I'm super not on top of things like today being the terrible anniversary of the legalization of abortion. Here is this post from years past, which is my reflection on how the remedy for this dire situation we are in is to re-commit to marriage — our own and others'. Today I will be praying at the Planned Parenthood “clinic” in Worcester, Massachusetts. Please pray and offer penance to end legalized abortion!
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
{pretty}
I went to Trader Joe's with Deirdre near where she lives now. Not very near. But I don't have one near me, so we took advantage of an outing. I got these flowers as a treat (I rarely splurge on such things but, January), and the checkout guy gave them to me for free! All the sweeter…
We have to figure out the wood on the island. All the heat from the wood-burning stove has warped and split it. Sigh.
{happy}
{funnynotfunny and real}
I was scrounging around in my fabric stash for ideas for the scrappy quilt I am making and it hit me.
I am a textile hoarder.
You know, when you have lots of useful things, that is just having stuff.
Hoarding is when you have lots and lots and lots of things that to others would appear utterly useless but to you are precious things that just someday might come in handy if you really needed or wanted to make something…
Oh, it's all very well when it's a lot of (sort of) neatly folded items decoratively gracing a few shelves. That's almost normal. It's a quirk of yours. You might not be like other people who don't go there, but you are well within the limits; far, far from hoarding.
Let's skip lightly over the bit of rubber matting that can go under something that is slipping, if you have something that is slipping. (Not a rug — it's not enough for a rug. Something else. Littler.) And the fabric from bygone valences that you just can't part with. And the little scraps of different kinds of muslin in a bin — you know, muslin is not all the same.
What if you need a certain kind of muslin. A small piece.
But then…
Okay, you have a scrap quilt going on. Okay, two. Got it. Never mind that wool skirt that doesn't fit, but the wool is gorgeous, and that linen in the foreground. It's linen.
But then…
What is this?? (Under that other thing that yes, is full of potential wonderful things.) It's a big bin of scraps! Remember the joke about the box labeled “Bits of string too short to save?” Yeah.
Here we have different kinds of scraps (yes, they come in kinds), some cut into squares. Some are for a vintage 40s quilt. A tiny one. No one could be expected to throw those away. You can't see them. They are buried under the other scraps. There's a blouse or two in there that I can't bring myself to cut up — you know, in case they come in handy as blouses.
But then… there are blouses and shirts that I have cut up, because the fabric is just so amazing, but you shouldn't keep the whole garment. That would be hoardish. No, I've responsibly cut them up into the useful bits. And then made a separate bag for these other bits:
I just know that a really creative sort of… quiltish thing… could be made with plackets and pockets! I love them so!
But then… upstairs… is this:
It's an even bigger bin with an old suede jacket that could be cut up for soles of slippers… and a fleece that could be the batting for a quilt… and scraps of batting for little quilts (give me credit… I have a plan for those few scraps downstairs, batting-wise)… and other sweet shirtings… and sweaters that are terrible qua sweaters but are luscious when viewed as potential crafted things…
And way under there there are about 10 pounds of wool strips for braiding into rugs! Braided rugs are awesome! and I couldn't say no when I was offered all that wool!!
Please…
Please…
Rescue me…
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Shelley says
Oh, you are so not alone in this love of fabrics – even ‘useless’ scraps. My sewing room and my attic are full…I do use them but I won’t likely live long enough to use them all up – and I never turn down an offer (sigh).
Christine says
I don’t even know how to sew, and I have a stash (albeit much smaller) of textiles. For those quilts I was going to make by hand 15 years ago. Note that 9years ago we moved and I brought those textiles with me.
This post made me smile. Thanks.
Claire Potter says
Funny, not funny! You summed it up! Just funny for us though. Loved the little insight into your life and mind!!!
Lisa Rose says
Oh man, I am right there with you! It seems immoral to throw out all those potentially good pieces (we have the gift of seeing potential, don’t we?). 😉 At least you make scrappy little quilts…
NY Mom says
Wonderful post! What used to be called thrift and economy is nowadays dismissed as “hoarding”. We need to reclaim the virtue that is rightfully ours, the saving and curating of beloved fabrics. I have a dear friend who fled Germany during the war and bounced from one refugee camp to another. She told me they never threw away knitted garments when they outgrew them. The item was carefully unravelled or disassembled, and the yarn rewound and used to make something else. A sweater could yield a vest and child’s mittens, but was never simply discarded.
I only wish we lived long enough to put all our stashes to good use…
Marcia says
I am touched by this. Thank you.
Theresa says
Auntie Leila, I love this post! My textile hoard is almost contained in two locked cabinets of an old mid-20th-century curio piece, but that doesn’t count the 12 balls of yarn in my room or the gallon bag of tiny scraps for that “someday” quilt. 😉 Actually, the hoard in my bedroom was worse (my sewing desk is in there until our babies get older) but my husband tossed most of it during a bedroom clean out–and I blessed him for it because I knew I lacked the will to do it myself! 😉
Julie says
Hoarders o America, Unite! I have lots of ideas for my scraps, but sadly, not nearly enough time. That doesn’t stop me from collecting. And I LOVE your gray sorter thingee – we have a yellow one that I bought at a yard sale and it’s been the perfect home to matchbox cars, trains, and random small toys.
Kathy@9peas says
Hello my name is Kathryn and I’m a textile hoarder as well, it has been 3 months since I purchased fabric and I get the twitch every few days (even sneaking visits to etsy to see if anything looks good) while I have enough fabric to finish many sets of curtains or quilts etc… if someone offers to give me their fabric stash I suddenly feel I MUST have it (you never know what gem might be in there). You are not alone Leila!
Kathia says
I think it is a sign of creativity. (From one inspired hoarder to another…)
Also, your fabric stashes are very Catholic. They are multiplying. 🙂
laura says
My name is Laura and I’m a textile hoarder… full dresser, full trunk, a few store bags full… but with 5 children, when do I have time to sew? uhm, NEVER! lol Sometimes the reality of our consumerist mentality of “run to walmart and buy it” just grates on me. The thought of knitting the fam’s socks/mittens, sewing their clothes is just so appealing… yet so impossible… Well, at least I shop at thrift stores where I can afford better brands than I can afford 🙂 (but thrift stores are a double edged sword–they are a great source of cheap FABRIC!)
Laura says
Those flowers are beautiful. I love Trader Joe’s flowers and they are usually so cheap it’s hard to resist picking some up.
Kimberlee says
Oh, it’s lovely to peek at your stash and also at the workings of a thrifty and creative mind. I agree with NY mom – what used to be considered a virtue is now labelled as the modern vice of hoarding. You are masterful at making beautiful things out of your stash, and sharing them generously. For some us of, thrift and the desire to re-purpose and make-do is in our blood. My father lived through the Depression – we saved Everything. It’s not like you are always rushing out to the quilt shop to buy the latest designer prints. And I’m sure you would share happily if someone came along wanting to learn how to sew and needing some fabric. There are different sorts of creative minds – there are those who like to pick a pattern and choose fabric and then go and make the thing, and then there are those who like to peruse the materials available and see what they can come up with to make. The latter requires the existence of a good stash. My son, who has nicely organized bags of linen, wool, leather etc. in his room, once explained this to me and I quite agree with him. PS Those bits of string too short to save can be put out for the nesting birds in spring, ha! 😉
PPS Are those grey woolies hand warmers? They look wonderful!
Lisa G. says
This is me EXACTLY. I will say no more about it, except that I’m most seriously displeased with myself. :O
Claudia says
Aunt Leila, I appreciate this post!
although I have a tote full of shrunken wool so I can learn to make felted hats and mittens, my current heart throb is mosaics. Hoarding broken dishes, glass, tile, substrates, and grout is such a messy business! You can rest easy knowing your collection is useful, clean, and lovely!
Laura Jeanne says
Well, I don’t know. I don’t really see your “hoarding” as a bad thing, Leila. Over the years I’ve seen you post some very pretty quilts that you made, with very little expense, from that very stash. I think that’s quite wonderful actually. Very thrifty and old-timey. How much would it have cost you to run to the fabric store and purchase fabric by the yard for each of those baby quilts? A small fortune, and then they wouldn’t have had cute vintage fabrics like that green one with little churches that was just adorable!
I know some of that other stuff is more questionable, but hey, it’s not like you don’t have room to store things in your house. I have a big old country house and I too am starting to build up a pretty good stash of yarn and fabric. And a box of old t-shirts to braid into a rug. And I cut all the buttons off used up clothes, and sometimes pockets too.
You should see my grandmother’s stash – she’s almost 97 and still lives on her own, and has an entire room of her house dedicated to sewing. If I need something specific for a project, I go to her before I go to the store – she has a better selection, lol. I have been selling some of her old patterns on Etsy (which she gave me for that purpose), but I cannot bring myself to sell fabric, although I probably do have tons that I will never use. You just never know when you might need it!
Margo, Thrift at Home says
You are wonderfully creative and clever and you have built yourself a nice pantry of scraps. Just think if you had to go buy NEW materials at like, you know, a STORE, every time you wanted to make something. I cannot agree that you are a hoarder!!! That said, when I was displaced from an actual sewing room before Christmas and had to find new places for my fabric (and stuff) stash, I did sort some of it out and give it to my creative reuse shop. Ah, that is a dangerous shop. It’s like a thrift store of craft stuff. So I can donate my odd bits to it and they will take them and sell them, BUT I can also find more odd bits there and add them to my stash. . . .
As for those beautiful tulips, I think midwinter is the best time to buy flowers! My birthday is in March and I always treat myself to daffodils. Maybe I will stop by the flower stand at market tomorrow. . .
Susanna says
Two moves in two years have majorly shrunk my fabric stash. I held onto everything for the first move, but when I realized that I hadn’t even THOUGHT about any of those potential projects in a whole year, I gave it all to Goodwill. I’m sure they threw it all away, but that was more than I could do myself. There is really such a fine line between thrifty creativity, and full-blown, certifiable hoarding.
Rebekah says
I love your fabric scraps. Feels just like home. I’ve settled on tidyish boxes with lids and labels by “type of scrap”. One is labeled “diaper supplies”, ha! As if those projects will ever be completed with the wretched scraps compiled there. But, wool!
claire says
You are adorable! I love you! You fill me with mirth! And wisdom…. and make me believe I can do what I need to do. GREAT post!!!
Jen G says
I hoard the tiniest scraps of fabrics and trims, too. My little girls have found the scrap bags and have been making all sorts of “designer outftis” for their dolls with them, which is great, but I’ll admit I had a mental battle at first shouting “But I might need that for something later!” in my head as they glued scraps together. Now it gives them something to do while I sew, which is lovely.
I still might have found another use for it though…. 😉
Jennifer says
Oh, it really is funny and not funny but it gave me a good chuckle.
Maurisa says
The tulips are lovely. They make me antsy for spring. I’m not much for crafting. Thankfully my hoarding comes in pixels–you should see my photo libraries!
Annalisa says
Oh, Oh, yes! Even down to the responsibly cut up shirts… then keeping a bag of the extra bits, because how could I get rid of button plackets? And all those tiny scraps can be used for stuffing the sewing projects of the kids. I have a dangerous resource at my finger tips; the seminary where we live has a place where people can bring things and take things for free! I don’t even have the helpful barrier of a price tag to keep me discerning. But it might be USEFUL.
Melissa says
HeeHee! Now I don’t feel so bad about the few bins of fabric and yarn and things that I have tucked away. By the way, did you know that if you put a few pennies in the bottom of your tulip vase, it will keep the tulips nice and straight for a longer time?
Janet Quinlan says
LOVED this! Try having a business where you simply can’t throw away any scraps because “there must be something I can use this for!”
AND…..I’m thinking I’m going to go get some tulips!
Elizabeth says
I am just on the beginnings of learning to sew….and I can already see myself exactly where you are (so I guess I have to take care on that one!). :)))))) I do understand not wanting to get rid of such lovely fabrics/textiles. I do think some beautiful quilts could be made of what you have! 🙂 I love Trader Joes too and my husband and I do an annual TJ’s run as there is not one near by (which is actually a good thing in some ways!!) … I need to get some flowers around the house too! 🙂
Cynthia says
Sorry, no help with the hording here. I believe I inherited the tendency. My paternal grandmother is 84 and is working on sewing up her stash before she dies. I have a box of fabric that belonged to my paternal great-grandmother, and leather scraps that belonged to my maternal grandfather. Heck, I’ve inherited stuff from other people’s grandparents. I found the perfect gingham to make bloomers to match my daughter’s baby doll’s dress in one of those donated collections. It is nice to be able to grab some scraps and make a requested matching outfit for a doll on a whim. My 3yo was thrilled that her dolly could have underwear that matched hers. Now that our budget is tighter, that fabric stash is saving the day for crafting possibilities for my daughters who want to sew things along with useful garments. You never know when it might even be necessary; I just made myself new pj’s with some fabric that has been aging in my stash for 11 years. Who knows, I might even someday make the skirt that I bought the material for in high school…
Elizabeth says
So, it’s not just me! But I knew that. This is some type of disease, I swear. Maybe someone will come up with a vaccination? But then, would I want a vaccination that would undo my ability to see the potential and beauty in things most people throw away? Is there a point at which this goes from pleasant and quirky to weird and unhealthy? If I’m saving fabric scraps, but never bits of packaging, is that ok? To my credit, I read a book by a woman who saves all her junk mail to turn into little miniature scrap books (she gushed about the possibilities opened up by envelopes with windows). It also contained directions for turning toilet paper tubes into album covers (small ones). And all I could think was “I have SO MUCH JUNK already, and now you want me to save my trash?? WHY?!?” So I think there may be hope for me.
Donna L. says
These are not useless pieces of stuff–what you have are:
RESOURCES!
And the word I think would best describe you is: “Resourceful”–most definitely *not* a hoarder….
I will echo what others have said above…thrifty, old-timey, thoughtful, creative….shall I continue?
Bless you for sharing
Wendy says
I wish I could say I have no idea what you’re talking about. But not only would that be a lie, but then I wouldn’t be who I am. Thanks for sharing.
sue mcmillen says
ahhhh…..How I loved this post! I especially loved the women who commented that it was a virtue to use and not throw things away. When my kids where young and the bottom sheet of a set of flannel sheets wore out, the top sheet became pj’s for the kids. I have quilts made by my great grandmother and grandmother and mother made from the scraps of the clothes they wore. I know a women who purchased used woolen clothes and made the most beautiful jacket for herself for pennies. Have you checked the price of reclaimed yarn at yarn stores lately? Pricey! All that being said I must stand up and say: Hello, My name is Sue and I am a textile/fiber hoarder. Not only do I hoard the scarps the the clothes that I sewed my children, I have fabric bought on sale (sometimes not on sale) that was too beautiful to pass up that has not yet been sewn. (we won’t say how much) I have bought fabric quilts and have many undone projects. There is much yarn that has yet to be used but I console myself with the thought that my daughter will surely use it if I don’t. But then, there is the fiber for my spinning wheel(s). Oh, the intoxication of it all! And now, I am listening to the siren song of the “walking wheel”. It tells me that it will complete my collection. And that it will help me get rid of all that fiber stash. Not to mention the warped pool table in the basement that nobody uses.
I have given things away. Old clothes do find there way into the SVDP. Even not so old clothes. And I am making another pass through shortly. BUT………What about all that square wear sitting in bins in the attic. (from square dancing) WELL… we might square dance again. It could be made into childrens clothes, doll clothes and quilts. So many things and it is so pretty. Oh dear, I had better get sewing, quilting, knitting, spinning……
Robin Heim says
Oh, my, FUNNY stuff here. I do believe we are all hoarders for those things that make us gleeful (and then some).
Nancy says
There is hope! As pagan and worldy as it sounds, I love fabric, pattern and color. I thought it was a shame that I couldn’t just hang beautiful piece of fabric randomly about the house (one can only have so many throw pillows). I had quite a stash – shelves with neatly folded unused fabric, bins of scraps sorted into color, drawers of wool and courduroy and silk. However, I was healed this past year. There was a slim possibility that we would move across country, so I started looking around at what I had, asking myself what I really thought would be worth packing and taking up room in a moving van. Fabric (as light as it is) was not on my (or my husband’s)list. Also, I had come to the realization that even if I lived to be the 80 years of the strong, I could not possibly use up all this fabric (given my track record) and then what would become of it? Would my kids be doomed to store it out of filial piety? This really hit home because my mother who is turning 80 this year is thinking about moving in with one of her children. The thing that holds her back is what to do about all her stuff. She is a “saver” and she does not have the time to use up her stashes nor the energy to sort through it all. So she in a state of inertia and I and my siblings are just a wee bit frustrated with her.
So I did a major purge this summer. I gave bags and bags of fabric to a thrift store where I knew it would be passed on to the ladies in the quilting guild. I kept two bins of scraps for repairs and small projects (I have realized that I really do not enjoy making large quilts) and a small shelf of unused fabric that I have a definite plan of what projects I’m going to use them for. I was on such a roll, I went through the whole house and did the same purge. How many pillow cases does one family need? Out went all those outgrown kids’ clothes I’d been saving for my grandchildren (whose parents obviously won’t be able to afford to cloth their children well and will have the exact same tastes as myself). Bags and bags went to the thrift store where they could help some family NOW. It was a beautiful summer. I felt like a new, energized woman, despite the graying hair.
Julie says
I love the idea of Blessing Someone Now! I’m a little too attached to do that with my scraps (except for ugly ones), but hand-me-down clothes for sure (Who needs 20 pairs of size 6 pants?!). There’s only so many items a child needs and with a W&D, we can do laundry often.
Dixie says
Well, I just finished making a crazy quilt for the baby. About 1/2 of the way into it I realized that I did not have enough scraps (!) and had to scavenge in a friend’s stash in order to make the last squares.
Learn from my mistakes! Hoard, hoard, hoard! 😉
Tori says
Oh yes, I have bins of fabric, scraps, batting, stuffing, old clothes, old blankets, etc that I just can’t bear to get rid of. I don’t have a hoard of selvedges yet but seeing what some people have done with them makes me think I should.
Mamabearjd(Michelle) says
I noticed your tulips the other day and almost tweeted you a picture of mine, which were the exact same color. I had a friend who worked at an upscale florist and she taught me to buy two bouquets of tulips, trim them and pack them tightly (tighter than you think you want to) into a vase. I have to say, whenever I splurge to do this, it looks great!
Marianna says
I’m wondering if food grade mineral oil would work on your island. Or possibly furniture grade beeswax?? Both would be relatively expensive to buy in the volume you would need, but might be obtainable through a custom cabinet maker for a discount. Good luck! It really is a beautiful counter.
Kari says
I worked with a man once who was as big around as he was tall. When he left the organization, he left two dress shirts in a storage closet because they had an embroidered seal on the chest: size 3 or 4 XL. So, when I was cleaning out the closet, did I throw away the yards and yards of material? Oh, no! I took those shirts home and made my daughter a dress out of them! I cut out the seal and used one shirt as the dress (yellow) and the other as the straps and ruffles (blue). I probably still have some of that fabric hanging around. I also have thermal insulated curtain parts to make tea cozies out of, really ugly fabric just to make a “test garment” and not ruin my “good” fabric, etc. I have not, however, saved plackets, cuffs or collars. But I heard you can make really great paper out of old rags and I’ve thought about saving my scraps to use to make paper. I have a hard time throwing those little scraps away…lol.
Kari
Jen Thomason says
At least now I know I’m not the only one!!! I confess, I too am a textile hoarder, and even though I have downsized this past year two three bins! I still have a long way to go!! If only I didn’t have so many great ideas!
Mama Rachael says
Yep. I’m a textile horder, too. I haven’t had as much time to gather so much, but I’ve got a decent beginning. I told hubby that any fabric I haven’t used by the time we move (likely this summer or next) I’ll get rid of and not move it. It breaks my heart to think of all that useful fabric leaving my possession, but, really, I should let it be used by someone. :::sigh:::
Mama Rachael says
and one who can’t spell either.
Donna L. says
Wouldn’t it be a blast to have a group of quilters gather the pieces and bits all together to make quilts? Then you get to see all the fabric take form! I know, it’s a LOT of work to make a quilt…but then, many hands makes short work!
I am a *prisoner of possibilities* and cannot bring myself to begin a project…I “over-think it” I guess…if someone else says, “let’s start right now!” I would happily jump in….but to be the one to begin, {gulp!} Just. can’t. say. go…
Jamie says
I can’t help you because all of your textile keep explanations sound like me. I know there is a use for those darling Her Majesty underpants that my daughters wore. Precious! They are in the stash….
Marcia says
The only way that textile hoarders (me included) can justify hoarding is to sew, sew, and sew some more! Yes?
Anne says
Hahaha, I love you!
Plackets and pockets! Aren’t they hard to throw out…and yet I haven’t figured out a way to use them yet either. Maybe a whimsical quilt all from shirting could have a few pockets sewn in. That would be cute, right?
christineguest says
This year people have been giving me their old fabric stashes hopeing I’ll do something with weird 1980’s plaids that may or may not be wool (I did the burn test on the pretty ones, and gave a lot away, and I’ve been LIVING in my two new plaid skirts that ARE wool ).
I may take the rest to http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20090602/News/306029288 which is probably closer to me than it is to you. I doubt they’d take half shower curtains though!
Kim says
This probably won’t help but I’ll say it anyway, “Keep Calm and Hoard On”! I really don’t think there’s a cure for a textile addiction. 🙂 Love your blog and looking forward to following along! God Bless!
Mary Elizabeth says
My dear Nana died last year when she was almost 100 years old and I inherited her sewing room! What treasures!
I now have the best equipped sewing room of any 30something I know.
Get rid of the junk, the stuff you feel embarrassed about saving and consider the rest an investment in the girls.
Woman of the House says
Those tulips are beautiful! I don’t blame you one bit for buying them. January and February are when I’m most likely to buy flowers too. I think it is worth it to cheer things up a bit!