Interesting article with a strong perspective. Very little of it pertains to me because I have walked the road to de-stash for quit a while. I determined in the past 6 or 7 years to not leave a stash for my children to care for when I am gone. That is my first goal, period. I was blessed with my sister-in-law's stash when she passed away. That was more than 20 years ago and I am still finding pieces large and small that were hers. I learned a lesson from a master quilter who had more fabric than she could use. I trust that using so very much of her stash has honored her and her drive to create. I seldom accept large donations from others and I walk past the guild fabric donation table.
With my push to use what I have first and only buy what is needed, over time I have developed more personal discipline to not "shop". I go into a LQS and buy what is needed. Often a backing or small cuts of additional colors to compliment what I already have for a specific quilt. I don't over buy unless it is something that I KNOW I will use. That is something that I do not recall being part of the article. Know your tastes, your personal drive to experiment and know what thrills your eyes but what you would not use.
I am now at the place that most of my stash fits into the space I have designated for it. Trust me I have plenty but I am comfortable with the amount of stash I have, as the author of the article stated. Some of you may recall that twice in the past two or three years, I have given myself the "go ahead" to purchase all the fabric for two different quilts. Both were for myself. It was a beautiful treat the I felt I had earned by using and donating quilts that were all from what was on hand. Oh it was such fun to start from scratch. Even with the plan to buy all new fabric for my quilts, I found that I still rummaged through my stash for some pieces before shopping. Why buy what is already on hand?
I also love this group, we fall off the wagon, we jump off the wagon, we crawl back on the wagon with cool stuff to finish projects or to make new ones and we watch the scenery as the wagon drives down the road from our comfy seat or rocking chair. I feel safe, secure and empowered by this group to catapult myself off to shop when I need to and or want to, but I am stimulated to search my stash first, using what is on hand, or shift my design to use more of what is only a closet away and to enjoy quilting. My stash is diminishing month by month. (I track what comes in and what goes out because I like to see the solid number evidence. Silly me I guess.) I am still working toward my goal of very little stash for my family have to distribute when I am gone except for finished quilts.
Thank you, Gemm, for the article and for the rest of you for your comments. We are indeed individuals with perspectives but we are all here together using our creative skills to make use of the blessings of fabric we have at hand. I am enjoying the wagon ride with all of you. A stimulating conversation.