Monday, February 17, 2014

Fabricaholic

If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen these pretty fabrics were delivered last week.
 
 I have had an Etsy store for years where I sold completed quilts and table runners and some of my stash fabric.  But recently I have been in the process of building my store and inventory.  To be honest - I'm not doing this to build the biggest and best store out there.  I will never have 1000's of items for sale.  I am not in this to make a living selling fabric.  I decided to do this so I can get away with buying bolts of fabric and hiding it from my husband!  Why buy 5 yards - when I can have 15 yards?  The whole reason I got into quilting was because I LOVED the fabric. 
 
In the beginning - maybe about 10 years ago - I got into embroider - and I wasn't very good.  My sister was REALLY good and made the cutest projects we started turning into pillows.  I started buying fabric so I could help her make pillows.  When I had too much fabric - and enough pillows to fill a room from top to bottom - I decided I needed to branch out and start making something bigger then a pillow that took 4 2 1/2 inch stripes.  I was never going to use all my stash this way!  So I bought my first piece of real fabric for a quilt.  It was the 3 Sisters Gingham Rose patchwork cheater fabric.  (Gingham Rose is still one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES - I want to chant reprint to Moda)  I bought fabric for borders - and my friend Ann sewed them on - and I bound it - it was my first efforts in quilting - the binding.  But I LOVED this quilt and I still do.  One of my all time favorites.  I then got serious and bought fat quarters or Paris Flea Market and made my sister a quilt.  All squares - and 2 pink squares - same fabric, touching - didn't notice it until I was done.  Til this day it DRIVES ME CRAZY! But I love that quilt.  It is far from perfect but she loves it, and I loved the feeling of making something so special for the people I loved in my life.  And so my addiction began.  I began buying more and more fabric.  Fat Quarters were my drug of choice at the time.  I started a little 2nd job at Pine Needles.  Each week when I got paid - I took out the stash I had made for myself and cashed my check right back there in the drawer.  Never even left the building.  When we moved into a new house - finished our basement a few years later - I had closets built in my big sewing room - specifically to fit the bins of fabric.  I sometimes wish now I had hangers to hang things on instead of shelves!  But it was all about the fabric.   
 
 
Which is why I wanted to get into selling fabric.  In my shop you will only see fabric I love.  So I apologize right now if we don't have the same taste in fabric!  I have worked in Corporate America for almost 20 years - and to say I don't love my job is an understatement.  Being about to quilt for people and send pretty packages of fabric - is like a dream job for me that I'm working towards making a full time gig out of.  If I want to love my job - I have to stick with looking and cutting fabric day in and day out that I love!  That being said - I think I have a variety in taste.  Yes I'm currently drooling over anything Bonnie and Camille put out - but I'm OBSESSED with 3 Sisters and I think I always will be!  I have been loving anything Tasha Noel from Riley Blake puts out and I even ordered myself a bundle of Kansas Troubles the other day.  I love bright and cheery "Vintage Modern" looks of today - as well as traditional quilts with the warm colors.  So I hope as I grow my inventory you'll see a variety. 
 
 
I will be carrying primarily precuts - because to be honest - with a full time job, 2 little ones, a house that rarely gets cleaned, a quilting job, I don't know if I have it in me to cut yardage for hours on end each night.  So precuts are easy - and I love them.  I can't remember the last time I made a big quilt and started with yardage!  But when a line comes in that I REALLY love - you may see yardage in the shop.  April Showers is an example of that - and yardage will be showing up in the next few weeks!  YAY!!!!!  I'll also give you a little hint - that some Far Far Away  - will be showing up in a few months (THE WHOLE LINE). 
 
I hope if you're feeling the need to add some April Showers or this cute Organic Patchwork you'll think of me. 
 
Over the next few months - I'm going to start a Monthly/Weekly special and maybe incorporate backing into quilting specials or something like that.  I know this hobby of ours doesn't come cheap - and I want to find a way to make projects more affordable for everyone.  I love seeing the inspiration on blogs and instagram and I would like to do my part to help keep those projects flowing.  I am blessed to see the quilts flow through my house each day - and I have loved every minute of it!  I hope to keep them coming! 
 
 
I'm getting a big shipment of Christmas (YES CHRISTMAS ALREADY) precuts in the next week or so - and April Showers Yardage should be shipping soon - so please check back!  In the spirit of Christmas (cause I need to start early if I'm going to get anything done by December) I'm going to have these cute kits for sale when the yardage arrives.  I feel head over hills in love with Bonnie's Cabin Christmas quilt and can't wait to make my own!  If you're interested in a preorder of the kit - let me know.  They should be ready to ship out in mid March if the yardage comes as expected.  I'll keep you posted!
 
Hope you have a wonderful week - I'll be quilting and have a little Bonnie and Camille parade of quilts to show you soon.  I think I'm swimming in their fabric/patterns this last week!  Makes my job so fun!
 
 

10 comments:

Rhona said...

I'd be interested to know how much the Christmas kits would cost and whether you'd ship to the UK and what shipping costs would be. The quilt is beautiful 😀

Abby said...

Rhonda - you're email address isn't attached - email me at abby(at)latimerlane(dot)com and I'll send you the info!

Melia Mae Quilting said...

I hear you on the not being overly happy with your job part! I hope to do that with my quilting. But good for you for being able to do both! Quilting and fabric selling!

Laura said...

Wow, I think I could have written your post except for substituting batik fabric for precuts. I also have worked in corporate America/public accounting/tax preparation for 20 years and to say I don't love it is an understatement. Which is why I started a small online quilt shop a year and a half ago. Like you, I hope it is my ticket out of the rat race and into a full time job that I love. Also like you, I stock only batiks because that is what I like to work with the most. Not that I don't have plenty of other fabric in my stash because yes, I too am a fabriholic. When you move 2000 miles and you have more boxes filled with fabric than anything else, that pretty much says it all LOL. I love the quilting you have been doing that I have been seeing on Instagram so don't be surprised if you get a quilt or two from me down the road!

Margaret said...

Oh my goodness. On top of all the quilting and sewing you do, you have a full time job? I didn't realize that. You go girl!!

robin chapa said...

Hi Abby-- Robin, here. You have 2 of my Christmas quilts and I'm the one that declared this "The Year of the Christmas Quilt"-- one for every bed in the house by Nov. So.... yeah. This quilt kit is RIGHT up my alley! :) I'm definitely interested, but would have to know the cost, first, before I commit. :) I'm so in awe of you taking these baby steps to get into a job/career that makes you happy-- so inspiring!!
xoxox,
Robin (welchrobin@Hotmail.com)

helen said...

Love your blogg. Well done on changing it up I will check back regularly to check out fabric And patterns. Do u ship to Australia?

suemac said...

I see you have a Martinique table runner in your store. My favorite line of all time.

greg @ grey dogwood studio said...

I love that Xmas quilt and the story that you shared with us. I, too, wish that I could make my hobby a full time job. I've marked your shop as a favorite.

Sarah said...

You don't look old enough to have worked in Corporate America for nearly 20 years! I sometimes wish I could make quoting and fabric my day job too, but the reality is it just doesn't pay enough for my family to survive in today's world of needing two incomes. I also do love my day job, teaching middle school. Let me say, we are right on the same wave length with fabric choice! I adore anything Bonnie and Camille, 3 Sisters and Tasha Noel too. Add in some Fig Tree (only the ones with blues for some reason) and some Pam Kitty Morning and Flower Sugar and you'll have nailed my fabric obsessions!