Friday, April 30, 2010

Have I got a deal for you...

ADDENDUM: Thanks folks. I've had a great response to the fabric giveaway and now I have to close enrollment. The boxes will be going out in a few days.

I was cleaning out and organizing my sewing closet today and I'm red-faced with embarrassment about how much fabric I own. When did it get so out of control? Part of the problem is that the storage is limited, and with all fabric, especially longer cuts, stored in plastic boxes, it isn't apparent without some serious digging exactly what I have. I bet that I have bought stuff because I couldn't find an acceptable substitution in the stash closet.

My fabric collection consists of everything from yardage to small scraps left over from cutting out past projects. The leftovers can be anything from a scrap the size of my hand to almost a yard. I'm not really eager to use a lot of them in new designs because I'm tired of them. I thinned the ranks three summers ago and donated bags of fabric to a senior center quilting group, but it appears that just like rabbits, fabric reproduces rapidly!

Every few years I get the urge to clean out closets and reduce the piles of stuff that seem to accumulate, including my sewing supplies. This is looking like one of those years! I have already taken a huge load of clothes to the women's shelter, and have more to go. Some of these were smaller sizes from over 10 years ago that I hung in the guest room closet for "someday". Well, "someday" came with the weight loss but the clothes look ten years old in style and now I don't want some of them! (Boy, how fickle we can be!) So they're going, with some housewares and other stuff. The hardest thing to find a use for is fabric that I don't want anymore.

I'm sure everyone has fabric like that - you've used it one too many times, your tastes have changed, or you simply look at it and wonder "When I bought this, was I on drugs?" Since I can get a charge out of cleaning closets that would rival the best pharmaceuticals (I'm my mother's daughter, all right), I want to dispose of some of my stash.

So, I have a proposal to make that will especially appeal to scrap quilters. If you are willing to take a chance on what you receive and pay postage, I will fill a flat rate box with selections from the stash closet and send it to you. There are several choices of flat rate box sizes. The smallest are 8 5/8" x 5 3/8" x 1 5/8" that ships for $4.95, or 11" x 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for $10.70. I could get a nice amount of fabric into either one.

I couldn't guarantee what sizes of scraps or what colors, unfortunately, but if you gave me a color preference I would try to meet it.


I also found a quilt kit I bought five or six years ago that I don't want anymore and doubt that I will make. It's "Pansy Park" by Thimbleberries. The kit contains all fabric for the top and all the instructions. I'll sell it for $50 plus postage.

ADDENDUM: The quilt kit has been sold.
This is what it looks like. The border fabric is printed with stripes of small trees. It's a big quilt, too, large queen size. It's pretty but I'm just not up for really large projects right now. One online store is selling the kit for $245, which I certainly didn't pay for it, but I guess scarcity drives the price up. Except here. So do I have a taker?

13 comments:

Three Birds Inspired said...

I am willing to live life in the fast lane. I love pastels and florals. How do I reimburse you for the shipping?

Linda said...

Wow, what a bargain for the Pansy Park. Yes, it is a big quilt. I'm still not finished with mine yet but hopefully in the next two weeks it will be finished. You are very generous in your offer. I'm going to pass for now as I need to do the same thing...I'll check back soon. hugs, Linda

Reenie said...

Oh, I am up for this! I love an mysteries! lol Yes, please just let me know how to get the money for postage to you!

scraphappy said...

Sounds like a win win for all involved. I am a fan of bright and happy colors, but I mostly love scraps of all kinds. Can I send you a check or money order?

Deanna said...

I'll give it a try. I am doing more and more scrap style quilts and discovering that I like the look. Let me know what to do for a box, please.

And, you can see some of what I make with parts and pieces on my blog: weddingdressblue.wordpress.com

free indeed said...

I'll take a $10 box of scrap pieces. I love aquas and greens and need selvages in those colors to finish my valences....but I'm easy for what ever you stuff in there! How do we go about paying you? I have pay pal if neccessary...
Shelley

Linda said...

Ok, I've changed my mind...I'll take a big box. I'm not picky but I could use some reds, blues and florals but anything will be ok. Thanks for doing this....hugs, Linda

julieQ said...

I think it is a marvelous idea for you to spread your lovely scraps around! Alas, I have too many already!

Saska said...

I'm behind on reading...do you have anything left? Let me know.

Belinda said...

Sounds great! How can I make this happen, I love scraps and scrappy quilts!

Anonymous said...

Do you still have the Pansy Park quilt for sale? I am very interested. I have been looking for this. In fact, that is what I googled and found your site. I look forward to hearing from you.
Karen
kparot@pictec.com

The Calico Quilter said...

Karen, yes, I still have the kit. I would love to sell it to you; it's a shame that it has set in my closet all this time and not been made. The price is $50 plus postage. I weighed it in a I have on hand and it's 7 lb 10 oz., which translates to $11.45 priority mail or $10.34 parcel post. Let me know how you would like to ship it and send me your addy, and I'll give you a mailing address for the payment. Thanks for the interest!

The Calico Quilter said...

Belinda, would a small box be OK? Send me an email with your address and I'll let you know where to send the check.