The Stash of a Lifetime

I’m a quilt maker. I love it because I get to use many different fabrics in each quilt. The only problem is I have too much fabric. At first, I bought just the right amount of fabric at ten dollars a yard for the quilt I was making. One day I met a woman at Joann’s fabric store who told me about the Quilt Association. I soon joined and made acquaintances there. Little did I know how important the members would become to me. First of all, they all had the same interests as me. They were friendly right away. The meetings were fun and inspiring thanks to visiting speakers who brought their wonderful quilts to share. There were always raffles of baskets of fabric and also a block party. We were invited to make a quilt block and then a raffle would decide who got to keep all the blocks to make a quilt.

These people made quilts not just for themselves or family but also for charities. “Quilters for Others” a subgroup in the association, make quilts for children in hospitals and for “Doctors Without Borders” to give to their infant patients in third world countries who are so poor they may not even have a blanket. They even make doll blankets for a woodworker’s group that give toy cradles and a doll as Christmas gifts for needy children and placemats for the “Meals on Wheels Program”. They also have a group that makes quilts for disabled veterans returning from war zones. I am privileged to be with such kind, giving people. I was able to donate one of my quilts to the survivors of the Paradise Fire through this group.

I joined a quilting class I found out about at the meetings. That’s where I met Carole. As we were leaving the class, she confided in me, “I didn’t understand a lot of what the instructor was talking about. What is a half square triangle, or flying geese?”

“I can help you with that. I’ll come to your house and explain some of the terms.” She and I became fast friends. We went to class together and also to the meetings and even to the quilt shows and often had lunch together just as friends. She was always willing to drive to the quilt shows and to the classes.

I had fun at the monthly meetings with other women interested in quilt making and philanthropy. I became the Hospitality Chairman in charge of snacks donated by the members for the meetings before the pandemic. I was invited to join a mini group who meet every Friday. Carole and I joined this group together. We only meet on Zoom right now because of the pandemic, but we used to meet in person and have lunch together after the meetings. We call ourselves “Friday Friends” and we are friends. These accomplished businesswomen and college professors accepted me, only a high school graduate, as an equal. They have helped me make fabric choices for my quilts and encouraged me by complimenting my quilts. They never talked down to me or criticized my work or my ideas. We have made quilts as a group to be auctioned off in support of the Association.

When I joined the San Fernando Valley Quilt Association, I found out about fabric garage sales where one could buy fabric for two dollars a yard. This usually happened when a “Quilter” passed away or was moving away and wanted to get rid of her “stash”. Then there were the “Trash to Treasure Sales” put on by the Association. Members would donate fabric, tools, books, patterns, and quilt magazines they no longer wanted, to be sold for two dollars a yard. What fun! I also won a basket of fabric from time to time at the Association meetings.

Such a great deal! I bought all kinds of fabric not knowing exactly what quilt I would make with all this fabric. After all, how could I pass up such a bargain? I spoke with the other more experienced quilters about how one needed to have a “stash” of fabric to pull from. They all agreed with the idea of building a “stash” of fabric. I have friends and acquaintances I would never have met if not for quilt making. I also bought books and magazines. It was intoxicating seeing and touching all this fabric. Oh, the quilts I could make! I wouldn’t ever have to spend so much on fabric again.

Well, it’s been about ten years and I still have more fabric than I can possibly use in my lifetime. You see some patterns call for small prints, others for Asian style prints, batiks, florals, some pastel, some bold colors. And they must complement each other but provide contrast. Then there is the top stitching that needs to be done. Once the patchwork top is completed it needs to be sewn together to a batting and a backing usually in a definite pattern. So, I collected books on how to achieve this on a home machine. Recently I’ve decided to pay a professional to complete this step, but I kept some of these books. After all, I might change my mind.

I still love quilt making but I’ve sort of lost my “sew jo”. I have a quilt class I was going to once a week. Also, a place to make friends with like minds. These projects are all over my sewing room. I’m unable to sew for more than an hour at a time because of back and shoulder problems. I’m overflowing with quilt patterns and magazines.

I recently started watching a YouTube video by Karen Brown, “Just Get It Done Quilts” on how to organize a sewing room and realized I needed to make some changes. Then she announced a series of twenty-one videos “Declutter Challenge 2022”. It was just what I needed to get back my “sew jo”. I threw out all the old magazines, donated some books, and downsized my sewing table. I have a lot more room on my shelves.

I have all my sewing tools in one five drawer unit. I can find my rulers, scissors, pins and needles, and chalk markers with ease.

Now I have room for the binders with guitar and ukulele music sheets. I want to go through those music sheets and get rid of duplicates, but that’s going to take some time. I still have a shelf with craft and painting supplies but better organized. I gave away all the beads and sequins I meant to use for ornaments but never did and never will. I like to watercolor and paint little miniature birdhouses in different themes. I once had a very bad day at work and came home to paint one of these little things until I felt better. I donate these to sell at the quilt show boutique.

I’ve listed all my UFO’s (Un-Finished Objects) and kits (fabric choices and patterns) and put them where I can find them easily. No more piles of half-finished quilts and fabric. Even my scraps (saved for a scrap quilt) are neatly sorted and put away.

Now I can concentrate on the quilts I promised to finish for my friend Carole’s family. I was having trouble focusing on how to proceed but now I can see the way. She passed away last summer and left several unfinished quilts as well as a big stash of fabric. Her daughter Lynda wants me to help organize a fabric garage sale. I think it will be in the spring when the weather is warmer. I will announce this on Facebook Marketplace and in the Association newsletter.

I keep my stories and binder in a separate room from the sewing room. My husband told me that I have too many hobbies and I should give up one or two. Quilting, gardening, painting, guitar, ukulele, and writing. He has a point, but I can’t seem to choose which one. All I know is I would have lost my mind if I didn’t have the friendships I’ve made within each of these hobbies. And that is what I won’t give up. Friends are the real stash I’ve accumulated.