Are we Hoarders or is it something else?

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12-18-2013, 10:36 AM

#61

Tiggersmom

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2013

Location: Arizona

Posts: 2,355

Yeah!!! exactly what she said! roflol

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaelynangelfoot

Hoarding is, as I understand it, a psychological condition, in which people find it impossible to get rid of anything, often as a reaction to losing someone. I don't think that quilter's fall under that umbrella, because they are buying it for a purpose, and they use it. They may not use it all, but there is a constant outflow of material. Now if you've filled your attic, and your garage, and your basement, and you don't want to use the fabric for fear you might need it for something else in the future, then yes, I would say you have a problem.

Other than that, if you think your stash it is getting too big, there is a Fabric Moratorium group you might find interesting. Or you could just send some of that lovely fabric my way

12-18-2013, 11:05 AM

#62

caroloto

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2012

Location: NW IL

Posts: 493

Quote:

Originally Posted by crafty pat

I think of myself as thrifty and a collector of beautiful fabrics but my family thinks I am a hoarder. It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

This is so true lol!!! I have a friend a fellow quilter I would consider a hoarder she has her basement filled hard to walk around down there and filled to the ceiling laying around piled on top of each other. In the bedrooms it in the closets, in and on top of the dressers, under the bed and also piled up on the floors. The living room and kitchern is or should I say has fabric everywhere! Also besides the fabric she has tons of other crafts and UFOs mixed in the messes. I have never seen her use any of her stash over the years and when she does a new project (which may end up being another UFO) she runs out and buys new fabric to do it...of course she ends up buying extra (colors) she won't be using in that project, but because she might makes something out of it later...lol.

She will come to my house and will ask me for my scraps, fat quarters and yardage...would this be consider a hoarder still even thou she doesn't have left over food in with the mix?

12-18-2013, 11:21 AM

#63

tropit

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: Mendocino Coast, CA

Posts: 5,727

As I read through these posts about hoarding, or not hoarding, I'm thinking, "Of course I'm not a hoarder. Absolutely not! Hoarders are always so disorganized, have way more than they need, live in constant chaos."

Then.....I went to one of my favorite online quilt shops and saw that they're having a huge blowout sale on fabric, starting at less than $3/yd...AND free shipping too!!!! AUGH!!!! I MUST BUY, I MUST BUY!!!

Oh, and I'm also disorganized and live in constant chaos.

:::Sigh:::

I guess I am a hoarder.

12-18-2013, 11:28 AM

#64

IBQUILTIN

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: North Fork Ca

Posts: 8,234

I am trying very hard, to use up some of the stash in my sewing room. I am at least finding a fabric to use as a focal before adding more and more. Its hard, but I'm sure I can do it lol

12-18-2013, 11:35 AM

#65

HouseDragon

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2012

Location: Kaua`i

Posts: 617

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunster

Well, yes, some of us probably are hoarders, but not everyone with a large stash is a hoarder. If the stash interferes with the rest of your life, rather than enhancing it, then it's a problem. If the stash takes up space that is needed for other basic things, such as eating, cooking, bathing, sleeping, then it's a problem. If we spend money for fabric when it's needed for things like rent, food, or health care, then it's a problem. But if we just have more fabric than we can possibly use in our lifetime... well, it's not as bad as Imelda's shoe collection, is it?

[COLOR=#800080][SIZE=4][FONT=comic sans ms]I like your take on this subject.

I admit to collecting a number of things before I (re-) started quilting but now my focus is on fabric. My DD took one look at our upstairs and told me I'm a hoarder.

I told her not to worry, I was leaving my stash to my BFF. There's a cute saying I saw on pinterest:

>> I'm one FQ away from being a hoarder.

12-18-2013, 11:47 AM

#66

Scraplady

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2012

Location: Birmingham, Sweet Home Alabama

Posts: 473

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma S

Part of the fun of having a stash is to horrify my kids. They want me to live forever so they won't ever have to figure out what to do with it. My son and I went out to breakfast not long ago. In spite of my objections, he insisted on paying. I gave him that "mother" look and told him "I hoped you realize I am just going to be standing on a street corner buying more fabric with this money". His response, "Oh no, I'm a enabler!"

I literally laughed out loud when I read this! My kids feel the same way.

As to the hoarding question, I tend to agree that, unless the stash is interfering with your health, your ability to move about your home, your financial solvency, and/or your sanity, then it is probably just that, a large STASH, and not a hoard. We are all inspired by a beautiful bolt of fabric, or a fantastic deal. Sometimes good intentions get the better of us. I like to think of it this way, as long as I control the stash, it's just a stash. When the stash begins to control me, then I might need help!

12-18-2013, 02:47 PM

#67

Melinda in Tulsa

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Posts: 4,413

I agree with Emma S and Scraplady. I have collected a fairly large stash because I know in the near future, I'm not going to be able to afford to buy. Plus, my oldest DD, who loves sewing, knows my sewing "stuff" is her inheritance.....
and that thrills her to no end! So it will not go to waste and for the time being, I spend what I can afford and nothing more.

12-18-2013, 03:10 PM

#68

Bevsie

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2009

Location: on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota

Posts: 364

Hi,
Had to giggle as I did watch a show on TV on the program, Hoarders, and this lady was a quilter and yes, she hoared fabric! BUT, she had it stacked everywhere in her house and garage, and I mean stacked! Couldn't sit down in the living room, cook in the kitchen, sleep in her bedroom, etc. That is hoarding.

We have stash and it's no different than my DH having all those nails, screws, drills, hammers, etc. in the garage. It's the tools of our hobby and it keeps us happy! That's what counts!!

In my mind I will someday use all my fabric stash and kits stash......and if I don't, someone will! If fabric keeps going up in cost I will always be able to sew from my cupboards!

Enjoy!

12-18-2013, 03:34 PM

#69

Melinda in Tulsa

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Posts: 4,413

I saw that show! I thought it was awful they wanted her to get rid of most of it. With a little organization, she could have had a very useful stash. They obviously had no idea of the value of her stash.

12-18-2013, 03:37 PM

#70

Elisabrat

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Cody, Wyoming

Posts: 6,344

I figure if I have to have an addiction this is the safest one.

my fabric runs out of the house, it also runs in only in a different color or print but I figure if it goes out.. its ok. So quilters anonymous I will not join. I love my addiction.