|
Originally Posted by Butterfli19
How about a 2-cent psychological point of view?
Maybe at one time your life was out of control and you went and bought all this stuff because it was the one tangible thing you could control. Unfinished, probably because you didn't want the commitment; it was a way of being so pulled into the other life stuff not finishing these beauties was another means of control. Now you want to cleanse. All that other life stuff is either not happening or is at a manageable stage. Now you need to see which of those beauties - including fabric, books, gadgets, batting - that you love and keep those. Donate the rest. Don't burden yourself by wondering how to sell them. Donate them to a nursing home's arts and crafts room. A few years ago I was where you are but at a smaller scale with different items. Craft supplies, clays, beads, fabric, puzzles, supplies, you get it. I did what I said and today have everything under control. And it feels wonderful! You have to figure out why it got so overwhelming before you can understand how to cut back and rebuild a stash you can live with. |
Wow Mary, unbelievable how many quilts you've created, as well as other sewing items. How long have you been a quilter? I've been quilting for almost twenty years and have completed only a fraction of what you've done. But do you really need 8 irons?
|
Here is what worked for me: have husband get new job 3 hours away. Realize you have to 1: move and 2: sell house. Drink margaritas as the realization of putting your house on the market sinks in. Clean out your closet (who needs all these clothes anyway?). Clean the kitchen (where did all these mismatched plastic containers come from?). Clean and declutter the whole house while basking in avoidance of the FABRIC. Cry through the fabric intervention. Have a scrap give-away on your blog, at work and in your guild. Then, swear to finish all WIPS, UFOS, and PIGS before purchasing another thing. (This is made easier by the fact it will take your house a while to sell in this market.) Sew every evening, since you and hubby are living apart during the week and what else do you have to do anyway? Finish quilt after quilt after quilt as the time creeps along. Soon you will find 2 years have passed, your stash has shrunk and you have finished projects. THEN, you get an offer and you have to MOVE!!!! So in the packing stage, you realize you really don't like this fabric anymore and give selected pieces to several quilting friends. THEN, you find a new place, move in, get settled. And realize how very tiny your stash is, and how very disciplined you have become. Yep, just lived through it. ^_^! And my fabric habits have changed! Good Luck!
|
Originally Posted by ArizonaQuilts1
Hi Quilters,
There is a huge bookshelf full of totes, small bags, checkbook covers and zipper pouches. My fabric stash does not sound anything as expansive as yours, but a dear quilting friend told me I am not allowed to purchase any more fabric until I use what I have. I'm happy to say my last three quilting projects (wall hangings, table toppers) have been made completely with what I already have. It took a bit of organizing and creativity, but I did it! I will be giving two of the table toppers as gifts. Get 'em made; get 'em out!! By the way, when I saw your name (ArizonaQuilts1), I thougtht you were connected with the new quilt store of the same name in the west side of Phoenix! |
Hi, Mary!
If I did not live across the world ... run home to help bring order to see what could end up, chat a lot and ... play with your fabrics! I dream of someday stepping quilt shop! But I also fear that moment! I buy everything I see! I understand! Thanks for sharing! I hope you feel better! A hug! |
Originally Posted by whinnytoo
we can be roommates at rehab!
|
Hang in there.Its not going to be easy.But you can do it.I haven't bought any new fabric in 78 days.And its getting easier.STEP 1- Do not shop alone -take a non-quilting friend along with instructions to keep you out of fabric stores etc -Step 2- Leave Charge Cards at home- Step 3-Drive a new route[one that does not lead to a FS] These '3' steps are easy to remember. I have a little Ditty I sing in my head as a re-inforcement tool--I have it and I Don't need it. OR My Stores better than their store..As a reward for a day w/o new fab and accessories treat your self to a nice bubble bath to help ease the tension from Not Buying :-) :-) I have faith in you
|
Someone mentioned that there are always new quilters that can't afford fabric, that's me! I always a little jealous when I hear about people's stashes and that I have only a rubbermaid container of fabric that I don't really like and a bunch of scraps. I can do things with the scraps, but never have enough to use for backing and am literally out of batting.
If you'd like to foist some of it off on me and a quilt to be binded that I'd send back, let me know, I'd be happy to clear out a little bit of it for you! |
Hi Mary, Are you a member of a chapter in your area? I live in Payson and am willing to help or just "talk" about this. My chapter is supportive in so many areas. Send my an email if I can [email protected]
Smiles, Your fellow-quilter in AZ, Brenda |
Our Guild holds a "Garage Sale" once a year at our July meeting.... This year,several tables were set up around the room and members brought their goods to sell... books, patterns, fabrics, ufo's, quilting frames. You name it!!!
It was so good to see people happy about getting rid of stuff, and funny watching people acquiring new stash!!! PS... I did not buy a thing!!! lol |
You don't sound ill to me. If you can afford it and you enjoy it why worry about it? This worry and stress is taking the pleasure away from the very thing you enjoy the most.
In stitches, (and fabric and machines and notions, etc) Roberta |
I can feel for you. I have the same problem, My granddaughter asked me if I was turning into a hoarder. I guess my house does look like a hoarders. Oh well it's mine and I can live with it.
|
Don/t feel bad after a 3cweek road trip I stopped at every fabric shop I saw and bought fabric.
Hoppa |
Arizonaquilts, I sympathize with you. I love to bind and will help you out. Also, my daughter is a pediatrician at a childrens hospital. She works with preemies and abused and neglected children. S he would greatly appreciate any baby or youth blankets. It makes such a difference to them to have something to hang on to in this time of crisis in their lives. PM me and I will arrange postage. Good luck in your rehab. God bless you and help you in your quest.
|
wow! I showed your post to my family--you make me look sain by comparison. My doctor titrates my meds based on how mANY quilts I've done in the past month. You need to start purging--I gave away sewing machines and had a big garage sale advertised on craig's list and got rid of tons of stuff. You have to stay away from the fabric stores. The last 2 quilts I made from shopping my stash. Hang in there!
|
Originally Posted by blueangel
Join the crowd
|
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
Originally Posted by Kitsie
I hope you never recover!!!
first off...unsub from ALL of the fabric shop emails...it isn't really that hard..took me about an hour...yes, a FULL hour to go through all the emails I filed away and just unsubscribe from that shop! Then I did the same thing on facebook! Then I deleted the upteen yahoogroups, I never really participated in, but just READ the links to more FREE patterns. I am 50...I have very little time to sew/quilt/craft at all any more. I have over 1,000 patterns, 300+ books, 38 UFO's that are all queen size quilts, another 50+ PIGS and about 3,000 yards of fabric. ADD to that my inking, painting, dyeing, stamping, discharging, foiling, threads, notions, rulers, die cutters, dies, machines, irons, you name it...and that one tiny 10' room contains nearly $100,000.00 in merchandise! I have two children, both boys. Both not on their own in this economy. Both with NO inclination of making a family yet, since they are still NOT on their own. Should I ever get grands, those quilts are already made. NO need to keep the baby fabrics! The boys both have 6 quilts now and each has a UFO that will be a wedding gift(should that ever happen)! My entire family is quilted out..as in they do not want/need any more quilts from me! SO...why do I keep all of this stuff? This is NOT my only passion in life...I no longer have my store, I no longer teach classes...it no longer brings me joy when I see it, it just STUFF that is weighing me down....so...it is all going... I will never recoup 1/2 of what I have spent on all this stuff...nobody wants to inherit it..so I came to the realization that it just needs to go. Hopefully it will bring someone else some joy/happiness. |
I had the same problem several years ago and then I found out that there was a medicine that I was taking that was causing the problem. One of the side effects was adiction. I read about it in the newspaper and had the doctor change my meds and I realized that I was buying a lot of fabric but never making it into anything. I even had rented a storage bin to house all the goods. I had all good intentions but never did anything. The first thing I did was get rid of most of the fabric, books, and stuffed associated with the problem. I didn't sew for a while as I was always relating to my past situation. I don'y know if this will help you. Good Luck
|
I have an idea, you can donate the quilts to homeless shelters, Veterans homes, foster families, etc. Then you can have a great big, giant quilt sale to get your stash and tools down.
|
I love this board!!
|
I still say the fabric is the adiction and I am quilty. I am trying to clean my act up but am not doing all that well. I picked up a stash yesterday for $10 from a lady that is on her way to assisted living. I do have just one iron and one machine (viking) but I want a featherweight I think. I need to take control of this. I can have a garage sale here and advertise it as a lot of fabric and I believe the place would fill up with buyers...this is a land of quilters. Will I do that? Maybe next summer.
|
I agree with everyone. I would find a charity who could bind them and donate some to them. If there are some that you would like to keep but need help binding with, maybe some of us local girls could get together with you and spend some time working on them. I live very close to Big Surf and the Scottsdale drive in. Let me know if I can help.
Robyn |
I don't have this problem. I bought 3 yards of material today, for the back of a quilt, knowing that it takes seven yards for a queen bed. In a few months I hope to buy material for the front. Ha Ha. Although I like fabric so much and could have that problem, the grocery stores leave me too broke to ever have to worry about it.
|
Also there is a wonderful organization here called Homeward Bound that helps women with children into transitional housing. Most of these families have nothing when they come into the program. If you are interested in more info on them send me a pm. They were there for me and my son after he was paralyzed and my marriage became a nightmare. I can't say enough wonderful things about them.
Robyn |
A couple years ago, I had a friend come visit me, we sat in my sewing room, and I divided just about all I had with her, craft stuff, fabric, anything else that I had plenty of. She left with several large garbage bags full. It was a good feeling to share. She has come again one more time and brought stuff of hers to share with me. We had a ball. We both probably still have too much stuff, me for sure. But it does make you feel better to give it to someone who either needs it or just would love to have it. Hope you will share your things with someone, its a great feeling. And believe me you won't even miss it or remember what you gave. I didn't..Well maybe a couple of things..Good Luck in your rehab.
|
Originally Posted by Prism99
Wow! I've been in fabric rehab for awhile, with my stash not growing, so feel I have a right to contribute to this thread.
In my case, I simply stopped going to fabric stores and stopped looking online (had stopped going to garage sales several years ago). That has helped a lot! What strikes me as unusual about your case is the multitude of unfinished quilts. I think you need to learn how to do binding and then warm your heart by finding people/charities who can actually use your quilts. Maybe find ways to display some of your quilts in your house too. Concerning binding, here are links to my favorite method by Leah Day for completely machine binding quilts (much faster than finishing by hand): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related |
Binding is not my downfall. After piecing, I have tops that are not quilted. I don't think that I can afford to pay someone to do my quilting, and I'm not good enough at machine quilting. Yes. I've heard it is practice, practice, practice. I just have not gotten to it. :(
|
How awesome that you keep it all. =) I always end up giving my creations away, but I do have a few. Yesterday I finished up a few orphan quilt blocks ~ I quilted them and bound them so that I can hang them on the wall. I decided I want to decorate with what I spend so much time doing so that I can enjoy the fruits of my labor. =)
As far as the fabric stash goes..I decided a few months ago that I am going to use all the fabric I have and the clothes I am saving for quilting projects and stop storing it all. I am missing out on a big portion of this craft by storing and not using. Its all about changing your point of view I do believe. I told my husband yesterday that I want to be know as a great quilter. I'm fortunate in that he supports me 1000%. I too have many rulers and tons of notions ~ some that have never seen the light of day...I'm working on that. I would give anything if one of my girls would quilt with me. If they would just get started it would change life as we know it. But they have had to deal with me & my obsession so much that they are barely interested...ho hum...I hope one day that changes....Good luck to you! I feel your pain but I am slowly changing my train of thought. =) |
Get help in letting go of the thrill of acquisition and get practice in the joy of giving. I learned the hard way too and still battle the acquisition drug ('but it's such a bargain' :-( )but I know it is for the best. Unburden yourself and let go of the blame game too.
HUGS!!! |
ok why so many irons and ironing boards, save favorites and then donate the others to some worthy cause......other than that i do not see the problem....except, well i like to do binding
|
I showed your note to my husband who replied "when the fabric in this house starts getting to close the (my) garage, we will have to make changes. Until that day, you are OK".
Sometimes our perfectionistic tendances get in the way of completing projects. Set a small goal...one binding every week and work a little towards the goal each day ( maybe 1 hour). As you move toward your goal, you will find yourself feeling better about all of this. Good Luck! |
Ok, I have had a very DH who has helped me de-fabricolic myself. It also helped that the 12 x 65 foot trailer on my farm (which housed my machines, fabric, etc) had to be demolished to allow me to get a mortgage for remodeling of our farm house. Jeff spent many hours selling the fabric that I wasn't going to use on ebay (or whereever). It hurt, but I have been donating all of our quilts to family members and project linus, and contact center since. If you need help binding, please PM me, I would be happy to help you (you will need to pay postage) if you wish. I am working on a couple of quilts to keep (finally) but I totally believe my addiction was that, an addiction. there are probably 20 ladies and gentlemen on this board that would help you. PM if you need me for any help. I would be happy to help another.
|
I too have been trying for a while to not buy any more fabric. It's just that I always see fabric I can't resist or that I really need for a project I'm working on. So, I've gotten better, but I doubt I'll ever be truly cured of the disease! ( Thank goodness !! )
|
Wished we lived closer because I would enjoy doing your bindings. That's my favorite part of the process, enjoy handsewing and also know the quilt is finally finished. Good luck at rehab.
|
anybody here think things are out of control i will gladly take whatever you are willing to part with off your hands.
|
Sharon, I'm also from RI
|
I am addicted to fabric also, this is my year to finish projects...my daughter is on her way over to pick me up and go to LQS to pick up my BERNINA that was in a coma but now is well. we will pick out backing for a quilt my grandmother started in the 1920's but that is all. It has been 60 days since i have purchased fabric. but, i sew for hours every day!!!!!!on my 301A. and now i will be able to quilt (FMQ) again with my 1630. sewing is joy ! and the handwork part of binding is what i do in the mornings(i wake at 3:30) when the sound of the machine might bother others.
|
my name is marie b. and I am a sewing supply addict-
I, too, realized that I was buying more fabric than I could ever use in this and many other lifetimes, so I put a note on my computer monitor that said "Nothing"-as in 'you will buy nothing'. I unsubscribed to the multiple quilt shop lists (you will remember the ones you really like(!)). I bit the bullet and finished every half-done project-I did send several out to a local LAQ and it was worth every penny (after all I wasn't buying fabric or supplies...). I have fallen off the wagon a couple of times in the last year or so. I bought a couple of 301s, but I am selling all of my seldom used machines and patterns and books that I have but do not use. As I de-clutter my sewing room, donate fabric to charity groups, sell off little-used things I feel so much less pressure and it is easier to work in my space. visiting here and enjoying the wonderful ideas and work of others has replaced the "buying" bug for me, so thank you to all of you for a service that you didn't even know that you have provided-random acts of kindness for sure!! |
I am 76 and about 5 years ago went through my crafts etc. and chose which crafts I would be able to enjoy before I am called to the pearly gates. Crocheting and knitting and quilting are still in. I saved my pen and ink materials, but wonder if my hand is still steady enough to do satisfactory work. Cannot do cross stitch, beading, tatting, flower crafts, gardening, beadwork and wreath making. Got rid of quite a bit of stuff. Saved some clothing patterns and got rid of the rest. Feel much lighter now. Still have too much quilting fabric, but I figure that now I cannot afford to buy fabric and am dedicated to using what is in my sewing area. Also have 5 sewing machines. Am giving 3 of these to a settlement house in the city that teaches refugees to do simple household tasks including sewing. I hope I get 'A' for effort.
|
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
Originally Posted by Kitsie
I hope you never recover!!!
first off...unsub from ALL of the fabric shop emails...it isn't really that hard..took me about an hour...yes, a FULL hour to go through all the emails I filed away and just unsubscribe from that shop! Then I did the same thing on facebook! Then I deleted the upteen yahoogroups, I never really participated in, but just READ the links to more FREE patterns. I am 50...I have very little time to sew/quilt/craft at all any more. I have over 1,000 patterns, 300+ books, 38 UFO's that are all queen size quilts, another 50+ PIGS and about 3,000 yards of fabric. ADD to that my inking, painting, dyeing, stamping, discharging, foiling, threads, notions, rulers, die cutters, dies, machines, irons, you name it...and that one tiny 10' room contains nearly $100,000.00 in merchandise! I have two children, both boys. Both not on their own in this economy. Both with NO inclination of making a family yet, since they are still NOT on their own. Should I ever get grands, those quilts are already made. NO need to keep the baby fabrics! The boys both have 6 quilts now and each has a UFO that will be a wedding gift(should that ever happen)! My entire family is quilted out..as in they do not want/need any more quilts from me! SO...why do I keep all of this stuff? This is NOT my only passion in life...I no longer have my store, I no longer teach classes...it no longer brings me joy when I see it, it just STUFF that is weighing me down....so...it is all going... I will never recoup 1/2 of what I have spent on all this stuff...nobody wants to inherit it..so I came to the realization that it just needs to go. Hopefully it will bring someone else some joy/happiness. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:07 AM. |