Chester the bunny

What helped me was sorting the fabric and putting aside the fabric that I did not really like. Don't think while you're sorting that you will be giving it away as those thoughts will limit you. Put that stash in a seperate room. When you're ready to let it go you just have to pick up the boxes and pass them along. (this would be the third time that I have passed along the unloved fabric, I do it everytime I move) In the meantime, you can concentrate on the fabric that you have kept for projects which is still probably more than you will ever use..... I know mine is )
You can always go to the unloved stash if you decide that there is something in there that you remembered that you need.
Good luck!

Raggiemom

I think many of us have been overwhelmed by our stashes at one time or another. There are some really good suggestions on here. When "the stuff" starts taking over the room and I can't get anything done, I clean the room. I've sold fabric and patterns on here that I decided I would never use. I make lots of charity quilts for our church and guild. Just getting things organized might be a big help to you. Set aside some specific time you're going to work on nothing but sorting and organizing. After you get that done, decide if you would like to get rid of some pattersn/fabric. Do you want to sell them/donate to guild/do a pay-it-forward? Then start quilting something simple and small just to get back into it. Good luck!

ladynredd

I don't get overwhelmed by my yardage, which I store, organized by color, in wire bins purchased from The Container Store. My biggest challenge is what to do with all the little "odd bits & chunks" and since I actually do sew quite a bit with pieces as small as 1.5 inch square, I'm very reluctant to just throw them out!

One idea I've found quite helpful is the "Fab Four," where I list the top 4 projects I want to focus on. Frequently these are the projects with an approaching deadline. I'm trying to stick by the rule that I must finish 2 projects from my Fab 4 before I can start a new project. And when I *do* start a new project, I alternate -- one time I will allow myself to start something totally new, the next time it's something from my UFO list. This was I can start at least a couple totally new projects a year, while still dealing with things I've started but not finished. And since most of what I make are queen-sized or better, and I piece the backings, I can go through quite a bit of stash and actually USE it.

reginalovesfabric

I love fabric and I buy it every week so yes, I have tons of it. I am in the process of sewing "making fabric" blocks to use up scraps. This is fun and so far I have 80 blocks made. I feel like the lady that made the comment about the ecomony, she'll have things to work with. This kind of thinking keeps me buying fabric for once I retire I won't have money for fabric if groceries go up and up

MadQuilter

I had to organize my stash and that helped. Yes, getting overwhelmed by stash can easily happen. You have to take control. Pull out only what you are going to work on and ignore the rest. You can do it! I know you can!

hperttula123

I feel your pain. I get that way too. What helps me is reorganizing my fabrics. I Put together all my started projects(I don't have to work on them right away, but they are there and ready to go for when I do want to). I have my daughter help organize all my fabrics by category(lines stay together and I let her pick where everything else goes). And, the main thing is to have fun. If you get to distracted by your fabrics, make sure your have them covered so you can't see them or have them be behind you. I hope you start feeling better about sewing soon. Is there anyway you can put some of the bins of fabric in another room? Once you get to them again, it will be like shopping for new fabrics.

charsuewilson

Mine got out of control when our basement flooded. There was already lots of extra stuff there because our boat had just sank. Everything needed to be washed. There was so much that I didn't get it all ironed or sorted. Then I couldn't climb stairs. It's still not all done.

So, sit down, take a deep breath. Sit there for no more than 15 minutes and decide how you want it organized. Maybe yardage pieces (2 yd & up), wide backs, smaller pieces (1 yard or less) by color and/or by category (I had Christmas, Cats, Music, and I recently separated out kids quilts (suitable for kids under 10 or so). Then go away, and decide how much time you want to spend on organizing. I would suggest 10-15 minutes at a time. Then once or twice a day spend that much time organizing. And while you're organizing, separate out those fabrics which you really don't want, and give them away. It can be done if you look at it a little at a time. And agree with yourself not to buy any more until you've made something entirely from stash.

My stash is still not really well organized. But I just pulled out enough blue fabric (and lights) to make a quilt for a wedding in a few months.

susie-susie-susie

My stash is rather small. A couple of years ago I gave away probably 50 yards of fabric to each of 3 ladies who were new quilters. It was fabric that I no longer liked and when I sorted it out I kept thinking "what was I thinking". I sold probably 30 yards at a garage sale for maybe 50 cents a yard to 2 elderly ladies who donate to their church to make charity quilts. I wish I had given it to them!! I think it's a good idea to assemble "kits" and maybe I will do that. I just finished a labor intensive quilt "Ohmigosh" and think I need a break and need to work on something simple. I'm thinking that I will make a couple of baby quilts to store away for future gifts. Purses are always something easy to take your mind off of things. I am in a slump right now, and am taking a break. I am looking at patterns, and something will strike my fancy and I will be off and running again.
Sue

Kehoeta

Fabric tends to multiply - based on impulse purchases, purchases for the "soon Quilt" and other reasons... I have been working on only stash based quilts for the past year.... guess what... IT DIDN'T MAKE A DENT!!!! I have now boxed quite a bit up that I am going to take over to the St. Vincent close to here. Owning a bunch of fabric that isn't going to become something - doesn't do it for me.

Enjoy your fabric, or sell it, or give it away if it is really making you miserable. Remember, this is our hobby and hobbies are supposed to fill our spare time with fun, creative and fulfilling activities.

barri1

I hate to say it, but you guys scare me.. I'm not at that point.. I'm the opposite. I would love to start other projects, and I can't, as I know I have to finish what I started.. Please convince me that it's okay because I am a quilter..