Tuesday, May 31, 2011

please don't nominate me for "hoarders"

I know it seems like I'm on my way to needing to be on that show...
...but I promise I don't!

or maybe i do?...
I just like to collect things.

Here is an old pic from one of the last times I sorted fabric.

Old Storage System
I had no idea how much fabric could be stored in 30 drawers till I spent this past weekend cleaning them out.

Now I store my fabric on mini-bolts.  I have over 200 of them.
{Most of them only have one fabric and are not this full.}

Some people collect purses or shoes... I collect fabric.

Lots and lots of fabric.

I work on a lot of things at once & have more in-progress bins and bags than I want to count.

I also collect more than just fabric.

books.

rulers.

thread.


When I was a kid I collected M&M things...
...but that's a story for another day
;-)

If anyone wants to come over & help me get my studio in order...
& catch up on some sewing...
let me know.

p.s.
Sorry for all the really old photos... I spent this past weekend moving & haven't had a free moment yet to take pictures etc.
at

56 comments:

  1. Dresden QuilterMay 31, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I would love to come and help you! I have to say for a hoarder you look pretty organized to me!

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  2. Marjorie's Busy CornerMay 31, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I think it's great to know that we are all the same..lol. I would love to get a chance to be in your shop for just a minute...but not close enough..shoot.....have fun; looks like you are doing fine

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  3. Needled MomMay 31, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Looks like we are collecting the same items!!! ;~))

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  4. harleywife57/ Mickey WhiteMay 31, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    my 'girly girl' friends don't understand why I wear only earrings ( usually 1 of 3 pair!) and my wedding ring ! or the same few shoes , and flip flops , and the same purse until it wears out . I can't be bothered with coordinating shoes , jewelry (earrings , necklaces and bracelets -- FORGET IT !) and shoes . Why would you have a whole closet to store shoes when you can use it for FABRIC and sewing SUPPLIES ! crazy girls ! they don't know what they are missing !!! YOUR storage looks wonderful and organized compared to mine !! don't worry ; I won't turn you in to anybody !!

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  5. Auntie PamiMay 31, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Julie, I won't call them for you if you won't call them for me. I have pegboard on the wall for my big rulers and some of those Office Depot/Costco under the desk drawers to store templates, scissors, small rulers, yo-yo/flower makers, etc. Get the idea? Don't you love the Container Store? Hope your new space is huge!

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  6. JocelynMay 31, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    ha,ha, I'm right up there with you girl. Only I need someone to come and help me organize my fabric addiction ;-) I've really been living out of rubbermaid containers too long.

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  7. bmervesMay 31, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    I love to put things in order. It calms my mind. I used to work in a fabric store and loved rearranging the fabric and notions. I'd be glad to help.

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  8. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    It looks organized already...great bolts! I love it! =)

    I think hoarders are way more disgusting...ugh...I only saw a preview for one show and it was so gross!!!! Sigh...I could never live like that!

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  9. TiffanyMay 31, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    If I didnt live 1.5 hours away I would totally come help you organize :)

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  10. MaryMay 31, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Well it is you career. You need those things to work. I somehow doubt the peeps on hoarders make money from saving broken coat hangers, slurpee cups, or cat poo. I'm a ruler girl too. I have duplicates of my favorites I've found on sale just in case the original warps or breaks. I have 4 olds mats but in my defense I paid $12 total for all four and the biggest is 24x36

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  11. rubyslipperz1052May 31, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I won't nominate you...if you'll promise not to nominate me...wink, wink. Kidding aside, you have some great ideas for organizing "stash"...thanks for sharing!

    hugZ,
    annie
    rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com

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  12. NancyMay 31, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Julie,
    It must feel good to know that you have lots of company in your addiction for fabric, rulers and books. I was with a friend the other day and she said that if she lived to be 175 she still wouldn't use up all her fabric. I think I could go to 200!
    Happy sorting.

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  13. **nicke...May 31, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    i would NEVER nominate you! they would make you get rid of all of that glorious fabric and that would be close to criminal!

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  14. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    I think a lot of quilters are that way....my take on it is (even though I don't have a stash yet) how could you not be surrounded by all that color!! All you have to do is go down to your studio and get inspired!!! :D Its like you're own mini quilt shop.

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  15. Sarah @ Fabric SeedsMay 31, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    I recently told my husband that it's starting to look like I need to be on hoarders. He said he would just throw out all my fabric. I said he would need to pack his bags.
    You're mini bolts are adorable.

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  16. SandyMay 31, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    I had to laugh at your title. My hubby threatened to nominate me for Hoarders before I organized my sewing room. Though I love an organized room I would rather spend my time sewing than sorting. I finally had to admit it had gotten out of hand and spent a week putting things straight. I wish I lived close enough to play with you.=)

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  17. ~Laurie~May 31, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    I know I'm not the first to say this, but I will definitely be over to help take some of that fabric off your hands! Just say the word!! I am SO glad that I am not the only fabric lover - my husband makes me feel like it is some sort of disorder - we all know how wrong he is!

    PS - Enjoy your new digs!

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  18. Andrea May 31, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    would love to come and help you! pretty organized ??

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  19. DeborahMay 31, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    It all looks like a normal stash to me! You are beautifully organized. Nice place to create. Enjoy!
    Deborah

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  20. MeganMay 31, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Quilty horder here too! :)

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  21. LynetteMay 31, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Hehe I'm the same way, although I wish I had as great a thread collection as yours. :)

    *Love* the minibolts! Great idea, that one!

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  22. mascanlonMay 31, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    well I think many of us are in the same club! projects, fabric, thread, rulers...oh and did you say patterns? Probably you don' have piles of patterns since you desgin them but I sure do!

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  23. UnknownMay 31, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    That's not hoarding - its collecting. Hoarding is a disorganised collection of unrelated objects or waste.

    I'm just envious of your stash!

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  24. I dream in fabricMay 31, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Your top photo caught my eye - it looks like my favorite fabric store - M & L fabrics. I love it so much that I have nicknamed it fabric heaven. I really enjoy your blog and love your patterns!

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  25. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Well, I'd come help, but I'm in the middle of putting my fabric on mini-bolts, too. I've gone through almost 300, and I'm not anywhere done! Besides, the film crew from "Hoarders" is at the door......

    Can't wait to see pics of your new place AND the release of the rest of the new patterns......hint, hint.

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  26. AmyMay 31, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Congratulations on the move!! It looks way more organized than my sewing room!

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  27. CathyMay 31, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    You are definitley not a fabric hoarder! You are way too productive to be in that class! You use your stash constantly, so no hoarder status for you!

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  28. LadybugMay 31, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    The mini bolts look like a great idea since they let you see the fabric without having to search through a giant bin. PS V and Co. sent me to your blog from the giveaway you are sponcering. Thanks.

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  29. Jen JohnsonMay 31, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    I think you have organized things beautifully! I just went through my fabric stash and I haven't found such an organized way to sort my things. I ended up with two of those 3-drawer bins (like from Target or Walmart) full plus two more small plastic bins, and that doesn't even hold everything... there's still all the stabilizers and interfacing and batting that may never fit anywhere... plus those really large rolls of fabric from the home dec department.

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  30. amy smartMay 31, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    I just went cleaned-up/sorted a lot of my fabric yesterday and I was feeling slightly horrified last night by the amount of fabric I have. Time to destash! (or sew!) It's comforting to know that I'm not alone. ;)

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  31. AngiMay 31, 2011 at 9:49 AM

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  32. AngiMay 31, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    We all have our little obsessions, I just started quilting last fall and I have three Resistol boxes full of fabric. I don't think a quilter can be considered a hoarder anyway, we actually USE what we buy.........eventually.

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  33. AudrieMay 31, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Haha dangerous to ask quilters to help you organise... things might go missing! But you're honestly more organised than most... me, for instance!

    And I collect fabric, bags, clothes... it's beyond ridiculous and stupid.

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  34. RuthMay 31, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    I'd love to help, but alas I'm on the wrong side of the atlantic!!

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  35. TriciaMay 31, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Oh boy! I wouldn't say you're a hoarder....yet. :) You know I'll come over and sew....organizing someone else's space though isn't my thing. Don't overdo it in this heat!

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  36. EditfoltMay 31, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    So much material! But I would help them to organize around. 15-hour plane trip would be in it for me!

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  37. PaulaMay 31, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    I would love to come help you and talk about quilting!!!

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  38. VickiTMay 31, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    It really could be worse Julie. That top picture could have been taken in your sewing room. :) OR was it? HAHA

    I would love to come help you but.....oh darn...... I'm too far away. Of course, I may not be the one to help considering I have so much stuff in my room I can't even sort it to find more space. During my last 'cleanup' to find my cutting table once I pushed my Ragdoll kitty off of it, I honestly found myself stashing stuff in another room in an empty ~ or was ~ dresser. ACK! Shhh don't tell my husband. Mine's not all fabrics though but all things sewing like the books, and the patterns, and the rulers/template (OH do I have a collection of those!) and then all the jewelry making stuff .....and even a small collection of scrapbooking stuff that I crazyily added to my list of stuff 3 yrs ago when I made my first Grandchild's shower inviations. LOL And then hubby bought me a monster printer for my sewing room. I asked him WHERE he suggested I put it but I will spare you his answer. HA

    GOOD LUCK GIRLIE! You have my sympathy but I'm afraid I will only tell you there is always room for MORE fabric so I'm not sure you want me to help. I'd just take you shopping. LOL

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  39. SharonMay 31, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    I love how you put the multiple fabrics together on the bolts. It looks so beautiful.

    Hope the move is going well. Unpacking & reorganizing is always fun! :)

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  40. Becky (My Fabric Obsession)May 31, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    You moved? Are you all in one location now? I would love to come help you, but we have finally sold our house so I'm doing my own moving! And I don't think you'll be on hoarders until you start collecting everything not just fabric. Otherwise we'll all be on the show with you!

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  41. LindsayMay 31, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    I think we are all hoarders here. The indicator is when we drool over your "hoarding" pictures rather than chastise you for it ;). I love to organize. I almost wish I had more fabric to organize with because that is one of my favorite things to do with my stash... but then other times I realize I really do have enough for the next five quilts and no time to work with what I already have.

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  42. DanaMay 31, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Looks pretty organized to me! How do you store your fat quarters and scraps? Those two things are what I have the most trouble with.

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  43. The One and OnlyMay 31, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    If I lived close to you, I would so be over in a heartbeat!! I would so love to be able to learn first hand from you (okay, sounding a lil stalkerish so please forgive me)...I'm just happy that you share so much on this blog!!

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  44. April (Polkadot Sparrow)May 31, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Oh my gosh, I couldn't watch that episode of hoarders! Having to watch someone get rid of FABRIC and other sewing treasures? I think my heart would stop. ;)

    Good luck moving. Fabric weighs almost as much as books, which are the bane of any moving project.

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  45. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    I aspire to a fabric/ruler/thread collection like that!

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  46. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    I keep an inventory of my quilt books - 743 as of today and I am headed to NC Quilt Symposium in Raleigh, NC on Thursday. I had a fire in my quilt room 7 years ago - I had 27 rulers = they had all melted to each other, but I could count them and prove to the insurance co what I had - I recommend that every quilter take a photo of their machines and of their stash and tools for proof of how much we have.

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  47. KarrieLyneMay 31, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    I know one way for you to clean up real fast. Just put it all in a box and send it to me! LOL!

    Love your thread box too! :)

    You find the neatest storage thingys!

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  48. IHaveANotion ~ Kelly JacksonMay 31, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    I really like your mini bolts...great idea!

    I'll help ya clean it all up....I always have energy for other people's messes but certainly not my own :)

    Kelly

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  49. JenniffierMay 31, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    ok I really need to know this, where oh wear did you get your thread box. I really hope you respond because my thread is driving me crazy right now!

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  50. JariJariJune 1, 2011 at 3:23 AM

    owh!...don't you worry girl... you are being normal, you know...what kind of a quilter would it be without a healthy stash of fabrics & notions...afterall you are a quilt designer....BTW...I truly ♥ your aurifil threads......aaacckkk!

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  51. KristyLouJune 1, 2011 at 7:16 AM

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  52. JanetJune 1, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    You are not alone! My dad once told me that I could open a fabric store after viewing my closet. It's also nice to know that I'm not the only one who works on multiple projects at a time!

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  53. Marci GirlJune 1, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Too funny, we were watching Netflix last night and started watching Hoarders, and my husband said "you are a fabric hoarder!" so at least you aren't alone!

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  54. harleywife57/ Mickey WhiteJune 5, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    JULIE ! Tell me about your mini bolts ; I must get some ; my fabric is a mess !! I have been dreaming about mini bolts ever since my 1st post !!! I just saw the post about Brad and Dreamworks ! What talent (and faces) you have in your family ; I bet your parents are PROUD !!!

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  55. DeborahJune 6, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    I love your website. I came over from ps i quilt. Such a sweet story. I recently cleaned my bookcases out and they now hold all material. It was hard to get rid of all those books (over 200+) but I love seeing all that material. I just sit and imagine and plan my next projects. I do many projects at one time too.

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  56. AlaskanAddisonJune 6, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Oh, I could spend all day admiring your collection of supplies. I am new to quilting but I am already so addicted! I even started my own little blog!http://alaskanaddison.blogspot.com/ Right now I live in a 3 bedroom house with my husband and 3 children so space is tight as it is. We plan on buying a new house in a year or so and I am already planning my quilting/sewing room!

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