Too much stuff...
 

I have too much stuff....
I am trying to down size and decided I need to get rid of some stuff...
I am overwhelmed at how to get rid of it.
I am going to have a garage sale but then what doesn't sell, then what?
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Kirsten

Quilt guild, church group, friend who quilts, Goodwill, offer on this QB. There are probably dozens of quilters here who could use a variety of things! Hopefully after your garage sale you won't have to worry!

There are also facebook groups that specialize in just selling things. You should check them out. But thee is also the classifieds section here. I think the bigger things would be better sold here (like the Accuquilt)

In your yard sale, make sure you advertise on line at the yard sale sites and mention that you have quilting stuff.

Contact you LQS and the guilds giving them a list of what you are offering......you will be amazed at the turn out. Be sure to have HELP. Best wishes!

Other than very old books & patterns, I can't imagine you'll have a tough time finding buyers. If it doesn't sell, offer it for free on Craig's List (they have a whole section of giveaways).

I agree with the advertising what types of items you will have at your sale. See if any local guilds have a newsletter. A good rule with any garage sale is to donate all unsold items to a charity.

or Freecycle. You can almost always find someone to take things if they are free.

When I started going thru my stuff, I found giving it to a senior center where they make baby quilts, newborn baby caps, etc. was the ticket for me. Even gave them my test embroidery blocks as they could be used in pillows, smaller quilts, ect. Gave them my extra yarns, threads, etc. too.

If you want to recover any money for your stuff - advertise it - I look on Craigslist to see what might be available - if you have a yard/garage sale, be sure to mention "craft/sewing/quilting" items - those words get my attention!

If you are willing to donate/give away stuff - there are almost always takers.

Mailing stuff can get to be expensive! I think it is reasonable to ask for the cost of shipping if you choose to mail things that you are giving away.

Charity organizations - sometimes they have to be selective due to what items the members are making and what they have available for storage space. Sometimes blessings can become burdens.

Are you talking about all kinds of ( stuff) or just sewing/ quilting stuff?
FAcebook has ( buy sell & trade ) pages for local listings. You can donate items that don't sell to habitat for humanity stores, goodwill, Salvation Army-- many different places. Sewing/ quilting items can go to local senior centers, care facilities with activity departments, area guilds... We have ( selling/ listing, donation) pages here on the board....just depends on what ( stuff) you are trying to unload

can you be more specific about the items?

I was wondering this as well

I donate what I don't sell to our local Humane Society thrift store, I'm sure there are lots of good organizations that would be thrilled to receive your donations.

Donate what doesn't sell. It doesn't do you any good to have items that are you are not using and bug you. Maybe quilting groups at your local churches or sewing guilds. We have a recycling group that donates to non profits so I always donate to them for distribution. There are also fundraisers for charities that will sell your items (like rummage sales for the animal shelter). It can be painful because you know these things will be sold for pennies but unless you want to take on the challenge of selling on ebay or craigs list or multiple yard sales, it is a workable solution.

Life is short.

We get fabrics and book donations at the Local senior center. Many places will take what you don't sell.

Box up everything you don't want and donate it anywhere that take donations. Easy.

call some of the thrift stores near you and ask if they will accept it. also put it free on craigslist.

Give Away fabric
 

I just clean out my stash and give it to Senior Citizens group. They in turn make all kinds of things with the fabric.

I just gave away my entire sewing room, including my fleece wall and my peg board storage wall and 1/2 of my fabric stash to a lady at church who had nothing except a gifted sewing machine. She was over the moon and I was thrilled to part with it.

There is a facebook page called Quilters Classifieds. I can't believe how much sells on there~!
Good luck!

Donateto your local Senior Center, they usually have a quilt group and a regular sewing group. If hey cannot use they will donate elsewhere. Good luck on your sale.

Do you do any charity sewing yourself? Do you have family connections with a religious organization that does? Ask your friends for their suggestions of local groups that might be able to use your garage sale leftovers.
When I moved recently, I had the head of the charity sewing group I was leaving "glean" my yard sale for anything she thought they could use.

Sell what you can at a Garage Sale .. Take what is left over and offer it to Salvation Army, local Quilt Groups or Senior Citizen Center so they can make stuff to sell.. or to 4-H Sewing Groups or to Church Women's Ministry groups that make lap robes or blankets for New Babies or or for Prayer Shawl Quilted Throws... or make simple stuffed animals to take and donate to local Fire Dept or Sheriff Dept or Police Dept... or to Local Hospital or Children's Receiving Home ( where they take children that must be removed from their homes because of Abuse etc..)

as far as quilting fabric, contact the district office for your area for the girl scouts. They still do projects involving sewing. Also, older girls working on their gold projects so often need donated items. Does your city have a parks and rec program or offer city run classes? Since schools rarely teach sewing anymore, often beginner classes are taught by the city or thru the adult school programs. Both of these would be considered charitable donations so you could receive a receipt for taxes. They probably wouldn't be able to price it out correctly, so I would suggest writing something up for them to sign. Also, our senior center works on items to sell at their holiday sale and is always looking for donations. Reminder, things that you think are old or out of date are going to be someone's new treasures!

I have the very same problem.. Quilters could have a field day in my house.