downsizing my stash
 

I need to downsize my stash of fabric and patterns. If I lived to be 100 I could never use all the stuff I have accumulated. I would appreciate suggestions on how to begin the process of downsizing and how to go about selling some of my stash. Thanks

You could have a quilter's rummage sale - maybe have some grab bags, coordinated bundles of fabric tied together, fat quarter bundles, etc. Just be prepared for the fact that you probably won't get the same amount of money as you paid as everyone is looking for a deal. I just went shopping in my stash and made a whole quilt - top, batting and backing and all in my closet. I plan on doing a lot more of this kind of shopping.

In order to sell on the QB, there are requirements to be met. You can read about them in the Members Only Thrift Shop and Yard Sale forum.

I went to a great crafters yard sale, all fabric $2 a yard, she did not cut yardage but she did measure it for you. this included 100% cotton fabric to all kinds of craft and clothing fabric, trims etc. in 2 hours she was sold out I spent over $40 there and it didn't even make a dent in her stash. She had bags of scraps sold by weight just shoved in what you want 1lb. min. $1. All her scraps were large. You will never get what you invested into your stash this way but it will clean out your stash.

Do you wish to sell or donate?

Or do you like the color combos enough to just say 'what the heck' and cut them into 2 1/2" strips and make a lot of 1600 quilts for charity or gifts or for church, etc. This is about where I am with some of my older stash.

My two quilting groups depend on gifts of fabric which they then use for the quilts we make for the various charities. I know either would feel blessed to have a gift made to them.

We have had many who donated leftovers to the guild charity program. Once a quarter a bunch of us get together and cut the yardage into useable kits and then these are distributed to be sewn into tops. We have a monthly guild group meeting that is for sewing and finishing these into quilts. We can use most anything.

If you have a garage sale (even Eleanor Burns did this one), sell by the pound. A yard is about 5 ounces and you can post this and have a scale available. That way no measuring of any kind is involved. Fill a bag, weigh it and done.

A very long time quilter had a sale and prepared a flyer to hand out at all the guild meetings. I missed the sale because it was during Paducah week.

My note about garage sales: Even in our city of 1 million, it is hard to get out the quilters to buy someone else's stash. I have helped quilters advertise and yet only a few come to the sale and really expect to pay pennies on the dollar. My husband said this is because most (not all) girls and women really like "new" stuff and are turned off with "used" things. He found this when selling for a business. Good luck.

So much depends on your personality. Some people hate dealing with things like yard sales--in that case maybe ebay is an idea. Here you can sell it as well, but it is kind of complicated to know the price.

I am sitting in the airport waiting to begin the journey back to the USA. There someone has generously donated 3 bags for me to go through so I'm excited! So consider donating as well to groups that make charity quilts! It makes it possible to make them!

I'm coming home to PA in August for a visit; I'll stop by and pick it up.:)

See if any local organizations make charity quilts and donate fabric to them. You could estimate the value and keep the info for next year's tax return.

You could donate some to local quilt guilds to use for charity quilts. You could donate to Freecycle or put on Craigs list. There are folks out there that make quilts and blankets for organizations.

If you want to sell it offer it to folks in the community that sew. Perhaps have a sale in your home by using one room and tables or whatever and price it to sell. You also could use Craigs list. If you want to sell online try a place like eBay or Overstock or Esty.