by berny 08 Aug 2012

Do you have fabric that you can't bear to use,I have,I love it,keep looking at it trying to visualize what to use it in then talk myself out of it.

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by rescuer Moderator 10 Aug 2012

I finally made a pillowcase out of some of the treasured, out-of-print fabric that I had saved for a decade. It was the perfect thing to make with the fabric. The rest I plan to add to quilts -- a few pieces at a time. I keep my fabric away from sunlight and extreme temperatures so it lasts a long time.
Cuties, remember -- THIS IS THERAPY!
Regardless of the weather, my finances, the time of year, my health...I ALWAYS have something I can do. I can make...anything!
I store it neatly boxed in clear containers so I can see what I have. If it is hoarding...it is much better than Cabin Fever or idleness or anxiety. We are IN group therapy...we show our work in Projects, share our designs in DBC, offer comfort or laughter or ...in Personal. We learn from each other, improve our skills, and gather as a community to bask in the love of fabric.
It may take time, but you will find the perfect thing to make with that special fabric.

2 comments
oigelcox by oigelcox 10 Aug 2012

You are so right. We are all in it togetner. Maybe there is hope for us all in time. In the mean time I will just sit here and gaze at my favourite fabrics while my hands shake with scissors in hand not wanting to cut it. I love being a cutie makes me feel sane. HE! HE!Hugs Joyce

oigelcox by oigelcox 10 Aug 2012

part 2 . I love being a cutie makes me feel sane. HE! HE! Hugs Joyce

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by chenille 09 Aug 2012

Yes,I have silk,wool,and special cottons....and what do I do? I can't bear to part with a shirt of my husbands before cutting out the back panel,or to throw away an old sweatshirt because I want to make a jacket with bits of old denim jeans...!! I tell myself it comes from wearing hand me downs and always being taught not to waste. I am always "saving" the good stuff. For what I don't know. This is not just fabric.I get a special seasoning,blouse,etc...... and think I have to save it for "special"!! In my heart I know that every day is "special" but it is soooo hard to break old habits.
I am trying to, but then a little bird says..wait until you lose weight,have company,Christmas.....

Hugs, Nadyne

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by berny 09 Aug 2012

You make me feel normal,But some great responses Thank you,women have always had a bottom drawer, take it out, admire it, put it away,How good it feels to have something so lovely.

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by emily16838 09 Aug 2012

It took me over forty years to collect this palet of fun . So who cares if I just love savoring it.... My family doesn't care if I make them another anything. So I just get to collect and enjoy and have fun with my stash...if it never get use of well maybe it will go to someone who is thrilled to get it.... Right now I'm having fun using little scraps and saving the big pieces. . I love making something with the scraps. Anyone can go and buy the latest fabric at top dollar....but I love making it with finding the perfect little bits in my fabric.

2 comments
berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

Thank you.

chenille by chenille 09 Aug 2012

Oh my! You sound like me.

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by blueeyedblonde 09 Aug 2012

Of course! I have a stash and certain pieces NOBODY touch! I have some I bought that .i might use for something in particular but, that day hasn't got here yet.

1 comment
berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

That sounds right.

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by pennyhal 09 Aug 2012

Ok, this is my go to "excuse." I use it a lot! Think of your fabric and designs as art. You collect them just as others collect paintings or sculptures, or jewelry. You don't necessarily have to do anything with them, but you know they are there and keep them, just like someone might have a ruby in a safe that they never wear. We buy them for their beauty and the pleasure they give us. Sometimes I sit at my computer and go through and enjoy my lovely designs and sometimes pick one out to stitch maybe. So enjoy your stash of everything and stop feeling guilty!

If that doesn't work for you, you can also blame it on genetics. Men were hunters, women were gatherers. We gather things together at home and when we are not home, in our purses. We leave our houses, gather stuff up, and bring it home. Been doing it for millenium. We just can't help ourselves. It's in our genes. Works for me.

5 comments
marjialexa by marjialexa 09 Aug 2012

I like your reasoning, it's in our genes! Can't fight genetics, hee hee hee.

bevintex by bevintex 09 Aug 2012

Right you are.With winter coming we must be ready. lol

marjialexa by marjialexa 09 Aug 2012

Like little fabric squirrels storing nuts for the winter, hee hee hee!

berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

I love your reasoning,

bevintex by bevintex 09 Aug 2012

More like little fabric nuts storing for the winter. But don't we have fun.

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by susiesembroidery 09 Aug 2012

This is so familiar. I do exactly the same. Maybe I am just a 'collector' of special pieces? But I love to hoard special things.hehehe.

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by hightechgrammy 09 Aug 2012

Does this mean we are all Hoarders??? I've heard hoarders don't think they are hoarding when they have everything organized into neat little containers.....

2 comments
marjialexa by marjialexa 09 Aug 2012

That's right, we're not hoarders if it's organized, hee hee hee.

berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

So I need to get organized.

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by clintonmiss22 09 Aug 2012

Yes, for me, too. I have a piece of silk brocade and a piece of white cotton with a colorful embroidered panel down the middle that my sister brought me from Taiwan about 40 years ago!! They are so fancy I have enjoyed looking at them and so different that I don't know what I would make out of them. And probably so weakened with age that they would not hold up to making clothing out of them. I still love looking at them!

1 comment
hightechgrammy by hightechgrammy 09 Aug 2012

I couldn't stitch it either, unless it was a pillow to see even more!

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by bethelb 09 Aug 2012

Oh ladies ! You are so sick ! In need of therapy ! Shameful ! Ok, thats what I say when I look in the mirror . For I am chiefmost as Paul once said .

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by oigelcox 09 Aug 2012

Yes i do. I have some lighthouse fabric and some Owl fabric that I cant bring myself to cut it up. i just like to look at it. There is no hope for me is there. Hugs Joyce

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by janetedna 09 Aug 2012

I have just ironed and USED Batik and patterned pieces of craft cotton which have been in little rolls, sold in sets of 10, since before Layer Cakes were even thought of. I think it's because nice things were in short supply when I was growing up and everything had to have a use. It's nice to be able to collect and keep things. Jan

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by bevgrift 09 Aug 2012

Yes, I have a collection that is not put to good use
yet. Also hoping to destash soon...
Hugs Bev

1 comment
berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

Why Would you destash, are you ill.

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by spendlove Moderator 09 Aug 2012

I've always done this and am in need of therapy!

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by biddysews 09 Aug 2012

yes i have stash dated back at least 40 odd years hang on this is bringing out age here,ha ha but next yeat i am vowing to download the stash and not buy .. the thing is that is one addiction i havent overcome yet but is next on the list slowly but surly i am getting through this crazy life of craft addiction and reducing my gunna list.

5 comments
marjialexa by marjialexa 09 Aug 2012

And not only MY stash, but I have my MOM's stash, some dating back to the 1930's. Not reproduction '30's, real '30's. I keep planning to make wall hangings or something. And keep planning, and planning.... Do we need a therapist on board, hee hee h

berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

what would life be without Dreams,

chenille by chenille 10 Aug 2012

Yep! I have my mom's stash too. She worked in a fabric store and brought home bolts of stuff!

chenille by chenille 10 Aug 2012

Yep! I have my mom's stash too! She worked in a fabric store and brought home bolts of fabric!

chenille by chenille 10 Aug 2012

OOps! Sorry I did it twice...didn't think the first time took! HEhehe

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by nonna57 09 Aug 2012

Yes i have. I have the 1st 1mtr of quilting fabric i bought before i got into sewing. Just cant seem to cut it up. Most likely the girls will find it in my stash one day and say "Now why would Mum want this fabric" :))

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by hightechgrammy 08 Aug 2012

I do the very same thing! What in the world am I keeping it for? I need to make something for myself out of it! I totally understand :-)

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by sukira 08 Aug 2012

Yep! I can relate to this.

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by marjialexa Moderator 08 Aug 2012

Well, yes, and I understand Jasann's problem with paper, too. I've recently discovered a few quilt patterns made from very large (10-12")squares, designed especially for large print fabrics. But, when you don't want to cut something into small pieces, the 12" square or rectangel isn't so bad, you usually get a few repeats. It's rather satisfying, you can have your cake & eat it too! I don't know what to do about the paper, though. I used to work in advertising, and one of my jobs was to specify paper for certain projects. We had a paper mill here in Erie, and I just adore paper. Handmade paper, especially. Somebody'll throw it out when I'm gone, I guess. Enjoy your fabric, however you use (or don't use) it. Hugs, Marji

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by fabricfairy 08 Aug 2012

Yes I can relater to this I cant cut up Pancy fabrics.............I have just about everyone that was ever made , but I have never found a quilt pattern I was happy to cut up my Pancy fabrics for . Cathy

1 comment
hightechgrammy by hightechgrammy 08 Aug 2012

What are pancy fabrics???

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by noah 08 Aug 2012

nope got none lol hugs

2 comments
berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

Have you no fabric shops near you,or to mush will power.

bevintex by bevintex 09 Aug 2012

She uses it and makes stuff! Lot's of stuff.

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by jenne 08 Aug 2012

Yes, but I finially broke down and made up one piece I not sorry I did.

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by lilylady 08 Aug 2012

We do quilts at our church and I won't even tell them what I have (some of it), and yes if somebody needs polyester from 30 years ago, I have it.

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by jasanne 08 Aug 2012

Yes - and paper.... Just that feeling of once it's gone it's gone and I can't get any more...

I am so trying to get over that, having cleaned out my husbands grandmothers place when she went into the home, and found things she had had all her married life (maybe longer) still packed away nicely and she had never used or enjoyed them. It seemed such a waste.

1 comment
berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

worse if she only had a empty house.

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by justonlyme 08 Aug 2012

Yes... BUT! I had some pieces that I kept putting back because once I used it, it would be gone. But now that I have used it, I can look at it all the time. I'm much happier now that it is in something. I didn't think I would be. Great question.

1 comment
berny by berny 09 Aug 2012

Thank you,

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by bevintex 08 Aug 2012

That is so funny. But the answer is yes. I have some of the reproduction 1930's fabric and I hate to even cut into it. I will use it though,gives me an excuse to buy more.

1 comment
hightechgrammy by hightechgrammy 08 Aug 2012

Bev I love those fabrics. I keep collecting them and thinking eventually I'll make a quilt from them. They look soooo pretty on my shelf in the meantime :-)

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