Friday 18 January 2013

My piece of fabric ...

... that I will never, ever cut into! This piece of fabric is destined to remain at the back of my stash, rarely seeing the light of day. 

Do I like it ... NO! 

If it wasn't so special, would I make something from it ... NO! 

But untouched it will remain for my entire life. One of my lucky kids (sorry!!!) will inherit this piece of fabric with strict instructions to "Never-ever-cut-it-or-else!" And they both know when I am serious!

So, what is this piece of fabric ...
... 1 yard of tweed! Enough for a skirt! 

And it's specialness lies in the fact that my Grandmother purchased this little fabric package in 1961, when visiting Scotland, and returned with it to Australia. She never sewed with it, so passed it onto my Mum, who also never felt inclined to make it up. On Mum's passing I inherited it, and there is no way I am going to be the first in three generations to cut into this fabric.


This piece of tweed comes complete with a label, zipper, lining and instructions to make up a skirt. I am sure my UK followers will know a lot more than I on this area of Scotland, and the history behind Handloom Weaving. 
Also in the same box, all wrapped up in blue tissue paper came these 3 pieces of tartan ...
... but they didn't come with accessories. But each is enough for a skirt length. Not touching these either!

I really should make an effort and investigate the origins of these fabrics, Moffat Weavers, and the correct way to store this fabric for the next 50 years ... until then, no kilt making for this little Aussie!

So tell me, if you owned the Moffat tweed would you keep it under wraps at the back of your stash, or actually cut into it? The ever-clever Andrea form Satin Bird Designs suggested I 'consider framing the lovely piece of fabric, or wrapping a canvas for wall art!' - told you she was a clever-one. 

32 comments:

  1. I don't have any tweed fabric, but I sure have numerous things that have been saved and treasured, because they once belonged to, or were made by someone special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it is my first and only bit of tweed as well! But I have seen many a beautiful tweed garment made up...

      Delete
  2. I'd cut it and make a skirt - no deliberation. That's what it was purchased for and it deserves to be worn and shown, not stuck at the back of a cupboard. This is probably why I don't have a stash - every bit of fabric gifted to me gets cut almost immediately.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need more of your strength, and mindset, Ruth! Particularly since I am not one to keep stuff just for the sack of keeping it...

      Delete
  3. I cannot comment on this one (oops just did) As I have not got any fabric that is that precious. Love, yes,I suppose you must go with what seems best.
    The skirt with the label etc would look good in a display frame in your sewing room, and you would enjoy it more often.
    louise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think I am going for the display idea - will save any future frustrations of 'what-to-make' with it...

      Delete
  4. What beautiful fabric! If it was me I'd make it up - although I'd do it very slowly and carefully. Pity you can't have your cake and eat it too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Maybe keep the one piece but the others....i wouldnt do skirts,maybe a shrug or even pillows or a purse.It was made to be used after all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is a beautiful story:)
    Framing it sounds like a rally good idea..constant memory plus its artwork!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fresh this fabric is special. I wish I knew more about Moffat. I think would be important this fabric get use at some point. Maybe with something can be given to the family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the idea of displaying it in your sewing room too.. and maybe using some of the other tartans[plaids as we call them in USA,ha] for a skirt for you..Would be very special to wear..
    So anxious to hear what you do with them.. What a fantastic thing to be given to you and passed on from 3 generations.. Proud for you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree that you should never cut the first fabric. But I think you might make something (a baby blanket, a baby's coat) of one of the plaids as something that could be passed down generations. I wonder if there is some way to make sure future generations understand and value the fabric as well? It's not like you can frame it...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I respect your decision, but its a tough one for me personally. I have a length of bobbin lace given to my by my fraternal grandmother with the promise I would use it and not let it sit as she had....I am riddled with guilt because 25 years later it has still not been used...which is what it is made for..to be used/worn, where others can appreciate it as well. Think of the interesting people you could meet and the story you could share with them about that fabric...just saying.....

    They are lovely,

    ReplyDelete
  11. For me, making the skirt would be honoring the fabric and the purchaser.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I do have precious fabrics, but I do know that one day I will cut into them. I sort of agree with both Ruth and you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Don't you wish you knew why your Grandmother never cut into it? Was because she was scared of it? Didn't know how to match plaid (although I seriously doubt that) or was it too warm to wear wool skirts and they didn't fit her lifestyle?

    I say use it - either display it so you have warm memories of grandma around while you sew - or make it up into the skirt it's longing to become. At a certain point the 'specialness' of it is lost. g

    ReplyDelete
  14. Each of them would be nice as a lap robe, lined in a luxurious silk charmeuse or another delicious fabric or even a high-quality cotton flannel. They could be draped over the arm of a sofa or chair, enjoyed daily and shared with others.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'd wait for something a little more grand, but cut it I would! But then my husband does call me the least sentimental person alive. If this were my fabric, I'd make a skirt with princess seams and insert leather piping (or something equally funky) into the seams, so that it has a mix of the old and new. What do you think your grandmother would want you to do with it?

    ReplyDelete
  16. tough situation! I probably wouldn't cut it - but would use the three tartans. Love the lap robe idea from Carole. BTW, I have a similar thing - gifted by Mom, but it's silk and folds up into almost nothing. At the bottom of one of my stash bins...but I kind of enjoy having it there.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'd make it into the skirt! Except that I also have some special fabric still in a bag on a shelf that I haven't had the courage to cut yet either!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cut with a smile on your face and a mind full of preparation!

    Lovely to find your blog :D

    Bundana x

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a fun backstory, Judith! (Did I ever mention to you that Judith was my mom's name?) How cool that the piece of fabric came all put together as a skirt kit. I am seeing a shadow box display for sewing room decor.... I don't think I could cut into it either.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Cut it. Someday your beautiful fabrics will fall apart from age, sun damage or insects. Or what if your house floods or burns? Those beloved fabrics will never have been put to the use they were designed for. You can wear it and feel close you your grandmother, happy to be wearing something she loved. Istead of a "Never Cut it" legacy, why not leave a "Wear it an love it legacy". Make it up in a classic, never goes out of style pattern, and leave the skirt to your children to be enjoyed for coming generations. Until it wants to fall apart. Then, in a hundred years or so, have it hermetically sealed in a frame to hang on the wall.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a sweet story - I wouldn't have the heart to cut into it. I would frame it as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. You have some lovely fabric (and memories) there. I have turned a few lengths of my Mum's summer cottons into pretty skirts - she bought the fabric to make blouses, but I think that she would have been happy for it to be skirts!

    Although I would not have a problem cutting up my Mum's fabric (she passed away three years ago, very unexpectedly) I have kept a clear plastic folder containing a pattern of a blouse and the partially completed garment - boy was she a good seamstress! Such precise sewing, interfacing and pressing! I am thinking of having that framed - a lovely WIP that reminds me of a fabulous lady xx

    Whatever you choose will be right for you!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great story and I understand why you haven't cut into it, I think it means more than just fabric with the family story behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Those are such beautiful, and special pieces. Thanks for sharing them on your blog. It's no wonder that you've not cut into them!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've been giving a great deal of thought to this sort of thing lately. I pick up a lot of amazing well aged stash at the local thrift store. Some other sewer held onto those pieces and didn't ever get to wear them. I plan to be the one to wear my stash. Now in your case, as long as you honour the stash in some way, I'm with you. Just don't lose it to someone else who doesn't understand it as you do.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would sew them all up. And make teddy bears (or other stuffed animals) with the remnants to donate to the children's hospital. That way they'll get held and loved for almost forever rather than sitting in a cupboard/ box XD I've come across too many of these sorts of 'skirt lenghts' and 'suit lengths' on ebay and estate auctions where they sell for a pittance because the current generation didn't have the same feelings for it as the original owner. Besides, you'd wanna die if they got decimated by moths or other parasites-those dude have no qualms about 'cutting into' anything-their work makes things totally unusable though..

    ReplyDelete
  27. I helped a stylish 80+ year old woman finally sew up some gorgeous British wool that she too had bought as a skirt piece in the 1960s. It was a reminder of an enjoyable trip and she only regretted not having sewn it sooner. I think beautiful fabric deserve to be cut and worn and enjoyed.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would cut it up - no question! That's what it was bought for. But what to make with it? I'm no lover of tartan - especially those bright ones, so I would probably use it as a lining for something.

    At wprst I would crochet little mats and sew the fabric on the back...

    Penny
    x

    ReplyDelete