In our last issue, we started this topic with Veronica Hollingsworth's great essay on building a sewing stash. My sister Mary was helping with the editing and she had a whole different perspective on building a stash, which she developed after going through some real financial stress during the last few years. She asked if she could share her story and ideas. Her money-saving thoughts are great. I thought many of you, especially those of you who are staying at home and living on a limited income, would enjoy reading her perspective and be able to apply it to your life. Mary has four children and works part-time as a registered dietician. She also works with me, helping me with new designs, modeling, testing and in general is my cheerleader and background support. Here is her story.

Growing up, whenever I wanted to sew something, Mother would say, "Let's see what we have on hand." Then we would dig through her supply of material, thread, lace, trims and buttons that she had accumulated over the years through her own sewing, to find everything we needed to make the project at hand.

Once on my own, I would start a project by picking out a pattern to sew, finding the right material and reading the list of notions on the back of the pattern to find out everything I needed (thread, zipper, elastic or interfacing) to make the outfit. The amazing thing is that when the project is finished, there is always enough thread, elastic, interfacing, etc. for at least one, or many more, projects.

I love to sew! Sewing is very therapeutic to me. I quit my nice, stable job when my first child was born 12 years ago to live on what my husband was able to provide. Money is usually tight, but often there is none to spare, not even a dollar or two to buy clothes at a second hand store, or even cheap material to sew a needed outfit. It has been wonderfully satisfying to make Halloween costumes with material scraps I had on hand. It was delightful to be able to make my daughter the poodle skirt she needed for a 50's day at school (with only 2 day's notice) and not a penny spent! I had a circle skirt pattern, elastic, the material and a hand-drawn poodle for the applique.

At first, the best thing to do is collect sewing supplies as you do projects. Buy additional notions as needed until you know that sewing is something you enjoy doing, and will continue to find the time to start and finish projects.

As far as having a stash goes, don't buy materials just to buy them, unless the price is GREAT and you know that you will use them. Consider your resources. Space, money, and even available time to finish projects often are factors that should be considered with what you accumulate.

So, what have been my sources? You can build up quite a supply of materials without breaking the budget, or feeling that you are depriving your family of other necessities. First of all, I have been amazed at what people have given me. My friends know that I sew, and when they, or their mother, have cleaned out their closets, they have freely given me their material, rather than put it in a yard sale. If you have the space, keep it, but if the material is something you know you will probably never use, not even for a costume, backdrop or tablecloth, freely pass it on to someone who would appreciate it or use it. It isn't realistic for everyone to expect to be given material, but it has been manna for me.

When you buy material, don't cut out anything until you are ready to sew it. There have been many times I bought material for a specific outfit to make, but five years later, used that same material for an entirely different project. If you cut something out too soon, sometimes it never gets sewn, and the project ends up being one of those cutouts in a bag at the secondhand stores. However, someone gave me a dress cut out of ultra suede that I used to make cute Lion King costumes for the kids, so even cutouts can be salvaged.

I f you aren't fortunate enough to be given material and notions, the next best thing is finding these at secondhand stores or yard sales. The price may be great, but not always. If you are familiar with the regular prices of notions or material you might use, you will know when you have found a gold-mine. Sometimes, the notions are so old, they aren't worth the money spent. Thread that is old, dusty and brittle is a bad buy as it is hard on the sewing machine, and it is very frustrating to deal with breaking threads and popping seams. Unwind the thread, and see if you can break it with your hand. If it breaks easily, pass on that deal. If it doesn't break easily, or at all, it is probably a good buy. An antique zipper will usually hold up nicely in a dress, but make sure that it doesn't detract from what you are making. It will usually do just fine in a child's play dress, or a casual outfit, but may not go so well in that formal party dress.

Another wonderful source are stores going out of business, those closing out inventories, or salvage stores. You never know what you will find, and it is always fun to look

By initially buying patterns, material and notions, you become accustomed to the "regular prices" of the things you like, use, and need. Get on the mailing lists of the stores you like to buy from. If they don't have mailing lists, ask them how they advertise their sales, and just watch for good sales on the things you are needing or wanting. Don't be afraid to look at the material on the budget tables. Very nice pieces of material can be found there, but not always. Do you like the look and feel? If you grab, squeeze and twist the material, will it hold its shape, or does it wrinkle in your hand? If the price is right, and you have something in mind, it can be a wonderful investment.

To build up a supply of elastic, bias tape, buttons, lace, and sewing machine needles, I have bought bulk supplies through Home Sew out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, (homesew.com) and was very pleased with their products. They also carry other notions at reasonable prices. If anyone has found other sources that are good, please send the information so that we can all share the resource.

If you are buying spools of thread, consider buying cones. Cones are normally reasonably priced (especially if on sale), but they last FOREVER! One cone of thread/color is sufficient for a wonderful supply of thread, and a good variety, but if you have a serger, five cones are very nice to have, one for the machine and four for the serger.

So sew and then do your homework. Learn what you want and need, and find out what the regular prices are. Spend small amounts of money as you go, and try some of our suggestions. Before you know it, you will be able to sew from your stash, rather than running to the store for everything. Most of all, enjoy what you create, and your entire family will be pleased too.