As sewists, we know fabric can accumulate quickly. What was once a carefully curated selection of materials for future projects often turns into a mountain of forgotten fabric that no longer inspires. Recently I came across the Facebook group Sewing at Home NZ. Soon after I joined, the admins posted a “de-stash” challenge and not only had I found a way to get involved with other sewists but a quick and easy way to say goodbye to at least one piece of fabric from my stash.
Step up to the challenge
The premise was simple: participants were to pass on fabric from their stashes to the next in line in the group. Person one passes to person two and so on until the last participant passes fabric on to person one – like a chain. The fabric pieces had to have been sitting around for at least two years. The challenge was to create something with the fabric you received. The result is then posted on the Facebook page for judging by participants like a “people’s choice”.
The prize
The competition prize was a $50 prezzie card. In New Zealand, a prezzie card is a gift card that can be purchased and pre-loaded with a chosen amount and works like a credit card – you can spend it anywhere, not just a specific store like a gift card.
Although my main reason for participating in the challenge was for the fun and experience, I can’t deny there was a little competitive streak in me. An extra $50 spending money is a nice incentive to create something that stands out. However, at the end of the day, the real reward is knowing I took on a creative challenge and made something worthwhile.
My de-stash
I immediately knew what fabric I would be passing on from my stash. It had been in my stash at least two years so it met the challenge criteria. It was 2.1m of beige denim-like stretch fabric with a maroon paisley print. I liked it when I bought it but over time it has earned the name “ugly fabric” and I cannot think what I would do with it.
Fabric sent
I contacted the person to whom I was to pass on my “ugly fabric” and apologised in advance for what I was about to send them. Thankfully their response was a laugh. I didn’t describe it to them. I thought they might like the surprise. At least there was a good length of it so they would have plenty of scope to make something the fabric deserved.
The person passing fabric to me asked me what I would like – stretch knit, woven, patterned or plain. I thought they must have a huge stash to have enough fabric sitting around for two years or more to allow choices like that. It was a good opportunity to be picky but I thought that would be cheating. I said I would be happy with whatever they sent me.
Fabric received
A few days later, a small parcel arrived in my mailbox. I was about to head out to go shopping when it arrived. I didn’t want to go inside to get a pair of scissors to open it at that time so it sat on the passenger seat of my car tempting me for a couple of hours.
I called in to my parents’ house on my way home and borrowed my mum’s scissors. I couldn’t wait any longer. Mum was excited as I was to open the parcel and see what fabric delight was inside.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. Had I received something I loved or would I end up with another piece of “ugly”, uninspiring fabric? I was nervous. I put the scissors into the courier bag opening and … chop … it was time to see what I had been sent.
The 80s called, you forgot your dress
Out popped about 82” x 34” of multi-coloured plaid fabric with shades of green, blue, pink, mustard yellow and white. I was immediately transported back to the 1980s. It reminded me of a tiered dress I wore in my teens. Mum laughed. “That’s interesting.” Was all she said.
It wasn’t what I would choose for myself these days (even if tiered dresses and plaid/gingham fabrics are back in style) but there was something fun about it.
It’s everywhere
You know how you have something on your mind, then suddenly all you can see relates to that thing? Well, that happened with the plaid fabric.
I went shopping at Ballantynes (a high-end department store) in Christchurch, New Zealand. After browsing for a while, I found a plaid bedspread. The colours were brighter than the fabric I received and pink was the predominant colour rather than green but it made me think plaid perhaps wasn’t so bad.
Later, I checked my Facebook feed and saw a video of a woman promoting a New Zealand fabric store. She wore a plaid dress very similar to the one I wore in the 1980s and with similar colours to the fabric I had been sent.
Not long after I decided to browse in the fabric store and found yet more plaid.
Maybe the fabric I received was not as unfashionable as I thought. It is said fashion goes in cycles.
Creativity in unfamiliar territory
Sewing something using fabric you didn’t choose yourself can be a bit intimidating. After a few days and with the start of the competition approaching, I couldn’t think of what to sew with the fabric I had received. Competition participants had from 1 May to 24 May to create their entry. As a sewist, I usually prefer fabrics that fit my personal style and the items I want to create for myself but with this challenge, I knew I had to step outside my comfort zone.
To be continued
Come back soon for part two.