🧹🗑🧽 Day 13-Notions - 2025 Declutter Challenge

[@DonnaZimmermann-n1s]

I'm a fairly new quilter, always loved to sew but had never attempted quilting . . . that was my Mom's hobby. In 2021 she passed and I inherited her stash and all her tools, rulers, gizmos and gadgets! I have been very diligent about my own quilting purchases, but this year I've been able to apply the Declutter Challenge to Mom's bins. Being able to focus on only one set of things at a time, has been so helpful. I've been able to part with patterns and fabrics that were definitely her taste, but not mine and to pass them along to others who will find much more pleasure or use! I wonder why she had 25 seam rippers??!! Anyways, this has been cleansing for me. I was feeling guilty in the beginning, but the stuff is not my Mom, so I can freely let it go now. Thanks Karen, for giving us a logical system to follow!

[@beccas.6983]

Karen, I don't know if you are neurodiverse yourself, but your Declutter Challenge has been so very helpful for my neurospicy brain!! Thank you! You make it easy to follow along, you're so encouraging, and you're realistic about the struggle to declutter and manage our crafting spaces. This is so awesome!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I’m sure if I was tested I would be on the spectrum

[@lynnbean7200]

I have never and will never get rid of notions, unless broken or stained. It's remarkable how often I can find a use for something that's 20 or more years old, and why would I buy new ones. A recent example (although not notions) is some lace pins I bought when I made my daughter's wedding dress in 1994. They were perfect for my husband's project building a balsa wood plane.

[@bethcioffi9827]

I used to work at a fabric and craft store and we were moving locations. I brought home soooo much stuff. Last year, I finally donated 90% of it.

[@hollymoseley1355]

I still have my seam ripper from high school (our 50th reunion is this year), with my name label (the plastic strip with the letters pressed into it - I can remember my mom making all sorts of labels with it) on it - the cover is gone, the little ball is gone, but the turquoise handle and ripper part are still good...and quite nostalgic....

[@janerobson2707]

I’m impressed that, some days, you haven’t actually needed to declutter anything! You’ve just shown us how the system works when things are under control. ❤

[@meacadwell]

I prefer to keep what I have because I sew more than quilts. I'm against getting rid of things just because they haven't been used recently because that is wasteful and can be expensive (not to mention the stuff you can find nowadays may not be the same quality as what you found yesteryear). Just because I'm into quilts for 3 years doesn't mean I'm not going to suddenly be hungry to sew garments or bags again so I need to keep the notions for those projects. Now, if you KNOW for a fact you are never going to make a garment, bag, etc. again then, by all means, purge the stuff for those types of projects.

[@hollymoseley1355]

not to mention the stuff you can find nowadays may not be the same quality as what you found yesteryear - absolutely true! Plus I live in a remote area, and cannot "just run to the store" for something; it's amazing what I've been able to use.

[@susanbaker8023]

Im somewhat behind. However progressing slowly. This is my third year, so I'm really making some hard decisions. I appreciate you Karen, this series makes me look at realistic goals.

[@jodygustafson7123]

A half done pine needle basket, 3paper making kits, leather supplies, bookbinding, yarn, looms,card making, spinning, knit and crochet……..oh yeah, and sewing/quilting all in onespace! I love learning new processes and “crafts”, “jill of all trades and master of none”……but the collections of supplies is overwhelming my space. This idea of clearing is HARD!! It always seems easierto keep them than find good ways to pass the materials/ supplies on.

[@CarolMcCracken-r8g]

I am with you. Shoulders to lean on.here for you. I sew, quilt, paint, crochet, toys. Pets gifts…….all in basement !

[@shelleyt3048]

I get it. Sewing, quilting, crocheting, plans to learn to knit, leather working, bead working, colouring, watercolour painting supplies, EPP, jewelry wire wrapping and I’ll be I find a few more I’ve forgotten about as I dive into this notions task. I’m with you today!

[@jodygustafson7123]

@@shelleyt3048 I would happily gift some knitting needles your way …….:)

[@shelleyt3048]

@ What a lovely thought, thank you for that…:)

[@lisagilbert8472]

@@jodygustafson7123😂😂

[@rmorine6394]

I'm not necessarily "keeping up," but I'm making progress, and it feels good. Thank you! 😊

[@laurastratton8614]

Me too

[@beccas.6983]

Same here! I'm so happy that you're making progress!

[@MelanieClaire61]

me3! giggle. I had huge death/loss Feb2024/daughter/...so, ive just decided last day or so, that I am not going to push myself this year, nor try to do too much. my goal, is just to get back in my CrUilt room..and find happy

[@SandraMilne]

This will be a hard one…especially in my crafting area. I’ve had some sewing notions since high school 45+ years ago. Yikes !

[@meacadwell]

You might want to keep them if you can - the ones made bad then were made to last whereas the ones made nowadays are made to be disposable.

[@cc83jc85]

I "decluttered" our pantry today!! That was a much bigger job than I had thought...this video will have to wait

[@donnajenks2540]

I'm also doing my kitchen. Oh Myyyyy!

[@HelenDuncan-v2j]

I am really enjoying the declutter challenge. I have kept up. But, oh dear, today , notions are going to be a challenge 😂

[@pattycramer1560]

I'm so enjoying this project. I'm still on day 1, but am working through some of the other challenges, I have made some tough decision, donated to big grocery bags and two boxes to the local Manna house. It is so freeing!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[@lisagilbert8472]

What is a Manna house?

[@pattycramer1560]

@@lisagilbert8472 It is a non-profit in my area that services the homeless and less fortunate.

[@connieking9873]

This is a great day. I have an old plastic drawer storage organizer with about 20 drawers that I reorganized last year. Eyelets, ,snaps, hooks a drawer for each. Love it. In a cupboard easily accessible. Need to just tweak it a little today.

[@marylourimmasch4301]

I have an antique Chinese cabinet with a billion small drawers. This is where I keep my notions. I don't buy a lot of stuff any more because I have so much I need to get rid of by using it up. I would like to see how you used up your notions with the pouches. I like the declutter challenge, but I'm a fairly organized person, so when I did it three years ago, it basically stayed that way. Thanks again for the kick in the backside motivation!

[@ladonnastafford3914]

This declutter challenge is great! I’m trying to apply it to other areas . Thank you 😊

[@marycreed-pallone9732]

I found a bottle of “goo-gone” that had never been opened, and it just so happened I had an old sticker to remove. I opened it up, squeezed the bottle…..and discovered the bottle was empty! The fluid had evaporated! So that was definitely a toss!

[@sueidell1308]

I love this series. I did this a couple of years ago and cleared out ALOT! Just went through my needles and pins yesterday and oh my goodness did I have an excessive amount.

[@sguhl4089]

I’m following but unable to do much while recovering from walking pneumonia. The 30 minute timer is valuable. I’ll be at this for the whole year I’m sure. It’s wonderful encouragement and soooo helpful. Thank you for all you do for us.

[@KarenCerny]

Notions are tough. Last year I was ruthless with grandma’s rickrack and used a good light to see which ones were stained from age. There were lots, so my stash is low and that is fine. I like the idea of making a plan to use a notion and writing that down with a project in mind. Better than “I can use this someday.”

[@TeriJuntti]

I love your shirt!!!! I found a bag of scraps I forgot I had I have a huge bag to go to the quilters at my church and we make quilts for the homeless ❤. I love doing this. I have gotten rid of MANY bags already. Refreshing! Thank you Karen. Can you post some small projects too?

[@vikkivanveldhuizen2290]

I found an unfinished table runner. I pulled it out so I can finish it. It’s a fall runner and I don’t have a lot of fall quilts. Yes, I like what I did. 🤗

[@dsch7080]

I bought the Skadis wall plate at IKEA last year and it helped me organise my notions with hooks, small and big containers. I no longer have to browse through boxes in boxes in boxes.

[@conniegoman5673]

Thank you for this shall. I will keep it up every January now. I decided to clear and dust my sewing table...whoa!! Dust, lint accumulated that you can see but the sticky roller picked up was unbelievable. I feel so proud when I look at it now. Several other surfaces need to be done now!!

[@sonyamah5444]

I have been doing this with you every year… and this is a big one for me, I love gadgets! And I have these tools everywhere! This is going to take awhile as I do a multiple types of sewing and i do truely believe having the right tool makes all the difference. But I do have too much. I have also been cleaning out using the hotspot technique and this is working well for me, My goal this year is to get everything in its place, and off the floor and stored in all the right places… making good progress! And I have finished up a UFO. Thanks for this! I will be just getting it done for years to come!

[@cydneycraig1408]

Cleaning out my sewing desk drawer. Much of it was still tidy from the 2023 challenge. I did find a plastic car window sticky, Southwest Missouri State from when my youngest daughter was in college. Also, found a box of gold tone paper fasteners, and an El Yunque patch from a Caribbean cruise years ago. Now I need to find homes for these items.

[@MelanieClaire61]

Struggling to keep up. But. It's such a good "challenge "

[@KarenCerny]

Hang in there and go at your own pace. It’s not a competition. Karen usually keeps the videos active and the daily blog post on her website until November.

[@MelanieClaire61]

@@KarenCerny thanks!!

[@cashby1425]

Lol I just decluttered craft supplies (sequins, beads, buttons, etc) from when my kids were in grammar school (they are now 23 and 21). I will give them to my little niece soon!

[@shelleyt3048]

Oh boy this is the one that is going to be a big win for me. I have notions stashed in so many places despite this being my 3rd year of the Declutter Challenge. I expect some surprises as I go through it all. I’m hoping to find some things that In can use this year that I had forgotten about. I know my ribbons are in a tangle and need some attention and maybe a new storage solution.

[@BethNeutze]

I have buttons upon buttons, some from my grandmother. This could take more than one day. I know I also have some craft projects from the 70's.

[@dianeshoe4121]

I recently saw a post on facebook of a "curtain" made of buttons instead of beads, strung end to end and hung on a curtain rod over a doorway. It looked great!

[@BethNeutze]

@@dianeshoe4121 that sounds interesting

[@KarenCerny]

I’ve seen framed crafts using buttons, like Christmas trees on muslin or white fabric, and pumpkins on burlap. Uses a lot of buttons for those projects.

[@BethNeutze]

@KarenCerny I did see the snowflake pillow that Missouri Star out last year. I was thinking of designing something like that which would use some of my grandmother's pearl buttons.

[@carriebutler7567]

I have an IKEA shelf/cabinet combo that I display various sewing trinkets (away from my quilting space) and I have my buttons separated into jars by color. Of course most are in half pint canning jars but my old white ones are in a vintage quart jar of my grandmother's. These make for a pretty display while storing them at the same time. I got the idea from a dear friend.

[@georginayardley-cl2sc]

Going through my stash and scraps cutting sorting organizing

[@gwynwellliver4489]

Back to work today. I am down to two drawers, but they could be organized better. A good weekend goal sometime.

[@Addysfearless]

I make a lot of historical costumes, and buy vintage buttons to use with them. It's been kept to a reasonable quantity, but definitely needs a few minutes of taking bags out of bags and putting into crafter box slots.

[@jayneterry8701]

Because playing with it can be fun too ! 😅💞

[@Craftythrifter]

Def need to do this again. Last year I got rid of a whole bunch of zippers and covered buttons. But I still have a lot of notions and I know I haven’t used much of them this past year. 😢

[@denisehill7769]

I tidied my notions drawer not that long ago, everything's sorted into flossaway bags in good order, so this morning I got out my sewing folder, measured the cover, cut a piece of stiff interfacing to the same size, and started collaging bits of fabric, lace, ribbon, buttons onto it, using my collection of machine embroidery threads and a couple of bobbins with thread that needed using. The idea is to make a slip cover for my folder, and while I am at it, try out the decorative stitches that my sewing machine has that I never use. My scrap bag is slowly emptying, yay!

[@cherylsmith3002]

Okay, okay. You've convinced me to pass on all the ribbons I've been holding on to and haven't used in 5 years. I got rid of most of the zippers I knew I'd never use in last year's challenge. Im still working on letting go of a few quilt patterns.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👏👏👏

[@estelasteele1173]

I gave up basket weaving supplies this year. I haven't made a basket since before the 2000's.

[@kericorley9387]

I got my cube timer and I love it.

[@brendajackson294]

I am for sure getting rid of all the scrapbooking supplies I have accumulated. I have never used them (maybe once). I am also getting rid of the crazy quilt stuff if it can't be used for bags. It should be a productive afternoon.

[@dianeshoe4121]

Thanks for the annual challenge. This is the 3rd year of decluttering, but it has been a breeze (except for a few hot spots. lol) Thanks to you, I now declutter all items related to whatever project I complete - the same dat that it's completed - since what I actually use is already on the table.. My space has never been tidyier. Thanks again!

[@bobbinwithbrittany]

I offloaded all my buttons this year. I spend so much time trying to organize them that I rather just buy the ones I need when the time arrives than hunt anymore.

[@jo-annevandermey2704]

Oh notions and other craft items. 😢 maybe some. I am not ready yet. Grandmas buttons, zippers, knitting needles...scrapbooking. sigh. I did pass some items to my daughter in law for the grand kids. When I finish getting the room done I will look at the things outside my sewing room. 😊

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I don't see any reason to get rid of Grandma 's notions Unless you really don't like them after all, you don't want to associate memories of her with ugly things

[@jogiese3483]

Please consider a tutorial for us on your bags that you stitch. I love to add ribbon and trims to projects.

[@lynnhenk5060]

I am thankful to have started dealing with notions before this. I took out crats to anothet atea alteady! Woohoo

[@megharmon2298]

A couple of days ago, I got rid of two little dolls that I had made that had been played with, and one had lost it's eye. I never fixed that eye in probably 20 years, and current young grandchildren aren't really doll kids. It was painful, but I threw those two dolls away. I also threw away a jointed teddy bear that I had made from sport printed cotton. It had not survived rough play from a grandchild, and I thought I might be able to fix it. I did not; out it went. For right now, at least, I am not really into toy making as much as quilting. Perhaps if I acquire great grands, I will once again make toys. I do have a storage place for those type of patterns, yarn for when I do knit, my wool for wool embroidery. I did clear most of the unused notions out of there. I gave them to the high school drama teacher as she teaches costume making. Slowly but surely, I am eliminating stuff. It feels good. I am deciding that the two tubs of fabric that I was given, which pretty much is just not my style. That fabric is going to get used little by little in very simple charity quilts as I do really want to do that. That fabric is all novelty or large prints; just not my style. It will be great, though, as simple sashed 4 or 9 patch type quilts. Yay for paring down, but hopefully, I'm making something useful.

[@KarenCerny]

One idea, if you find you want to make toys again, is to make them for abused women shelters or homeless shelters for the kids staying there who have nothing to comfort them. Some shelters welcome those gifts so check first in your area.

[@rosannastremlau5036]

I've been staying current with the daily challenges. But today's challenge ... I wasn't prepared for the emotions of this. I feel such sadness as I let items go. But, the reality is that I'll never do some od these crafts again. Today, it is very much a challenge because this involves my head and heart. So, I'm taking this one very slowly ... ... ...

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

As you should 🤗

[@rosannastremlau5036]

@JustGetitDoneQuilts Thanks, Karen.

[@ninadukette3340]

Containers within containers. Are you in my sewing space?

[@scrappyquilter8741]

😂😂😂. Spies.

[@daleodberg6714]

Thank you.

[@cynthiagilbreth1352]

This one will take a few years to really get it right. I’m also working on my kitchen.

[@denisestilling2810]

Just how much does past trauma affect CLUTTER KEEPING?

[@suehudson7777]

Emotions do play a part on what we save. However I think Karen's idea of a "Treasure Box" is great if you have small souvenirs that have meaning to you that you want to keep. If it is room full of stuff that has 'meaning' get a declutter partner to help you evaluate what to keep. And try to understand why you want to keep this particular item.

[@jo-annevandermey2704]

Past trauma does effect our lives. It manifests in different ways for different people. Our minds or brain is a complex thing.

[@SusieQ3]

I found 3 different sets of the tool to attach snaps. I use snaps often enough to keep them, but it was the fact that I had 3 tools, and none of them were with the snaps.

[@kimzsewing3917]

Ha ha this one is a big day for me 😅

[@jeane.2722]

thx

[@gwenblanchard718]

I have 4 generations of buttons. Deciding what to donate and what and how to keep them is proving more difficult that I had thought. They do no one any good in a box in the back of a cabinet.

[@vonneywright4028]

I made my sister in law a Christmas cushions and used the button she had given me to make a Christmas tree in a tub. She will now get to see some of the lovely buttons she had been given over the years, every Christmas x

[@wayfarinstranger2444]

Karen, I have an old fashioned sewing seat with storage under the seat. Any suggestions on what to store in there?😊 thanks❤

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

My mother had one of those. I think she kept patterns and tracing paper. I'm not sure how the rest of your room is set up but I would put items you use, monthly as opposed to daily

[@gloriawoods9848]

Wool pressing mat link doesn't work. I need one.

[@annabuther923]

Karen how are you keeping your rulers on you cabinet door 🤔

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Nails

[@geogguru]

Who takes what don't need?

[@juliesimmonds7445]

Ooh. This may take several days. This one is painful.

[@Sewwithdebee]

❤

[@diannesmith8007]

This is going to be a hard day.

[@jayneterry8701]

Have you got a timer Dianne? 👍💞

[@diannesmith8007]

@ Yes, I do. I will need it today.

[@SK-ki1te]

What is the point of encouraging people to let go of things cuz “you can just buy it again later”

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

The point is to not live in clutter. If you have plenty of space, this might not be for you. But if you have stuff that you are not using, you still have to manage it using s up a lot of brain power.