Thursday, November 20, 2008
Most Of It Is Gone Now...
I finally found someone willing to take thousands of $$ worth of fabric for free! Wow...who knew it was so worthless?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Update To Albatross...
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I did manage to find a couple of takers for a big bunch of these goodies! Woohoo! One was an artist, the other a teacher working with troubled teens! Great!
But.. I still have a bahoogy load here to goooo.....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Fabric Cache (fabricahe)
Fabric Nearly A ‘Blaze
For someteen years or so, I owned and operated a small, custom upholstery and home accessories business. I came by this particular trade by way of my Mother. She owned and operated a Custom Upholstery House in the Central Coast region of California for almost 30 years. She had worked for the previous owner for about 15 years, so when he was ready to retire, she bought the business. Her cliental consisted mainly of the riche, famous and even some Royalty. She was an outstanding artisan in her own right.
As for me, I started out just like any other schmuck, with scant skill and admittedly lackluster desire; but I stuck to it and gradually learned. Before working in my mothers shop, my only experience at sewing had been a horrible attempt of an apron in 7th grade Home EC class! Eventually, with plenty of trial, error and some determination, I gained experience enough to feel satisfaction and pride in having done a job well. I understood what it really meant to do a good job, even if nobody else ever noticed. I undertook each project as if it were a personal heirloom, with pride. I really loved the “challenge” of smaller, more intricate pieces the upholsterers tend to shy away from. Most upholsterers rely heavily on the larger pieces that are relatively quick to “turn over” in the shop. The smaller pieces are notoriously tedious and time consuming and therefore quickly loose favor, are readily passed over and even at times discouraged. I realized that there was a place for me in this “undesirable “ area of home accessories.
I enjoyed exploring the fabric types, sewing techniques, textile and milling processes, learning about the fibers and what they had to offer. I often ventured into untried styles and techniques. I spent a lot of time on trial and error to find combinations of old and new ways and always quick to try out new ideas. I poured over old home ec books, textile glossaries, how to books and magazines. I even took classes at the local college in textiles, design and home décor. Because of the cliental, my Mother ran some really fine textile pieces through her shop and I grew to appreciate these more and more. As my appreciation of fine textiles grew, so did my private cliental, and by the time I married, I was operating a small studio of my own out of my garage. At that time, I was going to college full time as an art student, time was scant and so I only took on the small custom pieces. I strove to combine artistic and manual talents, I really enjoyed that challenge of delving into the unknown, pushing my knowledge and skills.
Eventually my husband’s career took us elsewhere. In a new city and in new surroundings I jumped right in and opened a full time shop and operated for several years. I struggled to hang on to a few high-end clients but then time and distance… The new waters were tremendously different and I was usually found buried in vinyl, nylon and foam. There were the occasional “break” so to speak but primarily, I was churning out a lot of “Naugha” hides! Then, my Mother retired in the 90’s, to wit I “inherited” her 40(+) years of collected pieces and remnants. As time passed by, my collection ultimately grew and developed into quite a sizable “hoard”.
Unfortunately, I made some unwise business decisions to which I ultimately succumbed financially. So, as I closed the doors on my business in 2000, I seriously weeded and whittled at the mass of my HOARD. I donated truckloads; finished goods, fabrics and even supplies! Still, I ended up with a “small” storage unit full of fabric that I just couldn’t bear to part with. Either because it was so fantastic, had a purpose or I had some other perceived use for it. Actually, I just had a whole bunch of fabric to stash for my “personal” hoarde! I tried to make another “go” of it from my home and work full time at a “regular” job; that however was not meant to be either.
Life happens! Oh boy, what a mouthful that statement belies!
I am currently facing ongoing health issues that are expected to be never ending at this point and unfortunately, that is not the case for the fees ($) on that same said storage unit. Although I have high hopes and great aspirations, I will at least accede, that I will never be able to achieve even a modest amount of these “pipe dreams”. I must down size by at least half. My friends all say; “Make things and sell them!” Which sounds very reasonable to a degree. The problem is, what do I make? well before I can get the answer to that along comes another bump in my road, recent injuries have made it physically challenging and I can barely stand doing anything for more than a few minutes at a time. What I do manage is only a very small fraction of my previous capabilities and I do not see many leaps and bounds of improvement in my future. I will admit though, that I can’t stay away and I still find myself ditzing around with my goodies here, so there are some things slowly emerging these days.
Thus, still, to all be known, I have a great deal of afore mentioned, “hoard” up for grabs!
Now to be more direct and descriptive of the fun things I have, let’s just start of by saying that if you are looking for quilting and/or dressmaking types of fabrics, I have very few suitable pieces for those types of endeavors. Most of my fabrics are heavy, upholstery weight, decorative pieces more suitable for upholstery, cushions, pillows and home decor. I have only small remnants and pieces mostly less than 4 yards but plenty big enough for numerous inventive ideas! I have made some wonderful things such as Christmas stockings, Renaissance vests and garb, table tapestries, wall hangings, pet beds, bags, purses, art pieces and even a camel saddle cushion!
Now you might think ”Hmmm…Why not give it to a charity or something?” Sure, no problem! If you have something in mind contact me! I will donate to any charity cause that wants the pieces I have! Now mind you, I have tried desperately to do just that, to no avail! Short of sending it off to the rag makers that is! My first attempt at this was to contact the local county women’s refuge center and see if they could, or even would. I know that just any average Jane isn’t likely to know what to do with this stuff, so my idea was simple; I have lots of really nice fabric for home décor and most women in the “Refuge” world find themselves starting over so to speak. Maybe they could use some nice decorative items for their homes and even learn some skills to boot. It would be free, fun and feel good! I could get local businesses to donate some sewing machines and I would come in a couple of times a month or so and teach what I can no longer do. I would donate my time, skills and my fabrics! Fell flat; No interest!
Didn’t work out… The next place I went, a so called “life skills” center through a local “mission”, was like trying to beat a dead horse for the interest I raised. Eventually I was told that if anyone became interested in learning sewing skills they would contact me. They do of course regularly offer full partnership courses in janitorial skills. Well, I say! So much for volunteerism!
I’ve looked high and low and have come up with a big fat zero. I would love to find a way to pass on my “love” of this fabric and hand it off to a good home, like an adoption so to speak, where they would use it and enjoy it! As silly as that sounds it is so true! I have even given it away to people out at the flea market, just to find it for sale a few minutes later at the other end, BAH! HUMBUG! Some of these pieces are decades old, others of very high quality, of dignified interest or just very job worthy. I just want someone to appreciate any of those aspects. Also, please, keep in mind, that I do not intend to pay you to take it!
So if you are reading this and you have an interest in following on, I will try to take pictures and post them at www.flickr.com/photos/fabricache, E me, or check out my web site, www.pyrefire.com, rescue something from the flames, help me out! I am interested in contact with any organizations* site for charitable enterprise, as well as to dump some of this albatross meat, oops, I mean treasure!
For someteen years or so, I owned and operated a small, custom upholstery and home accessories business. I came by this particular trade by way of my Mother. She owned and operated a Custom Upholstery House in the Central Coast region of California for almost 30 years. She had worked for the previous owner for about 15 years, so when he was ready to retire, she bought the business. Her cliental consisted mainly of the riche, famous and even some Royalty. She was an outstanding artisan in her own right.
As for me, I started out just like any other schmuck, with scant skill and admittedly lackluster desire; but I stuck to it and gradually learned. Before working in my mothers shop, my only experience at sewing had been a horrible attempt of an apron in 7th grade Home EC class! Eventually, with plenty of trial, error and some determination, I gained experience enough to feel satisfaction and pride in having done a job well. I understood what it really meant to do a good job, even if nobody else ever noticed. I undertook each project as if it were a personal heirloom, with pride. I really loved the “challenge” of smaller, more intricate pieces the upholsterers tend to shy away from. Most upholsterers rely heavily on the larger pieces that are relatively quick to “turn over” in the shop. The smaller pieces are notoriously tedious and time consuming and therefore quickly loose favor, are readily passed over and even at times discouraged. I realized that there was a place for me in this “undesirable “ area of home accessories.
I enjoyed exploring the fabric types, sewing techniques, textile and milling processes, learning about the fibers and what they had to offer. I often ventured into untried styles and techniques. I spent a lot of time on trial and error to find combinations of old and new ways and always quick to try out new ideas. I poured over old home ec books, textile glossaries, how to books and magazines. I even took classes at the local college in textiles, design and home décor. Because of the cliental, my Mother ran some really fine textile pieces through her shop and I grew to appreciate these more and more. As my appreciation of fine textiles grew, so did my private cliental, and by the time I married, I was operating a small studio of my own out of my garage. At that time, I was going to college full time as an art student, time was scant and so I only took on the small custom pieces. I strove to combine artistic and manual talents, I really enjoyed that challenge of delving into the unknown, pushing my knowledge and skills.
Eventually my husband’s career took us elsewhere. In a new city and in new surroundings I jumped right in and opened a full time shop and operated for several years. I struggled to hang on to a few high-end clients but then time and distance… The new waters were tremendously different and I was usually found buried in vinyl, nylon and foam. There were the occasional “break” so to speak but primarily, I was churning out a lot of “Naugha” hides! Then, my Mother retired in the 90’s, to wit I “inherited” her 40(+) years of collected pieces and remnants. As time passed by, my collection ultimately grew and developed into quite a sizable “hoard”.
Unfortunately, I made some unwise business decisions to which I ultimately succumbed financially. So, as I closed the doors on my business in 2000, I seriously weeded and whittled at the mass of my HOARD. I donated truckloads; finished goods, fabrics and even supplies! Still, I ended up with a “small” storage unit full of fabric that I just couldn’t bear to part with. Either because it was so fantastic, had a purpose or I had some other perceived use for it. Actually, I just had a whole bunch of fabric to stash for my “personal” hoarde! I tried to make another “go” of it from my home and work full time at a “regular” job; that however was not meant to be either.
Life happens! Oh boy, what a mouthful that statement belies!
I am currently facing ongoing health issues that are expected to be never ending at this point and unfortunately, that is not the case for the fees ($) on that same said storage unit. Although I have high hopes and great aspirations, I will at least accede, that I will never be able to achieve even a modest amount of these “pipe dreams”. I must down size by at least half. My friends all say; “Make things and sell them!” Which sounds very reasonable to a degree. The problem is, what do I make? well before I can get the answer to that along comes another bump in my road, recent injuries have made it physically challenging and I can barely stand doing anything for more than a few minutes at a time. What I do manage is only a very small fraction of my previous capabilities and I do not see many leaps and bounds of improvement in my future. I will admit though, that I can’t stay away and I still find myself ditzing around with my goodies here, so there are some things slowly emerging these days.
Thus, still, to all be known, I have a great deal of afore mentioned, “hoard” up for grabs!
Now to be more direct and descriptive of the fun things I have, let’s just start of by saying that if you are looking for quilting and/or dressmaking types of fabrics, I have very few suitable pieces for those types of endeavors. Most of my fabrics are heavy, upholstery weight, decorative pieces more suitable for upholstery, cushions, pillows and home decor. I have only small remnants and pieces mostly less than 4 yards but plenty big enough for numerous inventive ideas! I have made some wonderful things such as Christmas stockings, Renaissance vests and garb, table tapestries, wall hangings, pet beds, bags, purses, art pieces and even a camel saddle cushion!
Now you might think ”Hmmm…Why not give it to a charity or something?” Sure, no problem! If you have something in mind contact me! I will donate to any charity cause that wants the pieces I have! Now mind you, I have tried desperately to do just that, to no avail! Short of sending it off to the rag makers that is! My first attempt at this was to contact the local county women’s refuge center and see if they could, or even would. I know that just any average Jane isn’t likely to know what to do with this stuff, so my idea was simple; I have lots of really nice fabric for home décor and most women in the “Refuge” world find themselves starting over so to speak. Maybe they could use some nice decorative items for their homes and even learn some skills to boot. It would be free, fun and feel good! I could get local businesses to donate some sewing machines and I would come in a couple of times a month or so and teach what I can no longer do. I would donate my time, skills and my fabrics! Fell flat; No interest!
Didn’t work out… The next place I went, a so called “life skills” center through a local “mission”, was like trying to beat a dead horse for the interest I raised. Eventually I was told that if anyone became interested in learning sewing skills they would contact me. They do of course regularly offer full partnership courses in janitorial skills. Well, I say! So much for volunteerism!
I’ve looked high and low and have come up with a big fat zero. I would love to find a way to pass on my “love” of this fabric and hand it off to a good home, like an adoption so to speak, where they would use it and enjoy it! As silly as that sounds it is so true! I have even given it away to people out at the flea market, just to find it for sale a few minutes later at the other end, BAH! HUMBUG! Some of these pieces are decades old, others of very high quality, of dignified interest or just very job worthy. I just want someone to appreciate any of those aspects. Also, please, keep in mind, that I do not intend to pay you to take it!
So if you are reading this and you have an interest in following on, I will try to take pictures and post them at www.flickr.com/photos/fabricache, E me, or check out my web site, www.pyrefire.com, rescue something from the flames, help me out! I am interested in contact with any organizations* site for charitable enterprise, as well as to dump some of this albatross meat, oops, I mean treasure!
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