Serious Stash Busting

If you are like me you have A LOT of fabric, more than you can probably use in your lifetime and you also like to shop for new fabric.  This can be an issue as to where to store all your fabric and also that feeling of guilt (although somewhat fleeting) when buying new fabric.

Making charity quilts is one way of stash busting and I have another that I have been doing recently......making little girl dresses for charity.

Now I know you quilters out there say 'I don't sew, I make quilts' but if you can sew a straight seam (which I assume you can if you quilt) and can read instructions (which I assume you can if you quilt), then you can make some really adorable little dresses.

Here are some patterns that are super simple.......this means no zippers or buttons.

New Look 6796:

(source Simplicity Patterns)

 

New Look 6504:

 (source Simplicity Patterns)

Simplicity It's So Easy 2427

(source Simplicity Patterns)

 

 Each of these patterns come in multiple sizes so you can copy off several different one. Some of the dress bodies take as little as 1/2yd and add some scraps of coordinating fabric for yokes, ties or ruffles and you have adorable little dresses.  Some need a little larger amount of fabric but usually nothing over 2yds depending on the size you make.

Here is a recent one I finished of NL 6796:

I think this is a size 2.  I had enough of the print fabric for the yoke and body but not enough for the ties and bottom band.  So I simple dug through my stash to see what had that could work.  Here's another one:

Same pattern, same size.  I had enough of the print for the body front without a bottom band but not enough for anything else.  So I simple used scraps for the yoke and ties, and something entirely different for the back that matched the front.

I am currently working on a few dresses using the other patterns, both using a variety of fabrics.  The fun part of making these dresses is picking out the fabrics.  The satisfying part is making a pretty dress for a deserving little girl and reducing your stash at the same time.

Here are the 19 dresses I made on my first go around with this project:

I kept a spreadsheet of how many made, sizes and the yardage used for each....the total was 19 (in 3 months) and the total yardage used was .....30.125yds!  This year I am hoping to make 25 - 30 dresses, so far I have 6 completed and 3 more in progress.

Now where you ask do these little dresses go?  There are a number of charities that you can send them to, here are just a few:

Little Dresses for Africa
Forgotten Children's Ministries/Girls

You can also find a list of charities accepting donations here:

Handmade for Charity

My first group went to 'Little Dresses for Africa', this year I will spread the love to another group possible in Honduras or here in the USA.

So if you need to do some serious stash busting consider making some little dresses.  It's fun, it uses up fabric and mostly what little girl doesn't love a cute little dress.  You can make a difference and put a smile on a little girls face.

 

Mid-Year Markdowns!

We've marked down a load of fabrics to $3.50, $4.45 and $5.35 a yard!  Those prices are hard to pass up and fabric will go fast so take the time to stock up now!

No Excuse

I apologize for my absence from this blog.......oh, I can give many excuses, too busy, too tired, unmotivated and uncreative, they all ring true.  But who can't give those excuses at sometime or another.  I vow to do better.

Keep an eye on the site as we just got in some new fabrics and are working to get them listed.  All should be on by mid-week.  We are going to be marking down some fabrics as well and unfortunately the newer goods will be going up a little.  We try to keep our prices very reasonable but everything is going up.

So check back often....I promise to keep the blog more interesting and up to date.

Enjoy,

Chris

February 2012 Special

This month we have our half yard packs on special at a great price of $18.00!  Regularly priced at $22.50 each pack contains 12 1/2 yard cuts.  We have 3 packs available: Mix, Blenders and Reproductions.

This is another great way to add a little variety to your quilts at a very reasonable price.

Get some while you can..........

Enjoy,

Chris

January 2012 Special

We begin the new year with a special on our most popular item the 'Pound Pack'!  Normally it is $6.95 for a pound of fabric this month it is $6.00 for a pound.  These pounds are great for scrap quilters and miniature quilts.

Get them while they last.......

Enjoy.
Chris

 Price will be adjusted once you place it in your cart.

(This special pricing does not include the batik pound packs.)

November Special Over

Our November fat quarter special has ended.  A lot of people added to their stashes!  We will not have a special this month, but am thinking up something good to start off the New Year.

Don't forget we have some great Christmas themed fabric for last minute gifts like pillowcases and aprons!

November Special!

Missing certain colors in your fabric stash? Now is a great time to take advantage of our November special on select fat quarter packets.  The following fat quarter color packets are on sale for just $10.00.  Each packet has 12 fat quarters....that's .83 per fat quarter!

Color packets are  blue, green, pink, purple, red and yellow-gold.

Special goes to the end of the month but hurry.......if we sell out of a colorway it's gone!