Once we begin Quilting, Sewing, Crafting of any kind, we all tend to be hoarders. Squirreling away all sorts of items to be used in our projects. Sometimes the storage of these items overflows into the rest of our house hold. I am hoping to help you attack the stash and get rid of that feeling your hobby is over running your life.
To achieve that feeling, finishing a project is the best. It does two things, It clears out some of the stash and then it gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Remember when you are getting started not to let the size of your stash overwhelm you. Pick a project that is small, do it and step back and clean up the mess and breathe deep with satisfaction!
This year, as a stash buster, I have not purchased fabric or anything to add to my stash since January 2010. That year I made a resolution not to purchase anything unless I had no more of that item or color. My only purchase in the last 3 years has been a king size batting and a yard of Navy Blue fabric. The fabric was purchased because I was in Denver without my stash and was working on a quilt and I didn't have the fabric to bind it.
I decided to do a project I have always said I didn't ever want to do. That is a Block Of the Month. I have never liked the ones I have seen in the quilt shops, either it was the colors or the patterns..and they always show you the completed top so you can decide if you want to do it. The other thing I haven't liked about them is you are predestined to have a top like everyone elses. Then there is the fact you are paying to play and if you don't like the outcome and you don't enjoy the trip..you are out the money (and don't have anything but orphaned blocks to show for it). Thus the incidence of failure in the project is high.
I was introduced to a Yahoo group about mysteries several years ago. Mysteries is another quilt project I don't get pleasure from but the owner was a friend and I wanted to see what she was doing. BTW mysteries are another way to tackle the stash. The owner of this group has started a BOM for 2013 and it will be running for 2+years. It sounded like something scheduled for disaster. Something if you start it, you might let life get in the way and not finish.
The appeal of this BOM for me was I could choose my own fabrics. There was only one block a month. I could handle that. The excitement of not knowing what was to come increased the anticipation of the next months block. The one thing that worried me was how was I going to keep up my end. I didn't need another UFO. I have a friend who came to the rescue when I told her what I was doing. She said why don't we swap. Why don't you make another block for me and I will make another block for you. We live a couple thousand miles apart, she used to live within 200 miles of me. We met through a yahoo group. This suggestion was the best thing for me. Not only did it relieve the stash of fabric but it gave me someone who was depending on me for her block. I have to do the project each month.
This BOM would be very easy for anyone to catch up with if you need a quicky monthly project. April First will be the forth installment. I have included my blog sites for the first three installments below. On the blogs is the address, if you are interested, to join the BOM group.
On the blogs I explain why I chose the fabrics I did. I have the stacks of fabrics set aside for my blocks and for my friends blocks. I have a box where I am storing them so they don't get used for any other project and they are handy to pull out the first of every month.
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html
Email a friend, get together and make a block a month. You can make her a block just for her in her colors or make two blocks alike and mail one to her (either way she will have a quilt when done that you made for her).
To clear a stash, you can not be tempted to purchase anything unless you do not have it in the stash. You can make excuses anytime saying it doesn't match close enough. BTW doing a scrappy quilt can help you over that hurdle. Bonnie Hunter has lots of free quilt patterns and suggestions to using and organizing your stash. (Actually to me she is "hoarding effectively").
http://www.quiltville.com/
Scroll down and on the left is a list of all the wonderful suggestions and quilt patterns .
Thanks for reading
Other blog sites by me:
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
My Original quilting blog.
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission
