Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Fabric Exercise

I spent most of yesterday, the second rainy day of the week, re-organizing, or as I frequently call it, "curating," my fabric collection.  I have bins of fabric that returned north in those relocubes.  Now I face the task of deciding what to keep, what to donate, what to sell and where to put it all.  It is truly a process, not a one time event, to get this done and I am working to keep my serenity.  I do enjoy just fondling and "petting" my fabric when I reorganize it.  I cherish the colors, the textures and the potential for each piece.  It's also interesting to see how a dozen years of serious sewing effort has lead me to particular styles and wardrobe needs.  I'll be sharing some of the lessons all this year as the project continues.  Meanwhile there are two large bags of fabric heading to next week's project of sewing professional looking skirts for low-income women interviewing for jobs.  And there are two large boxes so far heading for future sewing guild "free tables."

On Monday, the first rainy day, I took on combining the clothes from the FL condo clean out with my wardrobe here in Baltimore.  I took out all the "bottoms"....jeans, pants, capris, shorts, leggings, and skirts.  Each one I tried on to see: does it fit? (I've lost weight this year so some things were just too big and not worth altering), was it flattering? (that nixed all but two pairs of capri pants since I have skirts that are cool and much more flattering for summer wear) did I wear it in the last two years?  Turns out I have more LL Bean outdoor pants to wear than I really need.  Three large bags and a half dozen suits and jackets on hangers left today for the Junior League resale shop.  

Here's one lesson so far.  A dozen or more years ago I thought I would be sewing a lot of art to wear items, particularly jackets.  I know several wonderfully talented fabric artists in this area....Stephanie Goddard, Rae Cumbie, Nancy Schreiber....and have enjoyed classes with them tremendously.  Turns out "artsy" is their style, but not mine, in any serious way.  Nonetheless I purchased fabrics over the past years to make pieced, elaborate jackets...and of course, have either never made them or else don't regularly wear those that I have sewn.  That's where today's sewing project started its life in my house.  
Hand painted59"  panel from Mekong River Textiles
I bought this lovely hand painted raw linen or silk panel from the equally lovely Susan McCauley  Mekong River Textiles with the idea that it would be pieced onto some artsy jacket.  Not going to happen in my lifetime it seems.  Instead I get to enjoy the beauty of it as a runner on my dining room table.   I basted it onto a piece of cotton flannel then bound it with a silk-cotton blend from Fabric Mart.  I'll hand sew the binding on the back while visiting with sewing friends in the next two days.  Hooray, space cleared in my stuffed fabric closets and I'll be enjoying this fabric instead of feeling guilty for having purchased it and not used it.
A better life as a dining room table runner in progress
Clever idea I saw to manage your binding while stitching it to the edge
It was a gorgeous, sunny day today and before dinner Mr. Lucky and I took another drive to see those magnificent Sherwood Gardens.  It's been 12 days since our last visit and new beds of tulips have blossomed and while the cherry trees are almost done with their display, the azaleas are just coming out in all their glory.  


Aren't those tulips glorious near this bright orange hydrant?
Look, raw edged tulips, just like some of my jacket trims!!
 Some of you thought at first that these glorious gardens might be in my backyard.  No, my green thumb efforts are far more modest although quite a bit of work for the two of us each spring and fall.  Our latest project was planting a River Birch tree cluster in the backyard last week in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day.  You can just make it out to the right center of the back lawn area.
New River Birch cluster 
Next sewing project will be something more in my own fashion and style.  I hope you too are sewing something that you will enjoy and appreciate.

10 comments:

  1. Hi, I think we all fall into the trap of wearing things that are someone else's style (or the job;s style, or what Mum said suited us). I'm glad you have worked out your own sense of style.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a gorgeous piece of fabric! I would have hated to cut it up -- so glad you turned it into a table runner. Perfect! I love to curate my fabrics too -- I love those moments when I come across a long-forgotten piece that inspires me. Your backyard garden looks just as beautiful as Sherwood Gardens!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How wonderful that you managed to find another way to enjoy that gorgeous piece of fabric. It certainly looks lovely on your table.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I envy you your industry. On my last rainy day I stayed in my housecoat, read, and napped. So I need to get inspired from your blog, as we have several rainy days coming up!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is a great idea to use the fabric as a runner. It's lovely. Thanks for the peak into your garden areas-so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That fabric in gorgeous...better on your table than sitting on a shelf for years!
    And the gardens? Dreamy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Spring looks glorious out in your area. I hope you keep posting garden photos.

    I visited the South Coast Botanic Garden 2 days ago with my mom to see the roses in full bloom. It's much bigger than my 700 sf patio garden, and zero maintenance! That leaves more time to pet my fabric collection. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a post full of pretty! I've kept it open all day so I could keep looking back at the beautiful fabric-now-table-runner. And your unbelievable yard!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the "curating" comment! And your backyard is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great use for that fabric. I would have never thought to use it as a table runner. Love your backyard

    ReplyDelete

Love your comments, opinions, advice and questions. I just ask that we all "play nice."