Wednesday, January 27, 2016

The Reforming Fabric Hoarder - One Year Later


Well my friends, it's been one year since I admitted to the internet that I am a fabric hoarder.  From all the feedback my hoarder posts got I knew I wasn't alone.  It's been quite a journey. One that's still in progress.  I thought, on this anniversary occasion, that it would be a good time to reveal what I've done, what I've learned and the answer to the real question - can you ever really stop being a fabric hoarder?

A year ago outlining the actual problem (or as fellow fabric addicts may still think, "dream fabric situation"): Too Much Fabric, Too Little Time.  In a few short years I'd bought, been gifted & inherited way more fabric than I could get through and it resulted in this:



and this:



and this:



Sure it looks kinda organized, but it's still more than 1 woman can sew through in a year or even five.  Plus, free time to actually sew, design and use said fabrics has dwindled more with every year.  Kids getting older (aka no naps, more schoolwork, outside activities, chauffeuring, etc.), the house needing serious work/proper cleaning, family time coming before anti-social hiding out in the craft room...it just means less time to do projects folks!

Last year I started out with a solid plan and parts of it worked well.  Others, not so much.


Sewing More.  I tried this, but as you can see from the previous paragraph, that hasn't always been possible.  I find a get spurts where I can sew a couple of things, but then have periods where I can't even get into my craft room for a week or two.  Most of us have a lot of other things to juggle, so while it's a nice idea, it's not always realistic.  


Some more recent stash-busting projects

Donating & Giving Away Fabric.  I've continued doing this. It can be hard for fabric hoarders to let go, so I do a bit at a time.  Some prints I couldn't bear parting with a year ago, were easy to gift away a few months ago.  Time can make that emotional attachment wane and that's a good thing.

Selling Fabric.  I've done this too, a bit at a time, via my Etsy shop, The Green Hedgehog. Like the gifting, I continue to add new things as my attachment to parts of my stash decreases. I never thought I'd part with these fun knits, but I listed them recently and feel good about them finding a new home:


Saying "See ya" To Scraps.  I just had this epiphany last week.  I had two ginormous plastic bins full of fabric scraps. Bins my kids could climb in.  I couldn't even close them without something heavy on top because they were so full of fabric bits.  FOR YEARS.  Ask me how many times I actually dug around in them or used scraps from them?  I could count them on one hand.  It. Was. Madness.  I started my annual New Year's attempt to clean up the basement and realized it was just stupid to hold onto them any longer.  So, I put them all in garbage bags and donated them. Two 30 gallon bags full.

It felt great!  I wasn't using them, I never even wanted to dig through them when I did need a small piece of fabric and I really needed to cut into the piles of unused fabric, so it made sense.  Even seeing bits from past projects didn't get me all sentimental or nostalgically wanting to keep them like it used to do.  Lesson learned: unless you actively use scraps on a regular basis, saving them for "something, someday" isn't smart.    

Fabric You Can See.  Out of sight, out of mind usually leads to fabric not being used. About every 2-3 months I've dug through my bins for seasonal fabrics to work through.  It helps remind me of what I already have (as in don't buy more of the same stuff) and I do seem to sew through several yards that would otherwise sit around for another year.  On the down side, it means things look like this for a while:



It's not ideal in appearance, but since I took these photos at the beginning of the year, I have used about 4-5 of these fabrics.  So, while not the most attractive method, it does work, despite some going back in bins for a while. Now, photographing and blogging about the projects I made....that's another issue. 



Using Self Restraint.  This has been a big one.  At first it was hard to stop myself from impulse buying at Jo-Ann's or loading up my cart whenever there was an online sale.  Now I've started holding back and instead of going "Ooohh, that's pretty...I WANT it!", I ask myself do I have an idea in mind?  If I can't think of a specific plan I can start right away (and not a vague, "I'd make a bag", but no idea what kind of bag), then I leave it.  

Quality Over Quantity.  While I've cut back on buying fabric I now buy differently too.  I used to see sale or a low price on something and just buy it.  A lot of the time it would end up being the wrong weight/print size/stretch, difficult to sew, or the print/color was cute when I bought it but not really flattering to wear.  Now I tend to buy three main kinds of fabric: basics like rib & fleece knits in useful, solid colors, designer quilting cottons and custom print knits with spandex. While these sometimes cost a bit more, they're more versatile, sew up better and since I usually have to wait a bit to get them, I really appreciate and plan for them better.

Now, for the big question - can you ever really stop being a fabric hoarder?

I think it's possible.  I can't say I'm not a hoarder yet because I've still got way more than I should, but I don't feel compelled to go wild every time I enter a fabric store or hear "fabric sale" anymore.  I'm a lot more thoughtful about what I buy and what I make these days.  It's true that I still have bins of fabric and that it's taking me longer than I'd like to work through and thin out the contents, but I do see things steadily moving in a pared down direction. I aim to have half the fabric stash I currently have by this time next year.  It's a bit ambitious, but I really want to get to the point where it's more about fabric as a way to make things I love and less about having a fabric collection.

Until my next update.  The fabric hoarding reformation continues!


12 comments:

  1. Cheryl, I'm so glad you've been sharing this journey for us to read. I'm a new quilter who inherited a whole bunch of fabric. Because you (and a few others I follow) are doing so, I have been able to let go of a whole lot of fabric I'd otherwise keep. My new motto is, "If I don't love it, I don't buy it." Also, I must have a project and it's requirements on hand prior to ordering. It has helped immensely! Again, thanks for your honesty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hearing that my experience has helped you keep things under control is music to my ears! So happy to know that:)

      Delete
  2. We are apparently a kindred spirit. If you take a look at my sewing room on my blog you can see my fabric stash started back in the 70s. I should be thankful that fabric is so expensive now. I would buy fabric if it was a dollar or less a yard which is unheard of today. At the same time, I'm glad I have a stash on hand in my retirement. Easier to shop in my own sewing room. Now my weakness is yard sales. I love your idea of taking pictures of fabrics that are out of sight. I will do that. Yes, writing a blog does make me a bit more accountable as far as getting projects completed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see those familiar fabric stacks in your photos Joy! And I 100% agree how shopping your own stash is a real saver. Using it rather than having a museum-like collection definitely makes the difference between a fabric stash being useful and being cumbersome.

      Delete
  3. My mother-in-law was a fabric hoarder...she could have used your help! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop...I certain this is helpful for several readers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SO many are. I got a huge stash of vintage fabrics from my grandmother and mother-in-law because they bought and then held on to so many. I know hearing about others in similar situations always helps me, so if I can help others avoiding hoarding at the start or at least figure out how to manage it a bit, it's worth it to share my experience.

      Delete
  4. I wish i had enough fabric (and money) to consider myself a hoarder but unfortunately I don't. I can certainly see how easy it can happen. My one drawer of fabric is over flowing and I have a bin of fleece. And I would probably add more if I could afford it or had more space. But you have inspired me to get rid of my scraps. Well...I'm going to give myself a month to cut 5 x 5 charm squares out of the larger pieces and if i don't do it within a month...I promise I will say good bye to the scrap bag! Ok, I put it out there, now I really have to do it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Creating useful pieces instead of a random pile is a great idea Jessie. I started out with just a single bin, but it escalates pretty fast - even if you're not spending much (just look at Craig's List & Freecycle!). Part of why I share this & my other crafty "struggles" is the same - if I put it out there it pushes me too stick to it!

      Delete
  5. Oh wow! I would be in HEAVEN in your sewing room! My problem is NOT ENOUGH fabric. I am on a very tight budget because I have been disabled since birth so fabric is a luxury for me. But I LOVE to sew gifts for my family and friends as I can. I don't think I could ever be considered a hoarder but I can sure see how easy it would be. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Wanda and I definitely feel blessed to have so much. I have something special coming up that will be a way to get fabric that will be VERY budget friendly, so be sure to keep reading for an announcement of that soon;)

      Delete
  6. I can so relate to you! Its all so valuable to you but projects take time and ideas are flying. With busy family time its hard to get it all done. Letting go of fabric or craft supplies is so hard...especially since you really might need it some day...sigh..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a constant pull in two directions, isn't it? Especially for me right now as it's harder to go out shopping for things these days and I never know when I'll have time to work on something. Or worse, buy everything and then not have the time to do anything with it!

      Delete

Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails