🧵 Confessions of a Fabric Addict | How it got to this point and what I'm doing about it!!! ✂️

🌿 I am a textile artist, gardener, writer and teacher based in the middle of Scotland. This is my website www.snapdragonlife.com
In this week's film I am talking about my fabric stash, how it began and how it has got out of hand - and what I'm doing about that!
I mention Clarissa Pinkola Estes works on Audible www.audible.co...
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[@alison64able]

Fabric hoarding is a good trait ❤ I have drawers of fabric and delight in just opening the drawer and looking 😂

[@snapdragonlife]

Very true - as long as you can open the drawers ……

[@dianneshaddock]

Thank you Jane - listening to you was like oh that’s why I’m like I am - sent your chat to my family who say “you’ve got all the gear but no idea” I’ve just turned 70 and all my life I’ve been putting “stuff” for myself on hold - I need to plan better ☕️🧑‍🎨

[@snapdragonlife]

😂😂😂

[@lindamazur4208]

Oh ,Also a gardener ,can't wait to get mine tidied up and working . okay Byeee for know

[@imogenethomas1138]

I’m so happy I found you today! I turned 70 last month. I have reached “critical mass” with my quilting fabrics. I only make 3-4 quilts a year. I could not use all my fabric if I lived to be 100. Thank you!

[@snapdragonlife]

Thank you. J xx

[@poodlegirl55]

That was very interesting, thank you for sharing. I really had trouble deciding what to let go of. What helped me when we downsized in retirement was to set my parameters for storage and stick to them. This shelf for yarn, these shelves for fabric etc, start choosing my favorites and when the space was full everything else went away. I had ten bins of holiday decor that I downsized to four baskets in my guest room closet. I have a tall book case and if I bring home new books I pull a couple out to donate. What helped me the most was focusing on the positive, which things do I love the most. I sold all then bins, I have nothing in a basement, attic, garage or shed. I only have what I love and the thought that I never have to clean any of those spaces again fills me with joy and is my retirement gift to myself.

[@snapdragonlife]

Thank you. That sounds like a very efficient and effective set up that you have created. J x

[@poodlegirl55]

@@snapdragonlife It did take me three years I should add lol.

[@lindamazur4208]

so strange that you came up in my youtube stuff , Clarissa and her book are my absolute favorite . I just moved to Scotland / Argyll and butte area last month from Washington State ,so very much like the west coast here . I had a storage unit full of totes of fabric and all sorts of craft supplies from over the years that I would needed to live 3 more life times to use .I didn't get rid of all of it ,but I did sell a bit and donated Soooo much of it to quilting groups . As i went through it and washed and ironed it trimmed and measured I though it would be hard to release it but ,it wasn't too bad and it was like a weight off my back . I have a very small place now and @62 I can tell you I never want to have that much of anything ever again LOL I'll stop blathering on now , new subscriber ,your words have been heard and felt ❤🧡💚💙💜

[@snapdragonlife]

Welcome to Scotland- I hope that you are enjoying being here. X

[@nancywest4094]

I just discovered your channel today. I had to smile when I listened to you discussing your upcoming 55th birthday, because I am “staring down” my 74th birthday. (Where did the last 20 years go?). Quick run down, I became a widow almost 6 years ago. Sometimes it seems like 6 months - still feeling the emptiness of trying to navigate a new single life after almost 50 years of marriage. I have a wonderful daughter and son and 7 grandchildren. Such a blessed life I have had. We owned a business which has offered me a comfortable life and hopefully a comfortable future. I sold the business 2 years after my husband’s death. A lot of things changed about what I might do with my life, facing the future as. a widow in my 70’s. I am so glad I found your channel. 🌻 I love your inspiration. 18:41 Most of those things I have been putting off are still possible, all I red to do is START! I know I have Scottish roots. Hello from Texas!

[@snapdragonlife]

Thank you for your lovely comment. Waving back to Texas. J x

[@maria14741]

“I felt very very seen and not in a good way” made me burst out laughing…it was so beautifully honest. I needed that today, so thank you ❤

[@snapdragonlife]

Thanks Maria. X

[@gonerustic]

I still have a lot of art supplies but after selling my gallery studio I destashed big time so I could fit what I really wanted to keep in my new small home studio. I’m 70 but I’m still running my business and creating. My ‘stuff’ that I’ve kept is organised and labelled and I’m loving how it all is accessible! 💕😊

[@snapdragonlife]

That sounds perfect!

[@pjacksreads536]

Wow! Great message. I feel seen as well. It’s so hard to stop! I’m 63. Just in last 2 years started sewing and in this short period I’ve amassed a large number of fabrics and other notions. I’ll be retiring soon and need to learn to budget. My income will drastically decrease soon.

[@snapdragonlife]

Thank you. It’s amazing how quickly one can acquire fabrics and craft supplies almost without trying! J x

[@needlecase2187]

Your children will thank you for your forward thinking :)

[@snapdragonlife]

That is a big part of the thinking. My Mum currently has two big rooms and a cupboard with arts and crafts supplies. 😬

[@francesrivera3569]

​@snapdragonlife I just found you, and this reinforces my need to curb the fabric FOMO and deal with what I can, realistically! We went through my mother in law's house after she passed. I told my mother to not be like my mother in law. Fast-forward to taking care of my mom's place once she became a resident of an Alzheimer's facility. I love(d) my mom dearly, but I hope (for my children's sake) to not be like her with crafty supplies or Alzheimer's. Great video!

[@stitchann]

Just found your channel. Looks wonderful and will be watching.

[@snapdragonlife]

Thank you Ann. X

[@carolvenables3970]

Never seen you before I've now subscribed. And love your hair skin and yellow top 😂

[@snapdragonlife]

Oh thank you!

[@carolking6355]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@missglenellen]

Another beautiful episode, thank you! My maternal grandmother and many women before her were seamstresses in the very East of Germany, which is now Poland, in a region which was full of flax fields and corresponding weaving manufactures. I started decluttering some of my once treasured books recently, but parting from fabrics!? Not possible yet - despite being 10 years older than you. I too love stories behind a piece of fabric, going through them is like reading books! My colourful patchwork fabrics collection is in a very special little chest of drawers with another story behind it. It belonged to Fred Astaire's daughter (but used by him with hand written tags probably by him, seems he used it for sorting his ties and other smaller pieces of his wardrobe)! He was a frequent visitor to Ireland as his daughter raised her sons here in rural Ireland. Through the glass fronts of those eight little drawers I can see my colourful collection, that look makes me smile every day.

[@snapdragonlife]

This sounds amazing - what a treasure to have. What history. I’m so glad that you have it to house your patchworks. J x

[@NathalieGehrold]

Great message ! Go ahead with decluttering ! I am confident that your creativity will unfold accordingly. 😊

[@snapdragonlife]

Yes! Thank you!

[@alison64able]

Ok I hear you ...... 😂

[@taniamcallister6840]

I love Clarissa Pinkola Estes too and bought these Cds a few years ago as i have always treasured her book. She is wonderful.and wise to.listen too isnt she . It is my goal to declutter and reduce stuff!!! It definitely makes me feel clearer when i do .....its is a process!! I am clearing new fsbric and keeping just some lovely older fabric for a quilt .....or two!!! Already im eyeing your stash!!

[@snapdragonlife]

Thanks Tania. I think that decluttering is so difficult- particularly perhaps for people who can see the future potential in things! Xx

[@alisongallagher7133]

Hi. oh yes I know this stock pile issue well🤣 Unfortunately I live in a small home & decluttering is a yearly event. Clearing out brings me much calm, peace but also space for new things😂😀

[@snapdragonlife]

I often think that a small space is a welcome discipline. If I had not had the option of storing all those boxes for free then I would not be in this situation!

[@wildsimplicity]

Oh Jane! I discovered the Clarissa Pinkola Estes audio "books" a few years ago (my library has them via a streaming service) and they have been the best companions when I want to listen to something wise and womanly. I've been "haunting" the library collection hoping to find something new now that I've finished them. But I may just have to begin again. I've been uncluttering our attic and trunks, beginning with fabric and clothing and have made such progress...for my sake and my children's in the future. : ) I can keep all my saved and thrifted fabrics in one foot locker now, and a few vintage suitcases filled with clothing to alter or use for fabric. It's lovely feeling when it's all sorted and winnowed, isn't it? P.S. I shared a little C.P.E. in my Make Do & Mend the Earth video on my channel, if you are interested. xoxo

[@snapdragonlife]

I have been kept company by tales of Rapunzel and Rumplestiltskin today - which has been a delight. I shall check out your video. Thank you. J x

[@jb10428]

Oh Jane thank you for your recommendation to listen to Clarissa Pinkola Estes. She is amazing. Like you, I love her voice and her storytelling. I am listening to The Late Bloomer, soaking it all in, nodding lots and laughing out loud at those things that resonate so strongly. It is like listening to the kindest, most non judgemental friend. She is so wise. I enjoyed hearing about how you gained your stash. So interesting. Good luck in letting it (all) go. J x

[@snapdragonlife]

Isn’t it a great listen? Indeed just like listening to a friend. I’m really glad that you are enjoying it. X

[@Elizabeth-jy3dj]

I was nodding along with your comments about hoarding craft supplies. I have been sorting through my supplies and I can relate to feeling so much freer for letting it go as it just prevented me from getting on.

[@snapdragonlife]

It is interesting how much lighter things can feel isn’t it. Thank you for leaving a comment Elizabeth. J x

[@pjacksreads536]

Your things are so beautiful

[@maria.b.this.old.cottage]

This video has come at a perfect time in my life. I'm 58 years old and i love to create with fabric and yarn. I sew simple dresses and crochet jumpers to go with them...but as i see how small my antique wardrobe is, i can only fit 14 of them comfortably. So i look about the very large stash of fabric and fiber that i have amassed for over 5 years, and my creativity stops. How many jumpers do i truly need.? How many quilts can i make in a year, without harming myself in the process and ignoring life? Hoarding comes in many ways. I recognize it in myself and i cringe when i open my trunk and see how much i have. The garage also holds my secret of bins filled with fiber to be spun into yarn. Can we truly let it go and be content with what we have created thus far? Thank you for this video. Thank you for sharing. 😊

[@snapdragonlife]

How sensible to have a small antique wardrobe! I read a book last year about the artists who lived at Charleston House in England (Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant etc. known as the Bloomsbury set) It was about their clothes and how they had tiny wardrobes which could only fit a few changes of clothes and how that is reflected in the way they wore them - keeping and rewearing and rewearing until they were often completely covered in paint. I think that your handmade clothes sound just wonderful. X

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

What a great video! Always good to have somebody pop up and remind you not to acquire stash, which I’ve been so good about and then last week… I’m off to Audible for those books, I loved Women/Wolves.

[@snapdragonlife]

Thank you. I hope that you enjoy listening to CPE! J x

[@JoWhiterod]

Having just moved house my hoarding tendencies have been brought into sharp focus. I passed on a lot of my textile/yarn/craft collection while packing for the move, emptying my studio and storage room but I still have too much to fit in the spare room of my new house. I think teaching workshops enabled my desire to keep and save lovely fabrics so I could share them with people but a further cull is definitely needed as I’m overwhelmed with boxes and can’t see what I have

[@snapdragonlife]

I think you are right Jo - it is having an aspect to a business that is enabling that makes the problem SO much worse!

[@maryposuniak5281]

I am 70. I understand not being creative because I have So Much! Best of luck in your endeavors! I will check out dangerous women! Thank you!

[@snapdragonlife]

Thanks Mary. X

[@dotathillcrest]

Good morning.. just my subject..

[@snapdragonlife]

I think it is a specialist subject of many of us! Thanks Dot x

[@mrsrabbitsmoments8854]

Oh dear...I have on occasion shared in comments the difficult part of my life...never wanting to appear dramatic or lurking......

[@snapdragonlife]

I don’t think you are AT ALL the kind of person that I am talking about!!!!!!

[@michelles9897]

🌼🌷🌼🌷🤍

[@vanessadennett2790]

Interesting…. I do possibly share an element of your hoarding tendencies, but perhaps our endless moving has meant that I’ve been forced into reviewing what I keep on a regular basis. Sometimes I think that the regular shedding of a life and its ‘stuff’ has actually hindered my creativity for perhaps I haven’t had time to really think. If I look around me now it’s books that I seem to accumulate, but they feel quite different somehow 😂

[@snapdragonlife]

I think that moving house is a great way of keeping the hoarding down - we have now been here for 20 years and my Mum (who I’m helping with her hoard and trying not to just merge with mine) has been in her house for almost 50. I’m not sure about how the idea of shedding a life works with creativity - certainly something to think about. And yes, absolutely books are different- though I did rehome a lot of books when we did the extension and had no dry storage left. I have regretted losing only a handful (which I rebought). J x

[@angelroost]

Oh my, this was so triggering I had to stop watching and come back, knowing I needed to hear the entire video. I have the same draw to anything textile but especially vintage, showing the hand of the maker or worn. I get a rush when I see a mend in an old linen tablecloth knowing it was precious to someone. I have purchased something to cut up and been stopped by a tiny hand picked hem. Since I have been a slipcover/drapery maker I have racks of those fabrics. As a quilter a wall filled with that fabric. Vintage fabrics fill buckets and boxes. 2 rooms full and more in the garage. And I am 70 so where to begin?

[@snapdragonlife]

It is tough - it is really tough. I’m partly using here as accountability. Though having said that I’m thinking of doing a ‘show and tell’ of some patchwork as next week’s video and I would never get rid of any of those ………. J x

[@camagnuson6108]

You mumble. I'm not sitting here to spend 21 minutes trying to hear what you're saying. You need to fix your audio setup.

[@snapdragonlife]

I’m sorry that you can’t hear me adequately - I do have a microphone on and there are also captions - someone else contacted me complaining that I was shouting too much ……. 😂

[@beverlymartin1414]

Not having any listening issue here. Either your devise is faulty or you have a hearing deficit.