Whole 30 Fabric Challenge banner from @pinkmimosabyjacinta on Instagram.
In September last year, I decided to sign up to the Whole 30 Fabric Challenge: a challenge that encourages you to use or give away 30 metres (or yards) of fabric that you already own, before buying any more fabric. It is a reaction against the very consumerist notion that sewing and fabric collecting are two separate hobbies - a trap that most sewists eventually fall into.
It seemed like a great idea. I don’t have a crazy amount by some people’s standards, but I do have a lot. I do have the storage space for it, and I keep good digital records of my fabrics, so I’m fully aware of what I have, but it’s still a decently sized amount of fabric that’s just sitting there. Forcing myself to use it seemed like a good thing - for sustainability, and for my wallet.
But 5 months later, I’ve managed to sew a grand total of … 1 metre from stash. In some of my Instagram stories, I did cheekily include fabric that was in transit to me when I signed up for the challenge - but I don’t really think that was in the spirit of things. Excluding fabric bought for pattern tests or gifts (which according to my definition of the challenge, were exempt), I’ve also bought 7 metres of new fabric, so that’s -6 out of 30!
In fact, my sewing practice all but came to a halt. I sewed nothing but pattern tests and Christmas presents during this time.
Where did it all go wrong?
Well, actually, it’s a matter of perspective. I don’t really think it all went wrong. In fact, I think it has been a really important learning experience.
Here are some of the things I’ve discovered:
I have a lot of rubbish fabric that I don’t actually want to use. All that cheaper fabric needs to get used for toiles, or donated/given away. If I’m not inspired by it, I’m not going to use it, and it just takes up brain space.
I have a lot of “nice” fabric that I’m too nervous to use. Turns out I’m inclined not to use the good fabric, either. Once it sits in my stash for a certain amount of time, it turns into a prized piece that needs to be used on the perfect project - and of course, nothing is ever perfect enough.
Buying a new fabric gives me “permission” to use it. I’m far more willing to roll the dice on a nice fabric that I’ve only just bought. There seems to be a grace period of 1-2 months within which a fabric is likely to be sewn, because I’m still excited about it - and if it’s not used straight away, it goes into stasis.
The last one is probably the most revelatory, as it highlights something in my personality. I need the encouragement of novelty in my sewing. I don’t think this is necessarily something to fight against.
What am I going to do differently now?
As of today, I’m declaring myself out of the challenge. But I am also going to work on using my stash, because it will be a lot more interesting if it’s less of a stash, and more of a revolving door situation. A bit like a fruit bowl that always has something fresh and exciting (and not rotten) in it.
Here’s my approach:
Wash all fabrics. Too many of my fabrics are unwashed, which adds an overhead to using them in a project. I need to remove all barriers to entry - anything to enable me to cut out an older fabric on a whim!
Use the good fabric, for goodness’ sake. There will always be more fabric. I have very few pieces that are truly sentimental, which do need to be carefully planned in. The rest of them should just get used whenever I’m ready to sew an appropriate pattern.
Make toiles out of the fabric I don’t like. I tend to use calico for my toiles. But depending on the pattern, why not use that cheap viscose challis, or that polyester gingham I bought for my course and never used? I have weird sustainability feelings about this - but am I really making a more ethical choice by just holding onto these fabrics? Is it not better that they serve a purpose?
Buy better quality fabric. Now that I’m allowing myself to buy fabric again, it doesn’t mean the flood gates are open. I’m going to buy less, but better quality. I will only buy fabric that has a good hand and appropriate drape, that feels like it’s going to wash and wear well.
Treat myself to new patterns to sew those stash fabrics. If I need novelty in my sewing life, then perhaps I can inject that by combining old fabrics with new patterns, and trick my brain with the shiny new thing.
Goodbye Whole 30. It’s been educational. Hello fabric shops 😄