January 8, 2016

Reality Check . . . Starting with a Clean Slate

2015 was a year of purging at my house and while I still have a ways to go I got a good start. It feels sooo good to simplify and actually have less.

However having less in my studio is entirely another matter. I've been quilting for nearly 20 years so there's a lot of fabric in my stash. Too much. Much too much. It's been quite a reality check to acknowledge just how much fabric I own. And I'm finding it hard to let go.


During December, I scheduled in time to go through my stash with the intention of sorting, reorganizing, and purging. In an attempt to regain control, I spent time clearing things I knew I wouldn't use and it was much harder than I imagined. The frugal side of me kept saying, "but I could make a charity quilt or some placemats or or or . . . "   You get the picture. Bet you've even had the same experience.

These are just 2 of 4 tubs of floral fabrics. I love flowers. Would I buy these now? Probably not. Can I part with them? Not yet. I'm hoping to make a scrappy trip quilt and perhaps one or two other quilts with them. Then maybe I'll be able to let go of what's left.


Below are mostly realistic leafy prints and fruit/veggie prints. Can't part with these yet either. I'm using a lot of the leafy prints in this quilt. And I'm thinking napkins and/or placements with the fruit/veggie prints will go nicely with my fruit/veggie dishes.



In the end, I managed to fill a couple of boxes with fabric. Not as much as I had hoped but at least it's a start. Some I will sell at a local resale shop that buys by the pound. Other stuff I'm giving away.

I also spent time ironing and refolding pieces so they would fit into the cubbies or cabinets I use for storage. Over time I had shoved a lot of stuff in here and there and it didn't fit. The edges were being smashed. Not good for the fabric. It might seem like a waste of time to iron and refold but I actually found the process very therapeutic.

In some cases, opening up a bigger cut and seeing the entire piece was totally inspiring. When you only see a little edge you can forget how beautiful the fabric really is.


I found new groupings that got me excited. I even took quick photos of some of them for future quilts.




Sadly, I also found a piece here and there that had faded along the fold lines. No rhyme or reason. They weren't in direct light. They weren't all stored in the same location. Thankfully this didn't happen too much.

The biggest benefit to handling most of my fabric was the conviction it gave me to use it. That's why I bought it in the first place, right? All that handling also strengthened my conviction not to buy anymore in 2016. I simply do not need another piece of fabric added to my stash. With the money I save from not buying more fabric I'll be able to send more quilts out to be quilted. That means more finished projects and that's a very very good thing.   : )

So today I am formally putting it out there that one of my 2016 goals is to use my stash. To make those quilts I've had in mind for ages using as much of this glorious stash as I can.






Granted I have more ideas and more fabric than I have time to make in a single year but at least I can make a dedicated start.

I have unsubscribed to most online shops. Not because I don't love what they offer, but simply because I don't need the temptation.

I vow to only buy the occasional fabric absolutely necessary to complete a project. Binding, backing, or enough yardage to make a design work. I know myself well enough to admit that I won't be satisfied with a binding or backing that isn't just right. But I will always try to find it in the stash first.

What's the condition of your stash? Overflowing or under control? Full of what you love or things you're clinging to from another time?

When making decisions about what to keep, I tried to come back to the question of whether keeping it was worth my time and effort. Am I keeping it out of guilt over spending money on something I haven't used? Yes. Does it still inspire me? Sort of. Is it really where my heart is? Not really.

When I step back and think about where I really want to go with my quilting, a lot of the older stash simply has no part to play. The time it would take to use it would be time I could spend making all those ideas that are filling my brain and inspiring me.

But for now, I'll settle for baby steps. The things I want to use are right here in front of me. All organized. Awaiting the projects they are meant to become.

Here's my newly cleaned stash . . . I'm ready to go.
Just need my sewing machine. It's out being serviced.


Wishing you happy times in your sewing room playing with your stash.
Anne

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31 comments:

  1. Great post, very inspiring, thank you!

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  2. It sounds like I could have written this post! Except my stash would never be as tidy and organized as yours. You're officially invited to come over to my house and have at my sewing room! Cheers to a new year of new projects with old fabrics!

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  3. I read your story as I'm sitting in the floor of my fabric room. Yes, fabric room. I was just mentally counting how many quilts I could make with the fabric I have. Easily 125 quilts and probably more. And that is after I gave a HUGE load to Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict for her quilt mission and to a friend to take to her guild. I'm pretty sure I need a twelve-step program, but I am determined not to keep buying more. Maybe we can keep each other in line!

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  4. Your room is lovely. I love how all the colors coordinate so well , even your glass collection is awesome

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  5. You are definitely a rainbow person. You don't seem to have any dull colors, unless they are hiding in a closet. I'm a rainbow also. I should look back at your photos when I get an urge to buy, and just drool for a bit. This may satisfy my craving for color. But my daughter keeps bringing me more fabrics. What to do?

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  6. Your sewing room is beautiful! I love the long counter and cupboards. The fabric is great, I have too much too.

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  7. I think your studio looks wonderful and it seems like it would be very inspiring every time you walk into it. Most of us that have quilted/ sewn for any length of time probably do have quite enough fabric but it takes a lot of will power to not buy any of all the beautiful new prints that come out ! Good Luck!

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  8. What an absolutely wonderful studio!! I confess that I am green with envy.Your comments about your older stash not having a part to play in your plans, this is one of these things I am grappling with at the moment, thinking, well maybe I would make such and such a quilt with these old fabrics, it never happens!

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  9. What an inspiring sewing space Anne! I don't think I'd get any sewing done, just looking at how pretty everything looks! I totally agree about the urge to buy more fabric! Maybe we need friends who have similar tastes and we could shop from their stash- you know, a swap type system that might curb the desire for new stuff! You are so right also about letting go of fabric that just suits our currents tastes and/or plans. Maybe it's time I let go of more of my old stash..... Maybe???

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  10. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photographs of your beautiful space. They will keep me going as I start reorganizing my out-of-control stash. Love all your photography!

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  11. Those florals would be wonderful for a butterfly-drunkards path quilt. I can send you a picture if you want. I have now made 3 copying the one I saw and they turned out terrific. Your veggies would also make great potholders. My favorite wedding shower gift. Potholders/ placemats. There is a clock/watch pattern I made once with food fabrics called Harvest Time by PaintBrush Studios. It's free but I can send you a copy.

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  12. Looks fabulous....I have a huge stash as well, that is still growing, If I'm honest.

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  13. Unsubscribing is a great idea to avoid temptation. Your studio filled with such color and the all white is beautiful!

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  14. I'm totally into florals, sure wish I lived near you and could find that resell store. Your studio looks wonderful now. I understand about using your stash, it's worth a great deal of money. This year I decided I will make quilts that have been on my bucket list for a few years. I'll have some leader and ender quilts in there too, but I'm determined to use that stash.

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  15. Ann, so nicely said! This inspires me to do the same! I know I have way more fabric than I will ever use in 5 lifetimes and my tastes have definitely changed! Thank you!

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  16. You are so organized! It looks lovely and I am happy to hear that you found new fabric combinations. It looks just great. I have way too much fabric as well but it does not seem to stop me from buying more! Our guild does a de-stash every January so I am happy to take stuff next week. I am sure I will come home with someone's cast offs!

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  17. And now you need to come to my house to do my stash. I think you have the prettiest stash, hands down! And while I've made a goal to use more of my stash, I'm not worried about buying too much--I just remember that I have no where to put it, and that cools my fascination with any piece of yardage!

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  18. Love how you have it folded and stacked to see! Now you just need to invite a few (bunch) of friends over to make some quilts with it... wink...wink...

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  19. 'The time it would take to use it would be time I could spend making all those ideas that are filling my brain and inspiring me.' That's the best motivation to use it or pass it on. Sounds like you are off to great start. I have unsubscribed to most fabric shops too for the same reasons. My stash is only a small fraction of yours but then so is my available space and sewing time, so similar 'rules' apply. It's disheartening to find fade lines on lovely fabric - I've had it happen too, inside a cupboard which is shut most the time and never in direct sunlight.

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  20. Your studio looks beautiful-may we see more of it? Pictures please?
    I find it difficult to rid myself of older fabrics which I don't love anymore. However, I do like pieced backs and so I often use fabrics I don't love/like anymore on the backs. This way I satisfy my need to be practical with stash clearing.

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  21. I'd get nothing done in that studio. I'd just sit and stare at all that PRETTY

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  22. I'm on the same wavelength, but deeply envious of your studio and your stash! Both are very beautiful, I love all the colour! Even though I only started quilted several years ago my taste in fabrics has already changed, so like you, I will be giving some away.You have many beautiful quilts waiting in your stash.

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  23. Once again, I'm resolved to finish my UFOs only this time, I have a friend who's doing the same thing, so we are challenging each other. WIPs are ongoing but no endings in sight. Time to "put a period on it", as our dear MIL Ellie would say!

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  24. this was a good post to read! thank you for sharing an honest look at where you are at! I have a hard time using my good fabric...but that's exactly why we buy it, right? it's a tricky thing! loved seeing pics of your stash. It's so organized! I'm impressed!

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  25. I could have written this post myself, word for word. My sewing space is tiny (I live on a boat) and so my stash is smaller than yours, but the thinking process is the same. I also spent time over the change of the year, ironing and refolding to fit. Re-evaluating and re-loving all my fabrics. Determined to find new homes for the unused pieces, but keeping almost all of it. Resolving to USE IT USE IT USE IT!

    I love the photos of your stash. So much bright, vibrant loveliness! I have no doubt that great colorful goodness will spring forth from your studio in 2016 and can't wait to see it all.

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  26. Your stash is art in itself! It looks so beautiful. I'm not sure that I would use a single piece of it as it might ruin the decor!!! LOL Seriously, It does look wonderful and inspires me to get going on my own chaos.

    I love the green scrappy trip!

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  27. I am a newbie quilter, inspired by inheriting my mother in law's machine amd her supplies. I was also the person who had to clear out and clean her sewing room. I had to maintain strict control as I went through her large stash. I oohed and aahed over beautiful fabric, asked myself I'd I would ever make something with it, and put it in the pile for the resale shop. I kept some fabric I knew I would use. I made my first quilt using some of this fabric, on her once top of the line electronic sewing/embroidery machine. Glad I found your blog. I'm in southwest Denver area and love my mountain views here.

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  28. I am a newbie quilter, inspired by inheriting my mother in law's machine amd her supplies. I was also the person who had to clear out and clean her sewing room. I had to maintain strict control as I went through her large stash. I oohed and aahed over beautiful fabric, asked myself I'd I would ever make something with it, and put it in the pile for the resale shop. I kept some fabric I knew I would use. I made my first quilt using some of this fabric, on her once top of the line electronic sewing/embroidery machine. Glad I found your blog. I'm in southwest Denver area and love my mountain views here.

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  29. This is such a wonderful post. It is truly inspiring for me. All the crafts in this event are pretty. I am going to attend such an interesting art show at some domestic event space San Francisco with my daughter. Actually she loves arts and crafts and usually attends related events.

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  30. What a beautiful studio! Thanks so much for sharing your charming space! Do you have enough of that fabric in the fourth picture (the multi-color floral one under your fabulous fruit) to see a print name/designer/company name? I had that fabric in a different color way and it was seriously my favorite print ever ever, but all I have is tiny scraps left and have had no luck tracking it down.

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  31. Your sewing space is so bright and lovely! I love your stash colors. I agree with another commentator - your stash is are in itself. I, too, am sewing through my stash. It's a process. But, I'm having so much fun! Have you heard of the app "Simple Mind"? It's a mind mapping app that has helped me raise my completion percentage rate from .04% to a whopping 40% in less than a year!

    Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful space - I love the white background and the colorful fabrics.

    Thank you for your inspiration.

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WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.