Style Signature or Signature Style?

How do you ladies do it? How do you sew and maintain a blog on an almost daily basis? And I know, it's daily, because I visit some of you almost everyday. At home, I don't even think of getting on the computer. My son takes the photos and I post them during my lunch at work or very early before everyone arrives. That's why my reviews are short and sweet. Some of you post to PR as well as maintain your own blogs. I commend you for that. You keep things very interesting and inspire many of us. I love to see what you do.

Okay, so lately, you noticed a rash of activity coming from me. You see, my stash has gotten out of control! When I started this blog I posted photos of the ridiculous amount of cloth I have. Then the local Joann's was closing, and everything was reduced. And all that fabric, notions and yarn needed a nice home. But OMG!!! My house had exploded. I experienced CHAOS! (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome).There is fabric coming out of every available closet or room. I even bought some of those huge storage tubs. I think the fabric propagates while I am asleep. So I've given up sleep for a while, that way I can see what is going on when the lights are turned off. LOL. Well, I've entered the stash contest on PR. By posting here and there I can chronicle what I've done and the yardage I've sewn. Actually, I am sleeping quite well after having completed something. I've even completed a few UFO's. Three more left! I've finished my son's jacket just in time. I cut it out two years ago! He probably won't be able to or want to wear it next year. I'll post those pics next week. I am at a point where my wardrobe needs to freshen up. I want new things.

Coco had pearls, Marilyn had diamonds, Audrey had the LBD, Lagerfeld used to have a fan, now he has Hedi Slimane. For Diane Vreeland it was red and it's big, black sunglasses for Anna Wintour. For me, it's a gele. I guess some would call it "signature style". I prefer to say it's a "style signature", because it's the finalization at the end of your statement. Meaning, your not dressed without it.

What's your style signature? What do you always put on no matter what you're wearing?

Stash Busting or Stash Reduction?

Caroline asked how we felt about our stash. Marji ruminated on it. There are many opinions regarding this topic. I am definitely not a stash buster. Over a 25 year period, I've accumulated  a lot of fabric. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. But I love them all. Acquiring a piece of cloth releases so much creativity in me that I wouldn't think of just sewing, knitting or crocheting a piece just to use it up, make room or pass it on without any feeling. Think of the time and energy you put into making an item only to be thankful it's out of you hair/space/life?

With that said, like Caroline and many of you, my stash/collection has gotten out of control. I've been paying for an off-site storage unit for a number of years to hold the overflow. That $900 a year could be used for 3 car payments or several months of groceries or 6 months of utilites or almost two years worth of mani/pedis, college books for my son, college applications. Need I go on? So one of my goals for 2009  is ...to get a smaller unit. You thought I was going to get rid of the unit, didn't you? Be reassured, I may suffer from temporary insanity when it comes to all things creative but never at the expense of my health and welfare. I like to eat and enjoy the warmth of my home.

So, I have a few caveats regarding my stash usage in 2009:

1. I must love everything I sew. Warts and all. If it's just okay, I will not alter, tweak or massage into a likable garment. I may refashion it into something else entirely. If not, I will pass it onto someone who will love it. I must feel fabulous in it. 

2. It should work with my upcoming wardrobe plans. If it's going to be an orphan, it must be such a dynamic piece that in and off itself, it's great. Again, I must feel fantabuloso when I wear it!

3. If there is less than one yard of fabric leftover, it will go in a donation box that I keep in sewing area. I doubt I'll ever make a quilt, so why am I holding onto scraps? Most one yard pieces can be made into a tank top or camisole. I will try to whip one up while the machine and serger are hot! If inspiration fails me for that one yard piece, it goes in the donation box. After thirty days, the box leaves my house for good. My son is in charge of this and cannot wait. He feels I should donate everything I have in the living room.

4. Since my local fabric store is closing soon, I will keep a running list of fabrics and colours I need. This will help me control my magpie tendencies for when I do make the trek into town. Pretty, shiny, silky things can make me lose control. Causing the wants to outweigh the needs.

5. I'll monitor the fabric the crosses my threshold both ways. I have a purse size notebook where I'm listing all of my projects and fabric used. I will do a final tally at the end of each month. Currently, I don't know how much fabric I have. I did attempt stash maintenance at one time, but became overwhelmed with life crap. I mean stuff. Perhaps, this weekend, I'll try to catalogue what's in the living room and go from there. 

So stash busting just to use up, make room, get rid of...not for me.  Mindful stash reduction...yes, I can!

A bit of my pattern and fabric collection

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