My Secret Stash: How I Turned Fabric Collecting into a Fun Hobby

I've always had a thing for collecting fabric scraps, and my family's been no exception. My dad's got a garage full of bolts and screws, and my brother's got a collection that's honestly pretty wild.

I'm a big fan of repurposing old stuff, and I hate throwing away fabric if it's still usable. I've written about sewing toys before, and now it's time to talk about the materials I use for them.

Over the years, I've accumulated a ton of fabric scraps, bits, and huge pieces of cloth. Some of them were leftover from specific projects, and some were given to me by family members.

Do you need to collect and hoard fabric? I don't think so.

I don't insert fabric into a frame.If there are scraps left over, I don't throw them away – I fold them by type.I use them as needed, and I've got a system down pat.So, my collection didn't start because of the fabric itself, but because I wanted to make the most of it, including using it for a second and third time. I guess you could say it's all about reducing waste.

Where and how to store it?

That depends on your storage options. I've got two shelves in my closet dedicated to this, roughly 2 meters by 0.30 meters by 0.40 meters. There, I store my holofiber in boxes and bags, and the fabric is stacked neatly around it. By the way, the curtains that cover the shelves when the closet door opens were originally curtains in the kids' playhouse. Great cotton with a non-fading design.

As it turned out, my husband's jeans and mine started to wear out over time – I took them to the tailor a few times to have the seats repaired, and I can shorten the hem myself. But eventually, even that came to an end. Meanwhile, the fabric remained strong in all other parts – I leave it so that I can cut out the seams and make new jeans for the kids in the future – they manage to wear out the knees of their jeans as if they're not even wearing shoes.

I've come across some pretty unknown brands in my time, and it's hard to tell what kind of denim they're using – but the ones I've seen are surprisingly good quality. I mean, I've seen some pairs that are over 20 years old and still going strong!

Even some of the more well-known brands, like Montana, haven't been able to last as long as I'd like. I mean, my husband's pair lasted for about 3-4 years before it needed some serious repairs.

What kind of fabrics are in the collection?

Flannel – it's my go-to fabric for sewing toys and other projects.I love working with flannel – it's soft, gentle, and fuzzy, but it doesn't shed or irritate my skin after working with it. It's a real winner, and it stretches in one direction, which makes it easy to work with. Just be sure to cut it correctly to get the best results.

I've got to say, I'm loving the color options for this product – it's available in white, champagne, black, brown, yellow, and orange. And that last one? It's a family heirloom from my grandma, and I've been wearing it nonstop since I got it!

Wool – it's another favorite of mine for sewing toys and other projects.

Felt – I'm obsessed with this stuff – it's amazing at holding its shape, but you do need to work on the tension and not over-stretch it. The color palette is pretty pastel, with shades of pink, soft sky blue, rich purple, and blue. If you get the tension just right, even rounded shapes like glasses or needles work out great, like the little hedgehog spikes I made for my kids. Velcro – I've had this stuff for years – my parents actually got it as a gift when I was a kid, and it's been sitting in the cupboard ever since. My mom finally gave it to me and said, 'Maybe you can make something with it.' And guess what? We've been using it to hang our Christmas decorations on the doors, and it's still going strong after all these years. Not a single moth has touched it.Fluff – I've got it in the simplest form – a dense, one-color fabric – and also in versions with decorative accents. It's clear that the most basic version is similar to the old bed sheet from my grandma's trunk, which has a pretty stiff structure and a tactile feel that's not exactly like the flimsy flis I sometimes find myself wanting to touch endlessly.Летний – вуаль, рогожкаЗимний – фланель, бумазеяДемисезонный – вельвет, поплин:ШелкШифонАтласМешОрганза с металлическимПocketsI've had this piece of fabric for a year now, and I bought it with the intention of using it for my son's armor. But, as it turned out, he never needed it, so it's just been sitting here, looking pretty.

Органза с металлическимIt's incredibly durable, dense, and semi-transparent, and it shimmers in the light so beautifully that I've yet to cut into it. My hand hesitates every time I think about it.

ШерстьI use it for old coats, jackets, and other items. It makes a great prop for photos with the kids or a nice decoration for the house.

What I sew with these fabrics?

Toys – my favorite project.My favorite project is sewing toys. There was a time when I only had one kid (although it feels like I've always had two), and we would watch Little Grey Rabbit and Soviet cartoons. As a result: the entire set of marbles and a little cat that both kids played with during winter and summer.

I used fleece and felt for them, and Nusha turned out to be the softest, like a little cloud of cuteness.

I have to say, I went on a bit of a woolly sheep kick a few years back, making all sorts of crazy outfits for the whole family.

For the Fairs, I sometimes get inspired and whip up a synthetic veil with lace and brocade elements, a cotton plaid, and before you know it, you've got a lady in a panama hat. And, funnily enough, that was once my own shirt

Toy Storage – for all the little soft toys and teaching the kids to put things back in order.For all the little soft toys and teaching the kids to put things back in order, I ended up with pockets from my husband's old shirts. Here's a collection of different shades and synthetic and cotton fabrics.

I love repurposing old cereal boxes and a worn-out comforter to create a toy storage box. It's been 15 years, and the faded stuffed animals still fit perfectly in the dollhouse.

Bedding – I used to sew blankets and comforters for my kids and nieces in a patchwork style.I used to sew blankets and comforters for my kids and nieces in a patchwork style. Now, the zigzag quilt reminds me of the good old days, and it's lovely to wrap them up in my handmade work.

Designing the sensory panel – I thought about this for a while, and finally, it was time to put it into action.I thought about this for a while, and finally, it was time to put it into action. My kids have been fascinated by my collection since they were little, and they love exploring all the different textures – from silk to thick fleece, cotton, and wool.

New Year's Class Theme – I suggested we do a treasure hunt in bags this year, and I dug out one of my husband's old shirts – cotton, velvet, and a thick flannel.I suggested we do a treasure hunt in bags this year, and I dug out one of my husband's old shirts – cotton, velvet, and a thick flannel. We didn't win the competition, but the kids were thrilled.

Bags for storing herbs – I've been using these hemp bags for storing my herbs, and I have to say, they're a real time-saver.I've been using these hemp bags for storing my herbs, and I have to say, they're a real time-saver. The natural fabric is reminiscent of my grandma's old linen closet, and it's amazing how well it keeps my mint and other herbs fresh. I've been using them for a year now, and they're still going strong.

Orthopedic Mat – I have to say, I was a bit skeptical about using different materials for it, but then I stumbled upon some super-soft towels that were perfect for my skin.I have to say, I was a bit skeptical about using different materials for it, but then I stumbled upon some super-soft towels that were perfect for my skin. It's like they used to make back in the day.

The thing that's stuck with me today is that there's still a lot of stuff in the bags, but if I were to list everything out, you'd probably get bored. To be honest, if you enjoy the material, like sewing from time to time, and find the process relaxing, then go for it – collect, create, and have fun, but don't forget to dig through your storage containers every now and then!