I got the same comment from my daughter when my granddaughter was born, neutrals, soft colours please. Now she is three, my granddaughter's favourite colours are pink and purple, the brighter the better, and unicorns. She also loves the clothes I make her with "Bluey" character fabric, so hang in there Jan, the bright colours will come back. And thank you for this, I do need to sort and card my fabric.
I sometimes think buying fabric and patterns is as much of a hobby as sewing itself😂!! I do try to declutter from time to time, though, because it can get overwhelming.
Wonderful advice for thinking about fabric, and for storage ideas. I sorted through my fabric yesterday and found several pieces that I just don't want to keep. Very refreshing!
Thanks Jan! I have accumulated so much fabric that I will not use (buying difficult fabric as a beginner) just because I liked the look or the feel of the fabric in the store. I am still at a beginner level and I feel completely exhausted and burnt out and overwhelmed by the amount of fabric that I will never use in my lifetime. Thank you for your video and this has inspired me to take an objective perspective into the stash that I have and make it workable for me this year.
Making blankets for animal shelters too is a good way to use up those extras! Thanks Jan, good luck on your declutter journey, remember to take deep breaths 😅 I’ll be tackling my stash soon enough
Thank you for your refreshing and revealing take on our once had to have fabric. I retired last month and look forward to sewing up some scrappy projects to work through my stash. It all fits in a bedroom closet so it feels manageable. My goal is to work with patterns and fabric I have accumulated before buying anymore. It’s great in theory 😁. Will see how I do in practice.
It’s nice to know I’m not alone lol. When get overwhelmed with my scraps I make zippered coin purses, jar openers mug rugs… then I go to bigger pieces do pouches, pencil cases anything to use some of them up. Then I say good job now go on to the next project…… Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day then Easter. Yikes I better get cutting. Thanks for all your great videos
@During the summer I sell them at a community sidewalk sale they have it once a month. I sew for fun, and I don’t charge a lot of money but I make a lot of people happy. I always have a gift on hand. Sometimes I will mail a little something to someone to say IM THINKING OF YOU.
My husband noticed one day when accompanying me to the fabric store (rare but true) that I salivated when walking in the store. Come on now you know you do it too - lol!
Same here. I get attached to a yarn and want every colour. Then I seem to outgrow that one, find another and want every colour in that one. I have a dozen projects on the go at once. Not enough time! 😀
I am a middle-aged beginning quilter. I am trying to build my stash, if you will, so that when I retire in a few years, if I'm not able to always afford to buy fabric, I will have some built up to be able to make quilts or projects. I don't have it sorted in any way yet, but will work on that in the upcoming years so I know what I have.
Thanks for the video, Jan. Good timing as we all start thinking about what projects we want to work on in the new year. I, also, have a new grandchild and saved flannel as we've been waiting for 5 years for this child. But there are only so many burp rags, bibs, breastfeeding pads and receiving blankets one child and parents can use. Now it's time to go through my flannel and make pieced backings for donation quilts.
Jan your channel has been a god send! I’ve just started learning sewing and by far this is one of my favourite channels. You explain things so clearly and with such care. Thank you for your content!
It seems you may need to have a fabric sale! Wholly moly! Or maybe a fabric exchange for your sewing/quilting friends. And here I was thinking my 3 bins and half a closet was too much fabric! Well, see there, you made me feel great about the amount of fabric I have. :) Happy winter projects everyone!
I have limited space but also love fabric. Few weeks ago I purged but really think I need to go through and purge more. I didn't even miss it when I let it go. It's been very satisfying. Now to have control and not buy when I really don't need. Eye opening video. Looking forward to your scrappy tutorials! 😊
I agree with you 100%. I do find myself anxious. Sometimes I just want to scream into a pillow🤪 and then I sit back and just shake make head. I have been decluttering a couple of times last year. And I will this year as well. I find that my taste in fabric has changed a bit. So, with that said, I set aside what I know I won't be using, and I part with it. I also use plastic bins to. Easier to see what you have and easy to move around. Thank you for this.🤩
Oh Jan, I think we're twins!! I just cleaned out my sewing room a few months ago and I love it! It's still crowded but it's my happy place. And yes, I still have way too much! Miss you friend.
What about rag rug? - My husband builted a loom for me and I made about 20 rag rugs out of old shirt, blankets. I have made various projects for older people from leftover fabric. Dementia quilts, nesting blankets, small fabric balls for gripping exercises. Bags with smaller leftovers are great for selling or donating.
ua-cam.com/video/v2c_Agdw068/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared. channel DIY on the house. There you can learn how to build the loom and how to weave the rag rug.
@Gabi-lt4mx thank you. Do you weave like twining? Or do you just do like a potholder. I would like to do like potholder style but much bigger than a potholder. Do you think that would work?
I love fabric too. I look at older clothing, sheets, blankets,in a different way now…fabric! I like to use pieces of extra flannel as a backing to placemats, mug rugs, coasters, it’s nice and soft. Or as the middle fabric in the projects instead of batting. I love the possibilities. I must admit my fabric isn’t very well organized. I need to work on that. These are great suggestions. Thank you
Great tips here, Jan. Thank you! In the last several years, I've developed a very painful neuropathy and had to stop almost all sewing and quilting. However, my brain tends to convince me that I *can* still sew and that I need to buy this or that new fabric for a project that I KNOW will never get made. I partly blame my massive stash on my situation, but I also blame the quilt fabric industry. Doesn't it seem like each designer has double the fabric lines each year, as opposed to several years ago?? And with social media, the emotional pressure I feel to BUY that next line - and the next - and the next, is real. It's all SO OVERWHELMING. And unfortunately, I don't have the pain reserves necessary to declutter/destash, so I sit in a mess of craft supplies all day every day (not exaggerating - my sewing room is my bedroom!). It's depressing. And since getting sick, I've lost all my friends, so no one to come help me. ARGH! Thanks for listening to me gripe, y'all!!
I love fabric also and have quite a stash. Years of it. The last 4 years have been dedicated to winding it down. I have made some progress but then I buy more. Fleece went to animal blankets for shelters. Lots of charity work including making thousands of masks.
You have a lot of great cupboards Jan, I do give away pieces of fabric I think I will never use, someone will use it. I agree about the younger mothers only wanting neutral colours when I love bright colours, I have also hand,to go and buy more fabric and not use what I had collected, once your grandchildren are bigger they choose for themselves and they often choose bright colours, Deb
I donated a lot of my fabric to our Union Gospel Mission. They have a thrift store and said fabric goes really fast. The proceeds are used to help homeless people. I’m also going to use some for dog blankets for our local shelter.
There is an an acronym that you can frame and hang over your fabric collections -" STABLE " = Stash That Accumulates Beyond Life Expectancy! It will serve as a reminder that you have enough and also someone in your family may have to take the time to sort, sell, donate all of this.
Bonjour de France ! Sur UA-cam et Pinterest vous trouverez mille trésors et astuces pour utiliser le jean. De quoi se faire plaisir. J’ai fait plein de sacs tous très différents les uns des autres et magnifiques. Bon courage et bonnes cousettes 🥰
I’ve noticed the trend for baby burps & blankets have shifted from flannel to double gauze...but never fear, what goes around comes around. Remember the 70’s clothing? Those were the days!
Great video Jan. Thank you. Be brave I hear. I liked seeing your full shot. You are tiny. 🥰 I have way too much. My guild has given away fabric and when I first started, Quilting, I would take it now they’re hidden in another room actually they’re in view, but they’re not the things that I like now I keep telling myself be brave. Put it in a bag and take it back to the guild another one of my struggles is, I’m not sure what to do after I make a project and I still have a lot of the fabric do I cut it all up into 2 inch 5“ and 10 inch squares. Do I leave it in the box to make a product with the same fabric? I’m struggling I don’t know. thank you for your tips ❤
Great video!! My problem is - I really enjoy looking for and purchasing fabric and patterns. It is like a hobby into itself. I need to remind myself how long it would take to complete these projects I am thinking of!! Just a note regarding flannel - there are different qualities of flannel.- some I have washed just a couple of times and they have really pilled and did not last. Your fabric looks very neat and organized, but to be honest, I felt a little overwhelmed, thinking about my stash now!
Jan, my grandchildren would call you a "fabric hoarder". 😂 After they called me that I donated a ton of fabric to Savers and I gave some precuts to friends of mine because I hadn't used them in the 5 years that I had them.
My stash of fabric is stored in clear boxes and split into Spots, Stripes, Floral, Stars, etc 😊but I don’t have bolts of fabric. I think I may have a touch of OCD as my sewing threads are colour coded into small zip-lock bags with matching filled bobbin - sad, or what?!!
Am no longer a fan of fleece, especially when you wash items made with it. Paid like $40.00 years ago for a fleece dog bed - never again. Did the fleece no sew blanket once - never again. Made stuff for my local animal shelter with all my fleece that I had left. Like the baby blankets at Dollar Tree for snuffle mats for the local animal shelter too. Now I use the soft blankets for 5.00 or less for my dog obedience classes. Old towels for the one side and even a part of the mat I cut up clean old socks for a snuffle portion of the mat. Helps new dog owners see just how effective snuffle mats can be. Hope that helps. TY for this video. Most of my fabric is 1/2 or 1 yard pieces as I make washable and reversible tote bags in bulk. A minimum of 20 at a time. (No birthing of the bags, lining is tacked down, handles double stitched between the bags). Sometimes my friend will grab some fabric at thrift stores too. Finally completed my first burrito pillowcase and hope to do a few more of those, along with READ pillows for our local READ Therapy Dog program.
I have really big stash (though bit smaller then yours) and I love to have it. I live in Europe and fabric is very expensive here so normally I shop on sales, especially when sale is for off-cuts, bolt ends, etc. I know what fabric I like to use (mainly knitwear) and what I most often sew so having decent stash helps me to avoid stress and saves time and money. I do not buy something just because it is on sale. It has to be "sale + my favorite fabric & color" combo.
I got the same comment from my daughter when my granddaughter was born, neutrals, soft colours please. Now she is three, my granddaughter's favourite colours are pink and purple, the brighter the better, and unicorns. She also loves the clothes I make her with "Bluey" character fabric, so hang in there Jan, the bright colours will come back. And thank you for this, I do need to sort and card my fabric.
I sometimes think buying fabric and patterns is as much of a hobby as sewing itself😂!! I do try to declutter from time to time, though, because it can get overwhelming.
Wonderful advice for thinking about fabric, and for storage ideas.
I sorted through my fabric yesterday and found several pieces that I just don't want to keep. Very refreshing!
I have more fabric than I can possibly use in my lifetime. It’s truly ridiculous. 🙄 Thank you for this video!!
Perfect timing, Jan. I needed to hear this, TODAY. I appreciate your comments and am inspired to cull my stash. Thank you so very much.
I'm addicted to fabric!! I've got a lot, but it took me a few years!!
Thanks Jan! I have accumulated so much fabric that I will not use (buying difficult fabric as a beginner) just because I liked the look or the feel of the fabric in the store. I am still at a beginner level and I feel completely exhausted and burnt out and overwhelmed by the amount of fabric that I will never use in my lifetime. Thank you for your video and this has inspired me to take an objective perspective into the stash that I have and make it workable for me this year.
Making blankets for animal shelters too is a good way to use up those extras! Thanks Jan, good luck on your declutter journey, remember to take deep breaths 😅 I’ll be tackling my stash soon enough
Always appreciate your videos-- its like having a good chat with a crafty friend. Thanks!
Thank you for your refreshing and revealing take on our once had to have fabric. I retired last month and look forward to sewing up some scrappy projects to work through my stash. It all fits in a bedroom closet so it feels manageable. My goal is to work with patterns and fabric I have accumulated before buying anymore. It’s great in theory 😁. Will see how I do in practice.
It’s nice to know I’m not alone lol. When get overwhelmed with my scraps I make zippered coin purses, jar openers mug rugs… then I go to bigger pieces do pouches, pencil cases anything to use some of them up. Then I say good job now go on to the next project…… Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day then Easter. Yikes I better get cutting. Thanks for all your great videos
But what do you do with all those projects?
@During the summer I sell them at a community sidewalk sale they have it once a month. I sew for fun, and I don’t charge a lot of money but I make a lot of people happy. I always have a gift on hand. Sometimes I will mail a little something to someone to say IM THINKING OF YOU.
My husband noticed one day when accompanying me to the fabric store (rare but true) that I salivated when walking in the store. Come on now you know you do it too - lol!
Wonderful advice and so on target! I love ever piece I have, but will never use - giving away to charity is best for me. Thanks, Jan.
I thought I had a lot of fabric ... I'm feeling a lot better
Fabric is not my problem. YARN! Yarn is my problem. Good to see you, Jan. Hope you and your family are doing well. ❤
Same here. I get attached to a yarn and want every colour. Then I seem to outgrow that one, find another and want every colour in that one. I have a dozen projects on the go at once. Not enough time! 😀
I am a middle-aged beginning quilter. I am trying to build my stash, if you will, so that when I retire in a few years, if I'm not able to always afford to buy fabric, I will have some built up to be able to make quilts or projects. I don't have it sorted in any way yet, but will work on that in the upcoming years so I know what I have.
Thanks for the video, Jan. Good timing as we all start thinking about what projects we want to work on in the new year. I, also, have a new grandchild and saved flannel as we've been waiting for 5 years for this child. But there are only so many burp rags, bibs, breastfeeding pads and receiving blankets one child and parents can use. Now it's time to go through my flannel and make pieced backings for donation quilts.
You could make gowns or dresses or overalls for next sizes up.
Love your videos.
Is that a button on your head 😂
Whatever it is, it’s extremely distracting. It kept drawing my attention, making it difficult to keep focused on her video.
Jan your channel has been a god send! I’ve just started learning sewing and by far this is one of my favourite channels. You explain things so clearly and with such care. Thank you for your content!
This video is giving me the courage to tackle my 'over the hall--both sides, up to the sky' stash! Thanks!!
It seems you may need to have a fabric sale! Wholly moly! Or maybe a fabric exchange for your sewing/quilting friends. And here I was thinking my 3 bins and half a closet was too much fabric! Well, see there, you made me feel great about the amount of fabric I have. :) Happy winter projects everyone!
I have limited space but also love fabric. Few weeks ago I purged but really think I need to go through and purge more. I didn't even miss it when I let it go. It's been very satisfying. Now to have control and not buy when I really don't need. Eye opening video. Looking forward to your scrappy tutorials! 😊
Thank you, just found you. I am trying to declutter now. I subscribed. Looking forward to watching more of your inspiration.
I love fabric . Thank you for sharing.❤
Wunderbares Video ❤ Mein Problem ist leider, daß ich schneller Stoff kaufen kann als vernähen. Wenn die Sammlung überhand nimmt verschenke ich Stoffe.
I agree with you 100%. I do find myself anxious. Sometimes I just want to scream into a pillow🤪 and then I sit back and just shake make head. I have been decluttering a couple of times last year. And I will this year as well. I find that my taste in fabric has changed a bit. So, with that said, I set aside what I know I won't be using, and I part with it. I also use plastic bins to. Easier to see what you have and easy to move around. Thank you for this.🤩
You are so welcome!
Oh Jan, I think we're twins!! I just cleaned out my sewing room a few months ago and I love it! It's still crowded but it's my happy place. And yes, I still have way too much! Miss you friend.
What about rag rug? - My husband builted a loom for me and I made about 20 rag rugs out of old shirt, blankets.
I have made various projects for older people from leftover fabric.
Dementia quilts, nesting blankets, small fabric balls for gripping exercises.
Bags with smaller leftovers are great for selling or donating.
What type of loom? I would love to do something like that.
ua-cam.com/video/v2c_Agdw068/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared. channel DIY on the house. There you can learn how to build the loom and how to weave the rag rug.
@Gabi-lt4mx thank you. Do you weave like twining? Or do you just do like a potholder. I would like to do like potholder style but much bigger than a potholder. Do you think that would work?
I love fabric too. I look at older clothing, sheets, blankets,in a different way now…fabric! I like to use pieces of extra flannel as a backing to placemats, mug rugs, coasters, it’s nice and soft. Or as the middle fabric in the projects instead of batting. I love the possibilities. I must admit my fabric isn’t very well organized. I need to work on that. These are great suggestions. Thank you
Oh my! You have a lot of fabric. Enjoy your videos.
Well there you go, I just told my friend that I should be ashamed of myself at how big my fabric stash was. Now I feel so much better. You win
Great tips here, Jan. Thank you! In the last several years, I've developed a very painful neuropathy and had to stop almost all sewing and quilting. However, my brain tends to convince me that I *can* still sew and that I need to buy this or that new fabric for a project that I KNOW will never get made. I partly blame my massive stash on my situation, but I also blame the quilt fabric industry. Doesn't it seem like each designer has double the fabric lines each year, as opposed to several years ago?? And with social media, the emotional pressure I feel to BUY that next line - and the next - and the next, is real. It's all SO OVERWHELMING. And unfortunately, I don't have the pain reserves necessary to declutter/destash, so I sit in a mess of craft supplies all day every day (not exaggerating - my sewing room is my bedroom!). It's depressing. And since getting sick, I've lost all my friends, so no one to come help me. ARGH! Thanks for listening to me gripe, y'all!!
Very good! thank's...I Love fabrics
You are so welcome!
I love fabric also and have quite a stash. Years of it. The last 4 years have been dedicated to winding it down. I have made some progress but then I buy more. Fleece went to animal blankets for shelters. Lots of charity work including making thousands of masks.
You have a lot of great cupboards Jan, I do give away pieces of fabric I think I will never use, someone will use it. I agree about the younger mothers only wanting neutral colours when I love bright colours, I have also hand,to go and buy more fabric and not use what I had collected, once your grandchildren are bigger they choose for themselves and they often choose bright colours, Deb
WOW! I feel much better about the amount of fabric I have, thank you. Now, I just need to organize it better.
Great ideas! Thank you!
Thanks for the info and ideas!❤
Thanks, Jan! Good luck with your destashing. Also, watch Karen Brown's Destashing challenge.
I donated a lot of my fabric to our Union Gospel Mission. They have a thrift store and said fabric goes really fast. The proceeds are used to help homeless people. I’m also going to use some for dog blankets for our local shelter.
I wish you had told me this 10 years ago …before all this happened! Thanks, Jan!
There is an an acronym that you can frame and hang over your fabric collections -" STABLE " = Stash That Accumulates Beyond Life Expectancy! It will serve as a reminder that you have enough and also someone in your family may have to take the time to sort, sell, donate all of this.
Great video! You mentioned upcycled denim. I would love to see a video on ideas to use old jeans!
Bonjour de France ! Sur UA-cam et Pinterest vous trouverez mille trésors et astuces pour utiliser le jean. De quoi se faire plaisir. J’ai fait plein de sacs tous très différents les uns des autres et magnifiques. Bon courage et bonnes cousettes 🥰
There is one on the way. Stay tuned.
@@JanHowelloh ! Super 👍merci 🙏
@@JanHowell Looking forward to it!!!
Thank you, I appreciate this video,❤
I’ve noticed the trend for baby burps & blankets have shifted from flannel to double gauze...but never fear, what goes around comes around. Remember the 70’s clothing? Those were the days!
Your own personal Joann's. I would love to shop your stash 😢❤
Great video Jan. Thank you. Be brave I hear. I liked seeing your full shot. You are tiny. 🥰 I have way too much. My guild has given away fabric and when I first started, Quilting, I would take it now they’re hidden in another room actually they’re in view, but they’re not the things that I like now I keep telling myself be brave. Put it in a bag and take it back to the guild another one of my struggles is, I’m not sure what to do after I make a project and I still have a lot of the fabric do I cut it all up into 2 inch 5“ and 10 inch squares. Do I leave it in the box to make a product with the same fabric? I’m struggling I don’t know. thank you for your tips ❤
Great video!! My problem is - I really enjoy looking for and purchasing fabric and patterns. It is like a hobby into itself. I need to remind myself how long it would take to complete these projects I am thinking of!! Just a note regarding flannel - there are different qualities of flannel.- some I have washed just a couple of times and they have really pilled and did not last. Your fabric looks very neat and organized, but to be honest, I felt a little overwhelmed, thinking about my stash now!
Love all the great tips/ideas you’ve given-very helpful & plan to use them! On a side note, is that a microphone-added item in your hair :)?
Jan, my grandchildren would call you a "fabric hoarder". 😂 After they called me that I donated a ton of fabric to Savers and I gave some precuts to friends of mine because I hadn't used them in the 5 years that I had them.
My stash of fabric is stored in clear boxes and split into Spots, Stripes, Floral, Stars, etc 😊but I don’t have bolts of fabric. I think I may have a touch of OCD as my sewing threads are colour coded into small zip-lock bags with matching filled bobbin - sad, or what?!!
Curious what are you planning with your sweater collection..sew many possibilities?
Cluttered space = cluttered brain. So 'liberating' to clear the decks
What is on the top of your head?
I was bugged with that thing the whole time too. 😂Very curious to know. Hope she answers.
Am no longer a fan of fleece, especially when you wash items made with it. Paid like $40.00 years ago for a fleece dog bed - never again. Did the fleece no sew blanket once - never again. Made stuff for my local animal shelter with all my fleece that I had left. Like the baby blankets at Dollar Tree for snuffle mats for the local animal shelter too. Now I use the soft blankets for 5.00 or less for my dog obedience classes. Old towels for the one side and even a part of the mat I cut up clean old socks for a snuffle portion of the mat. Helps new dog owners see just how effective snuffle mats can be. Hope that helps. TY for this video. Most of my fabric is 1/2 or 1 yard pieces as I make washable and reversible tote bags in bulk. A minimum of 20 at a time. (No birthing of the bags, lining is tacked down, handles double stitched between the bags). Sometimes my friend will grab some fabric at thrift stores too. Finally completed my first burrito pillowcase and hope to do a few more of those, along with READ pillows for our local READ Therapy Dog program.
I swear to God woman y'all just saved my life😅. Or more accurately saved me from Eldest Son from purging my stash. May you be abundantly blessed ❤
Maybe you could make little bundles of fabric you want to donate and have a give away for some of your subscribers 😊
Just a thought 😉
I’m a material girl, wanna see my fabric stash
How do you felt your wool sweaters? My friend gave me her mom’s wool poncho to sew a bag for her. I’m afraid I will ruin it…
❤❤
My name is Cynthia, and I have too much fabric 😔
❤😢
Too much talk. Demonstrations appreciated.
Rude comment, scroll away
Thanks for the feedback.
I have really big stash (though bit smaller then yours) and I love to have it. I live in Europe and fabric is very expensive here so normally I shop on sales, especially when sale is for off-cuts, bolt ends, etc. I know what fabric I like to use (mainly knitwear) and what I most often sew so having decent stash helps me to avoid stress and saves time and money. I do not buy something just because it is on sale. It has to be "sale + my favorite fabric & color" combo.