Sunday 12 October 2008

The credit cloud’s metallic thread lining

The financial world has been slowly crumbling in past weeks. And it’s having a knock-on effect on other sectors of industry, affecting jobs and job availability. Which eventually finds most of us either a little or a lot out of pocket. So while the rich bankers, traders and hedge fund managers get richer and the poor recently repossessed get poorer, the crafty get craftier. Well I have, at any rate.

I’m not a big spender. I was simply not born with a shopping gene and retail therapy is my version of hell. Unless, of course, it involves a quilt/embroidery/fabric store or haberdashery. There is always that piece of fabric that I just have to have a fat quarter of for my stash. And my thread box needs to have enough options to inspire new projects. I’ve gotten better at buying only what I need, but under present conditions I am so grateful for my past indulges.

While dinners out are few and travel is non-existent, there is a world of opportunity waiting in my fabrics and threads. Instead of conjuring up ideas based on what I could go out and buy, I find myself coming up with designs that incorporate what I already have. That piece of fabric I bought three years ago finally has a purpose. And new colour combinations are opening up exciting new avenues to explore.

The best part of all, though, is that I find ideas simply exploding into my head at any given moment – on the train, in my dreams, mid-conversation. It’s as though my imagination has been prodded into action by necessity and discovered that it actually has something to offer. It’s quite a liberating, if somewhat surreal, feeling.

The other positive spin-off is that immersing yourself in fabric and thread and delicious new ideas doesn’t leave much time for worrying about the state of the economy.

11 comments:

bigbucketgirl said...

I'm with you on that! The other positive from all the doom and gloom is that i've stopped watching the start of the ten o clock news and it means i knit faster... I'm 20 or so rows better off by not watching the money talk!

gunnelsvensson said...

I leave a comment by I think I was to fast, if it came twice you can deldete it!
Yes, the finicial world and their problems is all teh time on all hthr news here in Sweden too. And I am so tired of it! I have my fabricstash, my emborideryyarns and threads, bead and buttons, I don´t no more. I think I can sew aeveral years without buing some new! But I can´t reaist the fleamarket, to find old buttons, make me happy!
Thank you for your comment on my blog. The ladies on th eold photo is my grandmoither, her sister and their nice

cathleen said...

Oh, my, I love this post...I feel, exactly, the same way Kelly. I feel blessed to be able to have my little craft stash to comfort me when the going gets tough. I can disappear into my sewing room and dream in solitude and feel serenity.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same. I hate shopping except for fabric and threads - but even that is about to change i fear. only just found your blog, great Jacobean leaves.... looking foward to following along.

Unknown said...

Im from South Africa and I assure you we have more problems here than most! What with crime and politics enough to give you grey hair! Thank goodness for passionate love affairs with fabric, beads and buttons, and the love of using your hands for good!

Jennyff said...

So true. Lets hope the current global crisis leads to a revaluation of what is important in life, appreciation of our own abilities, satisfaction in work well done, productive pleasures that don't cost a lot. I'm sure there are a few chief execs this morning with time on their hands, unlike us crafters who never have enough.

Tilly said...

I've been having a big clear out - old clothes - but then I find myself looking at them and thinking about what I could turn them into instead. No point in going out and buying expensive fabric. The poor charity shop is going to lose out though.

Anonymous said...

Brilliantly said! And I think your embroidery is phenomenal!

Clare Wassermann said...

Thank you for your comment re Berninas and Janomes on my site - just thought I'd let you know I ordered the Bernina today! (Bugger the credit crunch huh?)! Thanks again!

jude said...

the good thing about fabric is that it is everywhere. can't imagine buying any. i am sure the "community" can always keep us supplied.
it is time to spin thread cocoons and escape.

Cassie said...

It's amazing how creative we can get in order to save money! I have started digging through my stash and am finding things I had forgotten I even had! Great post.