What's your fabric passion?

[Kristl]

Hello fellow fabri-holics! I wanted to start a discussion about our fabric passions. As an employee here at fabric.com for the past six years, I have amassed quite a stash. My passions are silk and linen. I cannot get enough! Most of it is neatly folded and uncut. I buy a new pattern knowing I have the perfect piece of linen in my stash. I pull out the fabric and stare at the new pattern thinking, "I don't know how this pattern will fit me.'' There's my downfall. I need to make a muslin before I use my pretty linen. So there they both sit, uncut. I am trying to improve.

I was wondering, what's your fabric passion? What makes you stop in your tracks and buy it - whether it's on sale or not? Check out my blog entry for more gory details about my stash, or to read some great entries from the rest of our staff!
Kristl

[chickadee]

Hello, Kristl! Nice blog!

Working in a fabric shop would be detrimental to my budget!

Over the years I amassed a huge stash of woolen and cotton fabrics in solid colors. I love natural fibers! However, I ended up giving away much of them -- except for a few favorites. I have found that I prefer to do less ironing! Reality rules!

These days my sewing is mostly for my own apparel and occasional home projects. What makes me stop in my tracks now and buy it -- whether it’s on sale or not?

Polyester moleskin fabric! I have bought several cuts in solid colors, and am always on the watch for more. It sews up beautifully, has a wonderful drape, is machine-washable and dryable, and scarcely needs any touchup ironing!

For summer, it’s durable cotton-blends in solid colors -- anything that is machine-washable and dryable, and does not require pressing. Yea -- reality rules!

[aobodessa]

Hello Kristl,

My fabric passion is cottons ... I love them. I want them. Every single one. I absolutely adore anything with ultra-rich colors, great design (think paisley on speed!), and a soft hand. I love to quilt, although I have made a lot of clothing for myself and my three daughters with cottons.

I absolutely HATE anything that stretches; I never learned how to sew on it, so I am not successful and it frustrates me. So I'll stick to my good ol' 100% cottons.

If it speaks to me, (and what cotton doesn't these days???) I buy it. The only way I don't is if the pocketbook is empty and I know I'm going to need a tank of gas before payday. Otherwise, I bring it home, wash it while hubby is working, dry it, press, and fold it to fit in with the rest of the stash. Then, when I do get time to play with my fabrics, he has no idea of what is new and what is old. I can always tell him, "this old piece of fabric??? I've had it in here for a long time!" Of course, it helps that I have boxes and boxes of the stuff .... he enver knows if it's coming or going!

Odessa

[martie]

My favorites are unusual in design and texture. I love cotton and silk as the basics, then I throw in all of the hot bold items that say " this is the zinger" that this outfit or quilt needs. Not only are the fabrics really important to me but so is the thread. I LOVE metallic threads and the new rayons are wonderful.

I see almost all striped fabrics as bias trims.

If it is fabric I love it.

Martie

[must_sew]

Silk charmeuse and dupioni are my dream fabrics. My favorite wedding project allowed me to use them together. The gown was a crisp A-line with dupioni, but the skirt did not connect at the back, to reveal the underskirt of a thick, rich charmeuse. I had the privilege of framing that split in the back with a vine and flower border of glass beading. The hours of labor were a delight because of the fabrics!

[adens]

It is hard to define my favorite fabric. I do love wool, however, the feel, the smell...especially plaids and tweeds. I love to sew it and steam it and mold it. I also love vintage lace and odd little pieces of things I find in thrift stores. I really like vintage slips and have begun adding new trims to them to make them a wearable garment. I have an ETSY shop if you want to see some of them, aVintage.etsy.com Have a great day!! Andrea

[tinycreations]

My favorite fabrics are printed cottons of all kinds. Interior fabrics, silks and cotton blends, upholstery fabrics, outdoor fabrics also, now that I'm sewing in that field.