sandy l

I feel the same way, as I look at all the fabric that has been folded up on the shelf for a while(long time?).

stitch678

Purging...it depends on your space, budget, and quilting style, l guess. As for me, l am like Jingle,I make fundraiser and charity quilts. l use every little bit, and take care to make " pretty" charity quilts, with much planning. My impromtu style makes use of any imaginable fabric, and since l'm retired and on a budget, l'm always on the lookout for donations and bargains.

TheMerkleFamily

Due to moving, I purged through my fabric stash and sold fabrics though a few Facebook Groups. I spent a fair amount of time measuring, taking pics, etc.. When I sold items I invoiced the buyers through PayPal and everything worked great. It was nice to convert unwanted fabric into extra cash and clean-up. However, I didn't realize that I would receive a 1099 from PayPal because in my state (VA) it's necessary for PayPal to report earnings when there are more than $600 in sales annually. Not all states are the same. I've decided it's too much effort to try and sell online so in the future I will likely donate to a worth cause/group.

SusieQOH

I did a major purge in January and I can't tell you how liberating it is. I don't miss a thing and now I have all the things I love in that room.
I just knew I would never use a lot of the fabric I got rid of.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

cashs_mom

I"m doing the same. I don't feel the need to get rid of my stash. In fact, I love my stash and have been using it up for the last couple years. The last few months, I've even started making some new clothes for myself and using up some of the rayons and other garment fabrics that I have. When I had to take everything out of the closet in the sewing room, I realized I have some beautiful garment fabrics. Since I'm needing some new, interesting clothes, I've used up several pieces to make them.

jmoore

I’m afraid I couldn’t do it either. I usually do a good purge around New Years Day. I have already noticed increasing prices of fabric which might be a big deal when I consider my next destash. Good luck...

junegerbracht

I need to purge. I do not have the patience to try to sell it.

Iceblossom

When I first was diagnosed with my already existing vision diagnosis, I did a major purge of my stash. I started with the idea that I could get rid of all non-quilting fabric in my stash. So that was an easy start -- is it cotton? If no, out it goes.

I ended up giving the "usable" yardage, things like wool and such to a textile student at the local arts college who assured me everything was wanted by someone. The bits and pieces of fancy stuff went to a gal who does Cosplay and costuming. Craft stuff went to a local elementary school art teacher (her yearly budget for supplies is just shameful, the arts need funding). Found all of them by either responding to or running ads on Craig's List.

I did inventory and sell my vintage fabric that I always meant to sell on eBay. But I sold to a local buyer who gave me back slightly more than I paid and was happy to take the risk and time to sell the rest. We both know she got a good deal She does actually sell on line and does shows and such. I'm glad I got that fabric out of my stash and back into the world.

Mostly I found groups on Craig's List -- usually under the wanted section. I do periodically run a search on "fabric". A church group who supported many different groups got a lot, like 3 bags worth including thrift store tops and orphan blocks. They specifically said in their ad that they were willing to take UFOs and quilter scraps. Girl Scouts got a bag. 4-H got a bag. A group that does/did a yearly sale to support a summer home ec including sewing day camp got boxes of books and more stuff.

I'm looking at what I have left and am starting to think maybe it's about time to start another purge cycle. What I have left though, well it's survived as being wanted and many previous sortings. I'm trying to adjust my thinking that loved and wanted aren't enough and I'm adding "do I see myself actually using that in 5 years". But then I feel the pressure of progressive vision loss.

I can say that while I still remember quite a lot of what I gave away and it does happen that as soon as you send something out, you find a "perfect" use for it. But that's because you are thinking of it and you find there are other fabrics out there that will also work. I really only regret giving away one piece. I knew I was pushing myself with that one anyway and I do miss it. But the reality is, it's been over 5 years and I probably still wouldn't have used it. Not a bad track record for as much as I've handed out.

juliasb

I am not sure I am ready to purge my stash but I have opened the doors to anyone wanting fabric. I have also been doing my best not to buy fabrics for the last couple years. The moratorium thread here has kept me on track pretty good.

Quilty56

I did "the purge" last month. Donated that which I purged to my church's quilting group. Nice thing is, they have so much fabric that I can also "shop" their stash.