Attack the Stash - Plan A

My stash box lid won't close. 

The problem seems to be leftovers. Don't know about you, but when I buy fabric I buy by the metre - not halves or 0.4m - but full size. Then after I cut and make something I always end up with the halves that I didn't need to buy in the first place. Leftovers that are seemingly too small to make a useful garment and too big to throw out. With our couple of days of holiday this weekend I decided I needed to do something about these bits. I mean I can't buy any new fabric until I have a place to put it.....

So I cleared out the stash box. All the little bits were dumped and the larger bits stacked on the table. 

You may recognise some of the fabrics: we have .5m Fireworks jersey; .75m Boho 4 gore skirt cotton; .5 grey jersey from Don's belt dress and various other bits and pieces collected and stored for years.

Because these have already been cut they are all irregular shapes and sizes. The challenge is to transform them into wearable items. I choose TOPS as the item of metamorphosis and dug out all the patterns that required very little fabric - vest tops, T-shirts  - that sort of thing. I need small pattern pieces that can be twisted and turned and cut off the fold to fit the fabric remnants. They should take little time to sew as I've made them before - not much learning or reading of instructions is required.

Number 1: Silk and cotton blend drapey and soft fabric in red and gold paisley and check pattern. Made up as Paco's draped top.

Arm scythes are bound in bias strips of self fabric. No zip needed as this pulls on comfortably over my head.

Only change made was the centre seam of the lower front V section - cut as two halves due to lack of fabric.

Number 2: Same pattern but in grey marl jersey. 

Wow, same pattern + different fabrics = different looks.

And yes, they're sleeveless - I'm becoming a little more comfortable with that look - but only at home.

I can't believe how well this T-shirt sits - it just drapes so well.

The whole of the front had to have a centre seam because of fabric restrictions but this made getting a sharp point so much easier. Not too much care taken with this one, all sleeves and neck edges were just folded and stitched, then trimmed close to the stitching line. This fabric doesn't fray and the top is meant to be casual anyway.

Number 3: Same again in Boho 4 gore printed cotton

This one doesn't have a V point at the front at all - I just placed both pattern pieces together on the fabric and cut.

The V shape at the front really adds shaping however and so this one is a bit on the 'square' side. I might add some darts later to slim me down a bit.

It's also a bit much with the matching skirt. Must seek out ivory trousers to wear with it.

 Three down......

If I run out of steam there's always Plan B - put it all back in the stash box!

So, go to your stash, rifle through it looking for those 1/2 yds and see what you can rustle up.

Thanks for reading. Ruth