It has come to my attention that I have too much in the way of craft supplies.  Ok, this isn’t exactly a new revelation, but it is one I’ve been trying to deal with for a while now.  I tend to pick up fabric and other craft supplies I think I might need (someday) whenever I see them at a yard sale or thrift store.  My fabric bins overfloweth.  My stash of ribbons, trims, beads, elastic, etc. overfloweth.  I treat my craft supplies a bit like my pantry in that I like to have it full so that when I’m ready I have everything I need.  Unlike my pantry, however; I’m don’t rotate the stock in the sewing room often enough.

I’ve come up with a plan to change that:

  • I’m putting myself on a craft supply buying fast.  There will be no purchasing of any supplies whether new or previously owned until my current supply fits into the 7 drawers / bins that fit neatly into the sewing room closet.
  • I’ve already put the fabric I don’t think I’ll ever use that came in all those $1 boxes from yard sales into our purge stack.  This purge stack will either be sold at a yard sale later this summer or donated.
  • Miscellaneous crafty items (beads, ribbons, etc.) will be cleaned out, purged, and organized.  I have a few items I’m going to pass on to some crafty friends that I think could use them (I’ll email them first before passing on items that could be considered clutter).
  • The stuff not being purged will be used up before I can finish my fast.  I’ll be using the items to make gifts for the many birthdays and holidays that will be approaching.  I also hope to sell a few items that I make from this great de-stash (the selling of items would go towards my Doing Not Thinking Challenge Goals).

I’m sharing this plan for a couple of reasons: 1) to keep myself accountable, and 2) to get your ideas, suggestions, links, etc. for project ideas.  Most of the fabric I have is in smaller amounts, less than 1 yard, so I need project ideas that I can with those bits and pieces of fabric.  I know how to do patchwork bags, quilts, etc. but I think I’m missing something in the way of small sewn items that could make great gifts.  I look forward to reading your suggestions and sharing my progress and projects with you in the coming months.