Monday, May 04, 2009

Declaring War


After a major sewing room reorganization a few weeks ago, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to declare war! Uprooting every corner of our sewing room revealed to me just how much fabric I have -- not that it's nearly as much as some seamstresses claim to possess (although I tend to think some of their claims resemble those stories that feature ever-expanding fish), but it's definitely more than I need on hand!

The problem is, most of my fabric was a bargain (or even free). I don't generally buy yardage at a fabric store unless I have a specific purpose, so my fabric mountain has been growing without showing up on the radar (otherwise known as my wallet!).

And what happens when I do use some fabric? I end up with scraps. Lots and lots of scraps. And it's hard to just throw perfectly good fabric away, even if there are only a few square inches or feet left. *sigh* Not to mention those pesky UFOs (UnFinished Objects, to those not initiated in seamstress jargon)...

However, I'm determined to take stashbusting to the next level (i.e., full-out war). I've engaged in mild stashbusting in the past, but this time I'm determined to keep going until my fabric stash is the size I want it to be. Thank goodness for Etsy! I'm going to need some kind of outlet for all of this craftiness!

On a good note, the sewing room is much better (though not perfect yet). Here's a view of my newly re-done crafty corner:



Does anyone else want to join the stashbusting campaign? Here's to the decimation of my fabric stash, the annihilation of my scrap collection, and the utter destruction (sort of) of my UFOs!

And though it pains my inner grammarian to say this, "Them's Fightin' Words!"

14 comments:

  1. ::gasps:: You are so organized, Shannon! I started my stash-busting in January, but I'm still not "done" sewing. Is a seamstress ever? =P It has been helpful to limit myself in buying fabric, and to seek my fabric bins first when feeling inspired to declutter.

    Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  2. Count me in! Especially in taking care of the UFOs! My stash...really, it is of epic proportions. Two-dollar-a-yard sales tend to cause one's stash to multiply exponentially! ;)

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  3. I *must* participate! Since we are moving, I organized my fabric for the past few days. I have so much!! I really need to "bust that stash" ;)

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  4. It looks beautiful! You have done a great job organizing! I really need to do this! :) Maybe I will this week start on getting it all clean and organized. :)

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  5. I may try to join in too :-) I have several UFOs and much fabric that have plans(baby dresses!)...now I just need to work on it :-)
    I also need to reorganize my area too..a bit crowded and small!

    Lauren...use some of that stash for your little lady in waiting! She'll no doubt be well dressed :-)

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  6. Count me in! I have a mountain of fabric that needs to be put to use. Plus, I have a whole garbage bag of UFOs. :-)

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  7. Your sewing room looks extremely organized! I am not dissatisfied with the size of my stash (although the bags of scraps are a little something else altogether) so I'm not desperately in need of any stash-busting, but I look forward to seeing the results of your war. :-)

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  8. I was just about to set up a nice sewing area in my room, and I love your space! Very neat and clean...I might just take some of your ideas! :)

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  9. May you, and the others who have joined your campaign against sewing room clutter emerge VICTORIOUS! :)

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  10. Okay, so that's the most organized corner of my sewing room! ;-) I still have a long way to go! I'm so glad some of you will be joining me in the "Stash Wars"! :-)

    Yours in Christ,
    Shannon

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  11. Oh, I will be joining the ranks!! My stash is ridiculous at this point, and I'm getting ready to relocate my sewing room. Which means this is perfect timing!! I have been "feeding my stash" since I was *SIX* so this is a big task. Have you seen the scrap quilts Anna made over at Pleasant View Schoolhouse? That is how I plan to burn through my smaller scraps. Shall we work out a way to post progress?

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  12. Tilly, I inherited some fabric from my mother and grandmother, so I know what you mean about a "long term" stash! There's been more interest than I anticipated (apparently most of us are in the same boat ;-), so I think I'll have to do a little "organization." Thanks for the idea!

    Yours in Christ,
    Shannon

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  13. Wow--your sewing corner is a lot more organized than mine!

    Hannah

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  14. Shannon I sew (pun intended) to do this as well. What with having 7 children, 4 of them girls to sew skirts and dresses for, you can imagine how much fabric I have! I see some on sale and have these great plans for it, um and there it sits. This may just be the motivation I need. And for my bags of scraps that I just can't seem to through away I am going to make scrap quilts. I might give them to the pediatrics ward at the hospitals. My baby girl is in there right now and was given a quilt that some church ladies make. I would love to do that too.
    Oops rambling now. Now to find the time to sew in between family stuff:) I can do it and so can you!

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