It’s Earth Day my lovely readers, and do you know what that means?  The end of the De-Stash Challenge!

I’ve kept my promise, I haven’t bought any fabric since the challenge began, on March 17th.   Those of you who know me well, know that isn’t the easiest thing for me   I’ve only been seriously tempted once, but I was good and put the fabric back…  Unfortunately, I haven’t had as much time to sew as I would have liked.  I did manage to complete a shirt for my DH and sew two shirts for myself.

I also found some great stash-busting projects.

We played with our fabric stashes.

One of my friends suggested a great place to donate part of your stash to.

I created a reversible, recycled totebag that’s perfect for reducing your stash and your closet!

Dyeing fabric can be a fun way to use some of your stash that you don’t like the color of anymore.

Did participating in the challenge change any habits or make you think about how much fabric (or yarn, or beads…)  I’ve gotten better about not wildly buying every piece of fabric I love (working for 4 years in a fabric store was bad for the stash!).   Just being a little more aware of what we’re consuming is a good thing

Post from: Blisstree

De-Stash Your Studio challenge – the final check in

Hello my lovely readers – it’s the last week of the De-Stash Challenge!  I haven’t bought any fabric, but last week was so busy that I didn’t get a chance to make anything either.  Don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic week – but I was out every single day and my studio definitely got ignored.

How is your challenge going?  I’ve set up a new poll on the right sidebar to vote for how you’ve done

My friend Terri suggested a great place to donate your time or yarn to: Blankets for Canada.   Some craft stores even have drop-off bins for them too – very worthwhile!

Post from: Blisstree

De-Stash Your Studio challenge – week four check in

So my lovely readers, how is the de-stashing going?  I’m still being a good little de-stasher and haven’t bought any fabric for myself.  I will however need to buy some fabric to complete a commission…  I’m not sure how this works into the De-Stash Challenge, but since it’s technically not for myself, will you forgive me?

So what happens if you’ve got fabric that you don’t want anymore?

You’re not going to just throw it out, right??

There are lots of different organizations who can use second-hand fabric!  Ask your local women’s shelter, play schools, artist co-ops – there’s even a re-using center in my city that accepts fabric.  Some stores even have a fabric recycling program – MEC will accept polyester fabric and turn it into fleece garments.

Post from: Blisstree

De-Stash Your Studio challenge – week three check in

How are you doing with the de-stashing?  I’ve treated myself to several patterns (hey, when they’re on sale for $1.99 you can’t help it!) but I’ve been very good and not bought any fabric.

I have run into one little problem though…

I’ve bought a couple of dress patterns, (including this one) and would like to make some lightweight summer dresses….  But I don’t have long enough lengths of fabric to do that!   Oh well, I’m sure I can wait until April 22nd to indulge.

I’m also looking at other ways I can de-stash – including going through my stash of patterns.  I had patterns in there that have got to be ten years old!  If I haven’t sewn them up by now, I don’t think I will – so they got either recycled or given away (depending on the condition of the pattern)

When was the last time you looked through your patterns?  Are you really going to use a pattern if you haven’t in the past decade?  How about passing it along to someone else who could use it?

Post from: Blisstree

De-Stash Your Studio challenge – week two check in

When was the last time you dug through your fabric storage boxes just for the fun of it?  I went through mine this afternoon and came up with three combinations for outfits that I could make.

Okay, contestant number one is…

Starting clockwise from the top left, a rust-colored stretch chenille (I’m thinking a shrug or bolero out of this piece) lightweight, celery-colored embroidered cotton (skirt).  Bottom right is a border-printed, embroidered linen (I’ve got enough to do a camisole).  Bottom left is a brighter green faux-silk knit with a slight shimmer (an alternate shrug or a shell)

Once again, starting clockwise from top left, the stripe is a super soft & slinky matte jersey (I’ve got a long-sleeve blouse that will work beautifully).  The turquoise is a very light-weight embroidered cotton (I’m thinking a lined, buttoned blouse for this one).  The brown is a crinkle cotton eyelet which would make a lovely skirt… as long as I line it   The one next to it is actually navy, but my camera didn’t pick that up.  It’s a drape-y polyester suiting with a touch of stretch – it’s earmarked for a pair of pants.

I know I used the rusty chenille for another outfit, but it’s my stash and I want to use it again   The orange cotton paisley is a lovely crisp cotton, but I think it may get turned into an A-line skirt.  The tan is a light weight stretch cotton – perfect for a longer cargo skirt or cargo pants.  The pink is a faux-silk knit and would be lovely as a shrug or a drapey camisole.

So much fun playing with fabric… and it’s all stuff I already have!  What’s inspiring you in your stash?

Post from: Blisstree

playing with your fabric stash

It’s time for the weekly check-in!

Did you stray?  Was there a yard of something lovely that you couldn’t put down?  Did that that ball of yarn “magically” appear in your shopping basket?

I was surprisingly well-behaved this week…  My favorite fabric store had a sale on some pricey patterns this week, and so I dropped in on Saturday to pick them up.

But I went to a location I don’t normally go to… and it was one of the biggest in the city!  Argh argh argh.

I was a good little de-stasher and didn’t buy anything!

Well… except for my patterns

So, how about you?

Post from: Blisstree

De-Stash Your Studio challenge – weekly check in

I’ve found some great ideas for “stash busting” projects out there:

• Got some spare ribbon?  How about making a ribbon bracelet.
• Use covered button forms, fabric & embellishments to create earrings.
• Does your watch band look a little shabby?  Try fabric!
• Check out this charming little bird brooch.

Now what if you’re trying to de-stash your yarn collection?  Noreen from Hankering for Yarn has some fun & easy projects, perfect for using up those little pieces of yarn that you’re holding onto.

• Make a spool-knitted kittycat bookmark.
• Enchant a lucky child with this collection of finger puppets.
• It’s always the right time of year to give someone a Valentine – if it’s this spool-knitted one

I hope you all feel inspired to go have fun with your stash now!

Post from: Blisstree

day two of the De-Stash challenge

I’ve got a new challenge for all my lovely Tangled Thread readers

Part of what I do is educate young children on how to take care of the planet.  Did you know that one of the most important things we can do is to use less stuff?   I realized that I don’t always practice what I teach… I have lots and lots of stuff, fabric to be specific!  I’ve got enough fabric to keep myself in new outfits and projects every day of the week for months now… so that’s what I’m going to do.

My challenge to myself is to not buy any fabric from now until Earth Day, April 22nd.   I’m challenging you all to choose one thing that you have lots of (whether it’s fabric, yarn, beads etc) and to not buy anymore for the next few weeks.  Use up what you have in your stash!

I’ll report back to you every week, and I’d love it if you leave a comment about what you’re choosing to de-stash.

Post from: Blisstree

De-Stash Your Studio challenge