Stash Accumulation Beyond Life's Expectancy or UNCLE!
I've more than reached it by most people's standards but today as I pulled out a Rubbermaid bin to stand in the midst of the closet I realize that I've reached it even by my standards...
I'm officially overwhelmed by my fabric collection...well in all honesty I noticed it the week of my sewcation because there is ALOT of fabric in my apartment! But today as I went about the annual fabric changeover, I realized that if you ask me if I have that fabric...I probably do! I have about 12 yards of black wool crepe - so no need to buy any more of that any time soon! *LOL*
Need some gray in any fabrication...I've got that! Need some beautiful silk crepes in bright colors or a solid black or gray...yeap I have some of that! Need interesting knits in cotton/lycra, rayon/lycra or silk jersey? Yeap I've got that too! Pinstripes, plaids, floral prints, border prints, polyesters, linens, silks, cottons, wools (crepe, flannel, gabardine) yeap...I've got that!
On the one hand it's exhilarating! I mean if I just shop my collection, I could make anything. On the other hand, I have so much that as I sat in the living room with fabric covering every surface but the chair I was sitting on...I wondered how do I whittle down enough to put in a bin to take into my bedroom to work with next season? And my other challenge is that everything else barely fits back into the closet! *sigh* It must go back into the closet so that I can access it when I get bored with what is already out.
I really want to be like Gigi, who keeps pulling these amazing pieces from her fabric collection to sew with because I realize that I have some gems in mine too. Also, if I make 4 or 5 garments a month for the next 4 months, I will only use about 60 yards of fabric...that is less than one of the many piles laying in my living room right now.
Yeah so I'm at SABLE. I don't want to say that I'm not buying any more fabric because that will make me run to one of my favorite online fabric shops, throw some things into a cart and plunk down my credit card...no I only want to purchase something if it will be used right away...or if I need to make a garment and only after checking the collection to insure that I don't already own something like it...cause I probably will...
So this is how my living room looks now ~ fabric on the couch:
Fabric on the coffee table:
Fabric in the closet:
Unless I stop procrastinating and get right to it...I will end up not sewing at all this weekend because of the fabric that is just everywhere...*sigh*...and I mean everywhere.
...more later!
I know the feeling. Last year I weeded out all fabric that was not in my color or fabric that I would never use. I got rid of about 500 yards. Now I only have about 1500 yards. Having said that, oh, my, I have a serious case of stash envy. You have some mighty find looking pieces there.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes just got as big as saucers looking at all the fabric.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! One of my solutions in the past has been Iraqi Bundles of Love, which is taking place again this year. I contributed 50 yards last year and it barely made a dent. Regardless, it's a good cause and I probably send more this year.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm beyond SABLE, and have moved onto MINK, FOX, etc....sigh.
ReplyDeleteHowever, on the other hand, it is like having a fabric store in my house and that is fun, fun, fun!
Oh dear!! On the one hand it is great to have a collection, but on the other the fun of just going to buy fabric is a bit lost. I used to love to fabric shop, but now I rarely do it as I have so much.
ReplyDeleteI know what you are going through. I actually took af year "off" a couple of years ago, not buying a single piece of fabric. It was horrible :-)
ReplyDeleteWow! I mean really - wow! Everybody goes on about their fabric stash and I kind of thought I understood that, having fabric rammed into boxes, into cupboards, not really knowing what gem is tucked away in there. But I've just realised I'm a fabric stash baby.
ReplyDeleteWell, it certainly is impressive, but at least you sew on a consistent basis. I'd feel less guilty about my (MUCH SMALLER) stash if I sewed as much as you do. I guess the seamstress's blessing is "May you live long enough to sew up all your stash!" - and that would bless you with a long, long, life!
ReplyDeleteYour stash is staggering. On the other hand, it is pretty amazing to have your own personal fabric store, with every yard curated by you! I'd love to be able to wallow in your stash!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! While my stash isn't as big as yours, I, like Carol, don't sew nearly as much as you do. I've put myself on a fabric diet though, where I have to use up two fabrics in order to buy one new one. It's helped me to spend more time sewing and less time on line drooling over stuff I want. I almost broke down this morning and placed an order, but luckily I read your blog first and reminded myself I'm rapidly approaching SABLE myself!
ReplyDeleteso when is your Etsy shop opening?
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm a bit past SABLE, I think! I ADORE my stash as I know you do yours. I figure I'm okay as long as it's organized and I have the space to store it. We wouldn't want to be featured on Hoarding: Buried Alive!
ReplyDeleteI also have a giant fabric stash, but rarely use the pieces that were chosen for garments simply because I keep thinking, I'll use it when I lose X amount of pounds. Silliness! Time to start whittling that stash down right now. Well, tomorrow (today is an away day).
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'd love to snitch a few pieces from your stash any day...so many great colours and textures and possibilities!
I'm just sitting here, shaking my head! I wouldn't know how to live with so much fabric!
ReplyDeleteI hit SABLE a number of years ago. And if I thought it was bad before, it's way worse now! Although, interestingly, I've done quite a lot of de-stashing over the last three years. Much of my old stash has gone to the local schools' sewing and drama deparmtents.
ReplyDeleteAnd I still love my stash, like you and Gigi.
Early this year, I hit SABLE with yarn and decided to... give it all away. It was liberating. Now, I have to have a project in mind before I buy any. I plan to do it again with any yarn I haven't used by then.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain having had exactly the same kind of moment in relation to my own stash. I'm pretty sure it's not as big as yours but no way am I pulling it all out at once to photograph it and post the evidence for the entire world!
ReplyDeleteThanks to Carol for "May you live long enough to sew it all!"
Hey, I know where you can "donate" some fabric. You know, in case you were considering it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm just sayin'.
Wow. I love your stash. Don't feel bad. You bought the fabrics because they brought you joy. The fabrics gave you inspiration and happiness as you thought about the possibility of what they would become. As long as you can afford it, what's the harm. Someone once told me -- People collect stamps and we don't expect them to use the stamps.
ReplyDeleteFour years ago, we moved and I donated a lot of fabric. Now I probably have just as much and yes, I still look for some of the fabric I donated. Enjoy your collection!
I feel you totally! I don't have anywhere near a stash as yours but with all my crafts I do have a considerable stash. I'm working on using what I have for now and using the extra cash on other things.
ReplyDeleteBut like the others said you have your own store and I know how fun that can be!
Now, now. If you don't have to feed it, walk it or change its diaper, where's the harm? I have enough fabric to slipcover my neighborhood! Now I have to decide which fabrics, notions, patterns, machines---you get the picture-- to take to Florida this winter. Oy vey!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! Someone with a fabric stash (possibly) slightly larger than mine.
ReplyDeleteI feel much better now.
Sorry. Doesn't help you any, does it? :-)
Word verification? "disevers". This is what you do when you hack out parts of your fabric stash in the hopes of making room.
You have committed a real act of public service here. I showed your pictures to the family and said "see lots of people collect fabric", and because I think you have slightly more than I do, I now feel empowered to add just a little bit more ...
ReplyDeleteI am in the same SABLE category, though I have to admit you are way ahead of me. Now if I add to it my patten collection--I won't go there.
ReplyDeleteI am trying a fabric diet, but sometimes I just don't have what I need or "want.
Wow is all I can say. I think I hold back on the stashing because I don't have anywhere to put it. We're not going to discuss the ever growing pattern stash though.
ReplyDeleteI have also reached SABLE. My stash might be bigger than yours, but I'm not sure because it's tucked in all over the place.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol, for the seamstress' blessing!
WOW! I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. Get sewing Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteHeh, ditto here, except that I'm buried under yarn. Must knit more than I buy. The fabric stash is very small though, if that's any consolation.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm SABLE! Seems like I've seen that word used somewhere before. All I can say is "IT MUST BE NICE"! At lease you are not like me, I go to the closet looking for something I thought I had but don't. Wishful thinking I guess. I don't know if any one else asked, but if you are looking for some poor sewing soul (like myself) to take a little bit off your hands please let me know. I think you still have my phone number don't you?
ReplyDeleteOH, MY! I would find this very overwhelming but I know you've enjoyed every minute of accumulating it. I can see where it could keep yo out of the fabric store for a while. Again, OH MY!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I love it! Beautiful. I'm also at SABLE. I'm there with my quilting fabric, knitting yarn and fashion fabric. It bother me at one point, but now I don't care. I buy fabric,yarn , notions, all kind of craft things when I want to weither I need it or not. I've come to the realization that at some point I'll have no room to store any thing else and I'll stop buying. But until then I enjoy my fabric and yarn. Just enjoy it. Thank the powers that be, that you had the means to have such a collection.
ReplyDeleteWow! Now that's a stash! Remember you are in control and you can do whatever you want with your stash. That includes gifting sewabeginner and Faye with yards of fabric :):) I don't want any more fabric right now. In fact, I've got to figure out what to do with scraps. What do you do with yours?
ReplyDeleteNothing to be ashamed of or embarassed by! You sew (and finish) more than almost anyone I know (at least you're one of a small group of incredibly productive people), and you enjoy having it. The only trouble I can see is if someday you forget what you have. But it's a personal choice. Do you have some means of inventory keeping or swatches to keep an eye on what you have? Again, personal choice. And I'll bet you have a lot fewer patterns that most of us :-)
ReplyDeleteSomeday, I'll gather up the pictures I took of my fabric reorg undertaken summer 09. I'll repeat what I said, you have nothing to be ashamed of :-)
Sorry, I don't see a problem. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI admire you for pulling all your fabric out into one place so you can see all of it! I've got mine stashed in various closets/bins around my apartment . . . out of sight, out of mind, and it's easier to forget how much my stash has grown. Next year when I have to move all of it, I'm sure I'm going to be overwhelmed!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice and well deserved :)
ReplyDeleteDear Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteIf fabric is your therapy, and you are as happy and always productive as your posts would infer, I say leave well enough alone.
Your secret is safe with me.
:)
MissMuslin
What fun to be able to "shop" such an extensive collection; so much inspiration in there. I look forward to seeing what you do manage to make from it!
ReplyDeleteIn spite of it being frustrating to manage, give yourself kudos for having a rich (very rich), beautiful and well-organized stash.
ReplyDeleteAs you can see from the comments, you have plenty of company in the beyond SABLE group, me included. I enjoy my collection. The only time it gets overwhelming is when it grows beyond the storage areas. Then it becomes too much.
ReplyDeleteI have outgrown my storage space so I'm on a fabric buying slowdown. I have only bought 2 pieces of fabric in 9 weeks. DH thinks that it is funny that I can remember the last time that I went to the fabric store. I'm only buying fabric that is unusual or needed for a planned project.
Think of it this way, unlike most people you always have a great wardrobe at your fingertips.
I did a sewing room clean out on Saturday and reorganised some of my stash. I'm pleased to say that I have sewn a great deal of the newer acquisitions, but some of the older ones I had totally forgotten about. It's a bit like getting new fabric when you find things you forgot you owned!
ReplyDeleteI know the yardage of my stash which is small in comparison to some at only 370 yards. But, you know if I mention that amount to a non sewer the feedback is invariably negative. It's all relative and if it makes you unhappy to have that much fabric then weed out the stuff that no longer works for you. If it is overwhelming you than yeah, it's time to get rid of some of it, but not because you think it's what you should do but because you'll be happier.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'd be happy to take some black wool crepe off your hands.
ReplyDeleteWhen I come to NY next year, I'm gonna pass up Metro and come to your house okay? LOL
ReplyDeleteI have a SMALL stash lol. Not near SABLE yet lol.
My, my, my. I'm sympathetic. I hope that you find a solution that works for you. I have no suggestions as I have already changed my dining alcove to a fabric storage area.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I was checking your pix to see if I had any of the same fabrics. :)
Rose in Sv
I followed your example and this year for the first time did an actual "fabric changeover." And I realized that I have enough fabric to sew for a year without purchasing anything!! So what did I do to celebrate? Some fabric shopping ;)
ReplyDeleteMy stash is about 5% of yours and I feel I've reached SABLE (great word you've coined). My problem in accumulating has been making a garment, going into a fabric store to buy buttons or notions then seeing a matching fabric. Oh I'll have some of that for a skirt or jacket to go with it, and so the stash grows.Maybe you should sell some pieces on ebay.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I have more fabric than I will ever use too! I collected at least a bin full of fabrics and offered them on Freecycle. One person who responded has children for whom she sews. I chose her as the one who I would give the bin to. I loved sewing for my children and thought the cotton and cotton blends would work for that just about best of all. I have a pile of overalls to take to the thrift store and another small pile for embellishment and sale. I have patterns enough to paper the whole house. I'm still thinning the herd, but there are so many pieces I will keep "just because." A friend of mine told me once that she pets her stash. I thought that was great. Maybe I'll keep a pile just for petting!
ReplyDeleteI want to get me fabric stash up, i tired of having to go to the fabric store or search the web every time I want to sew something. so how much fabric to you buy when you find something you like.
ReplyDeleteI love the SABLE acronym. I don't have enough fabric for my life expectancy - but I imagine I could go five years without buying. Growing up buying fabric was such a prize that when I see a sale some kind of "I better get it now at this great price or it is going to go away" mindset kicks in. I am undertaking my own stash bash. I am only buying trim and other necessities to finish current projects.My ploy is to use the most expensive fabric shop in town as my go-to because I do buy less when fabric is expensive.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I actually got rid of something like a third of my stash last year-- freecycled it to a woman in the area who was just getting started with sewing and was requesting fabric to play with-- and still have a ton of it. I've been making an effort this year to sew what I've got and avoid buying things whenever possible. And I actually have made some progress this year in making stuff from fabrics I've had for years, so that's encouraging.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just have to say that I love the way you described your stash, about how you've got this and that-- though I had to laugh, because the way it read, I definitely have that song from The Little Mermaid about her collection of human stuff stuck in my head!
As long as you're keeping food on the table, bills paid, and some money to the retirement fund, have at it! Fabric stashing is your therapy, cheaper in more ways than one than some other people's hobbies.
ReplyDeleteI don't have nearly that much fabric, but I also have embroidery threads/equipment, knitting & crochet equipement, yarn, drawing items, and a huge amount of books on those subjects. Have I accomplished any activity in those projects? Ummmm, no. My logic is that I'll buy now, while I have a bit of extra money sometimes, and do the projects when I retire and have more time.
And this may not be helping, but I notice your coffee table. It's a very nice table, but if swapped out for a huge ottoman that has a removable lid, you *could* store a bunch more fabric there. :-)
Hi Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI have a SABLE as well. I was doing at not purchasing anything until my birthday. Then July hit, birthday celebration, etc. And the floodgates open. The flood has calmed down to a cool river, but my sewing mojo is "pffftttttt". I think Shannon (MushyWear) has it. Going through this funk is crazy. I hate just about everything in my wardrobe and want to toss it all (Self Stitched September is helping with that) and make new things, but can't get motivated. Any suggestions for getting out of it?
Angela
I think it looks rather normal :) And what do you mean "beyond life expectancy?" I fully intend to stick around until every last piece is dealt with, and I think my stash is right up there with yours! If they were children, we could introduce them to each other and be in-laws.. K
ReplyDeleteOH, you make me feel so good!!! You have more fabric than I do... though not by much...
ReplyDeleteNo more SEX for you! (Stash Enhancement eXpeditions...)
What a stash... I'm quite jealous! ;)
ReplyDeleteI too love my stash although sometimes it becomes overwhelming when I'm contemplating a new project. So much fabric, so many ideas, never enough time for them all. I've given away, sold and gifted many yards as well and never regretted it once....well, maybe that thin sparkly grey knit:-) My stash brings me joy, lets me give gifts and always inspires me. I can tell that your collection does much the same for you.
ReplyDeleteI love this:
ReplyDeleteif I just shop my collection, I could make anything.
At least you can create anything you can imagine, from petite dresses to plus size clothing.
I'd love to use some of your fabric to make myself new plus size clothing.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably sad that I see all of that fabric and find myself completely jealous. :) I'm working on a silly stash myself - especially seeing as how I've only been sewing a little over a year!
ReplyDelete