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The chi is flowing again!

I have been in a quilting rut for a while now, but I think I finally dug myself out of the pit. I spent friday night with a good friend - the one who got me hooked on quilting - and we had a grand time. She is much more advanced than I am but I am ok with that, we learn something new from each other each time we get together! We quilted and chatted for over 6 hours and I felt great after getting home. I spent the better part of yesterday and today reorganizing my sewing room. It was getting to the point that my little walking paths were filling up! So it was time to see what I had and more importantly, why I had it!

I took all of my fabric out of the room - ALL of the fabric, every bin, every box, every FQ. This room also serves as my computer room where I work on my websites and edit videos and pix of my family and two grandkids, so it has lots of "stuff" in all corners. I emptied my bookcases of all my quilting and computing books and put back only the ones I really need. More computer books got chucked since quilting really doesn't go through the "versions" like software does. Didn't think I'd need anything related to Windows 3.1 anymore! Then I went through all my software and got rid of all the stuff I wouldn't ever need again.

Then I separated my quilting projects into current projects, WIPs, and PIGS. These were all projects that have designated fabrics and patterns. I put each one into their own Ziploc or clear plastic box with an appropriate label and stage, if appropriate - top, quilting, binding.

Then I took all the fabric that has been purchased for a specific type of project such as a table runner, tote bag, pillowcase, baby quilt, lap quilt, etc. and put them into their own tote with the appropriate label.

Then I took all the themed fabrics (Christmas, quilting/sewing, mice, Westie/Scottie pups, 30's etc) and put them each in their own tote and labeled them.

Then I took all the FQs and sorted them by color. Then I took all the large pieces of fabric, measured them and sorted them by color. I pinned a label to each with their yardage so I know what I have on hand if I need backing, etc. All the "more than a FQ but less than a yard" was put into separate totes for a future scrap quilt or two - ok, or three!

Then lastly, I stored some of the large plastic totes in the back room of the basement. I realized that I did not have to have EVERY inch of fabric within arms length!

I learned a few things from this reorganization:

I have enough quilting books (for now) - I even had a few duplicates and one triplicate! I have enough fabric (for now) and should finish the started projects before adding to the stash, if at all possible. Keeping my work area clean and tidy is worth the time in the long run.

I started a baby quilt today for a good friend. It will be finished this week, including the quilting. I bought the main fabric but all the other fabric came from my stash! It feels good - no, it feels great!

Reply to
AliceW
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Congrats. On my list of to-do the next couple of days is to empty my sewing room and do just what you did.

Reply to
maryd

Good for you Alice!!! Though I didn't go to the lengths you did, my studio was just sorted and separated about 3 weeks ago when my dad installed some new shelves for me... doesn't it feel good??? I just LOVE being able to go find exactly what I want, when I want it!

Patti in Seattle

Reply to
Patti S

Reply to
jennell

Wow! I will be doing this in the next few weeks, also. One YBR quilt to bind and send off, one challenge project for Carol Doak's yahoo! PP group to finish hopefully tomorrow. Moving everything upstairs into used-to-be-guest-room-now-my-sewing/computer/reading-room. I will be following Sandy Foster's advice about old magazine issues to lighten the bookcase. New room is 11'x14', but only the north and south walls have the support to hold things like my bookcase and stash cabinets. And South wall has the big window...

I will break down all the sewing area until I am finished, but do have

2 hand sew> I have been in a quilting rut for a while now, but I think I finally dug
Reply to
Ginger in CA

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

Susan, I have all kinds of faith in you and I bet you get it all finished by tomorrow. Of course I just noticed it is tomorrow already here so I guess that gives you two days. LOL Don't work hard but try to enjoy it as you go.

Jacquel>It would take me weeks to accomplish what you did in just a few days.

Jacqueline

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Reply to
Jacqueline

Good, good for you, Alice. Except ! I see the note you slipped in that says, "I have enough fabric (for now) and should finish the started projects before adding to the stash, if at all possible." Nope. That's not good. Yesterday, I visited a quilt shop and saw the beautiful watercolor fabric that I had used the absolute final smidge of and the magnificient deep blue that I didn't have enough of for anything. Love them both. So they followed me home. Let's not get too rigid about not adding to the stash. Kind of rigid is okay but you need to give yourself just a little slack. I find your 'carry everything out and decide what comes back and where' is an intriguing idea. Anybody else ever do that? Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I am in total awe and full of admiration. Mostly that you could stick at it for so long in one day! That sort of organisation would have taken me a week or more. Well done you. I bet you feel smug every time you walk into your haven. I bet you slept well >gg< . In message , AliceW writes

Reply to
Patti

Yes. Me.

It is an absolutely great way to do a complete re-organization, as it forces the question "do I really want this?"

It's the only way I can weed books. If it's worth the effort to carry it back to the bookcase, then I keep it.

Martha

Reply to
Martha

Thanks, Polly, but that's why I added the (for now) comments! I won't ever say "never" but I need some constraint right now. All of my extra funds right now are directed toward my DD and DGS until she finally nails down a job. Yes, she is still feverishly looking at any and all options. In addition, my mom's AC decided to up and die, and with living in Florida and being a spry 87, she needs to be cool. So she now has a spanking new AC/heat pump unit for $2300 which my sister and I sponsored. I'm officially a card carrying member of the "Sandwich Generation"! So for now, the fabric I have is the fabric I have. But, not to worry, I have more than enough fabric to make more than enough quilts -for now!

Reply to
AliceW

I must have missed Sandy's advice about old magazines. Can someone repost that for me? I still need to work on my magazine collection!

Reply to
AliceW

ha ha Good move. Send those guests to a hotel. have fun organizing. Jeanbaby

Reply to
jeanbaby

All that in 2 days?? I genuflect at your feet! Please go reward yourself! Roberta in D

"AliceW" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:efidnSl7AJ2J4mbZnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Of course -that's the best way to clean cupboards! Mostly though it doesn't get done unless we move. Roberta in D, trying very hard not to accumulate too much stuff and make my children hate me when I'm gone...

"Polly Esther" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:lTNKg.14471$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net... (clipped)> I find your 'carry everything out and decide what comes back and where'

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

And you didn't invite me to help you 'pack and move' your stash? I'm crushed:(

Butterfly (just you wait--I'll invite YOU to come help me UNLOAD my bins after we move)

Reply to
Butterflywings

I can relate to that! I told DH we need to move once every twenty years, if only to get rid of stuff. Of course, painting a room works, too. I haul everything out of the room, and cull as I put back.

When MSM died, her house was full to the ceiling (literally!) with STUFF. Her sister, my aunt, came over for two days to help haul stuff to the dumpster, and as she left she was full of resolve to get her own house straightened up. She called me up a week later and said "It's too much. My kids will just have to cope with the mess when I'm gone." :)

FWIW, I don't hate my mom for the mess. I figured it was payback for everything I did as a teenager. It's good to know I have a clean karmic slate now. *grin*

Reply to
Kathy Applebaum

Haven't yet but plan to do so. When "the inheritance" from my aunt finally comes through I am going to rent a PODS unit and clean out a room at a time, or more. Clean and organize as I put things back in. Maybe even redo some floor coverings..... hate the carpet in this house and would love to get rid of it and get smooth surface floors in. But we will see. Not sure when the money will be here.... some of the spouses of cousins are making waves (even though they should not be involved at all.... never having even met my aunt!) Even plan on making room (with DH's permission) for a quilting machine, not a true long arm (no way can I afford that) but a "Tin Lizzie 18" which I have tried out and love.

Pati, > Good, good for you, Alice. Except ! I see the note you slipped in that

Reply to
Pati Cook

Oh, I wouldn't put you through that! There was barely room for me in that room! Now that it's presentable, we could have a nice cuppa tea!

Reply to
AliceW

Oh, PODS, I never thought of doing that. What a great idea!

Reply to
AliceW

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