Everything but the fabric. The fabric was emptied from one of the cabinets that contains it - the cabinet moved, fabric loaded back in - then the fabric from the second cabinet was added to the first - mixing everything together. ::cry::
Finally - we had to move the cabinets again, and all the fabric just literally got thrown on the cutting table. - here's the current problem. JB has now decided that we need to repaint, because we don't have any leftover paint to just touch up. And frankly - it's old and a bit tired. But that means those cabinets will have to be moved again! Each has 3 shelves that hold fabric which used to be sorted by color and then either woven or knit. One cabinet held exclusively dressmaking fabrics - I try not to mix my crafty cottons in with the dressmaking fabrics. White, brown and grey in one cabinet, red/pink and blue/green along with the cottons in the other. It's too much! It's overwhelming and I'm not able to get anything done these days. ARG!
So - how do you deal with excess? I think I'll be either donating, giving away through the blog, or selling some patterns. Now if I could just dress myself .....
Oh, if you could see my tiny office! It's 6' by 9' with a desk surrounded by bookcases to the 9' ceiling at one end, 4 drawer file cabinets at the other end, and a shelf stuffed with fabrics sorted by type on top of the file cabinets. The overflow is "neatly" stacked on the floor at the base of the file cabinets, and around my computer chair (the computer being in a separate tower). It's a mess. And yet, even though I know I'm in trouble, I buy more fabric when I see something I like. What a dope! So if you have actual cabinets in your studio, I'd say it's all good in G-World!
ReplyDeleteI'll just pass the Puffs and offer pumpkin lattes.
ReplyDeleteOh - and those would be CREAM puffs... ;)
Excess?? Would you define that word please? I don't think I understand the concept. It's all ideas and visions and somedays, not excess.
ReplyDeleteOh dear....I DO understand the issues here, being at this very time in a similar crafty mess. I had to move ALL of my stuff either out of the 'office/craft room' or pile it into the closet of said room so we could re-carpet the upstairs...that was back in August. Most of what got moved is still where ever it ended up. Sigh. Don't give up, don't wave the white flag yet! Put stuff in cheap containers until such time as you can deal with properly. You'll be glad you did....some years back I chose the "other" option and gave away/sold things I've often since wished I had.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain Gaylen! We had company come over the weekend, which meant I had to take my crap (aka overflow sewing treasures) out of the guest bedroom. I'm thinking I need to purge some more too!
ReplyDeletePersonally i think you are just overwhelmed by the things you have. Get the painting done, move the fabric to a second or third bedroom to be out of the way and then when you have an all new studio, go back in and look at your things. Then and only then decide if you really want to give things away or if you just want to rearrange them!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I too had to move everything this Fall to put shelves in the closet - the weight of the bins when stacked was more lifting than I ought to do. My daughter came over & we went through all the fabric - lots of donations to the local thrift store that has a sewing/craft section. The rest was inventoried & folded into the bins with corresponding lists - it is so much easier to work from my stash now that I actually do! Have only bought for immediate needs (or irresistable fabrics) & have lately sewn up more than I buy.
ReplyDeleteSue in MN
I like Chan's idea. Cream Puffs and Lattes. ; )
ReplyDeletewell, while the sew-ers that read would probably prefer a giveaway, I'd ask you to consider donating to a womens group or a native american craft group. Since we moved and combined two houses, we've been doing a lot of cleaning out and have sent a lot of donated clothes to the pine ridge reservation Oyate Teca program. I know that they have crafting circles for elders to provide some recreation and socialization.
ReplyDeleteI've found that rather than dumping my stuff at a goodwill, unsure if it will go to needy people or not, that I feel lighter for having less stuff and happy to know that it's going to those truly in need.
That is quite a stack of fabric you have there. Hum, it does sound like you are a very organized person and this "chaos" must be trying.
ReplyDeleteHow do I deal with excess? Hum. Generally when I get together with knitting buddies I just off load stash I think they might like.