Quilt show intro:

 

Confessions of a Fabricoholic:

 

Like many quilters, for many years I sewed my own clothing, outfits for my children, household curtains and slipcovers, halloween costumes, and whatever else was  needed.  Eventually household and most clothing sewing became less important because less expensive imports made bought clothes cheaper and easier just as the price of retail fabric rose dramatically thus ending the need for home sewing.

 

Most sewing projects result in small scraps left from garment construction as well as extra fabric bought in case of a boo-boo or never used because of a wobbly mind.  And so it lies in a box or closet finally accumulating into a considerable quantity.  I suspect it breeds in the dark because there is no way I could have possibly accumulated all that fabric.  In fact, there are women (who shall remain anonymous) who find it necessary to hide some of their fabric on hangers under the dresses in their clothes closets so their spouses will not see it.

 

The fabric continued to accumulate similar to Mickey Mouse’s experience with the multiplying brooms in the movie Fantasia.  What to do? I thought perhaps quilting would help to use up that ever proliferating accumulation of fabric.  Hah!

 

Whilst using those little scraps it becomes apparent that it is necessary to buy just a wee bit to achieve some coordination in the pattern.  Then there is a problem that none of the scraps really do not go together and/or the fabric is not really suitable.  Occasional trips to the fabric store result in the buying of just a teensy piece  of an irresistible fabric now and then.  And so it goes.Just as drugs can entice victims from taking just a little into the miasma of total addiction, so fabric stores are occasions of temptation.  The potential addict begins with a few fat quarters or an occasional glance into the scrap basket, continuing on a downward spiral to the actual large bolts of fabric, and the jaws of Cerberus.   

 

The store owners (aka pushers) arrange the fabric into  coordinating groupings and colorways.  As an enticing design catches the eye of the unwary victim and a purchase is made, it becomes necessary to select coordinating colors or patterns because that eliminates a return trip.  Then,too, there is the necessity to acquire an extra yard or two.  And so it goes…

 

The fabric is then brought home, washed, ironed and stored as appropriate.  The new quilt is begun, the fabric is cut and sewing begins   But the thread runs out or is the wrong color.  Another trip to the same place of temptation but only to buy thread and nothing else.  Will power!  Except for that bolt with just the perfect colors and stunning design.  Well--just a little won’t hurt.  Aah-but just a small amount of coordinating fabric to round out a design.  Oh yes and add a book including a lot of juicy design ideas too.  And so it goes…

 

Back to the eye candy store because the thread of the original trip was forgotten, there is a tempting selection of fat quarters.  And so it goes…

 

As the years go by the projects accumulate.  Cutting new projects yields more small scraps  which are then added to the original collection  along with half-yards and finally yards and yards

are stored.  Many quilts are planned, but few are chosen. Some are cut,  some are actually .. sewn, and a few are completed.  The result is a wonderful collection of completed quilts an even more formidable pile of small scraps and a large number of UFO’s and PHD’s (UnFinished Objects and Projects Half Done).  And so it goes...