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Stitching & Crafting Room:  When you buy fabric, how much?  |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 05:03:51 AM
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When you find fabric you really really love but don't have immediate plans for it, how much do you buy? 1/2 yard? 1 yard? 2 yards?
If I want to use it for an apron and maybe some for piecework, should I buy 2 yards?
How often do you buy just 1/2 yard or even 1/4 yard? |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 05:30:49 AM
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I always try to buy at least 2 yards. Most of the clothing patterns I like require at least 1.5 yards and if I want to maybe use it in a quilt instead, 2 yards is a good amount to have.
I buy 1 yard for fabrics that I know I'll be doing small projects with, but hardly ever get less than that, unless it is something I am planning to make into a purse (using interior decorating fabric or some upholstery fabric). Esp. if it's super expensive, then I might get a half or quarter yard. I did this with some really nice but pricey tapestry fabrics which I later used for purses.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 06:50:27 AM
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If I am buying muslin it is the whole bolt I buy. Any thing else a little more than what is needed for the project in case I make a mistake. otherwise it is ususally fat quarters I don't sew much in the way of clothes any more. At a thinft store I buy what ever they have in cottons.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com
my web stores www.sunshines.etsy.com and http://vintagethreads.etsy.com
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Edited by - sunshine on Nov 26 2006 2:33:46 PM |
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vintagechica
True Blue Farmgirl
438 Posts
Eren
Poolville
TX
USA
438 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 07:37:29 AM
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If I really, really love it I always get 3 yards...that just seems to be my fabric "default" setting, LOL! Because it never fails, it a project comes along that is perfect for that fabric I saw a couple of weeks ago and I go back to buy some...its always gone and Im kicking myself.
But sometimes I do buy just 1/2 yard here or there, esp. in the remnants.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A sure way to avoid housework...live outdoors.
www.vintagechica.typepad.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 09:07:59 AM
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My minimum is 3 yards too for something I could maybe use for a dress, a skirt or top, etc. If it is more of a craft fabric or something ritzy or glitzy I may just buy a yard, to use it for embellishment, but only if it's a really good deal.
Otherwise I try to just buy for a project. I am trying the Just-in-Time inventory method for fabric purchases. This rule, however, does NOT apply to the yarn stash....
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 09:58:13 AM
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If it is "apron worthy" fabric I get 2 yards just in case it could be one some day. I do buy 1/2 yard pieces for smaller projects sometimes but try to buy a yard if I can. I do love those fat quarters though. I guess my answer is that it depends on the fabric. There was a great 50% off sale at the closest quilt shop to here (15 miles away) last week on 3 of the MOda collections and I got enough for a throw size quilt..backing and all..and 3 1/2 yard pieces too. Now I am thinking it would have been a good time to get some extra for quilt backings at that price.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 10:12:33 AM
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It depends on the fabric and whether I might want it just to blend or (at the other extreme) want to have enough for a quilt back. Since most fabrics aren't available for long, I buy at least three yards if I really like it. Minimum is usually a yard... but a backing for a king sized bed is six, unless it's extra wide and doesn't need seaming. The fat quarters are good for scrap quilts. Sometimes the only way to get any of a specific fabric is a fat quarter. Can one ever have too much fabric???
Unless I buy on-line, it's two hours to my nearest "good" quilt shop. I try to make for no regrets.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 2:46:21 PM
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I buy muslin by the bolt and I like to shop the clearance fabrics and usually get whatever is left on the bolt in that case. Otherwise I stick to 5 yards of fabrics I love if I have no immediate plans.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 2:47:18 PM
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| curtains take about 1 or two yards per window, so if I like the fabric for that type of thing (in the future), I get enough to make the curtains. Otherwise, I will buy a yard or two for quilting, pillows, tablecloths or aprons. Most aprons need 1 to 2 yards, and a quilt will generally need a quarter to a yard of each fabric. I will NOT even begin to tell you how many crates of fabric I have in the attic and in my sewing room. I do find uses for them eventually though. I am using fabrics from 5 years ago on towels and tablecloths right now. Forget about the aprons...I am making lots of them (quick and lovely to make for anyone.) I keep imagining that times will get tight for the economy someday and I will have enough fabric to sew through it all!! Enjoy the sewing!! XXOO Sheryl |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 5:23:46 PM
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Hi there,
I have a fabric notebook that I take to the store with me:
My Favorite Gored Skirt: 1 5/8 or 1 1/2 (45" or 60")
My Favorite Unconstructed Jacket: 1 5/8
My Favorite Trouser Skirt: 1 1/4
My Favorite Wrap Skirt: 2 5/8 of 60" only
My Favorite Knit Dress: 3 1/4 (it's long and full)
etc., etc.
This way I can assess what I will probably use the fabric for and buy accordingly. I can always change my mind later (and frequently do), but I still have a fall-back position in case the perfect project never comes up.
Best,
Robin |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2006 : 5:26:38 PM
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Oh, I also try to keep up-to-date lists of what I already /have/ in my fabric notebook (HA!) so that if I am looking for another to-die-for perfect knit I can see that I already have 4 different pieces ready to make up. It doesn't always discourage me from buying, but it helps me avoid something that isn't /really/ perfect.
Best,
Robin |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: When you buy fabric, how much? |
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When you buy fabric, how much?
