Friday, December 10, 2010

Favorite Things Friday - Imagining the Possibilities

I was stumped just now for a succinct title for this FTF post, because I'm not really sure what to call my favorite thing this week.  It has to do with fabric.  Not fabric per se, though I do love the stuff, but specifically, pulling pieces for a project.  What do you call that?  Coordinating?  It's not really designing, is it?  Putting things together?  Eyeballing what works?  Testing?  

Really, it's kind of like swirling paint together on a palette.  A dab of this, a bigger dab of that, and making adjustments until the mixture results in something pleasing to the eye.

Yeah...that.

Anyway, it's what I've been doing recently, and I just love that part of the creative process.  Looking through my fabric stash, most of which has ended up stacked on my side table because the bins meant to hold it are full.  Holding up one hunk of fabric next to another, gauging the result, swapping one piece for another, then another, all the while imagining the finished product.  I get into that zone where time disappears.

Remember those 17 clutch purses I made over the past several weeks?  Gone.  All happily spoken for, and more have been requested.  The clutches I was going to give to my nieces for Christmas?  Well, let's just say I need to make them...again.

So I am back in manufacturing mode, having been engaged in what I think is the most pleasant part of the process.  Aside from seeing the end result, that is, because that's pretty awesome too.

What you see here are some of my groupings for the next go-round.  There are a few more that aren't pictured.  I think that bold orange and turquoise vintage fabric from the thrift store may turn out to be one of my favorite ones yet! 



You too can join the Friday favorite fun at Quilting in My Pyjamas.  Thanks for stopping by!

16 comments:

thea said...

Your favorite part is one my least favorite. Your colors look so great together and I love the clutch purses.

Larri said...

Love this! Congrats on selling all your fabulous clutches. Looking at that stash of gorgeous fabrics, I'm sure you'll be able to 'imagine' new clutches for your nieces in no time. :o) Happy FTF, friend! :o)

Kirsten's Cooking said...

I don't know much about sewing or quilting, but I love how you pair otherwise confusing patterns into a cohesive and beautiful result! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Those will make some beautiful clutches! I love mine. lak

Sarcastic Quilter said...

I like how you eyeball, coordinate, mix and match. Somehow your way, which is similar to mine, is much neater than mine. lol

Unknown said...

It's the part that is hardest for me...deciding what goes with what...maybe I don't have enough stash...yours look so great together~

Jane said...

I love that process too. I don't do as much sewing and piecing fabric (but I'm getting a new sewing machine for Christmas so that may change) but I loved the same process when I was doing a lot of scrapbooking...the paper was my fabric.
Have fun making more clutches!
Jane

Michelle said...

You've described it beautifully P.! There is no succinct way to describe, such an enjoyably luscious process. :-) An excellent FTF!

Shay said...

Considering the possibilities is one of my favourite parts of the process. I get a plan in my head and then choose fabrics. (A lot like you do by the looks of it)

Wow ! You are the clutch queen. I'm sure the recipients will adore your clutch making brilliance. Way to go P!

Marg said...

I absolutely love pulling fabric from my stash. I spend way too much time doing that. It's so nice to look through all the different fabrics and "play" with them.
You have some gorgeous combinations all set to go, beautiful!

Elizabeth said...

I call it 'auditioning.' And I love it too. You come up with some really great combinations. I love your taste in fabric.

xo -El

Sarah Craig said...

I call it "auditioning" too, just like Elizabeth! And that last combo, with the vintage fabric find, is awesome!!!

Sarah Craig said...

I call it "auditioning" too, just like Elizabeth! And that last combo, with the vintage fabric find, is awesome!!!

Kate said...

I agree, pulling fabric and playing with the possibilties is one of the most fun parts of any project. Great combos for your next set of purses!

Shruti said...

Every once in a while I manage to pulle out ALL of the fabric that I have and most likely end up using nothing of it and deciding I do not have anything to sew with!!! LOL... Loved your FTF

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

The last combination is great! I enjoy the auditioning process, too. Sometimes, more than the sewing process:)