Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Justifying

I have been thinking a lot lately about how much
'stuff' I buy.

How much is useful, needed, relevant, essential...

How much is because I can and online shopping is so easy...


This box arrived on Friday.
It contained various Kona cotton solids.
I have a big and beautiful rainbow.

Did I 'need' it?

No...it was a want.

I wonder sometimes, how much of my fabric I will actually ever use.
I have trouble cutting into it - what if I need it for something else, what if I can't get anymore...

It;s actually all rubbish.

There will always be new fabric, I can always buy more - it might not be the same, but there  will
always be more and newer and prettier.

I'm not going to add up everything I have spent so far this year -
I think that would just horrify me way too much.
i am going to think long and carefully about what I buy and how much I buy
and why I'm buying it.

Is it because I love it and want to use it straight away?
Is it because everyone else is buying it (hello quilting-pressure, just like peer pressure but for grown ups)?
Is it because I'm going to stash it and never use it?

I think I need to stop buying and start sewing.
I think I'm going into rehab.

I'm officially on a fabric buying diet.
Just like I did with books.  Couldn't tell you when I last ordered a book.

So, apart from what is currently on order and paid for,
the few clubs I am committed to I am not
buying anymore fabric.
Yep - no fabric -
unless it is required to finish a project ( linings/backings etc)
or Bonnie and Camille bring out another new line.

No more Instagram buys.
No more 'but she's got it' buys.

Will power people.
Lets see if I can manage a month...

13 comments:

  1. OMG.....have you been in my head....you have, what you are saying is what I am always thinking.....or is it we both have a problem...a month that is a real long time...I will try as well....but I do have a dew BOM'S coming in, but they were all pre-done today.....

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  2. You can do it, and using up stash is strangely satisfying. Then you will NEED to buy more fabric.

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  3. I'm sure you'll be able to do it, Claire!

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  4. Sound like a great plan good luck !

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  5. How coincidental. I've been pondering this very same thing. I promised myself no more buying this year. But i've bought patterns, books & fabric. The fabrics off Instagram, I knew it would be dangerous to sign up to it. :) So in the 2nd half of this year, well what's left of i'm going to try not to buy anything unless it's absolutely necessary like yardage for borders & backings. Good luck. Hugs,xx

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  6. I wish you luck Claire. Stopping the buying habit us hard but I do

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  7. and now lest see if my computer will let me finish that comment!

    .....but I do know that using your stash is satisfying. I did this earlier this year and its changed my thinking on stashing v's using fabic. If you buy it cause you like it, use it! With that said I might have to sensor IG posts as I have a few treasures coming in the next couple of weeks :o)

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  8. Hi Clairebear,great words of wisdom there,i wish you luck my friend,happy sewing.xx

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  9. Hi Claire, I am starting to feel the same way. I have so much and I say the same things to myself as you do. I am thinking I may have to go on a fabric diet lucky I just bought the Miss Kate fabric I wanted. Bonnie and Camille fabric is my down fall.

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  10. oooooh... heavy stuff! I have to admit to having the same thoughts .. am trying to buy to finish off things.... hmmmm.... good luck
    Hugz

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  11. I have noticed you seem to post more about stashing stuff than making stuff (that's not a dig by the way, I'm actually just jealous) so maybe this will do you and your bank balance a bit of good? Good luck, it's not easy. I tried to do the 6 month one and whilst I didn't buy massive hoardes of stuff, I definitely bought something every month still. Have fun making, that pretty fabric is so satisfying in new forms (just don't think about the bits lost in the seam allowances, k ;) )

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  12. I think we all reach this point at some stage.
    And it doesn't hurt to be creative with what you have.
    Good luck and good sewing!

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  13. Goo dluck! It is hard, and I have been on a diet for a but allow myself the occasional organic, naturally dyed purchase (which is such a relief) and it takes me so long to actually find what I like and fits with my new priorities that I don't get to buy that much!

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