Wow, where have I been for the last couple of weeks? I have been closing down my school office for the end of the school year, cleaning out my desk, and preparing to retire among other things. I also fell hard on my right knee the day before school ended so I have been hobbling around for the last few weeks. One of my friends said that I wanted to leave with a bang, and I did!
Since I have been so occupied with school and retirement stuff, I have not been doing any sewing. Well, almost none. I did a little mending, but not much else. As I face retirement, I have been looking at my sewing space (among other things) with a critical eye and trying to decide how to best manage my stash and my sewing space. Since I do not have pictures of any new sewing/quilting projects to show here, I decided to take some pictures of my sewing stuff and let you see just what I am up against. Please remember this is not ALL of my fabric, projects or books and patterns. They are strewn all around the house, literally! I have a large five drawer file cabinet in the dining area full of books, more fabric in a bookshelf in my bedroom, and six drawers in the hallway that should be full of linens instead of fabric. Also, there is no picture of the projects UNDER my sewing table. Also, no picture of the wonderful treasures that are behind the camera in the rest of my small sewing room.
When a local quilt shop announced they were closing last month, I started buying fabric in a frenzy. I do love my fabric. Since I have no more room for storage of any more fabric on shelves or in drawers, stacks of fabric have started appearing on my sewing table next to my sewing machine the last couple of years. I firmly believe these stacks of fabric are reproducing on their own (without my help) while sitting on the table.
I often have stacks of fabric on my table. When I am working on a project and have pulled out lots of fabric to cut, it is always on my sewing table because I do not have anywhere else to place it. It eventually is put away, but sometimes not until the next project comes along. When I have more than one project going (which is often) the stacks become blended. Then I have problems finding a particular fabric when I need it.
A few posts back I admitted to being a fabriholic. I really am as you can see. One of my goals for my first year of retirement is to organize this wonderful collection, and hopefully find my once upon a time clean, usable sewing table. Before that can happen, the garage must be cleaned and organized as I am sure some of my precious treasures will be relegated to garage space in order to make more space in my sewing area.
When our children were home they occupied my current sewing space. I sewed on a little table under the kitchen counter. My fabric stash was contained on a shelf in the linen closet, and a couple of boxes out in the garage. It has taken me 20 years or more to accumulate all this stash, so I do not expect it to disappear overnight. My hubby says I cannot give away any of my fabric, I must sew it all up into quilts. I can honestly say I have enough fabric to last me the rest of my life. I will need things like batting and thread, and a few other things probably.
Okay, I do feel a bit better after my "True Fabric Confession". What about you? Do you have a True Fabric Confession you wish to reveal?
Until next time....Happy Quilting!
9 comments:
Thank you so much for sharing the pics of your sewing area. I don't feel so bad now that I see I am not the only one that DOESN'T have perfectly folded & stacked, color co-ordinated, designer sorted fabric on custom built shelving. Not that there is anything wrong with that. LOL. It's just not ever gonna happen in this place.
I've been wondering where you have been hiding. I keep expecting a call each weekend. I'm still looking forward to that dinner together!
Sorry to hear about your knee boo boo. Hope you are mending fast so you can get into the full swing of retirement. Say Hi to B from P. Tell him the fish are biting.
I didn't realize you were retiring this year Pam - congratulations! I know what you mean about having enough fabric to last the rest of your life - the problem is that there's so much out there that you (I) can't resist. Organization is the key though - I saw an interesting video on youtube on folding fabric around a ruler to make it neat and I loved it. It would take a lot of time but it might be worth it. A while back I bought foamboard at Hobby Lobby when it was on sale for $1 (I think it was 24 x 36), I cut it into fourths and wound my fabric around it. It stacks beautifully and I can see what I have on the shelves. I didn't however have enough for every piece of fabric (I had 400 pieces of foamboard when I cut it!) so as I empty one I put another fabric on it. Eventually I will have it all wound. I love organizing. :) blessings, marlene
ROFL Pam you have enough fabric for two lifetimes. I wish I could come help you organize, I love organizing. My best friend's sewing room(s) looked like that and we spent 2 days winding fabric around rulers, putting projects in totes and stacking fabric by color. She has such a lovely area to sew now.
Crispy
Oh my, do you have a challenge before you, but how fun to have so many pretty things to work with. I wish I lived close enough to come and help you get it organized. I love doing that and you have a fabric playground!
OMGosh! You DO have a sizeable stash! But, most of it appears to be folded neatly, so you're ahead of a LOT of us!
Now that you're retired ... determine the number of years you think you will be mentally competent, divide by the yards of fabric you have and that will give you the number of quilts you HAVE to make in a year!
or .. don't think about it and go shopping! LOL
Wow - what an amazing amount of fabric - I'm jealous. Just think of the fabulous things you will make.
I hope congratulations are in order for the retirement - were you planning this? Now you shall have so much time to sew and organize.
I adore organizing - wish I was closer - we could have an organizing party.
I don't have much of a stash. I had a bit of 30s fabrics but used most of it up - and so now am collecting more, since that is my favorite for making quilts - I have several in mind as soon as I build that stash up again. It isn't as popular are it once was.
Have fun organizing and let us see progress photos.
You'll be ok. With retirement comes less buying and you look as though you have planned well for your future!!!!!
Congratulations of your retirement! Hope your knee doesn't slow you down because you've got a lot of work to do based on those photos!
Pam,
I am sorry to hear about your knee_ I hope it feels better soon. Congratulations on your retirement. It really is an exciting new adventure that you are embarking on.
Like you I have lots of fabric in my house. I have sorted it into boxes by colors except for some specialty fabrics like batiks, florals and tone on tone. It is always a challenge for one to find the best way to organize a stash.I just bought 8 more boxes to put my fabric treasures into- now I have to find the space for them.
In your collection,I am sure you will find treasures and other pieces that you will wonder why you bought that fungly piece LOL
Many of us are collectors by nature- there are many worse habits.
Remember to pace yourself. Take time and enjoy the journey of finding your fabric treasures.
Warmest regards,
Anna
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