Fabric addiction – it’s history
1. crafty crackpot 2. leahkl 3. earthslings 4. wiccked 5. allysanne’s kids’ stuff 6. bonbons and more
Did you know that each convict woman to be sent to Australia was supplied with the necessary fabrics and sewing equipment to make patchwork which could be sold on arrival – to ensure that they wouldn’t arrive destitute? It’s true! This was one of Elizabeth Fry’s projects, made possible with the support of the British Society of Ladies and wealthy Quaker merchants. Much earlier Aborigines were using skins such as possum to patch into garments. So you see, the Down Under Street Team quilters and patchers are carrying on an Australian tradition. Now, there’s another good reason for buying fabric! [refer Annette Gero’s book Historic Australian Quilts for convict info]
1. felicia fairy 2. angel lea designs 3. ja em art 4. itchykoo 5. monsoons and mangoes 6. o gekko
Some more good reasons for purchasing fabric !
- It helps keep the economy going. It is our patriotic duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills, and quilt shops.
- It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
- “Oh, it’s not for me! I’m buying it for a friend!”
- Because it’s on sale.
- Okay, it wasn’t on sale, but by the time it was, all the good stuff would be gone.
- It’s non-fattening. Registered dietitians have confirmed that a fat quarter has 100% fewer calories than a hot fudge sundae.
- I am working on building a complete collection.
- It’s much cheaper to cover the floor with fabric than new carpeting, and you can change the look more often.
- It won’t break.
- It’s the only remotely artistic thing I have ever done.
- If all else fails, you can use it for cleaning rags.
- I’m might set up my own fabric shop and I’ll need a starter inventory.
- To save a beautiful fabric design for posterity. They might stop making it, and it would be lost to the world forever.
- Because, this fabric just talks to me and calls my name.
- They get angry when you steal it.
- It will go with some I bought last year.
- Without fabric I would have nothing to do with my rotary cutter and my mat and my sewing machine and my iron and my thread and my needles and my quilting books.
- There’s just one more piece I need, and I’ll know it when I see it.
- It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul, and makes me feel good.
- Everybody else does it.
- If you don’t buy it now, you may never see it again.
- “Because I don’t have it yet!”
[List adapted from article by Frances Tankersley via QCN]
March 7th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Thank heavens these girls are fabric addicts! Buying, and sewing, and creating beautiful things for us!
March 7th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Ha! Wonderful Chrisy! Fabric addiction – it’s close behind my sparkly addiction!! ;)
March 7th, 2010 at 10:30 am
LOL… what a fabulous list… & I’d like to add, the same (well.. almost) applies to Yarn…
March 7th, 2010 at 10:46 am
What a gorgeous array of colourful items. I too have started to become a fabric addict, paper addiction is well in front of it so far!
March 7th, 2010 at 10:56 am
You know your a craft addict when you start hiding your purchases, when I bring out the items I have purchased later I can without lying state “oh I’ve had that for ages”
I’m addicted to yarn and fabric but am running out of cupboards to hide it in.
Great article!
March 7th, 2010 at 10:58 am
I’m sending this list to my sister as her stock pile of UFOs and fabric has taken over a room in her apartment – she might be able to use some of the excuses on her boyfriend :).
March 7th, 2010 at 11:00 am
I love it! This article makes me think of a few people I know and I love the cartoon!!
March 7th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Great article, full of whimsy and mischief and a dose of real!
March 7th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Wow! what an honour to be featured on this awesome post! Thank you very much!! :)
I never knew that about Aussie convict women. We do learn something new every day, don’t we?
I LOVE the list of reasons to buy fabric!! :D
March 7th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Having just spent my post BrisStyle market Sunday cleaning up my work-room (also called a lounge room in another life) – which has been mainly about folding fabric and vacuuming thread, and took three hours – what a timely list, and my family want the cartoon in a frame!
March 7th, 2010 at 11:56 am
so many pretty patchworky bits!
and yes I’m also addicted to fabric, and beads and paper…………………………..
March 7th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Love that list! Thank you for featuring my patchwork skirt amongst these other lovely creations :)
March 7th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Thankyou for this great article. I totally identify and I’d like to know if I can join your support group. Thankyou also for including my skirt.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
This gave me such a good laugh. I’m one of those ladies in the Quilter’s anonymous group. Thanks for the list of extra reasons to go out and purchase fabric. As if I needed more!!
March 7th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
My name is Linda and I haven’t bought fabric today (the shops are closed today). Enjoyed reading this feature and thanks so much for including my patchwork dress. Love the patchwork and all the colour!
March 7th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I really identify with this article! hehe great work! i agree with all the excuses :)
March 7th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Ha ha ha! Love this blog post!! Both the cartoon and the list of reasons to buy had me laughing out loud. And the quilts made by talented DUSTers are so inspirational.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
From a confirmed ‘rag hag’ I have to admit to identifying totally with every point. I’m going to print the list out and frame it too. I have many wonderful friends who regularly hand on fabrics to me, I collect bits and pieces from the op shop, I regularly haunt those fabulous temples of fabric commerce – my sewing room is bulging at the seams. Mea culpa!
An interesting read about the history of patching in Aus.
Thanks so much for showing my patchwork skirt. (itchykoo)
March 7th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Thanks so much for including my quilt – I’m honoured!!! I loved the list – so funny!!!!!! :)
March 7th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Absolutely enjoyed this so very much! Thank you for a great read! Oh and great eye candy too!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:48 am
That List is hysterical and the fabric displayed is gorgeous *drools* My family simply do not get my need to go see and touch bolts of material when I see them in a shop.. wherever that shop may be. It’s a great read thank you.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
LOL.
Hi ..my name is Leanne and I am a fabric addict….you should see my stash!!!!! LOL
Great article!