How do I downsize my stash?
 

I am needing more room for my vintage sewing machine collection and am thinking that room could come from selling some of my stash----I am going to try to post a picture of alittle over half my stash----cottons----(the wall is 16 foot long). I really am not able to ship out so what is the best way---ad in paper? on Craigs list? a garage sale is not really it, is it?......do I sell by the pound or yard or sack full? and how much is a fair price? I can't afford to give it all away but don't intend to get rich either. thanks for any suggestions you have......

Oh my, THAT'S a stash. lol. I can't tell you the best way to get rid of it - Craigs list might be a start, and a yard sale. Or, I might move to Iowa and relieve you of your burden. (JK) I'm sure folks will be along shortly with some great ideas.

Holy Moly! I wish I lived in Iowa! I have no idea but maybe you could do craigslist and do small lots of certain colors for so much a bag. Then if people wanted to mix and match colors they could but they wouldn't have to buy a mixed up bag. That's just what I think I would like if I was buying fabric from someone! :)

Good luck!
Candace

Oh my. I thought I had a lot and I have about the equivalent of two of your shelves (floor to ceiling). I'd start by asking here--and then of course, Craig's list or yard sale.

The problem with Craig's list is - do you want a stranger coming into your house to look at the stash?? What else are they going to scope out.
The problem with a yard sale is that everyone sorts through things and then leaves them in a mess. You'll be folding and refolding yourself until you're exhausted. Then they won't want to give you the price you want, they'll want to bargain. I'm not sure what the answer is, but that's just my opinion on those two options. Maybe sell them on this board. Just bundle them in some sort of arrangement, number them and put a price on them plus postage. It's worth a try. It will take time, but then - maybe not. Just my suggestion. I wish I had the money to help you with some of it. I'm fairly new at quilting and do not have much of a stash yet. Would be awesome to be able to purchase some of it.

You can gift some to me. Pm me for my address. lol.

If you can't ship, what about renting a booth at a quilt show? or a craft show? Buy ziplock bags. Mark size of piece, and figure on a price per yard and stick with it for all pieces.

or for that matter-------------do you have any consignment malls? One gal at our local mall uses the ziplock bags, marks the size of the piece, and then charges $3 per yard. Some small pieces, once in a while 3 yds.

A yard sale won't get any decent return for your money. Craigslist might--depending on your location.

If shipping is an issue and I agree the Craigslist is not safe for that amount because you would have too many strangers. I would say go thru a guild in your area. They are your prime fabric audience. A private sale to one or a couple guilds, yes they might be strangers as well but someone knows someone in that guild. Do a week long sale and as far as price. I would go 50% off what it goes for now. How many quilters argue with a 5yard price. It's a bargain. Good luck and I hope you get out of whatever you decide what you want!! Guilds are easy to find via internet and think big look up to an hours drive away you might be surprised how many would make the drive.

Wow! You do have quite the stash! I'm sorry I can't help. I have equivalent to one of your shelving units. I've never sold my fabric. Too bad you couldn't make the quilts and sell them, I would think that you'd get more bang for your buck. Considering that I've made three quilts recently and it doesn't even seem that I've put a dent in my stash, that would probably take you a very long time to see results.

If the reason you can't ship due to lack of funds, you could always wait until you receive payment for items that you sell on here first, then ship. Your stash is nicely organized though.

Do you have any local guilds in your area? Maybe they will allow you to set up before a meeting?
I sold a lot of my stash at yard sales - and then I sold the rest of that as a bulk fabric purchase on Craigslist. I was so happy to be rid of it.

Recently a woman contacted me to see if my guild would take her late mother's stash. I now have over 2 dozen boxes of stuff in my garage. I'll be bringing it to the next meeting to let the ladies go through it. The rest of that is going to be given to a retirement center so it can be used.