Intellectually, I knew it, but yesterday proved that I have internalized the truth. I have more than enough fabric in my personal stash to last me the rest of my time here.
What caused this revelation? The annual Fabric Flea Market. For past devotees of this blog, you've read about this fabriganza before, in 2010 and 2011. My camera didn't come along with me yesterday, but the above scene from last year is an accurate rendition, believe me. Hundreds of happy shoppers, the buzz of conversation, punctuated by squeals of delight and laughter as new finds and old friends are located. Much of The Sewing Lawyer's extensive stash, including fabric, notions, patterns and miscellaneous tools, was found at this annual event (yesterday was the 19th). Every year, I spend the Friday before sorting through donations (this is a fundraiser event), which leads to the perk of being in the right place at the right time to scoop those delicious things that, if only I had known it, I had been looking for all those years.
It was different this year. Not only have my friend G and I graciously and apparently successfully eased out of the role of being "The Organizers", we both left the venue early with (in my case anyway) very little in the way of stash acquisition, and pocketbook mostly intact. And not exhausted, another very good thing!
The stash remains ample. I did have to go to a real store to buy some more thread, but NO MORE FABRIC!
I really would have liked to have present for this. Where are you located? Wonder if there are may sable people in my area?, maybe we could have something like this here!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I wanted to go yesterday, but didn't make it after all. Glad it was a success. Here's a dumb question for you...are you positive that's a pic from last year ? 'Cuz that really, really looks like the back of me in the blue tee at bottom left and we only went in 2011 - LOL
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago, I started a spreadsheet of fabric in and out so I know my two annual rates. A quick count of fabric bins and yards/bin and perusal of life tables and I am pretty sure that I have hit SABLE. That hasn't stopped me from accumulating/accreting more.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm embarrassed to ask, but what is SABLE? I'm sure it's not a fur sable ;-)
ReplyDeleteStash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy ;-D
ReplyDeleteso funny!
DeleteThanks for asking Mrs K... I had no idea either and I'm sure I have hit SABLE too! (too afraid to check - I mean it's kind of flexible isn't it?)
ReplyDeleteOMG that looks like so much fun. How do I find out about it for next year. Ottawa is not too far away from me.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know that for sure, you might live to be 120.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, you might only use 20% of your stash but you don't know which 20%. This is what keeps many fabric stores in business.
Ha! I love this sentiment. You never know which 20%.
DeleteI am sure I am at SABLE. And yet I can't wait for my trip to NYC in a couple weeks...
I spent some time last year re-establishing my sewing room, which involved some sorting of my stash (which, pre dedicated sewing room, had been squirrelled away in various caches throughout the house). During a bout of methodicalness, I decided to catalogue it all, so I knew what i had. A sobering experience (soon remedied by a glass of merlot). I decided that if i made a garment from each piece in my stash for each and every week, I had a supply of fabric that would last me over 4 years. Of course I am not going to make a garment each week. So i put myself on a fabric diet.
ReplyDeleteThen last weekend, when cleaning out some books in the back of a cupboard, what should I find, but two more boxes of fabric, most of which I have no recollection of buying. I'm convinced that it is breeding in dark corners.
Part of the problem is that the day job (which funds the fabric habit) means I don't have enough free time to sew as much as I would like. Retirement will mean more time. But so much of the fabric is ideally suited to work clothing. Which, once I have retired, won't be required.
What a conundrum!!
I hear you! I'm going to face the same conundrum in a few years.
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