Confessions of a Fabric Junkie
We all know too much collecting can be hazardous to your health. I read one time about a man who kept an extensive collection of National Geographics in his attic. It got so big that one day it fell through the ceiling, smothering him. My collecting habit has never gotten that bad. But I'm willing to admit I'm a recovering fabric junkie.
Ever since I started sewing, I've been aware I'm taking in more fabric than I'm using. After all, they know me by name at two local fabric stores. But I think it was kind a shock for my husband. He had no idea he'd married such a pack rat. But he kept his cool where a lesser man might have lost it.
We were moving from our little starter house to one where the kids would get their own rooms and I would get the little back bedroom as my sewing room. Two of my husband's buddies were helping us load the rental truck. We'll call them "Scott" and "Mike." Things had been going pretty quickly until they got to my makeshift sewing room in the basement. Besides my sewing table I had a tall cabinet, two sets of shelves, an old dresser, and two trunks. I'm sure the guys thought they'd have it all out in 10 minutes. Then Scott tried lifting the smaller of the two trunks.
"Whoah!" he said as he attempted to straighten up. "What do you have in there?"
I told him it was fabric.
"What's all this?" said Mike after opening the cabinets and seeing every shelf stacked with fabric. I laughed as if he was silly for asking the question. He called up the stairs to my husband, "We're gonna need a bigger hand truck."
My husband came down the stairs to see what the problem was. He opened and shut every single dresser drawer, seeing that each was stuffed with you-know-what. Then he opened the big trunk. I could tell the wheels of his mind were turning as he dug through the stacks of denim, corduroy, gingham, calico, satin, wool, sheer, and cotton prints of every description. If I'd stumbled across a fabric trove like mine, I'd be thinking, "Where did she get all this beautiful fabric?" Evidently that was not what my husband was thinking.
In a quiet voice he said, "What are you doing with all this?" It was like he'd discovered I had a cache of illegal explosives.
I just smiled and gave him a hug as I prayed silently, "Please don't let him look up in the attic."
I'm sure there are psychologists who specialize in textile addictions. You can probably even find scientific case studies. But as someone who's gone through it I can offer a unique perspective. Based on my own behavior, I think fabric addiction arrives in four stages.
Stage One: Normal fabric buying. You have a near-term project in mind. You purchase fabric specifically for that project. And you actually finish that project.
Stage Two: Bargain fabric buying for a some-day project. You go to a fabric sale with a future project in mind. There's no deadline like there would be for a birthday project. But at least on the day you purchased the fabric you are convinced you will finish it.
Stage Three: Bargain fabric buying with no project in mind. You find yourself at a fabric sale buying five yards of designer toile just because it's such a great deal. You're sure you'll need it for some future project.
Stage Four: No pretense whatsoever. You come home from the fabric store or a vintage shop with fabric that was not on sale and that you know you will probably never use. In fact, you're not sure you even like it. You bought the fabric simply because you like to buy fabric. Now is the time to get help.
The guys finally got the sewing furniture moved out. And I swore to my husband that I would cut down on my fabric habit. But it would make the most sense just to put it back where I originally had it until I had the chance to sort through it.
Three or four times, I've rolled up my sleeves to go in there and do just that. But how can you bear to get rid of beautiful fabric? Even the smallest piece would look wonderful in a quilt.
I know, I know, you think I'm in danger of ending up like the National Geographic man. But it's not going to happen. I'm looking into reinforcing our new attic.
Oh my! I see myself and I'm a little afraid lol! :o)
Storing fabric in plastic bins or bags works best for most fabrics, and folding flat saves space. Some fabrics, like velvet, should be hung to avoid the crushing that comes from folding. If you have a heavy fabric, like an upholstery fabric, it's better to keep it rolled rather than folded.
A plastic bin or bag will protect fabric from dust, smoke and odors. The key is to avoid direct sunlight which will fade fabric in less time than you'd think. Another reason we like clear storage bins is it's easier to get to and see your fabric.
While no one here has used vacuum bags to store fabric, it's probably fine. The downside may be that you have to unseal/vacuum every time you access them. Vacuum bags can also add wrinkles. However, if you live in an area with high humidity, the vacuum bag concept may have merit.
Due to my husband and his military career, I'm currently preparing for a big move from the US to the UK. I'm finding it hard to resist temptation when looking at fabric and thread. I know that quilt shops are far and few in-between over there and that "stocking up" may look good to me now but I'll have to deal with all of my stash being packed up and shipped off in crates on a cargo ship that will take months to get to it's final destination. Besides, I'll want to save some room for all of the great textiles I'll find while living overseas, right?
My pregnant daughter and I were visiting my son in another town and of course had to make my way to the fabric store. I mistakingly wispered out loud "try to control yourself, try to control yourself" I say this everytime I entry a fabric store. It doesn't really help but I'm always hopeful. This turned out to be a huge mistake as my daughter heard me. When we entered this very lovely fabric store, I released a little gasp at the hugh selection of fabrics. As I was walking past some very tempting displays( ok I was touching, but gently) my daughter grabs my arm and Yells INTERVENTION!!! After a few understanding looks and giggles from other fabric addicts she released me. I decided right then that I needed help. So as any good mother would do I, introduced her to the baby fabrics. Another addict born!
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