LGJARN52

I've had this thought for quite some time now. Will never be a great quilter, not the kind I would like to be anyway, piecing is more my thing. It seems as if with each quilt I make, I run into more and more problems. Frustrating to say the least. Have told myself a million times over to sell material off and simply work on something I like to do, but that's sewing! Or maybe it's buying fabric....I have waaayyyyyy to much. And let's talk about patterns...I have to download and print out every cute design I see. (now I'm reminded that I need to order ink cartridges). For me it's a never ending vicious cycle.
But then I think of all the children out there that need a warm blanket and a hug and for some reason I keep going. Damned the expense and full speed ahead.
Would I feel better if I had less to work with? At least then maybe I could see the light at the end of the fabric isle.
Don't mind me, I'm just over whelmed. Anyone else get over whelmed as I do?

loisf

Yes, I can get overwhelmed by too much fabric. Fabric can be thought of as “unfinished quilts.” So many UFOs. This is why I rarely, if ever, buy fabric without a specific need. Even so, I still manage to collect tons of scraps and small cuts. I just purchased The Big Book of Srcrappy Quilts so I can continue to use up what I have accumulated over 15 years of quilting.

Iceblossom

I had a long TL;DR post written out but let's try for short form. Yes -- this is the short form!

Yes. Sometimes we all get overwhelmed. Sometimes we all question our desires to keep quilting (if you haven't had one yet, well it can be hard the first time!). Sometimes we lose our mojo. Or our physical abilities.

Is ok to change our minds, to like different things, and to move on -- either from the hobby as a whole or to specific projects or specific fabrics.

I still have a lot of fabric, but I used to have more... My first purge was about 15? years ago now when I got my vision diagnosis and I decided that I was going to get rid of everything non-quilting. That was pretty easy, and took out maybe 1/3 of what I had. It's been a work in progress ever since both with my physical stash and my mental goals.

I find that even when I really don't want to do it, when I am feeling overwhelmed it does help me to organize things. Like actually make a list of UFOs (none) but unquilted tops (lots). Each top has a description, size, back, and binding and maybe some notes about the quilting design.

I keep a notebook that lasts about a year or so, just a normal three ring binder. I have graph paper (that I use for design/templates, all sorts of things) and if there is a print out, I put it in the notebook. It's not strictly time based, I move things around from time to time, but it is my one place to look for things, and then I have previous years in a desk drawer so I can usually find the things I am looking for. I can even put things like trimming templates I made for that project in a ziploc bag and punch it and keep it in the notebook too!

My fabric I put in themes or colors. I haven't found a perfect method for storage, but having piles of loose fabric with no order to the madness gets to me. I still may have to open 6 totes to find the things I'm looking for, but at least I don't have to got through 6 totes of randomness to find it!

I am horrible at it, but making time to clean up my space turns out to be pretty important to me. I'm finding that at this point i my life, I want space more than I want some things. Even if I grumble as I do it and have to push myself, I like having a clean desk and being able to find stuff.

It's been a long drought for me, but I'm getting my mojo back and discussions like this, and a place to go where people understand is a big part of it.

bearisgray

If one wants to simply provide warmth, a couple of fleece blankets will do the job- and cost much less and be done immediately..

Which would accomplish more with X amount of dollars and time?

I know that many of us think that giving someone a quilt that we made is the ultimate gift.

But for some of us - me includeid - it is a reason (excuse) to do something we love to do.

I bought yards and yards and yards of fabric "for charity quilts" i have given away yards and yards of fabric to groups that i think actually do charity quilting or sewiing. But ny acquiring outpaced my outgoing.

in retrospect - i could have been wiser with my resources. In many ways. It did keep me out of the bars, casinoes, and psychiatrist offices. At the time, it was a more or less "acceptable" addiction in "my group".

tropit

I think you're on to something. Imagine a casino video game using a quilting theme! Or, how about quilting bars?

bearisgray

Bars - too much chance of spilling something on a project

Video game - will those fabrics match? - who will get find all the fabrics listed on the pattern first? - can one match the fabrics shown on the pattern? - treasure hunt - who has the lowest prices? who has ALL the fabrics of a line all at the same time that one wants to purchase?

There are possibilities to the idea.

Will the washers overcome the non-washers? Will the press openers overcome the press to the siders?

bearisgray

Bars - too much chance of spilling something on a project

Video game - will those fabrics match? - who will get find all the fabrics listed on the pattern first? - can one match the fabrics shown on the pattern? - treasure hunt - who has the lowest prices? who has ALL the fabrics of a line all at the same time that one wants to purchase?

There are possibilities to the idea.

Will the washers overcome the non-washers? Will the press openers overcome the press to the siders?

IccBlossom could be a developer.

I know that some people that are "on a mission" are almost unstoppable! Come cranky significant other or other chores to be done - those things are insignificant when one is on a roll.

joe'smom

We do have a Fabric Moratorium thread in the Quilting Challenges section. This really helped me change my mindset and stop buying fabric just because I liked it. It's also very encouraging to hear the success stories of quilts made from stash, or UFOs and stash passed on to others.

As for patterns, I go through mine periodically, and pull the ones that no longer interest me or that I realize are beyond my capabilities. I'm very lucky to have a quilting friend who is willing to take anything -- fabric, tops and patterns -- that I'm ready to let go of, and pass it along to her various groups that quilt for charity. If you feel encumbered, I urge you to unencumber yourself. It feels good!

Onebyone

When I find that I am overwhelmed enough to think I need to clear out my fabric i know it's time to take a step back and get a grip. How can I use up a lot of fabric and feel motivated again.
Donations don't have to be quilts. I start pulling fabric that has been on my shelf forever and make items that use a lot of fabric fast. Aprons are a big hit and unexpected. Here is my favorite easy pattern:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbF_jXIGBvk&t=271s Pillowcases are always welcome donations.
Large bags for anyone, especially foster kids. I use yardage instead of fat quarters. This bag will hold several quilts too to take to show and tell. My grandkids each have one and use them a lot.

b.zang

I definitely understand the feeling of being overwhelmed with all the things I'd like to do. I seem to have spurts where I don't purchase fabric or collect any new patterns and then - BAM! - I run out of neutral or am gifted a box of old magazines. Worse yet, I see quilts that I'd like to make, blocks that look intriguing, and great ways to 'use up some scraps' and the collection grows. I think it's good to be interested in new things. Sometimes, though, I have a little talk with myself about the reality of doing everything I want to do. I've been on a 'no new fabric' ban. However, I bought four kits. And I'd never done a kit before purchasing these. Sigh.