Unleasing the Declutter-er Inside
Hi Everyone,
Well, I think I've posted a few times about the sense of overwhelm I feel regarding my "stash," (hoarde??) and how I feel it holds me back from working in my sewing room.
I'm a person who enjoys clear spaces. My mom, a collector, calls me a minimalist, and to some degree that's true. Often when I feel stressed, I go through closets and donate things. It helps me feel better, for some reason. My mom is the opposite - she keeps everything, and every object has a story for her.
Lately my sewing room has been really bothering me. Every piece of fabric in my stash was intended for some project or another, and when I look at my fabrics, all I see are UFO's, and more projects than I'll ever be able to attend to in my life. This feels wasteful and ridiculous - so I've begun purging and decluttering. So far I've only kept items related to projects I currently have in progress. Which is way too many, if you ask me. I don't know if I'll be able to even get through just those.
The tough part is - many of my fabrics were purchased a decade or more ago. The quality of the fabric is so much nicer than what I find today. I have a hard time letting go of it, but the reality of the situation is, I'm never going to be able to use it. I want to be able to go into my (tiny) sewing room, and feel peace, not frustration.
I've given two bags of fabric to my husband's friend's daughter, who got a sewing machine for Christmas. A great deal more has been earmarked for my mom. Some of it will go to our local hospice organization, which operates a second hand sewing store. I have beautiful wools, silks, quilting fabrics, and many gorgeous garment fabrics.
Uncharacteristically, I'm finding this very difficult. But I really need to do it, because for at least the last year, I've actually been considering just getting rid of my entire sewing room - that's how much stress it has brought me. I'm hoping this will be beneficial in the long run, and I'll be able to keep sewing. I have a closet and one of those metal shelving units with 6 or so Rubbermaid tubs on it, full of fabric.
And, I suppose, if I don't feel better after I get through all of this, then I know that I'm meant to move on and move my office into my sewing room (another bone of contention - my desk is in the living room, which drives me nuts.) Our home is very small (700 square feet) and I don't have space to waste.
Has anyone been through anything similar? I could use a lift!!