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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Stash Busters aka Amanda vs Lisette 2245

When there's too much fabric, 
Hanging round your shelves...
Who you gunna call? 
Stash Busters!


When you have old patterns, 
That still aren't made...
Who you gunna call? 
Stash busters!


I'm gunna make me some plans,
With stuff in my stash...
Time to become a...
Stash buster!


It's time to stash bust.

After reading a number of posts about fabric selection over the last few weeks I took some time to look through my stash. Egads- it was like a jungle in there! I've only been on this sewing gambit since the start of this year so my fabric pile wasn't too high but there are some hot messes hidden within... Bizarre cat wizz yellow floral polyester print? Check. Odd faux 70s floral upholstery fabric? Check. Random voile patterned like a major bruise from derby? Check. What can I say? My early fabric purchasing days were somewhat eclectic. But since I bought myself some lovely goodies in the States I have started to appreciate quality and feel rather than cheap. So with this in mind I started the Great Fabric Cull of 2012. My stash is now looking harmonious and colour coordinated. But what of the dross? Well that is where Stash Busters comes in. I have paired fabric that is still lovely but I have no plans for with patterns already existing in my collection. Over the next few months I will be making exiting new projects with quality fabric as well as carving through my old fabric bit by bit to bust the stash... Feel free to join in and start whipping your fabric stash into line!

Which leads me to my first stash busting project... Lisette 2245 which I have made a tunic from before. Or projects. I tried this pattern twice- once with a Lisette cotton sateen and then with my left over tiny houses voile. Let's have a look, shall we?

Cotton sateen...


Fail.

The lovely yoke feature of this top is completely lost here and the drape of the fabric is all wrong. It feels super boxy and there are weird folds in the fabric. I call this a stash busting fail.

Luckily for me I had some leftover tiny houses fabric from my Cynthia Rowley dress muslin. After some grading down of the pattern around the hips and removing the button fastening at the back of the neck I had a second go.

Cotton voile...


Win!

What I liked about this pattern:
  • The relaxed fit. I'm generally all about the fitted pieces so this is a lovely change.
  • Nice and easy instructions to follow.

What I would change for next time:
  • Fit the neckline better. It feels a wee bit too wide on the ol' shoulders.
  • Fine a way to make the yoke feature pop more. This could be contrast fabric or mayhaps even some sassy piping...

So welcome to the first of my stash busting adventures. I feel there are going to be some awesome successes... And some tragic fails. If you're also doing some stash busting, please link away in the comments! I love to see how people handle the excess in their fabric collection.

 But now you must excuse me- I'm off to play a rousing game of volleyball in my relaxed fit tee...


(Don't ask. I have no idea what I was doing when this photo was taken...)
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21 comments:

  1. prttynpnkSeptember 16, 2012 at 4:58 AM

    Too cute! I'd call the last pic 'Muscle Beach party'...that back button never seemed to have a point on mine either...so what do you do with all the upholstry fabric? I have a heap too.

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  2. RachelSeptember 16, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    I used half a metre of the upholstery fabric I have on a new ironing board cover. After that I was stuck though.

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  3. tractorgirlSeptember 16, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    upholstery fabric gets made into BAGS!

    And my stash is big - but it needs to be BIGGER - I love using two different fabrics in a piece, and often the colours a re not exactly perfect together, or the colours are fine and the textures are way off.... (Do I have a problem?) ;D

    and yes, cotton voile is a lovely fabric! It's a sweet print too.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    It is amazing how quickly it the stash grows, huh! Kind of like the blob. I was thinking you were playing volleyball in the last pic?

    ReplyDelete
  5. SuzySeptember 16, 2012 at 5:28 PM

    Hi Amanda, just letting you know you won my giveaway! Please email me at suzybeesews (at) hotmail (dot) com :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. ReadyThreadSewSeptember 16, 2012 at 9:56 PM

    Beware - one day your baby stash will grow into a real stash, and then there's no stopping it from taking over your home (and the patterns collude in the takeover). There is no defence - their temptation is too great.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2012 at 12:52 AM

    I generally have things in my stash that will be used for something. But I havent gotten round to making it yet. :P
    I do want to grow my stash a bit for those moments when you just fancy making something randomly but I haven't had the cash or sometimes lack inspiration!

    Oh and I love your pictures! So much fun!

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  8. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:43 AM

    Pinky- best. photo. name. ever.

    And as for the upholstery fabric... I'm thinking a bag/makeup roll...

    ReplyDelete
  9. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:43 AM

    Rach- that is a rad idea with the upholstery fabric! We so need a new cover!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:45 AM

    Julie- I am totes thinking bags. I am scared of getting a big stash though and having lovely things getting lost (I am a horribly organised anal retentive type- just ask Jess). Am loving the idea of a mix and match fabric bag though...

    ReplyDelete
  11. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:46 AM

    I fear the stash blob, Sarah! And I was goofing around waiting for husband to sort out the iPhone when that picture happened. I'm thinking I was totes Iceman from Top Gun!

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  12. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:47 AM

    I'm scared, RTS! I love the way you manage your stash and record everything going in and out. Super inspiring. I have been very good and haven't bought any fabric in two months. It's kind of freaking me out to be honest...

    ReplyDelete
  13. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:48 AM

    Thanks, Kim! I am a bit of a goof with photos. And in my day to day living. It kind of fits ;) I'm thinking of having a core stash of a few awesome different fabrics (polka dots are def in there!) that can be on back up. But small. Otherwise I could totes be on Hoarders...

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  14. ZoeSeptember 17, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    Good luck with the stash busting!!!!! Looks like you've got some real gems in there, possibly years worth of sewing?! xx

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  15. AmandaSeptember 17, 2012 at 3:47 PM

    Thanks, Zoe! There are some winners in the stash. Should keep me out of mischief for a while!

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  16. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    Stash busters? You are too too funny! I've been wanting to watch a Halloween movie and your post just made me think of Ghostbusters. Yep, I'm going do it - watch it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AmandaSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    So glad you got the ghost busters reference, Maddy! Give in to epicness of it all :D

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  18. ZoeSeptember 19, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Hi Amanda, sorry two comments on the same post! Just wanted to say thanks so much for your sweet comment on my sewing classes post, it was much appreciated. Zoe xxx

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  19. AmandaSeptember 19, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    You're most welcome, Zoe! It's such a rad achievement :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. EmSeptember 25, 2012 at 4:12 AM

    I want to see you make something with the bizarre cat wizz yellow floral polyester print!
    (best description of a fabric colour)

    ReplyDelete
  21. AmandaSeptember 26, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    Unfortunately cat wizz yellow polyester print is now with the fine folk at Lifeline find a new home. There is only so much a lady can work with ;)

    ReplyDelete