lindaschipper

Every once in a while I take a notion to sell off my books, and some fabric super cheap just to get it moved on to someone else that can use it. I've been looking at my templates/rulers again knowing that I have duplicates and ones I will never use and I think it's time to let them go... that and more fabric that I haven't used. Maybe the smaller pieces someone can use for face masks. It's a project for later this week.

Railroadersbrat

One of the first things I did when I got back into quilting heavily is I went through all my fabrics, got rid of some that I didn't have a clue as to why I got it, then stash busted a queen sized nine-patch quilt that I have yet to tie, but will be tying this next VQW. I have a list of supplies on a clipboard of things that I wanted/needed and when I go onto Amazon to order, I make it a point to go through my list and make sure 'okay, yes, I do need that template set for this quilt' and 'yes, I do need that ruler' - anything else gets scratched out.

I'm working in a small corner of my dining room and it's very temporary. I have a room that's not being used at the moment that I'm waiting to get the roof fixed over and get some electrical issues stabilized but that'll be my dedicated quilt room. Until that day comes that I move in there and know I'm not going to move it again, then I'll start picking up more things, but because of my extremely limited working area, there's no way I can get silly with everything.

wesing

My wife and I are gadget junkies, as our sewing room and kitchen will confirm. When we were DINKs (dual income no kids), we made a lot of impulse buys based on demos or a desire for help with a specific unit. Now that we’re on one income I’m glad we have the fabrics and gadgets, because we’ve been able to complete several quilts without buying much of anything. Last summer we went through our rulers and tools and discovered that we had some that made units that we were now using Deb Tucker tools for. We passed those along to other quilters. We also found some fabrics in our stash that were less than ideal for quilts, and repurposed those. Our main problem now is that a lot of non-sewing stuff has found its way into the sewing room, but overall I think it’s pretty organized. It does feel good to have a “clean slate” when we’re ready to start a project.

SusieQOH

Darren, the kitchen is my husband's domain and my sewing room pales in comparison to his "stuff" LOL

I forgot to mention that I also have way too many machines. I need to get real on how many I'm actually using!!

sewingpup

I have a foot fetish! Yikes...I think I have most of the Viking feet...some never used....but! I am making the Bonnie Hunter style masks and actually am using three different feet ...two I never used before...so you never know when you are going to find a use for the unused stuff. I have given some gadgets, rulers, books, fabric, zippers, trimmings, sewing machines away...and my sewing areas are still full....I don't mind duplicates of some things as my main sewing areas are on the main floor, my long-arm is in the basement, and a lot of my fabric and my batting is stored in the attic....so I have extra rulers, scissors, etc on all three floors so I don't have to haul stuff around.

toogie

I’ve always sewn but only been into quilting a year and a half. I have the basic rulers Square and 6x24 and I bought the 2 Tri Rec rulers. I think I’d like to try a tumbler and apple core quilt but don’t have these rulers. what other rulers do you find useful?

SusieQOH

toogie, I looove my Bloc locs! They are fantastic for trimming HST's. So glad I bought them.
I also love Quilters Select Rulers. I am slowly replacing mine with them. They have a coating on the bottom that makes them stay on the fabric while cutting.
Also love Tucker's Trimmer tools.

Ladywingnut

I gave a ton of my sewing things to my daughter about a year ago when she decided that she wanted to start sewing, every time I went to quilt guild and I found useful gadgets on the free table, I would grab them and send them to her. Now my sister, who recently retired, has decided she wants to sew, I don't have as much to give her, but she still will be getting some things from my stash. It truly makes me happy that they have decided to start sewing, and to watch the things that they are making.

SallyS

Great thread, and fun to hear what others are doing. I have given away rulers after trying Quilters Choice. They're the best, only have four, but they don't slip and make a big difference. The best thing I gave away was a 30 year old Juki serger, thread and notions to go with it. A friend is just starting to sew, picked up the complex threading system and was delighted to get everything. Not as delighted as I was to have it out of my house! My sewing room is organized and I usually know where things are, but sometimes come across a tool that I can't get rid of because "someday." I feel lucky to have my stash, even though it's a bit embarrassing. There isn't a fabric I'm willing to give away. Ordering new gadgets from JA is great fun, just waiting a long time for delivery is not. Love the Quilting Board! Thank you Patrice!

Jordan

SusieQOH-I am with you and cleaning out my sewing room too. I have so much fabric that I could live 10 lifetimes and never use it up. I too have patterns that I have bought 2 of. I am bagging up fabrics and taking them to Savers or Good Will and this will help others out. As far as gadgets go, I have rulers that I have never even opened and I had forgotten that I even bought them. My sewing room is very messy right now and I have a lot of empty bins but I will be organized soon and know where everything is ( I hope)!!!!
Two ladies that were in my sewing group moved and they brought a bunch of fabrics to me. It was very nice of them but I just can't even sew up the fabrics I have.