Or rather, the sewing cabinet!
When I first started sewing, each and every project required
a trip to the local JoAnn Fabrics.
A pattern was chosen, then fabric, and a few circles around the
perimeter were made to ensure that thread, zippers, buttons, and all necessary notions
were procured.
Somewhere along the line, I began buying fabric when it
happened to catch my eye. If it had a
crisp hand (and was not extremely expensive) I would usually purchase at least 3 or
4 yards so I would have enough for a full skirted frock. Remnants would come home with me as well –
with no real idea of what they might be used for in the future.
And those cardboard pattern storage boxes - well I have quite
a few of them. I have never counted the actual number of patterns because I am afraid to know the real number.
It was also necessary to purchase a special thread storage box, which was soon filled.
It was also necessary to purchase a special thread storage box, which was soon filled.
As the years have passed, I no longer buy matching thread
for individual projects. I just assume
that I have something that will work back at home. And when I find nothing, I get really
annoyed. And it is always late at night, or on a
weekend when I really do not want to get in the car and drive way out of the
way to a fabric store to pick up a single spool of thread.
The same thing is happening with zippers. Now that I have decided that I prefer a
regular zipper to an invisible one, my stash is seriously lacking. Recently, I made a special trip to the
store for a black zipper. Now that is something
that should have been in the stash, don’t you think?!
On my last trip to JoAnn Fabrics which included, you guessed it, a
zipper, I found a few random colors marked with clearance stickers. Of course I grabbed a couple, and I am hopeful that
these useful clearance items are a new trend!
How often does everyone restock their sewing room cabinets?
Do you purchase for specific projects, or would you rather
have things on hand that can get the job done, even if they are not a perfect match?
I think I am going to have to work on filling in those
missing gaps that have cropped up over the years!
I realize that this isn't quite the same thing, but I'm a paper crafter and find that (depending on how much crafting I'm doing during a given period), I need to restock the fundamental basics (adhesives, plain cardstock colours, rhinestones, frequently used ribbons and trim, etc) about once every 4 to 6 months, perhaps 8 months if things have been slow on the crafting front.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely time filling those gaps & a terrific last weekend of June,
♥ Jessica
I get most of my supplies on-line: Zippers I buy in bulk on Ebay from Zipperstop, thread in basic colors on 6000 yd cones from my local industrial machine dealer and then from Jo-Ann's small spools only if I need a special color (like orange), silk organza in bulk on-line from Thai Silks, muslin on Ebay by the bolt, tracing paper by the roll on-line from Dick Blick art supplies, waxed tracing paper from the FIT bookstore (call them it's not on their web site but they'll ship) or in person when I'm in NY and finally oaktag in 5 yard rolls on-line from IDS-LA in Los Angles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I've stocked up on thread but I never have on zippers or muslin.
DeleteThank you Phyllis! Very impressive sleuthing on your part.
DeleteI am just starting to buy things in bulk to get my sewing supplies stocked. I have plenty of muslin and Swedish tracing paper on hand, but I really want to start buying interfacing by the bolt. NOTHING is more annoying to me than making a special trip just for interfacing! For the first time ever, I'm really starting to put together a fabric stash, but before I can lay in too many more supplies, I MUST organize my sewing area and closet!
ReplyDeleteJM, the best interfacing out there is sold on-line by Pam Erny at Fashion Sewing Supply. She custom mills her substrate fabric and works with a chemist to develop the fusing resins. Also her interfacing is 60 inches wide and it does *not* shrink. Her products are industry grade and a thousand times better than the garbage sold by HTC and Pellon, no one can touch her in terms quality. Really - her interfacings are amazing.
DeleteI'm just starting to supply my sewing room for a return to fashion sewing. Does Phyllis use the waxed tracing paper for transferring pattern markings? I recently purchased (Jo-Anne's) non waxed tracing paper and it simply doesn't transfer the markings onto my fabrics... What's up with that? I also have no idea what oaktag is used for? Curious. Thanks for the great advice Phyllis :)
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue with the new tracing paper from JoAnns. The sheets that I have had for 7+ years work wonderfully (although they are beginning to fall apart from too much use) but I recently purchased a new package, and they are terrible!
DeleteI buy in bulk also and since I plan alot of my projects ahead if I'm missing something I can order the missing components online too. But I'm really interested in the thread storage unit pictured...is this your actual thread storage? If so, I'm mucho impressed!
ReplyDeleteI wish that was my thread storage! But isn't it a beautiful use of an old library card catalog. [A link to the image can be found at the bottom of the post.]
DeleteI feel like I am somewhat indecisive about projects at times. So my stash has grown out of buying things like 2 sets of buttons or two colors of trim because I'm not sure which one I will like better as my project gets underway. That and the often-times feeling that since things are on sale I should get extras of the basics. My sisters and I had this conversation last night about how many white zippers I seem to have accumulated over the years. The other thing that has contributed to my stash is the habit of picking up fabrics at thrift stores or garage sales; I may not have a project in mind, but if I don't get it then, there won't be another opportunity. Of course, such hap-hazard collecting leads to gaps in essentials. Maybe it's time to go the buying in bulk route for pattern paper and interfacing.
ReplyDeleteNaomi yes - if you've read any of Susan Khalje's books or articles it's a wax coated tracing paper used to transfer markings and stitch lines onto a muslin using a serrated wheel. The wheels are a Jo-Anna's item and easy to find, the waxed tracing paper is really hard to find. it comes in red, blue, white and yellow. The bookstore at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC is one of the few places I know of that sells it. I think it's about $8 a sheet. A website based in CA called Richard The Thread also sells it but they have $35 minimum order. It marks much better than chalk coated paper and lasts longer. Oaktag are manila folders are made from, it's used in workroons to make patterns. It lasts longer than tracing paper. I used it for my TNT patterns.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - and a sheet is about 24 inches x 36 inches. It lasts forever.
DeleteSince I pass three fabric stores on my way to work I don't really need to stockpile but I do stock up (a bit) on stuff like inferfacing, certain types of zippers, some fabric in basic colors and eventually thread and 'deco' when I get the chance to head to a rarely open outlet where they sell leftover fabric and notions from a quality manufacturer of womens apparel. (The 10km to get there are not the problem, the business hours are.)
ReplyDeleteI try to get there first when I'm planing a garnment with a deadline (aka 'event') plus some time in between -> maybe 5 or 6 times a year.
I love the idea of having bolts of this and that a home, but appart from passing several fabric stores within a 10min bikeride I don't have the space to do so. Sight.
I am so jealous that you pass THREE fabric stores every day!! Although, I imagine that can be dangerous as well!
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