Wednesday, October 15, 2008

the science of fabric love


I was ironing a stack of fabric the other day that had come out of the wash. Now that I have an iron that works, ironing isn't so bad. Plus it helps that I love looking at it, touching it, and dreaming up things I can do with it while I make it nice and neat. Most of the fabric has a project attached to it - but I found myself thinking of all sorts of other things I could do with it. That's when it came to me - the reason we love fabric and tend to collect it and like to just look at it.

Do you remember learning about potential energy? "It is called potential energy because it has the potential to be converted into other forms of energy . . ." (from Wikipedia). I remember the example of a ball at the top of a hill having a lot of potential energy. As it rolled down the hill it used up that energy until it came to a stop at the bottom, dead and lifeless.

When we have a nice piece of yardage it has all sorts of potential - quilts, bags, clothing, scarves, curtains, boxes, liners, etc, etc. And as soon as you take that first cut into it's energy begins to be released. Sewing it up in a frenzy we turn the ideas into something concrete, it's fate is sealed. I think this is why we collect it. It's full of ideas and dreams and I know for me, I'm always worried I won't like the finished product as much as I like just looking at the fabric itself. Fortunately, each completed project becomes my current favorite. But the difficulty is in the starting. Taking that first cut.

I was talking to a friend the other day, actually a couple of different people have expressed this same sentiment, that when they need a little pick me up they go spend some quality time with their stash.

Ahhh, the luxury of dreaming.

15 crafty mcCrafters commented:

Valerie said...

Well said. Amen, sista. And boy do I have a big ol' stack of dreams over here in my stash...

In Blog-land My Name is Lola.... said...

After purchasing some fabric the other day (..with no idea of what I'm going to do with it..besides look-pet-and-drool over it) I wanted to make a Fabric cozy to wear like a baby carrier, so it would always be close to me!

Obsessed??? no way...

Cara said...

I can't even go into the fabric store without my brain overloading! Too much potential energy!

Todd and Alicia said...

I wish I had half your creative energy. I don't even have potential creative energy. I'm so smitten with everything you do, from bag and jewelry making, to cooking up something new in the kitchen. I'm very jealous of your creative talent and energy. You go, multitasker-girl!

Sarah said...

Ironing IS so much fun when it is new fabric, full of potential!

Ellis Family said...

LOVE IT ALL! Sooooooooooooo wish I was a sewer! WANT YOUR SCRAPS LADY!

Rheannan said...

I love drive-ins. :) they are way fun. especially if you go with fun people.
and your love of fabric is like my love of scrapbook paper. :)

Debbie said...

I can't even imagine what you are thinkg. But I wish I did!!!!

allyn said...

i definitely get love feelings when i go in to the fabric store because i know what the possibilities are. then i get angst feelings because i know i shouldn't spend money on it. how sad is that? then i have guilt feelings when i do spend the money. then i get the love feelings back when i have finished a creation and it is well.

Cindy said...

I wish I had your stash!

carla anne said...

I have no real reason to love fabric. I only like to sew simple things and it is a process for me to even get started...yet I have loads of fabric waiting to be something...

Amy said...

Nicely put - it is a luxury to dream - and to create.

Kimberly said...

Oh so true! I do love just looking at my fabric. I makes me happy!
(Unless it was that impulsively bought cheap stuff that I need to donate!)
Thanks for linking up to this post, I am glad I got to read it.

Rebecca said...

wow, well-said! i feel like that all the time, but never quite put it into words. i love just pulling fabric and putting it together with other pieces...then putting it away :o) glad this isn't as weird as i thought!

Samelia's Mum said...

Very true. I'd never thought of it that way.

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