Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Moment of Truth

My name is Kathy and I have too much fabric.

This morning I was searching for a particular piece of blue fabric, bright blue with little white dots; it makes a perfect night sky. I couldn't find it.

In the search I realized that I have three drawers of blue fabric, two of them so full that the fabric is no longer standing neatly so I can see what's there. Some of it has slipped down and is totally lost to view. If you can't find it, or don't know it's there, what good is it? In addition, I realized that I no longer enjoy the rummaging process. I just felt frustrated, ready to give up the project. I never did find that fabric--it may be gone. I didn't find the white "snow" fabric either, and I'm sure I haven't used that up.

I could make a "stash busting" quilt, but we all know what a joke that is. The stash just grows. The quilt I'm making was supposed to bust some batiks, but the dent is not noticeable.

I'm not ready to start shipping fabric off to a good cause yet, so don't anyone suggest one, but I have to do something. One thing I won't do is go to a garage sale held this Saturday by a guild member who is cleaning out her excess!

13 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

No more quilter's garage sales fo rme either.

*karendianne. said...

Oh Kay! Thanks for sharing this with us. I would never imagine you to be experiencing this. I imagine you so organized and ship shape. ;) So now I can come out with it. I've been cleaning out and sorting fabric and scraps and don't freak out but... some is so so ready to go that yes, I've trashed it. Some I've put into nice pretty bundles for future use and again, some just went in the flippin' trash. Sometimes a woman has to just take command and not listen to anyone but herself. I'm so over making beds for the pets. They much prefer my crochet afghan's anyway!

GerryART said...

OMG, your post sounds like I wrote it.
Isn't this the way with fabric.
A never-ending built up.

Hugs,
Gerry

Tricks said...

Hi Kay,
Yes I had a clear out too a little while ago but I belong to a little craft group so it all went to a good home. You could try selling it in little plastic bags and buy something you really want with the proceeds. Good luck with your stash busting. Tricia

Suzanne Kistler said...

My name is Suzanne, and I also have more fabric than is comfortable. But I NEED it, don't you know? Every time I thin the stash, I need the exact fabrics that were weeded out.

Storing it upright behind glass has definitely increased my ability to quickly spot what I'm looking for, and I find that I'm actually using more of my stash as well.

Good luck!!

Libby Fife said...

Maybe we should designate a day to declare what all of our addictions are. Would we need two days? My name is Libby and I have far too many quilting books...

One of the best things I ever did to help myself (step #9?) was to give away bags of fabric to my guild. Let someone else have my anxiety:) Left me feeling lighthearted and IN CHARGE! Besides, I am old and can't see in to the dark depths of the damn closet!

jenclair said...

Oh my. I sympathize, but have no answers. Thanks for your honesty, Kay. You have survived the first step in a multi-step program. I'm still on step 1 as well. :(

And I haven't even been sewing for such a long time.

Rian said...

Variety is a good thing. Get another storage container.

Barbara C said...

I hear you about feeling overwhelmed by the stash. In addition to purging 50 yards with charity projects, I've gone the route of a moratorium on new fabric purchases. I'm still making quilts and seem to always find what I need.

Patty said...

I've found that a day organizing it
keeps me from feeling so guilty. Usually too much is just enough if
you can find what you want. Good luck!

McIrish Annie said...

I haven't bought fabric in over a year and my closet is still stuffed. still finding "new" stuff I forgot I had. it's definitely an adventure. I have stopped cutting up every little scrap and now throw it in a bag and take it to guild meetings where someone will always grab it.

Debra Dixon said...

I finally found a piece of fabric I have had about 20 years that I know will be perfect for some panels I am getting ready to make. I have always loved it but never found just the right project. Yesterday I looked through many boxes and came up short. Bright and early this morning I started over going through my boxes and found it. I would have hated to do the project and not have that fabric. Maybe now it will have its 15 minutes of fame! So, I totally understand-maybe too well.

floribunda said...

I'm with you! I find, though, that stashbuster projects can be very rewarding -- as long as I do some "other" quilts, too. Recently I pulled several patterns and made myself "kits" from stash -- mostly very scrappy single-color or two-color quilts. I found a lot of old stuff, and cut up lots of the odds & ends. Of course now my scrap pile is overwhelming, too... but I find it easier to toss the scraps!