Since being on this shopping cleanse – which I have been sticking too, honestly it’s not really that hard, I truly don’t need anything! – I’ve been cleansing some of the other aspects of my life as well. Most notably my fabric stash. Now I’m not diagnosed or anything like that but I am a self proclaimed fabric hoarder. There, I said it. I am. I save even the tiniest bits of scraps. Now this came in handy when I wanted to sell these bows in my Etsy shop but for the most part, I never use them!
Like….come on. What am I truly going to do with these? But I feel the need to keep them. Probably because fabric is the foundation of what I do and to throw even the tiniest bit away is really tragic. P.S. I watch a lot of Hoarders so I know all the signs and a lot of those people say things like what I just did all the time!
I keep all my fabric in this box. Which is really unsightly and I usually have it covered with a scarf and then some thing set on top of it. Which is another problem. It’s such a hassle to get into that I never actually use what’s in it! I’ve found more black knit fabric that anyone truly needs simply because I would always just buy new yardage instead of checking to see what I had. Stupid of me, I know. But – no longer! I plan on using everything in my box before buying new. The only time I’ll buy new yardage is if what I’m making calls for more and/or it’s a special item.
Okay, that got a bit long winded for just an intro into what this post is actually about! So while going through my fabric stash and getting rid of all those tiny, itty-bitty scraps I found these lovely fabrics that I had purchased a while back and we used as decor for a couple parties we had. Now, they had been outside but I tossed them in the washer/dryer – twice…you never know! – which is standard protocol for new fabric anyway.
Aren’t they great?! I love the print on all of them and knew I wanted to wear them. And, the fact that they were being recycled instead of just sitting around is great. If we plan more parties and new more fabric we can get some more. But these beauts aren’t available anymore and I’m all about unique stuff! I’ve made two items with the fabrics thus far and have plans for the others as well.
I found a pattern that I really loved one day while wasting a night in JoAnn’s – so much more satisfying that going clubbing! I don’t 
commonly buy commercial patterns because the sizing is always a bit weird but this one I really liked and they were having a sale, plus I knew I would get a ton of use out of. I like basic patterns that I can build off! Similar to the skirt I’m about to talk about this dress used pleats in the front and then gathers on the sides. Much more flattering! I had the most yardage of this yellow printed fabric so I whipped this dress up! I really love it and it’s perfect for summer. I haven’t made the belt yet but I plan on it. I really love the dress as is, but I feel like it’s “missing” something.I think the belt will set it off.
The second item I made with the fabrics is this skirt. It’s pretty basic – no pattern needed. Just a box pleated skirt with waistband and side zipper! I think I’m going to make a tutorial on this because it’s so easy. A couple cuts, a couple seams, and a zipper. I needed something to wear to an event that wasn’t super dressy but still was funky. I whipped this up in about 3 hours – there was a lot of breaks taken to check on the puppies (read what happened to our baby here) – and was super easy. It’s doubled up so that it isn’t see through or too thing. The weight in the hem helps it to stay down too which is nice. The only thing I wish I had done was interface the waistband because it is a little flimsy and the fabric does get a bit wrinkly. But my mind was wondering a little and at least now I know for next time! I know I definitely want to make another skirt out of the other fabric. I love the fit of this one! I love skirts like this but gathered waistbands aren’t always the best look on my body type but it seems like pleats are! Perhaps I’ll write the tutorial with the next one I make!
xoxoxox Megan
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