Too Many Gadgets??
 

I've spent the last 3 days cleaning my sewing room. I'm pooped!

What I discovered though is that I have so much stuff I forget what I have. Many of my things are useful but
I have a lot of stuff that is either brand new (and I forgot I had it) or something that I thought I would use (and don't).
Don't even get me started on things I bought twice, forgetting I already had it.

I told my husband previously that my room just isn't large enough but truthfully I think it wouldn't be no matter how big it was.

The good news is that I donated 2 huge garbage bags full. That makes me feel good. I was working on a quilt for my brother while our Mom was sick and I couldn't stand the sight of it so I let it go. I would never enjoy finishing it, as it represented a very sad time, but someone else will hopefully enjoy it. I will make my bro another one.

Anyone else frustrated with "overabundance"? I need to rein it in, that's for sure :)

I love quilting tools and gadgets. I have too many and it's hard to find something I know I have at any given time. I start rummaging in my stash and find so many items I forgot about. One day one quilter will find treasures galore at the thrift shop donation my daughters will make. LOL I have been giving a lot of the items away, don't want to leave a big mess to sort especially when my kids will have no idea what they are sorting.

I love me a gizmo! I have very little in the way of fabric but I have lots of nifty things. Only a few I don’t use. These were won as door prizes. When our quilting group resumes I’m going to see if there are any takers.

I gave away lots of rulers I don't use to new quilters. They were so happy. Now onto other stuff for donation.

That was my thought too. If one has two of something donate to a newbie. I inherited my stash and nearly all of my tools from my sister-in-law and didn't know what some of them were or how to use them. I kept them all and over time and as I matured as a quilter, I learned what they were and their purpose. There were a few duplicates so off to Goodwill they went. But it was such a blessing to start out with tools, some basic tools, and some that were a mystery until I really needed them. I am still blessed by her purchases.

I’m a ruler-holic and I have a pegboard full of them to prove it, and that’s just the specialty rulers and not the everyday basic ones! Last year I organized all my fabric and opened a Etsy store to sell off all the stuff I knew I’d never use and I included many a gadget that was new and never opened. Letting go of stuff was very euphoric and freeing! For myself, I have no desire to pick my brain any more than necessary when I quilt, therefore, anything that “might” make the process better is gonna find its way to my home. But, there is no guarantee it will be used!
Kudos on organizing and tackling your creative space!

SusieQ, I bet it dd feel good to reduce some of your unwanted items. I feel myself lucky that I am not an impulse buyer and find that most of the items I have in my sewing room get used regularly. I have a modest stash and this year have made an honest effort to use charm packs for baby quilts and other remnants for scrappy quilts without having to buy much more than backings.

I have a massive stash, lots of rulers and all sorts of sewing related items . I also have a collection of machines and vintage quilts. I clean a couple of times a year and donate fabric I will probably never use. I make quilts from my scraps for donation to a women’s shelter. I can make almost any quilt I want without having to buy anything but thread. My boys know who to call in my quilt group when I am gone. They will take it all and use and donate it.

I really should go thru all of my rulers and "why did I buy that template?" I've got three boxes of the stuff. The past couple of months would have been the perfect time to do it, oh well.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

Every once in a while I take a notion to sell off my books, and some fabric super cheap just to get it moved on to someone else that can use it. I've been looking at my templates/rulers again knowing that I have duplicates and ones I will never use and I think it's time to let them go... that and more fabric that I haven't used. Maybe the smaller pieces someone can use for face masks. It's a project for later this week.

One of the first things I did when I got back into quilting heavily is I went through all my fabrics, got rid of some that I didn't have a clue as to why I got it, then stash busted a queen sized nine-patch quilt that I have yet to tie, but will be tying this next VQW. I have a list of supplies on a clipboard of things that I wanted/needed and when I go onto Amazon to order, I make it a point to go through my list and make sure 'okay, yes, I do need that template set for this quilt' and 'yes, I do need that ruler' - anything else gets scratched out.

I'm working in a small corner of my dining room and it's very temporary. I have a room that's not being used at the moment that I'm waiting to get the roof fixed over and get some electrical issues stabilized but that'll be my dedicated quilt room. Until that day comes that I move in there and know I'm not going to move it again, then I'll start picking up more things, but because of my extremely limited working area, there's no way I can get silly with everything.

My wife and I are gadget junkies, as our sewing room and kitchen will confirm. When we were DINKs (dual income no kids), we made a lot of impulse buys based on demos or a desire for help with a specific unit. Now that we’re on one income I’m glad we have the fabrics and gadgets, because we’ve been able to complete several quilts without buying much of anything. Last summer we went through our rulers and tools and discovered that we had some that made units that we were now using Deb Tucker tools for. We passed those along to other quilters. We also found some fabrics in our stash that were less than ideal for quilts, and repurposed those. Our main problem now is that a lot of non-sewing stuff has found its way into the sewing room, but overall I think it’s pretty organized. It does feel good to have a “clean slate” when we’re ready to start a project.

Darren, the kitchen is my husband's domain and my sewing room pales in comparison to his "stuff" LOL

I forgot to mention that I also have way too many machines. I need to get real on how many I'm actually using!!

I have a foot fetish! Yikes...I think I have most of the Viking feet...some never used....but! I am making the Bonnie Hunter style masks and actually am using three different feet ...two I never used before...so you never know when you are going to find a use for the unused stuff. I have given some gadgets, rulers, books, fabric, zippers, trimmings, sewing machines away...and my sewing areas are still full....I don't mind duplicates of some things as my main sewing areas are on the main floor, my long-arm is in the basement, and a lot of my fabric and my batting is stored in the attic....so I have extra rulers, scissors, etc on all three floors so I don't have to haul stuff around.

I’ve always sewn but only been into quilting a year and a half. I have the basic rulers Square and 6x24 and I bought the 2 Tri Rec rulers. I think I’d like to try a tumbler and apple core quilt but don’t have these rulers. what other rulers do you find useful?

toogie, I looove my Bloc locs! They are fantastic for trimming HST's. So glad I bought them.
I also love Quilters Select Rulers. I am slowly replacing mine with them. They have a coating on the bottom that makes them stay on the fabric while cutting.
Also love Tucker's Trimmer tools.

I gave a ton of my sewing things to my daughter about a year ago when she decided that she wanted to start sewing, every time I went to quilt guild and I found useful gadgets on the free table, I would grab them and send them to her. Now my sister, who recently retired, has decided she wants to sew, I don't have as much to give her, but she still will be getting some things from my stash. It truly makes me happy that they have decided to start sewing, and to watch the things that they are making.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Great thread, and fun to hear what others are doing. I have given away rulers after trying Quilters Choice. They're the best, only have four, but they don't slip and make a big difference. The best thing I gave away was a 30 year old Juki serger, thread and notions to go with it. A friend is just starting to sew, picked up the complex threading system and was delighted to get everything. Not as delighted as I was to have it out of my house! My sewing room is organized and I usually know where things are, but sometimes come across a tool that I can't get rid of because "someday." I feel lucky to have my stash, even though it's a bit embarrassing. There isn't a fabric I'm willing to give away. Ordering new gadgets from JA is great fun, just waiting a long time for delivery is not. Love the Quilting Board! Thank you Patrice!

SusieQOH-I am with you and cleaning out my sewing room too. I have so much fabric that I could live 10 lifetimes and never use it up. I too have patterns that I have bought 2 of. I am bagging up fabrics and taking them to Savers or Good Will and this will help others out. As far as gadgets go, I have rulers that I have never even opened :( and I had forgotten that I even bought them. My sewing room is very messy right now and I have a lot of empty bins but I will be organized soon and know where everything is ( I hope)!!!!
Two ladies that were in my sewing group moved and they brought a bunch of fabrics to me. It was very nice of them but I just can't even sew up the fabrics I have.

I also have too many machines. I don’t mind though; they don’t take up a lot of room since none are in cabinets. We have the quilter - BL Crown Jewel II, a Pfaff 1475, a Pfaff 2038, a Pfaff Creative 3.0, a Singer Featherweight, an 1898? Singer 27, and a turquoise 50’s era Compac Model 15 clone. We mostly sew on the Pfaffs, and Emmaline sews on the Featherweight. I should probably get rid of some, but I guess I’m not motivated enough yet.

I just realized I have one more machine that’s not in the sewing room. It’s a Montgomery Ward 15 clone I think. It came in a treadle cabinet that I want to use to rehome the 27. So far I’m not motivated enough to do that either.

I may sell my white FW. They are going for a lot on Ebay and I like my black ones better.

I, too, have tons and tons of stuff. There are so many specialty rulers and tools and, my goodness, the scissors!! I’m so hesitant to get rid of rulers and tools because I’m afraid I’ll be looking for it at some point. But I also find myself just using the same ruler and marking utensil and pins over and over. It would be a good idea to sort it out I suppose.

I meant Quilters Select rules. Expensive but worth it!

I like the Clearly Slotted Triangle thingy rulers better then Block Lock and I thought the the Block Lock was the best thing ever. LOL If I hadn't bought them to try I never would have known I liked them better. I'm keeping the Block Locks because I may find a new use for them. I have replaced all my basic rulers with Quilter's Select. I know how durable the coating is, I found the small QS ruler in my washer. Somehow it had gotten in with a load that was washed in hot water with Tide pods. The coating was not harmed at all even while being scoured by the rubbing of the load.

Geez! I have those slotted ones too! :D

First of all I must say - there is no such thing as too many gadgets. I love them for sewing and in the kitchen! It's the main reason I go to the big quilt shows to find out what is new in the world of quilting. And some don't live up to my expectations but that's okay - they go to the thrift stores and I get something else next year. WE all need our toys. And I love when someone here says they found a new item or work around. I was too sick to go to the Road to CA show this year, and the SD Quilt Show set for late Sept will more than likely be cancelled so looks like no new gadgets for me this year.

Quiltingcandy, I like your attitude and I'm going to change mine. When I buy a gadget that doesn't work, I'll remember there will always be another one. Right now I'm determined to use a ruler set I bought about a year ago for long arms. We'll see!

I am widdling down my stash of fabrics by making lots of donation quilts. I do need backings and solids and blenders. When the stores get stocked back up and open I will get those.

I don't have many things I don't use. I'm not ready to get rid of much. I love making quilts and decided 10 years ago that I was going to make quilts as long as I am able. Boy, have I kept my word.

at the start of the pandemic I decided to really deep clean my sewing room. I was working on a scrap string quilt so went through that pile (3 big bags) and pulled what I wanted and then sorted those that I could not see myself using again and gave what was left to a friend that does lots of scrappy 6" blocks--it felt so good to get rid of some stuff! And now I'm really making myself clean up every time I stop sewing, instead of just walking out and shutting the door!

That's me!!! I need to clean up after myself like I kept yelling at my boys about when they were growing up lol They are far neater than I am :D

I have more than I will ever use as far as gadgets, fabrics and rulers. Getting my sewing room together is on the list but that has to wait until the dishwasher is fixed and I can get everything back in the Kitchen. I want to clear drawers and especially the floors. the fabrics wait until winter as a winter project. My thought is to collect all the double or triple items I have and put them on a table for free things to our guild members. That is a few months off as it stands right now. I am way over the top on overload of extras here.

My husband would like those rulers because he is what keeps my rulers from slipping.

It must be in the air, downsizing and organizing I mean. I recently revamped my sewing room, too. In the process, I found I sometimes repurchased items and have a partially done set of quilt blocks that I was making for my grandmother. She has since passed and it was really hard on me as we were very close. I am keeping that project and will someday complete it. I'm so sorry for your loss and certainly understand needing a fresh start for your brother's quilt.

When I donate, I send most of the sewing related items to the local hospice organization. I met one of their volunteer coordinators through a local freecycle group. Thank you for your post, I may have to post some sewing machines on there soon and hope neighbors will put them to good use.

I'm attempting to organize my sewing area, too! The problem I run into is that my favorite color is blue, and it's hard to subdivide into the clear plastic storage tubs I ordered. Plus, I"m indecisive!
Since I am on the beginning end of collecting gadgets, storing all 3 rulers isn't that hard. I did just acquire the Drunkard"s Path template. Can't wait to attempt a quilt, but can't decide which "path" to take! Did I mention that I'm indecisive?

Thanks for the kind words and I give them back to you about your beloved grandmother. Yes, I am going to start a new one for my sweet bro :)

After buying a ruler I already had, I made an Excel spreadsheet and listed all my rulers and sorted them two ways--one by brand and one by size. I now check it before I buy a new one. When I look at the list, I try not to think about how much money I've spent!

That's great to hear.
 

That's great to hear! Thank you for the kind response.
Wishing you the best,
Heather