sparkys_mom

Excellent post. This is just a hobby for me but I think you make very good points.

pennycandy

Pagzz, I too feel the same. There is no loss of joy or creativity because I don't own a large stash. Once I have chosen a pattern I am free to find whatever fabrics I want in the quilt. The most difficult quilt that I pulled together was the one that I found coordinating fabrics to go with two fabrics I had stashed.

zozee

I enjoy the psychology of quilters taking part in this thread. The engineer's mind makes me smile because I see my dad and other engineers having fun--thriving!-on designing organizational methods, making great use of space and resources, and all the engineers I know are also very artistic in some form. "Math" is not a four letter word to them, but "mess" is. The very word "collection" itself conjures up images and evokes feelings in each of us. Negative or positive?

My parents grew up poor and have never really overcome the Depression-era mentality that "you never know when you might need this." Hence, their basement is a place of "collections" I dread going through when they pass , from the junk removal standpoint.

As as for paring down things we don't use, want, or like before we die, is it loving to force our heirs to? If I can't, or don't want to deal with it, I imagine the burden it would place on my kids to do so. That motivates me to keep only what I'm enjoying.

I could speak to other topics in your well-articulated manifesto. Like I said, the psychology of this hobby fascinates me. We are all wired differently which is fun to observe.

HouseDragon

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!!!

Anniedeb

This was a very thought provoking, conversation starting post. I read each one...and we are all very different! When I retired 6 years ago, I "filed" my management degree and decided going forward I was going to do it my way. I absolutely thrive on organized chaos. When I'm in a fabric store, fabric "calls my name". I have to have it...I want to have it. I don't have a huge stash, and I'll admit I have fabric I have no idea what I'm going to do with, but that's just fine with me! I have many projects scoped out, and in baggies, and my magazines are all marked with the quilts and page numbers. My last two projects were completely from my stash. The one I'm currently working on will be also.

I love quilting...but it is not my business...It is my hobby...I enjoy it, and get huge satisfaction from doing it. I don't see it as a ledger sheet of wasted money....I spend a lot of time enjoying my books, magazines and fabric. I have equipment I haven't used yet...and that's ok too!!

I'm awed by your sewing area...It works for you...I don't have a dedicated area!!

Sounds like we have a lively discussion going! Just as our quilts are unique, so are we board members...

donna13350

[QUOTE=joe'smom;7107733]Such a business-like approach to quilting would not be fun for me.[/QUOTE


My sentiments exactly!!!!!!!!! Most of us are not in business..we are hobby quilters...a hobby should be enjoyable...not a stressed out approach to our fun!

bearisgray

I liked the manifesto.

I wish I would have used the wisdom in those words when I first started acquiring sewing supplies 50 years ago.

The system seems very sensible and logical to me.

I think awareness of supplies and equipment (and the cost of acquiring and storing them) can go along with creativity and enjoyment of an activity.

I am a member of the "learn and live" group. Some things just took me longer to learn.

QandE2010

Well said, Beadywoman!

mom-6

Thanks for your insights!

I totally agree with your thoughts on everything being the best you can do at the time whether it is for your BFF or for charity.

The idea of creating kits for future projects is also one I have in place for a few projects that for one reason or another have become future rather than immediate projects. Keeps me from inadvertently using that fabric for another project in the mean time.

Unfortunately on the organizing end I'm one who gains great joy from just being in my studio surrounded by piles of beautifully colored fabrics just waiting to become something. It would drive me nuts for everything to be in tuppers hidden from view. Gotta have my eye candy! It does also drive me nuts if the piles aren't color/type sorted.

And I have some vintage machines on display because seeing them also makes me happy. May have to go ahead and find new homes for a couple that I acquired but don't really know why I'm keeping as they're just taking up space right now. Why are these two not as special mentally? No idea, they just don't connect to me in the same way. All were purchased not handed down, are in good condition, had a reason to be special, but two are and two aren't. Go figure!

shasta5718

Sorry I don't agree with all your ideas, I have developed a stash over the years and did it just because I knew I wouldn't be able to buy a lot of fabric when I retired due to the increase in cost of it and everything else. Now I can enjoy my sewing without worring about which is more important. I also have several machines and use all of them for different things and never have to worry about my machine being in the shop leaving me in the middle of something. I guess everyone has their own ideas, but I like the way I have mine, I think everybody has to do what is best for them.