I see his theory alright - but could I really do it?

http://www.trueup.net/how-to/10-step...uttered-stash/

Interesting, even humorus, but No way!

Not in a million years... Nope!! :D:D:D

Did he really suggest getting rid of fabric? I love every piece I have, even my crumbs! I have a special project for each piece! I dont need to get rid of any, I just need some extra time to sew, lol. And did I mention it is part of my saving for retirement?heheheWith the rise in price of fabric, I would rather keep it stored in plastic bins in the attic for insulation than give it away, and cut down on my heating bill at the same time!Bahahahahaha!

Yes it is a great idea. I did this awhile back and it was very freeing. I gave a bunch of fabric and scraps away that was in the "second tier" and I dont miss them one bit. Fact is that I was not going to use them.

Like he said the key is to sort and get rid of them ASAP. Then you can look at the fabrics you have and really invision the projects.

I am about ready to do it again.

You are soooo BRAVE! Not sure I can do it - but who knows...

I didn't read the entire article but I think it's a good idea. I went though everything when I moved the sewing room from the basement to upstiars. Much less room so I had to be more organized and specific on what I want to keep and to do.
I got rid of a bunch that really I just wasn't going to use. Everything got 'shook up' a bit and it made me see things differently. Recently I pulled fabrics for a Dear Jane and that was fun, got to see my collection in a new way. I pulled from all kinds of collections, sets and someday quilts.

For me, the reality is I only have so much room. I like the fabric I have so I figure I should use it. I want to be able to say I loved that fabric so I used it.... not I love that and someday I might use it.

i will take a look at it

Sounds good, but not for me. Especially now that i've found I like making scrap quilts!

I could do it...until I read the use it or lose it part. I am going to use it ALL!!! :P

"10. You can buy new fabric! From now on you have to be good and commit to using or purging the same amount of new fabric that you bring in. Keep a running tally on a whiteboard or in a notebook if it helps."

That seems counterproductive/intuitive...

I like the idea of getting rid of stuff I'm never going to use. I put a bag together of little giveaway projects that I know I won't ever make. And those are moving on. But the general big pieces, I'd hate to give them up....

I right there with ya amma :P

I couldn't do it. I will retire someday and have plans for all of it.

He has some good ideas. I was glad when I watched one of his shows that he is not as mean as the woman on Clean Sweep. I refuse to watch her!!! He really tries to make people search their feelings and the reasons why their houses are cluttered. I am decluttering my house, which will probably take me until Summer, but that's okay. I am getting rid of a lot, but not 85%. I am not getting rid of any fabric because realistically I cannot buy new fabric. I don't have very much cotton, but I found a bunch of fleece. I think I will do a simple meandering sttich on a few that are not girlie, and make make fleece blankies for disabled Veterans. The one about solids is easy, I don't really have any. lol

I didn't read the article, and won't. lol.
I'm just now starting out and trying to build a stash - I sure don't want to get rid of anything!
(If anyone reads it and starts clearing out their stuff, PM m and I'll send you my address. Hehehehe)

Carol B

DITTO!!!!!!!!

How can I let go of my imagination, inspiration, dream designs, etc?

I think when it totally takes over, and you simply don't have eough room to live happily. That is why I am getting rid of the nonquilting stuff. I admit I did find a couple pieces of fabric that I think I was sleepshopping when I bought them. They have to go----yuck!!!

Only one day to do this??? HA It would take me a month and I would probaby put all the purged stuff back before I finished. My system is three two door tall cupboards, 2 steel shelf units, and piles everywhere that there isn't room for on the shelf where they belonh. I sort by color, sorta...Always have three of four more projects stacked up on my tables waiting to begin.

I went through some of my stash and I boxed up some odds and ends that I didn't like and a lot of scraps from other quilts. I just stashed the box and maybe someday I will go through it again and see it with new eyes.

The clutter in my sewing room gets to me sometimes ;)

Too OC for me. Those of you who decide on doing this, I'll absorb your excess. My fabrics may appear to be dormant, but when I have a class for 26 4-H students, it goes quickly. I even keep the low quality stuff. It makes good practice projects for those 12 year olds.

Obviously he's not a quilter.

Gee seems I do that every month...I organize neatly even iron sometimes my small scraps and fold but a few wks later everything is a mess and not int the neat little piles on the shelves anymore....

That's a man for ya :!: :roll: :lol: Who does he think he is kidding? :roll:

Did his program this week on OWN upset anyone except me? The daughter had called him in to declutter Mom's house and she was holding her child as hostage until Mom cleaned up the place. Mom alluded to the fact that she had her own stuff, things that had belonged in her family and besides she was a teacher who had collected many teaching aids and bulletin board materials over the years. Yes, her house was "becoming crowded" but for that daughter to dictate how her mom was going to take care of her house!!! I think there were other issues there besides the collection of stuff. The baby was still a babe in arms, I believe, so what's the deal? The place didn't look dirty, just cluttered. By the time they took out all of the plastic tubs the place looked pristine--kinda like a store--but now daughter was happy. Was mama? Dad looked stunned. Daughter learned she could dictate to her parents by withholding contact with the grandchild. Mom no longer has things that she enjoyed having, even though it was more than she might have needed. Maybe I related to her too much as I have a lifetime collection myself?

I saw it. I felt sad for the mother. She looked like she'd give up anything if only they'd leave her alone. I don't like that show.

Don't think I want to read it either! I cherish my fabrics right down to my crumbs!

I'd need a fully staffed accounting department to keep track of it all. ;-)

I like Peter Walsh and agree with almost everything he says - I have downsized twice and am tired of clutter. It really helps to have a friend help who is more objective and a place to take the donate pile too.

It's okay if the person is willing but the woman they were badgering looked so sad. .

i saw it and also felt sorry for the mom. the daughter irritated me - seemed kind of like she felt too sorry for herself and everything was about her - mom did seem depressed. perhaps family could have offered to help her organize it - maybe use on of the rooms to build her shelves etc That is what my son has done for me when he sees that I just don't have a place for everything. Dau withholding grandchild irks me tho b/c I have a son with similar attitude - not wanting to bring my GD over b/c of my cats and dogs plus he thinks my house is a mess - well, it is sort of but not like that lady's! Mine is more of I'll do dishes as soon as I finish this block; will dust as soon as I do one more binding etc etc.

I could never "use it or lose it". seems I always need something the day after I have given it away.

Have gone through my stash and got rid of stuff I knew I wouldn't use and donated it to a local church thrift store. Taste change I have found. Have been doing it with craft stuff and will be donating that.

compared to what i see some of you have, i have a puny stack - but that's ok w/ me. I do have more stash now than ever in my life, but that's due to buying projects for "someday", but "someday" never comes.

I do periodically go thru stuff in my house and have the "use it or lose it" philosphy. Clothes are piled on the spare bed to go to salvation army that i haven't worn in a couple years. I also have learned that if i've tired of it and put it back, then chances are I'm not going to use it - let someone else enjoy it.

My fabrics - I try to buy what i need...

Key word: "try"

I saw the show, too. It was sad, but having a father who has hoarded literally TONS of stuff I understand. The daughter did seem manipulative, but given the crowded house, the baby could easily have had junk fall on her as she walked around. Several years ago my father had to move from one house that I manage for a cousin in a nursing home to another house my father owns. My father refused to clean up his hoard (pots and pans with holes in them, chairs with 3 legs, old engine parts, bags of old clothes, etc.). When he finally moved out I had to rent a 40' long industrial trash hauler and we filled it 3 times! That cost me a fortune!!!! In the basement my father had open kerosene and other flammables that he had been soaking paintbrushes in for years! There was asbestos covering the pipes and there were piles of dirty stuffed animals and newspapers...all fire hazards. What people don't understand is that this problem just grows and grows...and that lovely teacher in the show? She had only just started. Every day she lives she will just accumulate MORE stuff unless there was an intervention. My thought about the show would be this: If they go back in 1 year or 2 years, will she have started collecting again?

It took me over a year to cobble a decent stash, the price of fabric keeps going up and he wants me to get rid of it....well I say NO NO NO NO!!!!! As my husband would say when he pries it from my dead cold rotting hand...and thats how I feel about that. hehehehe

Yup - just as I thought - definitely wirtten by a MAN ! Not in this lifetime, sir !

Yup - just as I thought - definitely wirtten by a MAN ! Not in this lifetime, sir !

I too agree that Peter is much nicer then some of the other shows about the clutter that takes over our lives. I try really hard to go thru my stuff about twice a year and what I do is give my unwanted and no longer my style fabric to quilters at my daughter's church. They are happy to get it and I know it will be used and made into something verses sitting in my sewing room. My mother was a bit of a hoarder and I have to watch myself to not get to that place.

The way she had her fabrics folded in the plastic boxes looked neat from the top, but you would still have to dig to find what's underneath. That hasn't been working for me. I am planning to purchase some little boards to wrap my fabrics around like mini 'bolts'. (Like in the Clotilde ads running on this site!) I hope that helps me see my fabrics better.

I only get rid of stuff I don't like or have a use for anymore. With what fabric costs, it's got to be a well thought out decision.