Chipping Away at My Fabric Stash One Doll Project at a Time

This post updates every time I finish a new piece. Bookmark it and check back!

I have a fabric problem.

Over the years, I’ve built up quite the fabric stash. There are different colors, prints, textures, and cuts tucked away in my closet.

Then I bought a Mood Fabrics mystery box.

That definitely didn’t help.

At last count, I had around 75 different fabrics waiting to be used.

How Did I End Up With So Much Fabric?

When you sew doll clothes, you don’t need much fabric.

The problem is that fabric isn’t always sold in doll-sized amounts. Depending on the shop, especially when ordering online, you may need to buy at least a yard even when your project only needs a small piece.

So I buy a yard of fabric, use a little for a pattern or test project, and the rest goes into the closet.

Do that enough times and the stash keeps growing.

Add in fabric I’ve picked up for future projects and that Mood Fabrics mystery box, and suddenly I’m looking at around 75 different fabrics.

So I’ve given myself a challenge.

The Chipping Away at the Stash Challenge

The idea is pretty simple.

For now, I’m not buying any new fabric. Instead, I’m shopping my own stash and seeing what I can make with what I already have.

For each project, I’ll choose a fabric from my stash and use one of my doll sewing patterns to turn it into a finished piece.

The finished doll clothes and accessories will then be added to The Dolly Insider shop as ready-made pieces you can buy.

I’ll still be working on new patterns along the way, which means there will be test pieces. Those won’t count toward this challenge. For a fabric to count, it needs to be used for one of the finished physical items I’m making for the series.

That way I’m chipping away at my fabric stash while also giving some of my patterns another chance to come off the page and become something you can hold.

Why I’m Not Trying to Use All 75 Fabrics

I’m starting with around 75 different fabrics, but the goal isn’t to use every single one.

Some may be too thick, too slippery, or just not a good fit for the patterns I have.

Instead of counting down from 75, I’m counting up.

I’ll keep track of how many fabrics I’ve turned into finished projects. That way I can see the stash shrinking without turning this into a challenge I have to finish.

Fabrics Used So Far: 2

Let’s see how high that number gets.

Keep Track of Your Fabric Stash

Working through your own fabric stash? My free Fabric Swatch Printable gives you a simple way to keep track of your fabrics and plan what you might make next.

What I’m Making From My Fabric Stash

Here’s where you can follow along as I work my way through the stash.

Each time I pull out a new fabric, I’ll add it here along with everything I make from it. Some fabrics may work for just one project, while others might inspire a few.

Let’s see what I can make.

Fabric #1: Ivory Mini Waffle Fabric

Pattern Used: City Life Beanie Sewing Pattern for Blythe

I picked this mini waffle fabric because the texture felt perfect for a beanie. It gives the finished hat a warm, cozy look that works really well at Blythe scale.