Stash question: If you live in two homes, how do you divide your stash??
 

My DH and I both have homes. We had one on the market but have decided to not to sell and enjoy them both instead. One is in the mountains (for summer and early fall) and the other is on the sound (for late fall to spring). I have a huge stash. So how do I split it up?? Ideas, please!

I'd probably keep it all in one place and put together a bunch of projects to take to the other house each year. And maybe add some extra bits for "in case I run out". But most likely I'd just see it as a reason to increase my stash :) I can't imagine splitting it between the 2 permanently - I'd always want something that was at the other house, I'm sure.

I have two places and for any years kept material at both places. This summer I moved everything to the lake but kept a machine, cutting mat, rotary cutter, neutral thread and quilting bag with some rulers that I found I had duplicated. This allows me to take some classes here in town and do some projects during the week.
When I had a lot of my stash here at home, I found I needed some of it at the lake because I found that is where I had the time to sew.

I agree just take projects when you go

Great suggestion to keep your stash at one place and transporting projects as needed.

I would agree to make one location the home base and make up the "kits" to take to the other location. Which ever location has the best shops might be where the home base is or vise versa.

Do you spend more time at one place? Seems that would make it easier. Then take projects with some additional blenders etc for back up.

These are great suggestions. The problem of needing something that's in the other place is sure to come up. I have a beautiful studio with completely shelved walk-in closet for fabrics in the mountain home. That's the one we are reopening.
Of course, we'll be spending more time in our sound "fishing shack" where space is limited and I sew in the living room. My ironing board sits in front of the fireplace there and my big cutting table lives on my screened in porch, LOL!
An additional facet of my dilemma is that the mountain home has the huge studio complete with design wall and all that storage BUT I sew more in my cramped fishing shack where storage is oh, so very limited.

What to do, what to do??

What a nice problem to have! I'd probably store everything at the mountain home and spend my time there making up "kits" to take to the waterside home. Pretty much plan on piecing at one home and designing, cutting, and finishing at the other.

I'm envious of your problem. :)

I agree with storing everything at the nice studio in the mountain home, and making up kits to take to the "shack". How far apart are the two homes? Depending how many kits it would take for you to get through winter, would you be able to swap them out with ones from the mountain studio occasionally? I live in a pretty small apartment at the moment, and I'm finding it challenging having my extra supplies crowding me, so depending how you work, it might be nice to only have a couple kits at the waterfront place, and then pick up new ones when you're done the first ones.

Another idea to consider: hire/adopt me to look after the mountain home in the off season, and curate your quilt/fabric collection. Whatever bits you don't like to do, I'll take care of... ironing? cutting? squaring up blocks? I could even deliver kits to you at the shore when you need them. Maybe not what you were thinking, but do keep it in mind. :)

Oh go out and buy more fabric for your stash in both places. You will always need the extra amounts.
I have a caravan and you can be sure if you only take a limited amount to make a project you require something left at home. These are both long times in each. Is tranort ings the stash backwards and forwards possible?

I wouldn't divide it, just buy seconds but on a smaller scale for the smaller house.

I think this is what I would do as well. Otherwise, I fear, that I would always want the fabric that is stashed at the other house.

Cheers, K

We, too, are fortunate to have two homes. One in Wisconsin and one in Florida. I find that I work on different types of projects at the different homes. In Florida, I tend to have brighter colors and more neon like fabrics. In Wisconsin, I tend to "Northwoods" items. We tend to spend equal time in both places. I have a couple of sewing machines at both residents. Does that work for you?

WHat a problem to have wish I had it. HA HA HA I'm with the everybody that's tall you to keep prog. kits at the small summer home. or how about the spring color's at the summer home and winter color's in the mountain?

Not possible. It's way too big even if we left our clothes I am ashamed to say. My DH is an enabler.

I think I would go with the keeping the stash at the larger place and spending some of my time there creating kits and then taking the kits with me. When making kits I might also add a couple of other pieces that might work with the project just in case. If nothing else I would try that first and see how it works - if it doesn't work try to keep track of the reasons it isn't working and then you can re-evaluate

This and Sweetpea's comment are very insightful. The mountain house has subdued wine, green and gold colors and I'll need to be making some things for there. I can keep my Project Linus colors and juvenile prints here on the sound where I winter away sewing tops for the kids. I can take the mountain house colors and some kitted up projects the 6 hours up to the mountain. Maybe some precuts I have in case I get bored with that stuff. I also got crazy when the first grand girl was born and bought a tub full of pinky girlie prints that might go up there to stay. And then there's my scraps! Maybe a UHaul?
Great ideas! Thanks for posting!

Ah, first world problems. So tough ;-).

Split your stash in half and keep half at one, half at the other. Limiting your choices is always a fun challenge. Then over time, pieces of your stash will migrate to their natural resting ground ;-).

I also downsize to a small 2 bedroom senior only apt. STILL trying to get organized. I would do as Jennifer said. But maybe take along some extra tonals to fill in any unforseen gaps.

My DH and I are currently looking for a winter home in Fl. but haven't found what we want yet. I was also thinking ahead about this same issue. I will take a second sewing machine and table to leave in Fl but not sure yet how I will divide my stash.
I agree with others--will probably make up a few kits of fabric and patterns to take with me to Fl along with an extra mat and some rulers. I am sure I will have to buy a few duplicate things that I will probably forget.
Just looking forward to leaving these cold winters behind.

I agree with this

I have two homes and it took a while to get sewing set up at both houses with duplicates but am getting there. It makes a difference how frequently you will be going between the two houses. For me we spend 7 months in one and 5 in the other with no going back and forth in between so once I leave something there it's there for a while. Another is space. I have more space in one house than the other. A third consideration for me is where fabric shops are. At my one home they are plentiful and close. Not so at the other so I have more of my stash where it is a distance to a fabric store and less stash where if I need something I can run and get it. I also tend to work on different types of projects at the different houses which dictates what things I have where. I do take some back and forth but that amount gets smaller each year. No matter what you will always have times where you will be missing something that is at the other house. That is what you have to come to grips with and hard for me at first.

I tend to work on different types of projects in different locations/seasons- my winter projects are in my 'winter' place; my summer projects are in the other place. so they each have their own individual stashes/needs. and if I am working on something I need to finish when going from one place to another I just pack it up & take it.

What a dilema to have! Bless your heart! I should be typing in green. LOL I agree with CookyIN and Jennifer 23. However; hire me to look after the mountain home in the off season! I work cheap. I could always mail you what you needed when I was at the mountain house.

I also have this "dilemma". I tend to have different projects at different homes. At our mountain home I have most of my fabric, books, notions and 34 sewing machines, no lie. I make most of my quilted projects there.
At our first home I have 3 - 4 sewing machines plus some fabric, patterns and duplicate notions for making baby and doll clothes for various relatives. I do some piecing as well.

I have a basic stash at the second house because I love shopping garage sales there and have found some great treasures. Then when inspiration strikes I have background fabric and so on. I put together project totes with everything I need for that quilt, then carry it back and forth. I always bring the leftover fabric after cutting just in case I've made a mistake. I find that I get more done at the 2nd place because I'm not distracted by so much stuff.

Are you retired ? if not then just take projects with all the needs for that project (s) to the other house . Reason I asked if you are retired if you are then you will probably spend more time at the fishing shack LOL cute name than your own residence during spring, summer and fall ... Then you need to take it all to the fishing shack, otherwise its just projects to be done ...
But then to me ... I would use whatever has the most storage and room for most of the main sewing, quilting, crafting.

We have our regular home and a lake side cottage. I keep everything at our main home. I reserve just a portion of the quilting process for the cottage. I do a lot of hand quilting there. Find it very relaxing to do that over looking the lake. Lately, I have purchased a couple of kits. They are a great project to pack up and bring. Pack the kit, a machine and an iron. Store a smaller ruler, rotary cutter and mat year round at your second place.

I feel you pain! Just give me half.....lol!

:thumbup:RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ​Edie

I have no suggestion for your stash...but just wanted to say what a beautiful, wonderful, blessed problem to have !!! Both your homes sound so nice.

Now there's an idea! Why not have a trailer, RV, etc., that holds fabric and maybe even has a sewing station and bathroom and kitchenette. You get more room to sew at the shack and you have your fabric wherever you are.

What a nice problem to have! Lucky you!

I have this problem, too. Houses are 8 hours apart, so I can't just "run home" to get the fabric I want/need. At this point, I am only transporting projects to my vacation home. Main stash stays home.

Oh what a wonderful dilemma to have. Given that one home is smaller, I think that keeping the bulk of your stash at the larger home where you said you have a big studio would be the most logical. Although I think I might keep some basics in fabric, batting, backing, etc. in your smaller home; but make up "kits" in your studio to bring to the small home. You are lucky that you have that option. Good lucky and happy quilting.

I keep most everything in the main house. Our other home is an efficiency apt. in D.C. for concerts, plays, parties with old friends/etc. Since we don't spend much time there (and have very little space,) I just keep a machine, one in-process project I only ever work on there, and a few supplies in the apt. and everything else at home. Not sure what I would do if our time was more evenly split and/or the city place was bigger.

We go to the mountains when it gets real hot and I make up kits to take with. I try to do smaller project in my RV.

I live in 3 different homes (one is a motorhome) Our main home is on a lake & there is where I keep everything & do my quilting. When we are home I decide what projects I want to do in the winter & gather everything needed for the projects & take along in the motorhome. We have just bought a house on the beach in Mexico so now I will have more room to sew & quilt during the winter. I am so lucky........By the way, we live remotely at the lake, & the shopping is nil in Mexico so I end up doing most of my quilt shopping on the internet. I have just learned to bring plenty of thread...............

Take some projects with you and if you run out do they have any fabric store's nearby to shop if need be they may have some different things there? Sue

Curiosity killed the cat! Where in the mountains do you have a home? I live in Buncombe County.