Stash busting- Bundle of Love and Artistry in Fashion

I saw the SlapDash Sewist's post on the Bundle of Love project and it sounded so timely, that I'm participating. The post I linked to does a great job summarizing the project, so I'm not going to add any more information. I'm just back from a trip to the post office to pick up some boxes so I can get some stuff in the mail early next week.

My stash (fabric, buttons, zippers, pins, threads, hand needles, yarn (! I don't even knit any more) and other notions that I have picked up at estate/garage sales) overflowth the storage shelves, closets, rubermaid bins, cabinet drawers, cardboard boxes, etc and honestly it's overwhelming. The lack of stash organization is contributing to the problem. I need to dramatically decrease the volume. I literally can't buy any more sewing stuff because I have too much stuff and I need to quickly get it out the house. The Bundle of Love project seems to fit the bill.

Oh yes, my refrigerator is fixed, so no doubt this urge to destash is heavily influenced by:

1. Rapid destashing of refrigerator/freezer contents. it was a very annoying event, but gracious, it's nice have all that room in the fridge/freezer.
2. Embarrassment of having the landlady and repair person tread their way through a nascent hoarders apartment. All elements of my fabric stash are in the same line of sight as my TV and when I channel surf and come across one of those hoarders reality tv shows, I have to rapidly change the channel. Why watch the show, when I'm so very close to living it! LOL!
3. The change in the seasons and recognition that I will be spending more time in my apartment than outside, since winter (such as it is in the San Francisco Bay Area) is coming.

On another note: Artistry in Fashion is taking place this week at Canada College, Redwood City, CA. I'm planning on attending. Sandra Betzina is having a fashion show at 11:00 in the theater and a bunch of sewing BABES from Pattern Review are getting together at 10:30 ~10:45 to watch the show. They have changed the venue and are holding the sales booths outdoors. It looks like it should be a lovely weekend.

Artistry in Fashion - Main site

Discount Coupon and map of directions <--print this out and get $1 off admission.

Map with Location details

domestic maintenance

My refrigerator broke again! The light goes on, but it's no longer keeping stuff cold. I lost a lot of stuff from my freezer, including homemade tamales, frozen lobster ravioli, frozen fish (1 salmon fillet and a bunch of pieces of frozen cod), felafel balls, ice cream including a new half gallon of french vanilla), butter. In the fridge portion, I lost some leftover food, cheese (new Parmesan flakes, condiment (ketchup, mayonnaise) and probably a whole bunch of other stuff that I can't bear to toss yet. This happened about a year ago. I'm so annoyed that it happened again. I know that I'm going to have to toss everything.

When I moved into this apartment 8 years ago, my frugal landlady bought the cheapest fridge in the store (I know, I checked) When I called her about the broken, she acted so affronted that it broke again. She wanted to know if I could stay home on Monday so I could be there when the repair person can. I can't--my job is really busy and she needs to deal with the maintenance issues. That is why I pay rent.

In other news, I was able to go to the San Mateo Quilt and Sewing show. There were was mix of different vendors: quilt, some sewing, and a number of trimming vendors. I bought some small plastic buckles, suitable for Jalie 2921, the scarf top. I almost bought some hot fix gemstones (they are really cool) but I couldn't couldn't decide on which designs to buy. I did watch some great Iron/steamer demonstrations. I know that I have reached a new level of sewing when I can contemplate an iron that costs more than $100.

I did sew two versions of Jalie 2921. It's a nice variation on a regular t-shirt. I do have some rhinestone circular buckles from SF SCRAP, but they are too large for the neck scarf. I was very happy to find the smaller buckles at the San Mateo Show. I might try to make another top tonight so I can wear it to work this week.

Self Stitched September!

I've been participating in Self Stitched September, but I have not been contributing pictures. We are 8 days into the month and I figure that this is worth a report. I've been wearing one of the several iterations of the Hotpatterns Marrakesh pants. It's still warm enough to wear the linen versions that I made earlier this summer, with one of the many knit tops (commonly the Hotpatterns Sunshine top).

I've also been working on the Jalie 2909 pattern. Right now I've decided to make a version out of denim for casual Fridays. Even though I have the Jalie Jeans pattern, I decided that I didn't want to take the time to trace out and fit the pattern, so I'm making it from Jalie 2909 (the very simple trousers pattern). I dug into my stash (literally, they were on the bottom shelf) and I pulled out some denim I purchased from an online coop. The denim is purported to be a factory overrun from 7 for all Mankind jeans. I prewashed it a while ago, and have had it tucked away until I had a great jeans pattern that fit me in a wonderful way. Well, I decided not to wait for a jeans pattern, but use a trousers pattern. I'm glad that I didn't wait.

I think that I have learned my lesson about cheap fabric---when I made my first pair of pants (about 2 years ago), I used cheap denim from a chain fabric store. Even though I've worn these jeans many times and I have laundered them roughly (no delicate wash for me!) , they are stiff and they have a waxy finish. When I folded away and stored the 7 for all Mankind denim (over a year ago), I didn't notice any difference from other denim but gracious, last night when I cut it out with my rotary cutter, it was like slicing butter. The quality of the fabric really comes through. I'm having a very easy time cutting, and sewing the fabric. It's got a lovely hand and I'm enjoying sewing this garment (when I sewed with the cheaper denim, I was almost fighting the fabric). I almost wish that I had purchased more of this lovely denim, but when I look at the volume of my stash, I'm glad that I didn't. But if I see premium denim for sale again, I will think twice! I should be able to finish the jeans tomorrow night during Project Runway--all I have to do is finish add the waistband and hem them.

There was some sad news earlier this week. Fred Bloebaum from La Fred passed away from pancreatic cancer. I'm glad that I have some of her patterns (her designs and from her personal collection). I know that I will enjoy sewing with them, and per her advice, I will always wear my favorite colors.