craftyarts

My husband loves gardening, so I made him a gardening hat with a big wide brim to keep the strong sun off him. I used a beautiful green cotton pattern of pine trees (a camoflage effect--couldn't find fabric that looked like military camoflage). I put batten between the cotton for firmness. I gave it to him earlier, and he loves it. So, I'm making him a second one since I had just enough fabric left. They will get bleached out from the sun quickly, and dirty, so two will be great!

Storing fabrics in Florida is an art in itself. There are no basements, and garages and attics are too hot and humid. I have 3 see-through plastic totes (24Lx12Wx14H)with washed fabrics, folded so the patterns are visible from the outside. Then, I ask for the end of the bolt cardboard and keep unwashed fabrics on the original cardboard standing on end in a large walk-in closet. Again because of Florida the & possible 4-legged critters, I keep these enclosed in large, clear plastic bags that come from dry cleaners or meat counters. I keep interfacing, batting, pellon, etc. lying flat on closet shelves above my clothes. Seam binding, rick rack, thread, ribbons, elastic, etc. are kept in smaller clear plastic latch-top totes from KMart. Patterns are kept in photo storage boxes from Michaels--they fit perfectly. Zippers, needles, bobbins, velcrow, and other small accessories are kept in a sewing basket. Maybe I'm wrong, but sometimes it seems like sewing is a lost art. I do it because I love it.