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Post by cosmoblue on Oct 19, 2007 12:46:41 GMT -5
So, really what is in your stash? Which patterns do you have? Which costume related books are in your library that you look at regularly? Do you have fabulous fabric and trims sitting in a closet somewhere waiting to be used on just the right garment? My imaginary stash is out of control already!
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Oct 19, 2007 12:55:42 GMT -5
I have: S&S gown/pelisse/stay/shift/chemisette + Butterick patterns i never used. I'm waiting for my Mode Bagatelle patterns. I modify my S&S patterns to adjust for sleeves, neckline, and I often just 'wing' the dress; the pieces I use are the front, sides & back of the bodice; and I adjust those accordingly. I have: Wingeo tailcoat, Simplicity shirt, Eagle breeches, Rocking Horse Farm waistcoat I have tons of trims I've been collecting, I don't accumulate fabric, we live in a small house with ltitle storage. Besides, my tastes change frequently.  I have two primary gowns; one mid-length sleeve, and one long sleeve. I have several over-dresses and pelisses; some of which can go over either dress. I have red shoes, white shoes, ivory shoes... TONS of things like feathers, buttons, beads, jewelry making stuff, hair-stuff, clasps.... Too much stuff, really. And I'm off to the fabric store today (25% off sale) |
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Oct 19, 2007 12:59:50 GMT -5
Oooh, and I also have some of those regency paper doll books; odd as it sounds, they're very inspiring.
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Post by cosmoblue on Oct 19, 2007 13:53:41 GMT -5
Paper doll books? Hmmm, I'll have to add that to my imaginary stash.
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Post by Val on Jan 8, 2008 20:32:17 GMT -5
Umm..my fabric stash has taken over half the closet in my sewing room (my costumes took the other) my patterns are stored in Rubbermaid totes under my sewing table, and my books have filled two shelves. I've started collecting one of each of the costume patterns that Simplicity or Butterick come out with, depending on if it's a style I like, mostly because they keep retiring patterns, and then if I want one, I have to buy it at a higher price on ebay. Since my costume tastes run from Medieval up to the 20s, and includes some fantasy.
We call this C.A.D.D. Costume Attention Deficit Disorder. It has taken over my room.
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Jan 9, 2008 22:29:55 GMT -5
Closet? Lady Egg and I have nine large plastic tubs of fabric in the garage. Another couple of tubs for trim, cording, and lace. A few more boxes of scraps less than a yard long. I have a few lengths of coat-weight wool that don't fit into any of the tubs, and then there are number of bolts or partial bolts, mostly of staples, such as plain muslin, linen, cotton twill, etc.
This is too much to keep track of, so we have an index card system (not my idea, originally; I read about it somewhere online, but didn't note down where) where each card has a swatch stapled to it, and lists fabric content, if it's been washed, where and when it was bought, if it's intended for a particular project, and width and remaining length of fabric. Also, the number of the tub in the garage whcih contains the fabric.
We have about a shelf-full of costume-related books, plus another shelf of my uniform-specific books. Norah Waugh is probably the most often referred to, though Davis' Men's Garments and ones by R.L. Shep come close behind.
We have a couple of drawers full of patterns, but I'd have to go through them to comment on them, and they're in the garage too; we have no sewing room since baby arrived.
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 10, 2008 1:00:35 GMT -5
This is too much to keep track of, so we have an index card system (not my idea, originally; I read about it somewhere online, but didn't note down where) where each card has a swatch stapled to it, and lists fabric content, if it's been washed, where and when it was bought, if it's intended for a particular project, and width and remaining length of fabric. Also, the number of the tub in the garage whcih contains the fabric. That is such a good idea! I already came home from the fabric store this weekend and I can't remember the content of one of my fabrics. I was deciding between a cotton linen blend and a pure linen and I am not sure which one I bought. If I had written it down on a card or something I wouldn't have to wonder. |
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Post by Val on Jan 10, 2008 12:30:59 GMT -5
Being obsessive-compulsive that I am I have a couple notebooks to store this type of info. One is my Pattern Collection book- it has pages I've printed out with a photo of each pattern that I get off the internet (3 to a page) and the general amount of fabric needed for them. I also have a small notebook in my purse that has the pattern number, a general description of it, with the amounts of fabric and trim needed for when I'm out and about shopping. Another book, Finished costumes, has a photo of me in my costume, or just it, along with the pattern pic and a swatch of the fabric used. Another book, Future projects, is the fattest.  It has a pic of the pattern, and whatever fabric swatches I've bought for it. That may be as many as 3 or 4 swatches sometimes. Also in that book are swatches of all my fabrics, not assigned to a specific pattern yet, with the amount of the fabric purchased written on it. Also have photos of some costumes, or various parts, I'd like to make. Sometimes it's just a trim or the way it was made. Further in it are pics of bonnets, shoes, or hairstyles. Any fabric that can be washed, is washed prior to being shelved. I've folded my fabrics on cardboards forms given to me by JoAnns, which they throw away. I attached a piece of paper with the amount of yardage to it. Photo here www.pbase.com/cinnamonhrts/image/91490784 There is a second row behind the ones you can see. I need to start using them as I've run out of room. I was just keeping copies of costumes in my harddrive but after having two crashes, I copy them to disks now and then also print them out. Since it's 2008, it's time to clean out the 07 collections off the harddrive. I also keep a lot of them in my online album on pbase.com. |
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 10, 2008 15:20:52 GMT -5
Val - You are awesome! ;D I love how you have a notebook for your purse I may steal a couple (or all) of your ideas. Seeing as I don't have a stash right now since I am just starting and only have the fabrics I bought for the current project, now is the perfect time for me to start getting organized. I am going to have to start collecting fabrics at sales etc.
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Jan 10, 2008 17:14:39 GMT -5
We do bring the box of index cards along with us when we go fabric shopping; it makes matching colors much easier. Having a portable list of patterns and their requirements, like Val describes, is a great idea. I'll have to try it.
Good documentation of finished costumes is something we're sadly lacking in the Goblin-Egg household; usually once I get going on a costume I never pause long enough to take pictures!
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Post by Val on Jan 10, 2008 18:03:56 GMT -5
I'll tell you, while I'm sitting at the computer, if I need to tell someone what pattern # I'm using, if I have it, etc, it sure makes it easy just reaching over and grabbing the notebook. Please feel free to steal any ideas. I thought the 3x5 cards was a good idea until I got to 20 fabrics, and they looked like cr*p when I pulled them out of my purse. And Chris, I think a small notebook would be better for you than 3x5s in a purse. Yes, yes, I know you're guy.  I have a small 3x4" hardbound book, kind of like a journal that I use. It holds up better than a little spiral notebook but those would work too. I find them at Michael's often in the $1 bins. Val |
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Jan 10, 2008 22:04:01 GMT -5
We have about 60 3x5 cards with swatches, so it might be hard to fit them all in a notebook and still close the book. We keep thin in a filing box, so they don't get damaged, but it does mean we have to remember to bring the box when we go out shopping, which we don't always do.
Plus, I like to be able to spread the cards out on the table and sort through them.
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Post by Val on Jan 10, 2008 22:20:42 GMT -5
Yes, I like to play with my fabrics too. My small notebook mainly has just the pattern numbers and the amount of fabric needed if I want to make something. If I need to match something, the swatch one comes with me. The swatch one is a 7x9 white vinyl notebook that I cut pages out of cardstock, punch holes in the pages, and then tape the fabrics in it. Holds up pretty well to all that fabric.
Wow, 60! You win! I only have 54. ;D
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 11, 2008 1:36:49 GMT -5
Wow, 60! You win! I only have 54. ;D You people are wild! Only 54? I don't think you can have 54 fabrics with and and put only in front of it. I only have 6 and none of them get to be in my stash because they will all be gone by Feb 9th. |
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Jan 11, 2008 2:22:27 GMT -5
Never fear Cosmo.... My fabric stash is all just little bits and pieces left over from my costuming, which amounts to too little to make anything of consequence with. The only stuff I have is some lace that's too victorian and the net fabric (curtain sheers) for my overdress. I was going to wear it over my white gown, but Dawn has gotten me wondering if I should wear it over my red one.
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Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen 
