Thursday 2 May 2013

What to do with the world's second ugliest bit of fabric?

When I was at university one of my male friends told me that the way he tried to get lucky was not to go for the ugliest girl in the room, but the second ugliest ... Anyway, I want to get lucky with this remnant I picked up for $2.95 (which by New Zealand standards is fantastic - a 'score' - and probably equates to practically free when compared to just about every currency in the world except for Cyprus)


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This is a sweatshirting fabric with absolutely no stretch and is an unusual/ difficult magenta color. It doesn't match any of my ribbing and I am a little uncertain as to what to do with it.  Of course, I could put it back in the stash and it could remain hidden there for another 5 years.... But I hate letting things go to waste (I like to save selvedges or little bits of leftover fabric just-in-case) and I have even been accused of being a hoarder *


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One of 5 fabric storage or shelving units 



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Oh... and the bed in one of the spare rooms.... not to mention the floor, the boxes in the garage....


However, I think my collecting is relatively harmless: much like someone who likes to collect stamps or spoons.  And, lets face it, having a fabric collection is far more useful than stamps or spoons...  

And it is also a sign of preparedness and/or disaster planning.  I really am just a modern day Girl Guide or even, perhaps, a Doomsday Prepper.  It's just that I have different priorities to other preppers (who needs food, water, iodine tablets and a gas mask, anyway?).  So just like the musicians on the Titanic, I can play while the sun goes down.  I proved during the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011 that having a well equipped bunker sewing room was a sanity saver (even if no lives were saved in the making of clothing).  But what did  the stamp and spoon-collectors do during the earthquakes?  Light fires? Eat dainty, little teaspoon-sized meals? Plug the cracks in the walls with First Day covers?  


But back to the ugly bit of fabric.  Sister N, who is visiting for Birthday Sewing Week and convalescing from an illness, thinks I should make a hoodie.  I suggested an Oliver + S sailboat top (to get back on the horse/get up off the mat/ try again etc etc) but N thinks I should try something new.  Oh, the dilemma. 






*I blame my father for this trait (and for bad puns and cheesy cliches)






3 comments:

  1. Go the Hoodie. Ottobre autumn 07 has a very cute little number with little gathered pockets and a yoke, and it has a far more contemporary vibe than the sailboat top. I think a groovy young thing like Rosa would find this much more her style

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  2. I enjoyed your inherited sense of humour! good old dad genes.
    I might perhaps have the ugliest piece of cheap (free cause someone gave it to me) fabric which is just like yours only lilac (aargh I hate purple). I was thinkingn of a japanese cowl neck sweater. Curious to see what you do with this.

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  3. Rosa has just spent a fun half an hour looking at herself on the blog and loved it! maybe it is genetic as my whole family talks of my childhood with me looking at myself in the mirror, and loving it! Rosa also loves all the attention when people stop us to ask about her amazing clothes, that Jennifer has made her. Little girls green with envy about the fairy tops. Model re-inspired so more photo's soon x Sue

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