10.14.2007

Big Eco-Announcement!


For a long time I've had a problem. My name is Sarah and I hoard fabric. I know there are many crafters among us who have this problem. My fabric stash has been maxed out and overflowing for years. I guess I'm a collector now because I only use a fraction of the fabric that I've purchased. I love fabric and fiber in all forms there is just something about it that makes me feel so good when I feel it between my fingers. I suppose it's been that way from birth. I was definitely one of those kids who worn out the edge of her blankie rubbing it raw. I also had a thing for shoestrings which I think must translate into my accompanying yarn addiction. Ok, that's weird, moving on...

Despite my love for fabric, I've been having some ongoing inner turmoil over my consumer choices. And every time I go to the store for more I have a dirty feeling like I've done something I didn't need to do. I don't need to buy new fabric. There is already an endless supply of fabric rotting in junk shops and on the racks of my local thrift store. Enough is enough right? And I can truly make myself crazy trying to locate all of the hip and popular prints that are just reproductions of all the fabrics you can already find in the places I mentioned before.
So, I pledge that for the next year I will not purchase another piece of new fabric for my personal or business use. Why a year? Well, I don't like to be extreme, and I've never tried this before. Plus maybe there is some factor I haven't considered that will haunt me. Never say never right? Overall I anticipate this being a pretty simple change for me. It will force me to confront my stash and in the end it will make me feel like I'm making a positive change for my family, my business and the world at large.
One whole year. Starting from the date of my last binge September 12th 2007.
Heck, I already use old T's for my appliqued shirts. As an added bonus, relieving the pressure of finding cutting edge textiles has made me feel much more relaxed about my designs. Let it be known that Little Lumpkins is a getting more and more Eco-friendly everyday.

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Well, before I go do a months worth of cleaning in my house, let me just share some of my Handmade Arcade progress. I know that this is supposed to be the "Week of the bike seat covers" but yesterday I finished the prototype of my new Sea monster Hood. I'd like to have five of these in assorted sizes for the craft show. It turned out even better than I imagined. I usually start out with a little sketch of my idea... and then I just start knitting. Sometimes it works out... sometimes it doesn't. This time it really did. I think I'll save them for the craft show, but whatever I have left I'll list in the Etsy shop






More updates soon! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

2 comments:

Beth Lemon said...

The new item is amazing! I can't wait to see it in person.

And good luck with the fabric addiction. I don't think I could go a year without buying something Alexander Henry has had a hand on...

IMakeCuteStuff (aka Marlo M.) said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!
I am totally with you on the fabric thing. My whole Tote2Go! tote bag collection is made exclusively from repurposed / recycled and remnant fabrics. I avoid buying "off the bolt" altogether. Making something pretty out of something not-so-pretty is SO satisfying :) You'll love it...I'm sure of it!