Hey everyone, in my last post I talked about how I dealt with my UFO’s. This time I am talking about stashes. The thing non-crafters don’t understand is, we are all secret hoarders. Well maybe not all of us, they may be the rare exception of quilter who only buys the tools, fabric, thread etc. that they need for the specific project they are working on. But I bet you a fat quarter stack, that you are not one of them! I am not talking the type of hoarder likely to be on a TV documentary, but if we are being honest, some of us own at least two sewing machines. And the majority of us have a “selection” buttons, ribbons, threads and/or fabric for general use, as well as at least one separate stash for specific projects or special occasions. C’mon now its not just me right?!
At the same time as I learned to love Aliens (see my last post), I also decided to try to house train my Dragon (A.K.A. Tame my Stash). Back in January I posted in the UKQU Social Facebook page that I had counted up all my layer cakes and at that time got to 55 (Yes Fifty-five). I can assure that is just the tip of the iceberg. I know I am mixing metaphors but in my opinion, my stash has gone from being an inspiration into becoming a millstone. Rather than spend my limited free time sewing I would spend days and days just moving fabric around, folding and refolding. Each time hoping that if I found the right storage solution or combination of folding, that all my troubles would be over. But I had to face it, even if I never bought another scrap of fabric, I would still have more than I could ever hope to use. My creativity was stifled as the sheer range of fabric open to me, just sapped my energy leaving me unable to think of what to sew next.
In order to properly “house break” my dragon sized stash (and the underlying hoarding habit) drastic action needed to be taken. I broke my new-years resolution of no fabric purchases in less than a month. I can’t even blame Moda, the first piece I bought was from a half price sale in a local fabric shop . Like the Gemino Curse in Harry Potter (a Doubling Charm for you Muggles), every time I touched my stash it seemed to inexplicably double in size. So after giving myself a good mental telling off, and following the steps of “letting it go” I thought I really only have a few choices: Donate or Sell fabric, Make stuff (to then either keep, sell or gift) and of course Keep the fabric.
Back in January, I did a cursory cull and gave away a tiny proportion to a charity shop raising money for the National Autistic Society, run by my best friends mum. I also gave a bag to my local Linus Quilt rep . I know if I actually put my mind to it, there is a lot more fabric that I could donate.
My next thought was I could sell off some of my stash. I do have some bits that I had fallen out of love with, so felt safe in selling them. I know my long-term goal in life is to run a successful fabric business, but selling fabric at a fraction of the price I had spent on it, seemed frankly stupid, especially when I was using the money made on selling fabric to buy more fabric, thus exacerbating the situation. I could use the money for other things, but …..well ……. where there is new gorgeous, strokeable fabrics and a bulging paypal account what is a girl to do. As I said I’m human and I am addicted to fabric.
My next train of thought I could make stuff to sell rather than gift of keep, but as the title of my blog suggests (and as I said in my introduction) working full time and a long commute means the time I have to actually sew is quite limited. That said its not a bad idea. I could dedicate one day a month to making stuff to sell and maybe have enough for a small stall at Christmas…. Maybe.
As a last resort, I could just keep it all. After all I think I would make a great TV documentary star, or maybe a news feature, “next up, the bizarre story of the lady who starved to death when her fabric collection sealed her into her own home”….Yikes….. I jest of course but still action had to be taken.
So over a series of weekends, I sorted my fabric by size and colour so I could see just what I was dealing with. Side note: Turns out l love blue. Well my fabric choices seem to indicate I love Blue. I always thought I was more of a glittery pink girl!
Next, I rationalised what I had. Do I really need all the baby fabrics in the world. I don’t have kiddies. Then again I work with a lot of people of child bearing age, and therefore target market for baby quilts….. down the rabbit hole of researching baby quilt designs. But do I need it all probably not. So the excess can go to Linus. Sorted Next…. and so on.
Long story short, my stash, whilst still large, is no longer strangling the creative life out of me. I have a implemented a strict “one in, one out” rule so if I buy anything new, I will either use, sell or donate, something of equal value. This has enabled me to feel more empowered to practice new techniques and ideas.
The stash is still a dragon, albeit a sleeping one. I will have to remain vigilant not to re-ignite the flames but buying needlessly. But at the same time, I have a modest budget to buy new fabric each month, so I don’t get bored, but hopefully the dragon has better manners, and I can not use it rather than let it overwhelm me.
So folks that is the story of the time I housebroke the Dragon. She is a wily beast and keeps testing my boundaries, but with a clear plan I hope she will remain in check.
Till next time, happy sewing
Love from Dotty xxx
Sounds so like my stash problems!!!
Love it
As a newbie I actually envy your stash and I’d love a box of scraps. Sadly I have a very long way to go before I walk in your shoes
Aww thank you Ingrid. Your feedback is very much appreciated. We are all at different stages of our journeys. I’m no where near as talented as a lot of the ladies in our group.