Rhonda K

Let it go-freely and without guilt.

I haven't read the previous replies yet. This is my sewing room rule.It takes too much energy to keep things I don't love or want to look after. No guilt allowed!

ckcowl

When it comes to saving scraps I always determine what I will actually use- size, color, print. I do a lot of appliqué so many fairly small pieces are ( usable) but if I have something- scrap , orphan blocks or whatever; that I’m sure I have no use for I give them away. There are always people who would love ( and use) what I no longer have a use for. There is a lady who lives near me who, along with her sister, belong to a church group that makes quilts for the homeless- they love it when I send a message that I have a bag or box of scraps- and are excited to receive practice quilts and blocks. I also have sent scraps to people who have requested them for different projects. I never throw them away- I always pass them on.

sewingpup

there are many guilds that do a lot of sewing charity quilts. So offer some to them. Also, there are a lot of those thrift shops that provide work for folks or raise money for veterans or whatever, Neatly bagged fabrics, and other craft supplies will usually sell quickly at those places. They might not fetch a high price....but they are gone from your space and some shopper will be happy at the "find" they got. I know a few people who also look for such items when they go to the thrift shops. We also have an "artist" district in our town that is teaching a lot of different crafts including one that teaches basic sewing to young people. Give a call to some of them and find what they can use. They may even be willing to come and pick it up from you if you have it boxed or bagged for them. Finally, if nothing else....my neighborhood puts a lot of stuff out at the curb with a "free" sign on it....and it is usually gone that day or in a few days.

amyjo

My sister helped me get two more large boxes ready for the ladies quilting at the church I had 5 totes/ boxes that they came and got last fall/winter they make a lot of quilts some seniors at graduation will get quilts from them at baccalaureate services at the church also I have more totes in the skid shack that need to be sorted thru for the church also just need warm weather fir that My sister had a blast git all her “new” fabrics in her sewing room and is playing nice

tropit

First, watch a couple of episodes of "Hoarders," then take another look at your stuff. If in doubt, throw it out.

WMUTeach

One more idea to add to your options. Donate to a local college/university, high school, 4-H group, women's shelter or senior center. Each of these are organizations that teach classes in sewing. I have donated to my university twice. Once was to make pillow case dresses as a service project from the fashion design students. A second donation was a BIG tote of cotton fabric for three fashion design and marketing students who were making masks when they were first needed so badly. They made hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of masks and even made the university news.

Another way to sort fabric is to ask your self, if you will use it? Not if you like it. I found plenty in my stash that had been given to me that was of such poor quality I would never use it. Why fill up my space with something that I will not use, ever. Some I just trashed or cut up for dog beds. If you can read through it? You know what to do.

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SueZQ from MN

I think that this is the best suggestion I have ever heard!!! It would apply to any room that we have and puts all of our "stuff" and "valuable collections" into proper perspective. Thanks for the great suggestion.

sewbizgirl

Yes, by all means get rid of whatever no longer 'floats your boat'. Pick what you want to keep to work on and pass on the rest. There are always people looking for scraps, so if you don't like or use them, pass them on. Same with patterns and fabrics that fall into the "What was I thinking?!" category. Purge, and enjoy all the free space.

I'm really preaching to myself, because this is what I need to do too!

petthefabric

We moved here 12 yrs ago. We're moving again. Across the nation. Reasons to eliminate from my stash;
1. Do I like it
2. Will I use it
3. What kind of quilting do I want to do. Does this fit my current style?
4. Am I willing to pack/store/unpack/find a storage spot for it
5. How much space will I have
6. Clutter distroys my creativity so don't keep anything that's clutter
7. Been there, done that, was fun but won't do it again
8. UFO's I really don't care to finish
9. Fashion fabric: don't think I'll need 20 sweat shirts, ten wool suits, etc.
10. It's way out of style
11. My physical limitations; Arthur has taken residence in my thumbs, no extensive handwork and my shoulders limit how much weight I can throw around and my back limits standing, etc.

And the list goes on.......

tranum

Two projects for unloved fabric:

There is a nursing home facility in our city where the residents are very needy. A quilter cleaned out a lot of fabric by sewing a new pillowcase for every one of the 40 residents. They loved them.

Potholders for a food pantry. Thrift store flannel sheets make good padding. A new pair of clean potholders are well received & a morale booster.

Any more ideas ?