Colorizing

 

The colorizing has begun - this is how I tackle fabric sorting. First, identify the best storage options available to you and expect this to change over time. I like the upgrades and enjoy revisiting fabric prints when this occurs; it often sparks new ideas for projects and gifts.

Next, I have several different types of collector fabric lines from some of my absolute favorite designers. I keep mine separated because I like to use them together in projects, rarely adding from other lines except what I consider to be basics, but my collection is fairly extensive. If you have a general stash, limited space, and/or are not interested in the first division, it's unnecessary. These aren't rules, just organizing options from someone that has spent quite a bit of time growing the sewing room over many years. 

Next, I put each piece into general color categories. For the 30s, I use blue, green, red, pink, orange {I swore I'd never know what to do with 😆}, yellow, black, brown, and cream backgrounds of varying colored conversational prints. Don't worry about values of your fabrics yet, there is plenty of time to create subcategories after folding occurs. 

When you hold/fold/touch it, what is your first instinct? What is your overall read (majority color)? If you don't know, take a break and look at it from far away when you return or add multicolor to your sorting list. You can always change your mind and this is for your benefit. Don't stress about it or take too much time on this element because there are additional sorting stages...and fabric can be moved. Take a deep breath, you've got this. 

For now, I'm leaving the fat quarter "shoe box" for Dear Jane fabrics alone though they're getting wonky again with some pinks and purples squished in there. I purposely left the blue FQ in the middle of the pinks to demonstrate what feels like one color initially. It will stand out from the other prints if it needs to be moved. I used to keep all multiple color fabrics in their own pile when I began sorting 30s; it gets easier over time. 

The new and oh so tall cabinet has vertical space available, which I am definitely not accustomed to. This is a great opportunity to learn a new folding technique. I'd like something easy and consistent, regardless of fabric size. Then the Heather Ross fabric has to move again. Great news - a long, also new cabinet was cleared in today's 30s sorting session. The length should be perfect for yardage. I'll get to the Aneela Hoey, Liberty of London, Kaffe Fassett, and Tula Pinks after the two largest (so far!) collections are complete.  I'm leaning toward moving basics to the first Heather Ross cabinet; just a glance is usually all it takes to grab my coordinating basics, so keeping them to the back of the room should not cause any access issues. The "small" cabinet is the one with the solid doors at the back of the photo to the right.

Happy Sorting,
Heather 

Embroidery Floss & Scrap Storage

As I was looking for some fabric in the sewing room the other day, I realized that I forgot to post the final home for the ever-growing embroidery floss collection. This large glass jar was a gift many years ago and has housed a lot of items in that time.

 The most recent collection stored here were fabric scraps that required much larger storage solutions - the fabrics that I have already used in the construction of the Over the Rainbow 30s Dear Jane. It won't be long and I'll have all those lovely pieces and bits joining the soon to be colorized reproduction collection and I can hardly wait!

Happy sewing & stash organization,
Heather

Printing Quick Projects & Organizing the Sewing Room

 

Good afternoon everyone! I was excited to see the US numbers increasing in the stats this weekend.  💕 I've been clearing out the sewing room after my DH added a couple storage options. I have been sorting, colorizing and moving fabrics around while printing some Alice Caroline Liberty of London Sew Along patterns for a friend's gift bag and related goodies. 

My dearest, oldest friend has been waiting so patiently as I heal from shoulder and multiple wrist surgeries; it's taken far longer than I could have imagined, truly.  They're not a fan of mixing prints or charm projects, so I'll have to pull a 💙 solid, maybe some of the light, yarn-dyed Speckled Blue Essex Linen for the dotty fabric? I'm just not sure yet. 

I don't have enough yardage for a full bag with insert(s) or tool bag, so I'm hoping something like the X fabric will also work for her. It's been so long, maybe it will be more appealing at this point. 

That is what happens when purchasing yardage is not a priority, I suppose. Now that I'm getting to projects other than the Rainbow 30s Dear Jane, I have been purchasing larger cuts. What can I say? Live and learn. 

Happy Sewing & Organizing,

Heather

Aurifil Deal

Twenty Aurifil Tula Pink cotton spools (50 wt) are deeply discounted at Hawthorne Supply Co. currently. They're perfect for fans of vibrant modern textiles and some 30's reproduction palettes. It's the lowest price that I've come across for popular designer collections. 

I just love Aurifil thread for my machine piecing and have had to do far less maintenance since making the switch but have been sticking to neutrals and white for current projects. Inexpensive thread causes major lint accumulation in our sewing machines. That makes it challenging to stay on top of, especially for those of us cranking out projects consistently. There was just one shop that cleaned and repaired sewing machines within a one hour travel radius when I moved here; it closed by the pandemic and I've relied on youtube videos since.  

Happy Shopping, 

Heather

Judie Rothermel's New Releases & More

Goodies just arrived and I can't wait to work with them! Judie Rothermel's Aunt Grace Goes Scrappy line is as lovely as expected. Some of the prints are re-releases in case you missed the original promotions. Initially, I only purchased small cuts and was a bit late to the party; the additional yardage is certainly welcome. 

The all-pastel jelly roll by Riley Blake will fit right in the growing stash. I decided to go with some smaller cuts of tiny prints that can be utilized in several projects. Reproduction prints and their beautiful, cheery color combinations are still appealing to me after all these years. Of course, the Over the Rainbow Dear Jane is still on my mind, but I also have a few other plans for some upcoming projects once sewing room access is restored. 

DH & the kids have been changing layouts in a couple of bedrooms and the only available temporary storage space available in a pinch was the laundry/sewing room. The applique go-bags and embroidery supplies are somewhere beneath the growing piles. Fingers crossed this process goes quickly, I'm difficult to deal with when I can't piece, applique, quilt, or embroider, as you can imagine. 

Happy Sewing,

Heather