Although I'm sure it's possible to own too much fabric, I find it unlikely that anyone who has a large stash would debate adding more yardage. Some prints are worth having, even if you don't have an immediate project for them.
The quilt above is the only one made by Caught Red Threaded that had an intentional fabric purchase. The Care Bears backing is a childhood flat twin sheet. Wanting to make a large throw/picnic blanket for my sister with this bed sheet in mind, I purposely chose a Moda Charm Pack for the front of the quilt. Needless to say, it is highly coordinated.
Each and every one of the quilts above was made using either scraps of fabrics from other projects, or fabrics that I already had in my stash that happened to coordinated with each other. A great example of purchasing fabric just because is in the Berenstain Bears by Moda in the quilt above. When I found this fabric, I knew I had to have it. Two years later, it was put to use as one side of a lovely toddler blanket, which was then sold via Etsy.
If making something small, such as a Lavender Flaxseed Eye Mask, it makes the most sense to use fabric remnants rather than purchasing specifically for this project. Another great option for smaller remnant pieces is to put together Rice Thermal Packs. Check out our tutorial on Thermal Packs.
Above are a handful of examples of ways to use your scrap fabrics. From plush toys to zipper pouches, the possibilities are only limited by the size of your remnants.
The places you purchase fabrics may vary, but my favorites are as follows:
1. Fabricworm
They make the claim, "Modern Fabric for Modern Sewists!", and boy is it true. They offer high quality fabrics from designers that are not easily found in (big box) stores. They go on to say, "If the fabric you star with is of high quality with vibrant colors, then the creation you make will be of the same caliber." I couldn't have said it better myself.
If you aren't local to the Iowa City area, feel free to click the link above for transport to their Etsy site. If you are local, then by all means visit Home Ec. Workshop, and do so often. From the fabric collection in front of house, to the coffee and yarn in the middle, there's something for everyone. A favorite hangout for Caught-Red-Threaded-ites is the workshop in the back of the store. Whether stitching or blending essential oils, this is a perfect location. Plus, you can order a scone and chai tea latte to enjoy while crafting.
Ever been to Denver? If so, maybe you've heard of Fancy Tiger Crafts. If you haven't heard of them, start listening! Fancy Tiger Crafts was a heavenly experience. Walk through the front doors, and you just might hear Angels sing Hallelujah! They have ALL of the best fabric designers in EVERY fabric type. They offer take home kits. They teach classes. If you are a crafter in any way, shape, or form, Fancy Tiger Crafts will appeal to you.
4. Fabric.com
They have a large selection of almost anything you are looking for. They offer designer prints, but are not as specialized as Fabricworm. When you purchase fabric from Amazon.com, it most likely comes directly from Fabric.com. Think big-box delivered to your door. As a side note, they also tend to offer the best selection and pricing on Minky fabrics.
5. Big Box Retailers
This encompasses Joann Fabrics, Walmart (many have a fabric section), Hobby Lobby, etc. Of course, you will find coupons galore: these are available within the website, in email form, or print. If you shop a big box store, take your time before hand and research which coupons are good, and when. You can easily save at least 40% off retail (which means big savings). Retail-Me-Not is an excellent resource for coupons. Before any purchase made online, I scour Retail-Me-Not in search of the best deal available.
Regardless of where you purchase your fabric, remember that the higher quality fabrics tend to produce a higher quality finished product. Take your time researching which is best suited for your needs: quality, price, material finish. If you see a print that catches your eye, add it to your stash. You may not have a use for it right away, but odds are likely that it will not be available later on. All the good fabrics are gone in a hurry.
Happy crafting, everyone!
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