Every sewist has a fabric stash — pieces bought with excitement, saved for a “special project,” or tucked away as our tastes evolve. Some fabrics feel too precious to cut. Others were impulse buys that no longer match our current style. And sometimes, life simply gets busy and beautiful fabrics end up quietly waiting at the back of a drawer.
But there’s something magical about rediscovering those hidden treasures. A forgotten fat quarter, a long‑saved favourite print, or a bundle you bought years ago can spark creativity in ways you don’t expect. Now is the perfect time to revisit your stash with fresh eyes — before your start your next project.
Why We Hold Onto Fabric (and Why That’s Okay)
If you’ve ever saved a fabric because it felt “too good to use,” you’re not alone. Many of us hesitate to cut into favourites because:
- we’re waiting for the perfect pattern
- our colour palette has shifted over time
- we’re worried about “wasting” a special print
- we bought it for a project that never happened
- it holds sentimental value
These reasons are part of the joy of sewing — fabric carries memories, ideas, and possibilities. But those beautiful pieces deserve to be sewn, enjoyed, and seen.
How to Rediscover Old Favourites
Here are some gentle, practical ways to reconnect with your stash and turn forgotten fabrics into fresh inspiration:
Create a Seasonal Challenge
Pick one fabric you haven’t used in years and make something small with it this month. A basket, pouch, or tote is perfect — low‑pressure, quick, and satisfying.
Curate a Mini Palette From Your Stash
Pull out 5–6 fabrics that feel right for the season. You might be surprised how older prints blend beautifully with your current style.
Pair Older Fabrics With Modern Patterns
A simple, clean pattern can make a vintage or retro print feel fresh again. Many older fabrics shine when the project is uncomplicated.
Use Stash Fabrics for “Quick Wins”
Small projects are ideal for rediscovered fabrics — they let you enjoy the print without committing to a large quilt or garment.
Photograph Your Stash
A flat lay can help you see colours and prints in a new way. Sometimes a fabric looks completely different when photographed.
Make a Rediscovery Box
Choose a handful of fabrics you want to use this season and keep them in a small box or basket. Seeing them regularly keeps inspiration close.
A Note on Novelty Prints
Many of us have a tub (or two!) of novelty fabrics — prints we fell in love with because of the illustrations, the colours, or the story they told. They’re joyful and fun, but larger‑scale designs don’t always suit the small projects we make most often.
If you have novelty prints tucked away, try:
- Fussy‑cutting a favourite motif for a pouch or coaster
- Using them as lining where the print becomes a hidden surprise
- Pairing them with solids to let the illustration shine
- Choosing patterns with larger panels (book bags, drawstring totes, project bags)
- Making gifts — novelty prints are perfect for children, teachers, or themed presents
Even if the print doesn’t suit your current style, it might still be perfect for a small, joyful project.
You could even set yourself a “novelty challenge” — choose one print from your tub and make something simple with it this month.
A Little Story From My Sewing Room
This week I pulled out some Denyse Schmidt DS Quilts fabrics I bought more than 15 years ago — mustard and navy prints inspired by vintage feedsacks, originally released through JoAnn and Spotlight. They’re quite different from what I usually sew with, but they felt perfect for a statement pair of buckets.
I used them to make a set of simple Luma Buckets (no star version), and it reminded me how satisfying it is to sew from your stash. A forgotten fabric suddenly became the highlight of my week.
Sometimes the best inspiration comes from what you already own.
A Gentle Nudge to Explore Your Own Stash
If you’ve been saving fabrics for “someday,” maybe this is the season to rediscover them. Your stash is full of stories — colours you once loved, prints that made you smile, and fabrics that deserve to be sewn.
Pull out a few favourites, set a tiny challenge, and see what sparks.
More Inspiration From the Blog
Sew Your Stash — practical tips for making the most of the fabrics you already own
The Art of Small Makes — why small projects are perfect for creativity and confidence
Novelty Fabrics: A Sewist’s Guide — how to use large‑scale or quirky prints in thoughtful ways
I also bought a great many Denyse Schmidt DS fabrics, actually at Joanne’s about 20 years ago, and I still have a stash, some of which I didn’t want to give up. I’m just going to gather my DS stash and maybe make the triangle quilt she displayed at that time.