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02-28-2015, 02:41 PM

#54

HouseDragon

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2012

Location: Kaua`i

Posts: 617

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaperPrincess

Looks like you put a lot of time and effort into your thoughtful post, however, I didn't see the words "enjoy", "play", "create", "explore" or actually anything in that vein. Quilting is my hobby, not my business, so I see no need to apply business principles.

You said what I was thinking! Add: "It makes me happy".

Yes, my stash is large.

It's sorted first by Batiks (three large containers that I enjoy going through: it makes me happy).

Second by the few kits I've bought (one large container).

Third by season (two mid-size containers): mostly Christmas & Halloween.

Fourth by colour. Approximately twenty to thirty containers 8" deep x 15" x 23".

There's a large container with my collection of Superior Thread cones. A mid-size container of CT's cones in all the colours of the rainbow. When I'm ready to piece or quilt, it's rare that I don't have just the right colour. And if I don't, I have most of Superior's Colour Cards and can place an order before I get to the quilting stage.

There are multiple containers of various sizes with projects, finished flimsies waiting to be quilted, UFOs, pre-cuts, tools, specialty rulers, etc., etc., etc.

The bottom container in each stack has wheels that go in all directions, so moving containers to find the one I want is easy peasy. They are also all labeled on all four sides. Yes, I'm very organized. Except for the rest of our house!

Get rid of anything because it's not being used at the moment or the colours are dated? I don't think so!

If I'd done that, the quilt for my DGD "PINKS & Fairies" Log Cabin certainly wouldn't have over 150 different "pinks"!!!!!

No fabric catalogs or online fabric porn? Oh dear, no. How many fabulous quilts do I make in my head with every new Hancock's of Paducah catalog? Too many to count, but I enjoy (there's one of those happiness words again) the design process visualizing those phantom quilts.

I will probably outlive my stash but being able to shop my stash before heading to our three local quilt shops (we are astonishingly lucky!) or the computer is a definite plus that gives me joy. In fact, just going through my batiks makes me happy.

Since this is my hobby and not a business, space isn't money. The fabric occupying that space is gold in place.

OTOH, I definitely agree we should be able to clean and oil (if an older machine) our machines. I have two: an elderly workhorse Elna Supermatic that's fifty years old. Gad zooks! She's my first machine and I'll never get rid of her (in fact I have two more Elnas from eBay to cannibalize for parts). And my new love: a Husqvarna 875Q I bought at a quilt show when it first came on the market. The only "upgrade" I'd love to have is an Innova Longarm Machine ......

*LOL* I thought it was a given that we make each quilt the best quality we can whether it's for ourselves, a precious relative or friend, or a charity. Maybe that's just me. I had it drummed into me as a kid to either do the best work you can or don't do it at all.

Time isn't money at my age: it's a precious commodity not to be wasted hunting fabrics or threads or rulers or .....

Jzaaboo, I know you posted to start a discussion, but you obviously don't have the heart of a collector. And you certainly got the Board buzzing!!!

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