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That made me laugh. It is true, those who do not share the passion for fabric, simply don't understand. I would have escorted her away from the fabric too - double time! :)

I have saved scraps since I started quilting 14 yrs ago.Cannot bare to throw such lovely piece out with much memories.This year I'm at war with my scraps and have made several quilts.

You don't have to justify yourself to anyone.I bet you don't comment on how expensive the golf clubs were or anyone else's 'hobby' expenses. Relax and enjoy laughing at the attitudes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by janegb (Post 5345562)

I know about this! My friends or visitors just look in Awe.. they just don't understand! I love my messy sewing room, even when not sewing, I go in and look and touch and think about the pretty fabrics! LOL... I do know at my age, almost 77, that I can NEVER, even if I sewed 24 hours a day, use up all these wonders! However, I have coached my DGD (age 17, who is not interested in sewing), about the costs of everything, and how much to charge for my 8 machines, scissors, templates, rulers, etc, if I should happen to be "called away", so everything won't get thrown away.. the proceeds could help pay for her College. My son loves the Singer Treadle in Parlor case, he would use that one himself.

I am the same way my Daughter and DGD were in my sewing room one day and DD said one day this will all be mine and DGD said the Brother ULT 2003D was hers and DD said go ahead ther other three embroidery machine and quilting machine were plenty for her. Told them not to get in any hurry to get rid of me tho

I'm with you, my sewing room has a door on it and it's usually shut ! (for a reason)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori S (Post 5345560)

You are so right .. they really do not get it... at all. But I have run into some quilters that don't get it either.. when it comes to smallish pieces... they just say pitch the scraps... but some quilters don't get the scrap thing either.
I am glad my sewing space in in the basement.. guests don't see my "stuff" unless they are very "quilter friendly". That way I don't have to provide any "reason" for the "stuff".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori S (Post 5345560)

I agree with the scraps. I save most all of them. I also embroidery and applique and you'd be surprised how easy it is to use up those little scraps. I know one lady who has a really large stash who says she never shows her sewing room to a non-quilter because they never understand but she loves to show it to a quilter because they love to look at all she has. I just don't worry about what anyone says. My room is rather small and so is my budget so until a few months ago I didn't even have what most would call a stash. Then a lady posted on CL that she'd give away fabric in turn for someone to make her some small quilts that were a little larger than a receiving blanket and just two pieces of fabric sewed together and then turned rights sides out and topstitched and she supplied the fabric. I got some really nice fabric from that deal. I now have box and a bag to go thru from someone cleaning out after coming to the realization that even though they wanted to sew, it just wasn't going to happen. Not all of it is quilting fabric but since I'm also getting back into making clothes I'm sure I'll use most of it and what I don't use I'll send to the CHKD thrift store to help the kids at the hosptial. My daughter quilts a little and always wants me to get more fabric so that she has more to chose from and one day she knows it will all be hers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryMo (Post 5345666)

My house is messy ... with fabric piles all over the place and lots of bits of scraps .... but I wouldn't have it any other way. On the bad days I can sit in my "squalor" and dream, plan, and process. And on the good days I can sew up a storm! It's a beautiful life I have! :)

i agree , sewing is good for the soul

Lots of people do not get it. I just love the comment.....I wish I had time, (((sigh))) but I work. Very tempting for me to say....give me a break!

I save all my scraps & have a bag beside my chair for them. It's such fun to go back through it for a little piece of this or that for a quilt & see all the gorgeous colors & patterns from previous projects. Makes me feel like I've hit the lottery! LOL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havplenty (Post 5345960)

perhaps our obsession (eek that word:)) is just to own and surround ourselves with things we find pretty and obtainable rather than things we plan to use. who knows for sure.:cool:

I think that every time we purchase fabric we are also purchasing the dream quiltwe will make with it.

I have a problem letting go of things that are useful even though I may not have an immediate use for them but I am not a real hoarder. I have given away my antique block collection to a fabric artist who will use them for something worthy, orphan blocks and fabric to charity quilters, projects from my DMs stash, etc. Outgrown clothing goes to one of three places: to charity, to the cut-up for quilts area or the rag bag. Right now I am rapidly using the thin sheets and flannels I didn't toss to make my first crochet rag rugs. They really eat up the fabric. I can't wait to finish so I can see if the satin and taffeta linings I saved will work for table mats. But I almost regret the 10 pounds of heavy double knit saved 40 years from my time at the sewing factory given to a rag weaver. It would have made nifty crocheted rugs.:o