The Myth of Fabric Storage
I never set out to accumulate countless yards of fabric, but here we are. For a while, I was designing quilting patterns so for that I bought A LOT more fabric than any mere mortal should have. Not only does quilt pattern development require experimenting with the design, but in order to create a pattern that is likely to sell, you also need to replicate the quilt in a variety of colorways. Even more fabric! I’ve since migrated away from quilt designing because creating this comic about quilting takes up so much time, but I’m left with all those skeletons of partially completely or somewhat abandoned quilting efforts.
If Pinterest had its way, I’d build an entire wall of storage for that. I’m not saying that I haven’t sort of done that already but allow me to venture the opinion that if you aren’t using something then you shouldn’t hang on to it for an eternity in the off chance you might use it someday. Don’t throw it away but find someone else who will use it because storing something in a pretty cabinet isn’t going to increase the odds of you using it.
Fortunately for me, a family friend has just taken up quilting and, behold, she lives in an area where quilt shops are scarce. I packed up an entire USPS Large Flat Rate box for her, as much as the box could hold. I was sure to send her The Best Stuff. If I’m not going to get around to using some of my favorite fabrics, then someone else will! I also sent her a sewing machine. The 23 vintage sewing machines I still have is a story for another day.
Another friend has a particular interest in landscape quilts. Years ago, I designed a “Row by Row” block for my local quilt shop and went with a covered bridge theme, homage to my New England heritage. I bought all kinds of “rock” fabrics to get just the right look. Plus, water, wood, etc. Due to a happy conversation about all the fabric I had, I’ve re-homed another pile to someone who I know is going to use it.
I still have a long way to go, but I feel like finding people and organizations that can use this fabric is a better use of time, space and resources than creating even more storage solutions, no matter how cool they may be.
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Please join us here every other Wednesday for another fun, fiber-filled installment of By the Yard. You can read more By the Yard® comics at www.bytheyardcomics.com and check out the 5th annual By the Yard® Calendar for Quilters at www.bytheyardstore.com.
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