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-   -   Clean up your stash! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/mission-organization-f23/clean-up-your-stash-t281415.html)

AZ Jane 08-19-2016 07:14 AM


Originally Posted by Granny9 (Post 7630233)
a few months ago our guild had a speaker (can not remember her name for the life of me) on organizing your work area and UFO's. One question she asked us was why is it a UFO? Lost interest, need fabric to finish, She said to finish what we can and want to, the rest pass it on. Just because it started out to be a queen size, and you only have a few blocks done, change direction is fine, make a throw, baby quilt, table runner. I looked at my UFO's with different eyes, In one evening I lost 1/3 of my UFO's decided to pass them on to my guild to finish as comfort quilts. Another 1/3 were reworked into smaller quilts, the rest needed quilting which I have set aside 2 hr. per week to finish. only have 3 left to quilt. I also make myself do binding and label before I load the next one on the LA She also told us her stash s very small, mainly neutrals, She said her taste in colors changed with every project.

Great advise, give yourself permission to change your mind or just move on!!

Suz 08-19-2016 08:40 AM

I think I got a chart from "All People Quilt" wherein we are to list 12 UFOs, quilt kits, knitting, etc onto the 12 lines provided. At the beginning of each month, draw a number 1-12. If you pick #4, this is the project for the month to finish hopefully by the end of the month. Repeat at the beginning of the next month and by the end of the year, you will have reduced your UFOs. -- This is my plan and have started to make my list.

QuiltingNinaSue 08-19-2016 08:58 AM

It all sounds good...but it takes action to achieve your goals. I did dump a lot of things last summer: to neighbor with eight grown children who are married and have kids and grand children. What they did not use, she gave to charities.

Then Dh decided to 'move' into half of the Quilt Room, so I am purging the stash again. The group I have quilted with on QB with Laura Aaron Hird's three quilt books/projects will have first dips on the scraps. Then I will survey the leftovers for charitable organizations in the area here. I am moving so slow some days, its hard to see progress, but it is an on going action. I haven taken the end of every week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday to quilt on UFOs and current projects. For every two steps forward, seems like three steps back, but I am still struggling trying to balance everything. I will get ahead and surprise myself by this time next year. :) There is hope!

Geri B 08-19-2016 10:23 AM

Word of warning! Sometimes that one piece of fabric you gave away, is the one you need now for a perfect match to whatever.....and the cost/time to replace sometimes can be frustrating.....just sayin'. I've done it! But can't save everything either..it's a catch 22.

Nammie to 7 08-19-2016 01:27 PM

I've been working on cleaning my sewing room -- then found a book that looked interesting so stopped and pulled the fabric for a scrappy quilt. Ended up cutting for 4 different quilts. Two of the quilts have been made and are ready for the quilter. Will start on the 3rd shortly. When these quilts are done I will have pulled 50 different fabrics from my stash and used them up completely. I was able to consolidate two drawers of fabrics into one. But then filled the empty drawer with my leftover Star Wars fabric. I still need to make 3 more Start Wars quilts (have 5 done for Christmas). All the fabric and kits that were stacked on top of cabinets have now been finished. It is a slow but sure process!

caspharm 08-19-2016 02:13 PM

I have been trying to work out of my stash and I am getting cabinets for storage next week. I can't wait. Right now, I have my fabric in totes and exploding out of it.

Altairss 08-19-2016 02:37 PM

I have been trying to work only from stash and to work on UFO's, lol doing better on the stash quilts then the UFO's. I also pared down a huge chunk of fabric that was hanging out in bins taking 8 bins down to four. Putting more on shelves wrapped on comic boards which makes it easy to pick from and match up fabrics. I have four more bins to go thru and plan to get it to one tote the rest either has to fit on my shelves or be donated. My room is getting cleaner which is making me more productive and want to be up there. I now have four tops ready to quilt and am working on my most hated UFO.

lots2do 08-19-2016 03:05 PM

Good job, all of you! I am still organizing all sorts of stuff and trying to uncover the machine so I can finish a baby quilt that's quickly becoming a toddler quilt.

farmquilter 08-19-2016 03:28 PM

I am trying to organize my scraps and am making a little progress. Cutting fabrics for layer cakes and some smaller sizes. Have a couple of patterns in mind to use them in but just cutting and making piles for now.

retiredteacher09 08-19-2016 03:52 PM

I just made up 9 kits for baby quilts that will be about 40 by 45". I also put together a quilt kit that will end up being about 69 by 78". It sure took a long time but they are cut and ready to sew. I decided to make up kits because once the school year begins and my subbing schedule starts, I can just grab a kit and start sewing on it. No thinking should be involved. Lol!

Connie


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