Organizing My Fabric Stash and Projects

So I have tons of projects I want to create...

But its so hard especially without having a dedicated room to craft/sew. 

I am relegated to a corner of the den.

Unfortunately, that also means that 'lil bit' can (if she's being especially Indiana Jones like) climb over the rubber maid tote wall I placed in her path to keep her away from the many dangerous sewing implements I tend to use.... scissors, straight pins, irons...

So I have had to come up with a crafty (get it??? haha) way to keep her safe and my projects organized and in their place.

Besides being a "bin hoarder' as my dear husband calls me, I tend to try and group my projects and all their accoutrements in a bag (zip lock, reusable totes, homemade bags).

So I take the fabric, pattern, and any trims I will need and stuff it in a bag.

This keeps my project all in one place and helps me visualize my steps to complete the project.

It works most of the time unless I forget to update my pattern book (book with a picture and yardage list for each of the patterns I own). If that happens and I think of a new project I want to do, there might be a bit of panic as I think I misplaced, lost or did not buy a specific pattern!

Fool proof? 

No, but it works for me.

But, ohh what I would give for one of these!!!!

Fill it with baskets and place each project in its own cubby!!

Awesome sauce ! 

My Sewing + Historical Costuming Obsession= Broke

I always have to stop in a fabric store !

I can't ride past, even if I'm not driving I automatically request that hubby pull over so I can 'run in real quick' an check out what they have...

Lol...

 Not so great when unemployed and living off one salary!

So, I try to give myself a budget for every month.

Typically, I don't spend that much but I end up rolling it over to the next month.

Oh, and don't forget the wonders of thrift stores !

Goodwill has been very good to me the last couple times I popped in for a quick glance around.

Some people don't have that luxury budget to purchase silks and the like.

So I tend to haunt three different locations in my area the SAS Fabric store ( several locations) , Joann's Fabrics and Goodwill. 

SAS Fabrics has a plethora of trims and relatively cheap prices items.

 Satin and taffeta is typically $2.99 a yard and velvet is $7.99 for the cheap stuff and $9.99 for the silk blend!

I was able to score this gorgeous albeit bright taffeta plaid for a mere $1 a YARD!!

Goodwill is great because typically they don't realize that the fabrics they are marking for $2.99 or the like is a silk or brocade or wool or that's it 3-6 yards! 

Score for me! 

I picked up a couple pieces I really liked, this pretty paisley was only .99 cents and it was almost a yard and a half.

You have to choose your 'battles' so I try to really think hard on if I actually 'need' the fabric to finish a project. My sewing sensibilities always tells me to get it!

Me vs Fabric 

Fabric Wins every time! 

Till later !

A 'Lil Red Riding Hood' for 'Lil Bit'

So, after completing a Ladies Jacket and Anglaise Gown for myself I had some yardage left over. 

What to do! 

Make 'lil bit' a outfit!!!! 

So I started searching the MET, Pinterest and one of my Colonial Williamsburg books. 

And I found these pictures...

Embroidered Linen Dress 18th C. Front

Back of Embroidered Linen Dress

 

Glazed Cotton Dress 18th C. 

 After finagling the remaining pieces of fabric I was able to work out the shape needed. 

What pattern did I use??? 

Why my 'Lil Bit', of course!!! When she woke up this morning after hugs, kisses, and some juice to start her day; she gladly obliged to my request to lay down on mommy's fabric. I simply traced her body out making sure to keep her arms straight out. 

From studying and enlarging the pictures researched, several things became apparent; 1) there were no front princess or waist seams, 2) the sleeves were not separate pieces, 3) there were only side seams, a somewhat pleated side and back at the waist area. 

Unfortunately,  I did not have enough fabric to make all the pleats in the skirt so I simplified my dress. I cut the back a tad too wide and made a box pleat at the top neck and ended it about waist length.

I rolled the neck hem and slip stitched it down.
The front and hem are folded twice and slip stitched as well. I wanted to be able to simply un-hem the front or hem to add extra width/length if she needed it.

On the extant dress and the descriptions provided with them, no obvious closures are discussed. Since I do want to be able to let out the gown I don't want anything to permanent and I didn't want to use pins. (Too dangerous for a toddler). So I will probably be adding some type of threaded loops with ribbon to laced down and close it at center front. 

With the dress 90% done I couldn't leave her with out her outerwear!

So I quickly cut a cape out of some red wool remnants.

Again, fabric was limited so the front panels are a little skinny.

The hood is lined with some white taffeta I found in my scrap bin.

The casing for the ribbon ties is bias tape, which has been stitched to the top inside selvage edge and slip stitched down.

I also used bias tape to hem the bottom. 

Here's a picture of 'lil bit' running away cause she didn't want to try on the cape.....

She's quick!! 

Hopefully, I can find some linen in my stash to make a bonnet and a petticoat or chemise to go with the outfit. 

Then we can take a picture of it all together!!