This year is dedicated to sorting and de-cluttering, organizing and giving away stuff (I've written a little about it here) It is amazing how much stuff we can collect during a period of time... For quite a while it has felt overwhelming with all these things in my home, on my computer, in my attic, in my closet... Even in my hand bag. And in my studio.
I collected fabric for many years when I was into patchwork, but my sewing machine has been collecting dust for over two years now. I'm not even sure I can remember how to whip up a patchwork baby blanket anymore... For a while I put my fabric stash away in a try to regain control and re-find my sewing mojo, but I'm not sure that tactics worked. Now, after building my much longed for built in shelves, my fabric stash has found its way back. But honestly... When will I ever have time to use up all this fabric? And to be even more honest, I'm just scraping on the surface of my fabric collection in this blog post.
It is hard to sort your most loved things. Sorting and organizing the attic was a piece of cake compared to dealing with my closet full of yarn for example. Letting go is a tough process but very much needed.
My yarn has already been sorted twice. I've given away not less than three garbage bags full, to charity and still I have so much yarn left... My fabric stash on the other hand, I haven't touched yet. And to be honest, right now I just love having it there looking at it, but I know I have to be a bit ruthless there too. So. Don't be surprised if I throw a My Rose Valley Stash Sale campaign. One can only have so much fabric in her house, even if she is lucky enough to have a big studio for herself... Just look at those Liberty fabrics... the Vintage Sheet collection... those minty Fat Quarters... Oh my, this is going to be a tough one. Wish me luck.
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW MY ROSE VALLEY HERE:
Hi Annette,
ReplyDeleteOne thing about your lovely stash, it is tidy! All beautifully pressed and arranged by colour/themes. I let go of mine a few years ago. Like you I had a long history of quilting, I even got my mother into it. Now she is older she is trying to give her stash back to me...but as much as I love fabric, I cannot find the heart to patch pieces. The crochet hook and knitting needles, which I have used since childhood, are my thing now.
Looking at what you have, there are going to be a lot of people offering to help you reduce that stash. The Japanese say 'kimochi o itadaku', I will keep the feeling, but let the item go. Good luck. Liz x
Hi Liz
DeleteI will have to look up that Japanese expression. And let go... And I think I'll dust off my machine and start sewing a bit again. Maybe I need to put the crochet hook to the side? Thanks for visiting.
Xx
I've been going through the same thing, with everything. I went to sales for years, and now that I have a nice new home, I don't want it all cluttered up w stuff. So I've been going through, having my own yard sale, preparing to have another one, getting rid of the clutter. I've barely touched the material, yarn, and roving. Us crafters........
ReplyDeleteCindy
What an amazing fabric stash and how nice it looks so neatly sorted! Good luck with parting with it, I'm sure it must be hard. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteThank you. It is a quite remarkable fabric stash... Will sort just a little bit at a time... Thanks for popping in.
Xx
I have a small fabric stash comparatively speaking and it was made purposefully as I had none. Only a couple of bigger pieces with the rest being fat quarters. All my stitching is done by hand so I don't get through projects quickly and don't need tons of fabric for my purposes. If I need something specific then I buy it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I hate is having ugly fabric dumped on me by people who think 'fabric' is just that and any kind will do and I will be grateful. Well I am not! It just makes me cross getting other people's junk or having to get rid of it requiring effort.
Some people have literally a shop load and I do wonder why that is necessary. I would keep everything I liked though, as you never know when you might want it, and it is expensive. Some people have fabric and yarn stashes which are so excessive as to be greedy and needlessly acquisitive and wasteful. With more stuff than they could get through in several life times and which they continue to add to. What is it all for?
Your fabric is beautiful, I would just put it away and keep it, you never know your children may want to use it one day. Or your sewing mojo come back. Tastes do change though, so I would pass on that I no longer liked at all, while keeping the pretties.
Even virtual collections of stuff can get too much can't they? I am glad sometimes that pinterest consists only of pictures. Yet it enables me at the same time to 'have' things which I can't afford. Relatively harmless really I suppose.
A gorgeous collection, and so tidy! But it is lovely to declutter isn't it. Good luck with it all. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI love your fabric stash! I would be happy to help you lessen your clutter in this area. I love pretty cotton fabric and there's many uses I can think for it. Good luck with your organizing project. I always feel so proud of myself when I tackle one of my areas and get it cleaned out and organized.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful, mostly floral fabric stash. I don't know how you will part with any of it. I haven't gotten to that stage in my life that I am ready to part with any of my crafting supplies.
ReplyDeleteUau!Lindos! Beijo.Valéria.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to pare down as well. I will never use all I have. Having said that, should you decide to do a de-stash sale, I'd love to buy a rainbow of colors in vintage sheets. I'm slowly collecting them to make a quilt or two. There's something so satisfying about repurposing and reusing "old" things.
ReplyDeleteHi Jocelyn
DeleteThe vintage sheets will be the first ones to go. I'm a crazy fan of vintage sheets and can never resist them at markets and thrift stores, but I've made quite a few blankets already and feel that I don't really use them as much any more. Although, saying that, it is the most satisfactory makes... Recycling just feels great! Keep your eyes open, they will be listed in my Etsy store in the near future.
Xx
Hi Annette,
ReplyDeleteThis is also my year of decluttering. I've been married over 30 years and boy, have I collected a lot of stuff! It's all things I love, but I've honestly felt lately that I can't move around in my home and enjoy it because of all my "collections." So out it goes! And it is really so hard deciding what to give away or sell, and what to keep. Sometimes it's overwhelming, but I soldier on. :-) Your fabric is lovely, and so organized! I wish you luck on your projects, and in finding just the right people to pass your treasures on to. :-)
Hi Jennifer
DeleteI can only imagine. Keep going and be ruthless. It will feel so much better after. Big good luck!
Xx
Hi Annette,
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave. I wouldn't dare to give it away. But you did good by giving it to charity. I'm sure my mom would love all those sweet fabrics, just like me.
Good luck with everything Annette, and have a nice weekend.
Sweet greetings,
Emily
(casacreaemilia.blogspot.nl)
Weeding through the stashes. Been there, done that, possibly need to do it again. Lol! I've donated approximately Tha same amount of yarn as you have and at the rate I crochet (sloooooooow) I'll likely never work my way through all of it. The problem with getting rid of more is that I've already gotten rid of the yarn that I truly was no longer thrilled with. What's left is the yarn that I really like.....and how do you let go of yarn that you really, really like? I've declutter my fabric stash twice but since I still quilt and sew a lot, decluttering the fabric stash is even more problematic. Especially since I make crazy quilts! Maybe I've decluttered enough of the fabric stash?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of fabric, the piece in the lead photo in the lower right hand corner? I have a piece of that fabric which was from the stash of a 90 year old acquaintance. Judging by the pattern that was with it, it dates back to the 60s. Is your piece vintage or new? I'm curious as to whether someone revived an old print!
Hi Kim
DeleteI hear you. It's easy to get rid of the "ugly" and "not wanted" stuff... And then you get into all the pretty stuff and that is when trouble becomes your middle name. And sorting yarn is far much easier than sorting fabric. They are all so pretty!!! I'm not sure how I will manage to part from any of it. Well, I also have this idea of making simple patchwork blankets and give to friends and sell. At least then I have had the pleasure to play with it before letting it go. ;)
The fabric you mention, orange, lime, yellow floral, is from Liberty. Bought it a few years ago on a weekend trip to Lyon in France with my husband. I would love to see the original if this is a reproduce. Mail me a picture?
Xx
I'd love to send you a picture.... unfortunately, I don't know how to do that. :( I'm a cavewoman when it comes to computer stuff. My family was quite amused when I proudly announced (in the not so distant past) that I'd sent an email all by myself, lol! Liberty does some amazing retro and throwback prints....not that I've bought any but I see them all the time on quilting blogs. If that piece isn't a reproduction of an old print then it's so close that I can't tell the difference! It's such a pretty cheerful piece!
DeleteOh, and as an aside to everyone that loves vintage sheets but has run out of ideas or doesn't use them for quilting anymore.....
they make wonderful sundresses, pajamas, circle skirts, summer weight bathrobes and children's rompers and dresses!
I have been trying so hard to de-clutter, the trouble is with me, I just replace it with more clutter. I have found in the past that when I have my 'ruthless' head on and got rid of heaps of stuff, I have later really regretted it. It seems it all goes around, and what I once thought I didn't need, a few months, year later really could have done with it. I found a whole bunch of fabric the other day. Goodness knows when I'd get around to using it, but it's too nice to get rid of.
ReplyDeleteI am trying really hard though to de-clutter bathroom stuff. I tend to buy lots when it's on offer which is ridiculous, because what I buy will always be on offer again by the time I've finished the first lot! It's a start for me! Xxx
I know... I'm a little bit the same. One things goes to immediately be replaced with another. But this year I HAVE TO clear things out. It is driving me bonkers to have all this stuff around me. Every day I tackle a spot, a drawer, a box, a closet... It seems to be a never ending job but I'll get there eventually.
DeleteXx
There are a lot of people like my daughter learning to quilt and trying to acquire a stash of fabric. I am sure your donations are greatly appriciated especially when you are giving to beginners and especially to charity .
ReplyDeleteHi Monica
DeleteI'm donating to a psychiatric care recovery home where crafts are number one on the list. They make incredible patchwork blankets and it will feel so good to contribute to their recovery.
Xx
Good luck - I could never part with that beautiful fabric. Maybe you should sell it in your Etsy shop - I would be first in line to buy!!
ReplyDeleteHi Annemarie
DeleteIt is so hard... They are all so pretty, but I have to at least let go of half of it... I will probably list it in my Etsy shop. It's the easiest way. Keep your eyes open.
Xx
Oh wow, you have got so much lovely fabrics! I can imagine it will be tough to sort it out! Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteGroetjes, Monique
Wow, your stash looks incredibly neat. You have so much yumminess there I can imagine it will be a hard job to downsize your stash. I have loads of stash I wont use too, so I've asked my craft group to have a craft swap day next month so it can go to good home. All the best with your destashing
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I did the same last year, and it was very hard but I'm glad I did. I found although it was lovely fabric my tastes had changed and I didn't feel motivated to use it. Once I made space I found new fabrics I liked more and my sewing mojo came back.
ReplyDeleteYour stash looks ever so lovely, I think if it was mine I would go and have a good look every few hours. I like a big stash for quilting ideas but I do give away fabrics that don't touch my heart. I hope your sewing mojo comes back soon. x
ReplyDelete