Way back in May of 2006, I said I was going to sell my entire fabric stash. The plan was to sell it all off so that I could start over again. Well, it didn’t happen. But lately, that desire to just get rid of it has been itching me again. In part it is because I am going through everything that I own and only keeping the things that I love and/or bring me joy. (You can read about this project by clicking here)
For many sewists, their stash brings them a great deal of joy. But mine doesn’t bring me joy. It makes me feel guilty and ashamed.
Yesterday, I received my latest Vogue Fabrics by Mail swatch collection. There were several fabrics that I would be perfect for projects I have in mind. But, I immediately felt guilty about wanting more fabric when I have so much already.
So, I am selling off my entire stash so that I can start over, so that I can buy new fabric without feeling guilty about it. When I put a fabric on Pattern Review or eBay, I will also let you know about it in the blog.
Wish me luck!
Hi Dr. Julie-Ann, I feel that we are kindred spirit also. I’ve been following you for a while through the podcast and have enjoyed it. Years ago I bought an old 20 drawer wooden simplicity cabinet. It holds all my patterns plus the box of old patterns that came with it. In addition, I have fabric stash, a notion stash, a sewing library (I should just say a library). I thought of selling my stash, because like you my stuff doesn’t give me joy anymore either. I do want to get back to sewing using what I have. I will be watching you and listening to you carefully to see what your outcome is with selling your stash. That might be my ticket. Sharon
Julie,
I could see how portions of your stash would be overwhelming especially if you still have a lot of the wools you collected when you lived back east. I too will be watching this process not because I want to part with any of my stash…it gives me way too much comfort…but to see if there is anything I should help relieve you of! *smile* Good luck with this venture!
Sharon, I’m so glad you let me know that your stash doesn’t bring you joy, either. I was beginning to think that I was the only one and some sort of freak or something!
Carolyn, you just might recognize a lot of the fabric! *laugh* For the longest time I felt guilty about not loving my stash because yours brings you so much comfort. I’d ask myself why I couldn’t be like Carolyn?! She LOVES her stash! What am I missing? But I think it is the motivation behind the collecting. You do it out of the love for the fabric. I was doing it from a place of neediness. How can that energy bring me joy? It can’t. And so, I need to get that “neediness energy” out of my life. *smile*