I have a problem...

[kaitlinnegan]

Hi, my name is Kaitlin, and I'm a fabricaholic.

DSCN1650.JPG (53.77 KB) Viewed 3707 times

Yes, that's me, just about one hour ago. After doing some thinking about the new stash challenge, I decided one of my personal goals would be to really organize my stash. So, with a ton of help from DH, the non-sewing things I hadn't used in over a year went out of my sewing room and into plastic storage boxes in the basement, and we began moving my stash into the living room where I could spread it out and try to put it in some kind of order. I was completely overwhelmed! I had no idea it had gotten this bad. I've only been sewing for 2 years -- how could I have accumulated so much fabric?? I can't imagine what it would be like if I had been sewing for 30 years! I don't buy very expensive fabrics, but I still hate to think how much money I've spent.

After I got over the initial shock, I started organizing. It actually went surprisingly quickly -- I made a pile for fabrics I might want to use soon for the spring and summer, then sorted the rest by type - knits, fleece, bottomweights, cotton prints, etc. We filled up several large storage bins, but I am happy to say my sewing room is doing much better. There is still a little bit left to organize, but it will wait until tomorrow.

Now, to address the problem -- it has to stop! I just feel guilty about all those fabrics sitting there, not being used. From now on I am only going to buy fabric for the next 2 or 3 projects (if they are not coming from stash). The only exception will be if I really (really) love the fabric, but just don't have the time/need for it right now -- maybe if it were an awesome special occasion fabric, etc. NOT if it's a great deal but I'm just lukewarm about the fabric. That's what got me into this trouble! My tastes have changed a lot over the last 2 years, and I look at some of these fabrics and think, "Yuck! Why did I buy that??" I don't want that happening 2 years from now.

Anyway...I'd better get to bed before the stash monsters come out and get me! Any suggestions or commiseration would be much appreciated.

[PaulineG]

No suggestions but commiseration I can do. You're not on your own here. Sometimes I wonder if we sew because we love sewing or because we love fabric and need to justify purchasing it. I suspect the love of fabric is a symptom of quilters.

[Bama]

Going to a fabric store is like being in a candy store. And it's much less fattening.

I like having a stash so I can shop in my own sewing room when I'm ready to start a new project.

[DorothyL]

Oh, Honey, give it time. In a few years you will catch up with the rest of us. You have a good start there.

From now on I am only going to buy fabric for the next 2 or 3 projects (if they are not coming from stash).

Now you know you don't mean that!!

The only exception will be if I really (really) love the fabric,

That's better.

-- maybe if it were an awesome special occasion fabric, etc.

That's our girl. I love that photo.

Once you get a big enough stash you can sew everything from stash.

Did you know that, if you ask, fabric stores are really glad to give you the empty bolts fabric comes on? Then you can neatly stack the fabrics and see them next to each other so ideas just kind of float through your head when you look at the stack(s) of fabric. I keep mine where I can see it most of the time. Just be sure it is out of the bright light -- especially sunlight.

[HeyJudee]

I hate to admit it...but if I tried sorting my stash like you did...the pic would only show fabric! The piles would probably cover me over!

[ddreev]

Welcome to the club....most of us aren't brave enough to get it all out at one time.

[Sewing Lady]

Kaitiln,

My stash is everywhere. It would take me a full day just to pull it all out. Bama's right thou, After only 2 yrs of sewing you just can't stop buying fabric. You know that you will get a little ahead in your stash sewing and theeenn, shopping. That's aholics do.

[DorothyL]

Not much sympathy here, huh?

[Jeke]

Kaitlin ~ you crack me up! You are only in the beginning stages of this disease.

[AndreaSews]

very amusing

I don't buy very expensive fabrics, but I still hate to think how much money I've spent.

Here's an idea. You've tackled some very important garments, you've been trying new skills and developing yourself into quite a sewist-- Maybe you've earned your badge and can start shopping at the expensive fabric stores now. When I started to shop at my local finer fabric shop, I became much more selective--buying less fabric and less often, liking it more, and even taking care to learn better techniques for working with it. I also found that the items I made with those fabrics were more timeless and satisfying.