Sewing From My Stash: I Have to Embroider My Own Fabric

Stash Roulette, Episode 1A

Welcome to Stash Roulette, my new monthly series. Each month I pull a random category from the box, and I sew something using only what's already in my stash. The only rule is to make whatever brings me joy. It won't always be practical and it might be something that pushes me a little outside my comfort zone.

Why I started this

The idea came from my Havana Nights skirt. I was short on time and couldn't get to a fabric store, so I had to get creative with what I already had in my fabric stash. That skirt turned out to be one of my favorites and it made me wonder what else was sitting in my studio, waiting for its turn.

If you sew, you probably know the feeling. Fabric from trips, sales, gifts, and "I'll use this someday" moments slowly fills every shelf. Stash Roulette is my way of finally using it up, and I'd love for you to join me.

Taking inventory

Before the first draw, I had to face what I actually own. I went through my whole studio: fabric, ribbons, buttons, eyelets, and every other notion tucked away in bins and drawers. Some of it I'd forgotten about completely.

Seeing it all in one place was a little overwhelming. It was also the push I needed.

The draw

The first category pulled from the box: embroidery.

I knew right away what I wanted to make. I'm remaking my Havana Nights skirt, the one that started this whole idea.

The twist

When I raided my stash, I found a piece embroidered fabric, but there wasn't enough yardage for the skirt. Shopping for more wasn't an option, because that's against the rules. So I decided to take a plain fabric from my stash and embroider it myself.

Getting the pattern ready

Before any embroidery happens, the pattern has to be right.

Sewing a new sample. I remade a sample of the skirt to check the pleats and the shape of the tiers before cutting into anything I care about.

Re-marking the pleats. Once the sample was where I wanted it, I re-marked the pleats and transferred those markings onto the paper pattern, so every future version starts from the corrected lines.

Planning the embroidery placement. This was my favorite part, I printed the embroidery designs on paper and pinned them along the front of the skirt while it hung on my dress form. Moving the paper pieces around let me see how the designs would sit on the body before stitching a single thread. When I liked the layout, I traced the placement onto the paper pattern.

It's a simple trick, and it saves so much guesswork. If you've ever stitched a design and then realized it lands in the wrong spot, try mocking it up in paper first.

What's next

In Part B, I'll embroider the fabric, sew the skirt for real, do the fit check, and show you the finished reveal. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss it.

Join the challenge

You don't need a box to play along. Pick a category, look through what you already own and make something that brings you joy, even if it's a little bolder than you'd usually wear.

• Watch the full series: [Stash Roulette playlist link]
• Share what you make with #StashRoulette and #DressLikeYouMeanIt so I can see it

What category would you want the box to pick next? Tell me in the comments after you've watched the video.

Dress like you mean it!🧵

~Marisol