Deb .... thanks so much for letting us watch your progress. ... as a "newbie" I had no clue what I was getting into with the fabric thing .... let alone tools, books, batting and all the other things quilters rely upon.
Now I can see where I am headed if I don't get it under control from the git-go.
Once my friends found out I was serious about quilting, I started getting lots of people's unwanted/unused "sewing stash" ... their own, or the stashes inherited from their forebearers. ......
Mind you, the stuff I was asked to "please find a use for this -- Mama would be so pleased" ... was not necessarily "QUILTING stash" ... just a hodge-podge of "sewing stash" ... and anything remotely connected to fabric.
I found that I really had to cull out the quilting goods from the other stuff ... and find new homes for what I was sure I couldn't use .... Couldn't? well - how can one be so sure? ....
I wish I had saved some of that stuff ... After looking at some of the pictures posted on this forum - some of the stuff I found new homes for may have been just what might be needed as I gain new skills and interest in this quilting hobby .... Maybe I could have used some of it for traditional (embellished) crazy quilts? art quilts? ... oh well .... And it pains me to think you are really throwing things out ..... How do you know when you "don't need this any more!" ? I know, I know you ARE finding new homes for most of it ..... but.....
I always wondered how you guys work on reorganizing your quilt studios.... use, clean up, add to, re-fold, etc. ..... and STILL have time to turn out those beautiful quilts you keep posting .....
I thought I was SOOOOO disorganized and just plain messy and would never catch up! How silly of me! - The only way I'll ever not have a mess is to not have a stash!
I should not say "I'm happy to know" .... but I AM happy to know that even you experienced quilters -- when you are on a creative roll -- can end up with minor/major disorganization from time to time ..... and after years of quilting, I see how easily your fabric and "stuff" can mushroom to wonderful proportions - leading to wonderful creative possibilities...
Sorry I am so long-winded .... I am just in awe at the progress you have made in the last few days ..... There IS hope for all of us!
Bottom line, though Deb: Organized or not .... you have a stash to die for! .... thanks for letting us sneak a peek!