them look as though they have very sharp creases!  I actually did this with my uniform trousers when I was a Police Constable and was warned that I could be put on a charge for damaging Police property ::sigh::  It meant that I could was my trousers and as soon as they were dry - they were ready to wear - no starching and pressing, making the fabric all nasty and shiny for me!


The purple velvet is also of an age - but I don't remember when I bought it.   would say at least 15 years ago . . . . . . !  Wow!  So - how do you like my new vintage outfit?!

Whilst I am here - let me share one more pair of trousers that I made recently.  I only wore them once and as the fabric was so loosely woven, they tore apart along the centre front seam.  I should have added a thin strip of interfacing along the centre front and centre seams prior to sewing up - and I will remember that for whatever garment I make from the leftovers.  Here are a few pics for you - I wore both of these pairs of trousers whilst modelling my jackets here.



Can you see the repair above?!



And how about you - are you carrying any vintage fabric in your collection?

14 comments :

  1. OH YES-----Guilty as charged...hahaha
    I have some fabric that is so old.. I honestly can't remember where it came from or what my intentions for it were?
    But in your case,. Proud you saved this fabric. Made beautiful pants..

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    1. Thank-you, they feel great on . . . . . and I didn't have to spend any money!!!

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  2. I think you may win a prize for a good recollection of purchasing fabric. I also don't remember when or where I bought some of mine. I've started putting sticky labels on fabric now (mainly so I know the content). Very pretty use of some *vintage* fabric!

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    1. Woohoo! I am a winner! To be fair, I only remember this fabric as I bought it for a suit to wear for a new job. I have lots of newer fabrics in the collection that (I am hanging my head in shame here) I cannot remember when I bought it . . . !

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  3. I have fabric in my stash that I bought back-in-the-day when I lived in Toronto (over twenty years ago). [holding head in shame]

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    1. I think that makes us 'stash sisters'! Are you making some of yours up soon?

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  4. lol I have fabric that I look at & ask myself 'what was I thinking" lol! love the pants! I cut out my first cardigan today, we'll see where that leads lol!
    Helen

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    1. Excellent - I hope you are as happy with the pattern as I have been!

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  5. Both pairs are lovely - I really love the fabric in the second pair - shame that they tore apart. I have only been sewing for a few years so no fabric older than that.

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  6. Now that is a post that makes me feel better (lol). I've just used a fabric my mother-in-law gave to me 15 years ago and I thought that was old! having said that, it hails from the 60's possibly early 50's - so it really is vintage! There was less than a metre so I used it for some contrasts on an apron I will be posting soon.

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    1. Sounds fun! Will keep an eye out for the posting!

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  7. I have lots and lots of vintage fabric in my stash. I lined my new LBD with black tricot that I bought in 1993. :) Isn't it fun to use up stash...makes the clothes free! ~Teri

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    1. Oh yes! I love shopping from my stash. All my favorite fabrics are there!!!

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