Trippin' on ribbon

Being a ribbon whore/hoarder, I have plenty of grosgrain stash to make the (say it in a high-pitched tone) fabulous cosmetic bags!

Sew some ribbons together then add a zipper. With right sides together, sew one narrow side and long side. Make sure the zipper is open. Fold other narrow side and sew.


(Wish like heck I could give credit for the concept but I cannot remember the ribbon craft book title.)

Craft supply suggestion: buy in bulk from eBay.

Easy fabric storage

Thanks to Eileen, I had a heap of silk fabric with no home and wondered how to store it. Sure, I could buy plastic lidded storage boxes but those are pain in the ass because they're heavy when stacked full of fabric and invariably it's the bottom box you want when searching for a specific item. Already had this metal shelving unit (that I had powder coated in metallic silver paint) so filled it up with fabric.

Filled that mammajamma and still needed MORE fabric storage space. Another visit to my favorite used office furniture store and found this cool unit for less than marked price of $49! WooHoo! I opted for the sturdy metal cabinet at the same price as four plastic storage containers. Cleaned it up and opted to place unit in closet so no powder coating necessary although, am now considering a powder coat finish to match the other unit and placing them in the same room.

Top two shelves have sliding doors removable for easy cleaning.

Sliding drawers on third and fourth levels.

All the sliding mechanisms are incredibly smooth. No, it isn't pretty but it is incredibly functional, dust-free and easy access storage. It is a joy, I tell ya, JOY for this anal retentive girl to squirrel away even more silk fabric!

Silk stash yields handbags

The silk stash makes the prettiest handbags. Employed vintage buttons and hair tie elastics for closure.

Silk tank for Eileen

Eileen, my fairy godmother of the silk fabric stash, gets the fabulous ribbon tank top. It is from the same pattern as Kay's tank but with vertical stripes.

Wanna know how to cut a pattern so that you can use it for any size? As in, Kay is one size, Eileen was the next size down. Don't cut the pattern to size. Instead, make cuts into pattern and fold back. Use the temporary adhesive. You now have a pattern with all sizes intact.

Finally a silk scarf for ME

Okay, this looks like two silk scarves for me but shown are reverse sides of fabric. Glass bead trim was handsewn to ends.

Silk fabric stash produces a handbag!

My friend said she didn't particularly want a silk scarf and asked if I would make her a handbag instead. Sho'! Here 'tis!



Lucky me, I aleady had the perfect lining fabric from mom's quilt fabric stash. People give me stuff, I tell ya. And I USE it!

Silk fabric stash, revealed

So, that silk fabric stash that I keep alluding to? Ya wanna see it?

Warning: viewing may be an invitation to hatred and covetousness.

Yay, Eileen, she HOOKED me UP!

Now, forget you ever saw it and move along.

Bestest thing I have ever sewn!

Attempted to sew a tank for Kay and planned to "learn" on hers before making one for me. Pattern is New Look 6761, the leopard print tank. It was a bit too long so changed hem length. Of course, the silk fabric stash was used.

The new serger finished the seam allowances. Yay!

Did not realize that I needed purchased bias tape for underarm seam so made my very own!

Flipped pattern back panel to match yellow tone stripe in center.

Silk tank top made from of uncut tie fabric.

Silk fabric stash again again

Whipped this pillow from the silk fabric stash. Cute, huh?

Lorraine's silk scarf

Made another scarf from the highly coveted silk stash. Check out the pompom fringe!