Hello! I hope you’re having a great week! Welcome to Sew Your Stash 2019 | 2. Today I’m talking about all things “sew your stash.” This is the second post in my new series of posts to help each of us use our time and our fabric stash to create some wonderful projects in 2019. I plan to post weekly (either on Thursdays or Fridays) to share these ideas with you throughout the year. Enjoy!
Sew Your Stash 2019 | 2
Last week I began the series with an introductory post and three assignments. How did you do on those? I finally finished up the final one of the three (making my list of “to start” projects) last evening. So now I’m ready to get going. (If you missed last week’s post, you can find it here).
This week I’m going to give you two more tasks to do and challenge you to work on something from one of your lists for at least 2 hours.
Step One: Take a Quick Inventory
First, if you’re really committed to using your fabrics on hand as much as possible, you’ll want to also take inventory of those fabrics that you can readily use for projects–now. My friend Holly has a great group of printable pages for listing both Works in Progress and Quilts to Make and for taking inventory of pre-cuts you might have in your fabric stash. But you can use any method you’d like for your inventory. Make a spreadsheet, or simply make a list in a notebook. Record pre-cut sizes and fabric collection name or style (you might want to separate your list by types such as mini charms, jelly rolls, etc.). Also include any other fabrics you’re ready to use now in your inventory (perhaps you have a lot of Christmas scraps or an entire bin of 4th of July fabrics).
Step Two: Set an Organizing Goal & Time
As much as I’ve tried (and failed) to get organized once and for all over the years, it just doesn’t work that way. In order to stay organized, I simply have to block out some time each week for organizing tasks. I can generally stay pretty caught up if I schedule just one hour a week for this (and sometimes I can get by with less). Here are the tasks I do weekly either on Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings:
- Clear off work surfaces as I mentioned last week.
- Making sure I have a supply of wound bobbins and that my machine is oiled and a new needle installed after every five bobbins
- Quickly read my notes and goals for the week (I’m using the Quilter’s Planner this year and absolutely love it so far)!
- Empty my sewing room trash bin and thread catchers and Swiffer the floor.
Step Three: Pick a Project to Start … And Start!
After picking a project to start (preferably a new one that you can use existing stash fabrics for), commit to working at least two hours on it. Two hours is a good amount of time to really get going on a project. You should be able to get a good amount of things cut out so that you can do a little sewing on it as well. I’m actually going to be working on my Village houses Work in Progress that will allow me to add in existing stash since it’s a scrappy project. I haven’t yet made any houses using our Walkabout collection, and I’m super excited to get some of them into the mix!
The Sew Your Stash Landing Page
I also want to let you know that I’ve set up the Sew Your Stash Landing page. You can access it by clicking on “Tips & More” from my menu bar at the top of the page. Then click on the “Sew Your Stash” tab where I have a page that will link all of the posts after they’ve been published so they are easy to find and access.
I hope you had fun reading this Sew Your Stash 2019 | 2 post and also enjoy getting started with your projects this week. I’ve been having a lot of fun preparing for these posts! I have several weeks planned out ahead in my notebook, but if there is a specific topic you’d like me to address, I’d love to have you leave it in the comments below.
Finally…thank you so much for the lovely comments and emails and IG messages for the upcoming book announcement yesterday! Thanks so much for stopping by–Happy quilting!
Judith E. Davis says
Love the works in progress storage! Where was it purchased???
Sara Q says
It looks like the ELFA drawers, racks that I bought from The Container Store….BTW, on sale in n January.
Robin says
I look forward to your posts and can’t wait for your book!
Barb Seitz says
Love all your posts. Enjoy watching as things progress
paulette says
your suggestions all have good points – don’t know if I can follow all but at least I have some ideas on starting and keeping on track! thanks
Nancy Thompson says
Just love your sewing room especially all of the minis on the walls.
Looking forward to your new book!
Anita Jackson says
Great idea to make a list of “things to Make” – I will be using some of the ideas each week – as my space is just a tiny area in my camper while I travel for work, this should be pretty easy. All fabrics were organized over the holidays at home…I like the inventory system so I will be looking the bins and shelves over this week!
Lynne Howell says
Ican you work on full size quilts in your camper
Liz says
Where did you get your storage drawers?
Sue B says
They look like ones I bought years ago at the Container Store.
Sara Q says
Yes! I have several in our master closet.
They’re great.
Lori Summers says
I look forward to your posts. I love your craft room! So bright and pretty.
Hildy says
Thanks for your post! I really need to sew more with my stash I have so many (beautiful)fabrics but I just resist to buy new ones;-) This weekend I hope I finish the quilt top from your BOM 2018 it ould be a WIP I can cross off my to-so-list.
Laura Sloan says
Finally something that makes practical sense to me: “a new needle installed after every five bobbins”. Most things I see say to change after every project or after 8 hours of sewing. Well, I have 2-5 projects going at the same time and I don’t keep a timer by my sewing machine! I always enjoy your posts, thank you!
Susan LeBlanc says
I agree ☝️ an excellent tip
Julie says
Congratulations on the book! Thank you for doing these posts! Great info for getting organized! I also would like to know where your mesh drawer storage unit is from.
sherri McConnell says
It’s from Ikea… Thank you!
Sherri
Kim says
My goal for 2019 is to become more organized. Not only with my sewing projects but in all areas. I’m also using The Quilters Planner (for the first time) to help me accomplish this. I love your tips and look forward to more.
Is your friend Holly willing to share samples of her printable pages? ?
Rita Hope-Haverman says
Is there a link to your friend Holly’s printable fabric inventory sheets? I certainly need that. Great posts here. Very inspiring. Thank you so much.
Gwyn says
I too didn’t know I should change my needle THAT often. Based on my UFO goals for the next six months, I should stock up. If I sew two hours today, I should finish my January UFO goal. Thank you for the inspiration!
Bess says
Thanks for putting these posts together – I’m really looking forward to using more of my stash! Does your friend, Holly, have a page to find her pages to print? Thanks!
Kay Welch says
I have my 12 WIPs list on my bulletin board, and will now add a new project list to hang with the WIPs. I have already planned a time for reorganizing my stash – it’s my carrot for finishing two quilts this month. Your Sew Your Stash is perfect timing for me because I want to sew my stash – I’ve been hoarding it long enough. (lol)
Denice Easter says
I would love to sign up for your newsletter if you have one.
sherri McConnell says
Just sign up right on the main page with your email. I believe you’ll also need to confirm the subscription after you’ve signed up. And sometimes those got to spam folders. Thank you!
CINDY Meldrum says
In you storage unit, the bottom drawer is labelled borders/bindings. How do you determine how…do you make them according to w.i.p.s or are they just scraps for future projects? Your posts are very helpful. Thank you.