Wednesday, June 26, 2019

I May Have A Scrap Problem... Konmari, Don't Come Near My Fabric!

Hi, all!

Since I'm on vacation, I haven't been sewing this week - but I have been reading Marie Kondo's book about tidying and purging.  It's eye-opening - she has some very good and sound ideas (and also some totally whack-a-doodle ones!).  But the one room I am declaring a Konmari-free zone?  My sewing room!  


If your curiosity has been piqued by the idea of only keeping things that bring you joy, I do recommend reading the book - it's an engaging read (I read over 60% of it yesterday afternoon while sitting by the pool) and you should be able to glean some interesting concepts from it while laughing at the idea of thanking your unwanted clothes for what they taught you before putting them in the bag to donate.

And just so you don't walk away from this post without any inspiration, here's the most amazing string quilt I've ever seen...


I'm not sure I'm creative enough to even come close to this level of artistry, but isn't it gorgeous?  It sure makes me want to try!

Are you finding time to play with your scraps this week?  I'm jealous!  Pet some for me, will you?

Hugs!

Sarah

15 comments:

  1. I did take note of the way to fold sweaters, and have to agree, they are easier to find when folded and stacked in a vertical way. That quilt, Wow!! Enjoy your hols.

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  2. Sounds like a helpful and interesting book. That string quilt is super amazing!

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  3. I watched her show on Netflix, some great ideas. The concept of only keeping what brings you joy isn't new, it was advocated in Simple Abundance years ago. But, good to bring it back again as we all keep too much stuff.

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  4. I've seen similar string quilts and find them amazing. As to the Marie Kondo system, I'm glad I'm not the only one who snickers at saying thanks to my clothes. Haha. I watched a few of her episodes, but a few was enough.

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  5. I have read the book and watched the videos on Netflix. I also have started going through the process, although I adapted it for me, since there is no way I can form a big pile and expect to finish it any reasonable time. I really like the process of going through things and only keeping the things that bring me joy. It makes decision making easy and the resulting space feels really good. I haven't done the sewing room yet and although I am pretty sure I will keep most of the things in there, since they do bring me joy, I think the process of going through it will be helpful. At least it will be organized better in the end.

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  6. I'm not a packrat so I keep a pretty close rein on all of my rooms but I agree-a bit of hoarding in the sewing room is necessary! lol This string quilt is superb!

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  7. Lol on giving kudos to my clothes for Goodwill - thanks for the laugh! ;)
    When I see clean, bright, pristine sewing rooms, I start looking around mine to see if I can achieve the same look. But then I ask myself, would I give up things that mean so much to me - little pieces of embroidered lace, Granny's handkerchiefs, colored votives, tiny wood shelves that hold treasures, so many things that I placed with love in my happy room - just to achieve an aesthetically pleasing space? Ummmm, nope. :)
    Wow on that quilt!
    Hope you are having a great vacay!

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  8. I'm embracing the baby steps approach to tidying and purging. When I finish a project I try to cut up the scraps into usable sizes and refold the yardage to fit into my color sorted fabric drawers. Anything smaller than 2 ½ inches goes in the trash. I'm not ready to go through all my fabric and purge though. Besides its fun to find those buried treasures :)

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  9. I think she has good ideas, but she is a little to OC for me. I am happy if all my socks are clean and in the same location! I work full time and have a house and yard to take care of so I am not about to care how my socks are folded! LOL!!! I have been tying hard to let go of stuff and let go of stuff I haven't been using. My garage never seems to stay in good shape for long. I must clean it out two or three times a year and next thing I know it is a battle to get my car into the two stall garage! How does that happen? LOL!! My scraps, fabric, and quilting stuff would be off limits to Marie. I have been giving away finished quilt though. I have way too many.

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  10. Very cool String quilt, Sarah!! Thanks SEW much for sharing. And... Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

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  11. I go to a local quilt store and dig through the tiny scraps box they sell by the ounce. Ha! Yes, I love all my fabric hoard.

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  12. Enjoy your vacation! Lovely string quilt it is - so much movement. I do like her method for folding some things, but I let go of a lot with selling the big house - still have some more to go - but I need 48 hour days!

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  13. I read a similar book to declutter but sadly it just clutters up my bookshelf now. Reading is one thing, putting it into practice another, for me anyway. Love the string quilt, thank you for sharing that’s one, so inspiring.

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  14. I am with you - I have been watching her show on Netflix - and its great - My Kitchen, the bathrooms, my closet - all good - but DO NOT come near my fabrics - ha ha!!

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  15. That quilt was made by Ursula Kern. She’s an amazing Swiss textile artist! Look her up-you’ll be amazed!

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Comments make me smile!! If you want a PDF of a pattern, PLEASE leave your email address in your comment, or email me directly at salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com!