Decluttering my sewing room and getting distracted by 1980s patterns ep2

#decluttering #SewingRoom #FridaySews
This week I have been decluttering my sewing room, with thanks to everyone who commented on last weeks video about being a sewing hoarder (see link below). I've been watching Clutterbug on KZbin and think my organising style may be a butterfly - check out Cas below to see what I'm on about. This is part 2 of my decluttering series and I'm taking advice from the Minimal Mom and realising I don't need to hold on to things as much as I have been. Oh, and I also get distracted by some 1980s vintage sewing patterns in the process!
Realising I'm a hoarder:
• Sewing Has Turned Me I...
ClutterBug:
kzbin.info?searc...
Minimal Mom:
/ @theminimalmom
Amazon files for pdf storage *affiliate link:
amzn.to/3xxXPs4

[@juliej6638]

I am so proud of you - you ditched the old patterns! Yeah!!!!

[@halesmoore]

😂😂

[@gillsims8047]

A friend recently introduced me to sari bags for keeping projects together, which I love. They are zipped, see through in one side but fabric on the back, so they don’t slide around if you stack them. Well done for all the destashing. Remember, you have already wasted your money on stuff you will never use. Keeping it doesn’t change that. Why compound the problem by also wasting your storage space or your time making something you will never wear.

[@halesmoore]

So true, in fact I was watching a video about this very thing this week - the money was spent long ago and it’s not coming back. I’ve accepted that and now I’m going to get rid of things which are cluttering up my space and mind! Will look up the sari bags, thanks

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

You are on your way! I admire you so much for decluttering rather than just shifting everything around and buying more storage to keep what you might otherwise not need. I kept thinking of my "junk" room that I need to clear out - ugh, just the thought of the scrap bin gives me hives! Shoot me now! Gotta get it done, though, the Hunk O Man needs an office . . . ❤️

[@nancynewman6592]

Love the expression 'Hunk O Man" :)

[@halesmoore]

Thanks Jen, I was so close to keeping stuff! If things don’t sell on my destash account they’re being donated rather than put back in the boxes. Time to let things go I think. Good luck with clearing the office - my dad still has paperwork from over 20 years ago from his shop😂

[@angeladent4175]

What a huge difference you have made! Well done😃

[@halesmoore]

Thanks Angela, more to do and then I have to try and keep it like this😁

[@alisonmurray8924]

Your last video had me tidying up my sewing space, this video had me watching the minimal mom videos and making more mess decluttering!! Thanks 😃

[@halesmoore]

😂😂 I’m going to start on my husband’s stuff next if he’s not careful 😄I’ve got such a pile of clothes and fabric to get rid of now the upstairs landing is awful. Hope you keep going with me!

[@alisonmurray8099]

@@halesmoore my husband thinks I am crazy attempting it now as we are so close to the end of term and so much to fit in before the summer holiday madness starts. So I may get bits done but have to stop saying minimalist and just say tidy and then it might slip under his radar 😂😂

[@halesmoore]

@@alisonmurray8099 I found a box under the bed with my husband’s name on it, covered in dust and it was completely empty! I also found 2 boxes of light bulbs he bought during lockdown but they had the wrong fittings! I’m waiting for him to go out so I can ‘tidy’ some of his stuff😂😂

[@alisonmurray8924]

My kids school have a charity clothes collection tomorrow so I have had a good sort out and taken 2 bin bags up there. Also was honest about what I really am not going to wear and bagged that for textile recycling. Those videos really motivated me to make a start. Hope you are sticking with it 😉

[@halesmoore]

Good on you! I dumped the 80s patterns into the recycling (I posted 4 off to someone) and I’m going to the dump again today as filled 4 more bags, mainly with kids school uniforms or school play outfits which they’ve outgrown.

[@SewFabricate]

So need to de-clutter. I’m definitely in your camp not a minimalist BUT I hate clutter! So like you on the trolley and extra storage front - would just be another place to spread!!!!! I’ve spread and hoarded too much and I’m lucky to have a large double bedroom as my sewing room. I really need to cull! Keep up the good work 🥰🥰🥰😘

[@halesmoore]

I need to work my way through the house😁

[@SewFabricate]

@@halesmoore me and you both 👍😁

[@cathtaylor2771]

I couldn’t figure out what clutter bug I was, I’m the same as you definitely, I like to see what I have but too much is also overwhelming for me, but I also like things to be tidy and not seen. My fabric/pattern/notion stash completely overwhelms me and so it overshadows the enjoyment I get from sewing. Then I don’t sew and I have currently a pair of trousers that want the waistband putting on and hemming . I seriously need to sort mine out drastically, at the moment I sew in my bedroom, but my son is awaiting on his house buying to go through. Then I can move my sewing things into his old bedroom. I’ll miss him but I can’t wait x

[@halesmoore]

I can definitely recommend reducing what you have. I am now using the fabrics I have left and have bought fabric for a specific project so it’s not hanging around. All my scraps have gone and honestly it was like a weight off my shoulders and I have space in my drawers to put away current projects rather than have them sitting out. Good luck!

[@rhonddalesley]

I use magazine subscription patterns to play around with and hack into something new that I would wear without being bothered about cutting them up because they’re not really worth anything. I don’t actually have any subscriptions myself but eBay is flooded with them so I pick them up at bargain prices 😁

[@halesmoore]

I think subscriptions are over priced in the first place so the resell price will be low. I’m not great at hacking patterns so I tend to be boring and stick to the instructions 😁

[@EJWelton]

If you alternate the overlocker cones one up and one down you can fit more in!

[@halesmoore]

Really? Now I feel stupid🙈

[@EJWelton]

@@halesmoore no - it took me a while to work it out!!

[@theyorkshiresewgirl]

Wow Hayles! You’re smashing it. Good on ya for being ruthless. It’s hard to start off with but it’s such a relief when it’s actually gone that you could get addicted to it 🤪

[@halesmoore]

Thanks Ruan, your sewing space looks so organised and tidy, I’m hoping I can use mine more than I have been lately

[@heatherr9201]

Your making good progress!

[@halesmoore]

Thanks Heather, slowly getting back on track!

[@vickiwalsh5099]

Hi Hales. I love the Male It Easy patterns. I collected them but don’t think I got a complete set, as often here in Australia we get the initial shipments and then the distributor doesn’t continue with them. I’ve made many things from them, including a taffeta dress I made to wear to a Ball, which I now use on stage when I’m singing. I so need to organise my sewing supplies. I need to at least get everything into one room instead of it being all over the house. Thanks for your video. 🦘🐨💜🧡💙✂️🧵

[@halesmoore]

Oh I saw the magazine had a price printed on for Australia! The illustrations look so similar to current indie patterns! But, they must go!

[@sarahbrown6544]

I love the determination to declutter - and i think its right to have a clear out from time to time. I have so many hoards of fabric, pdfs, haberdashery, but i dont just sew for clothing i craft, make toys, make hats and bags to go with outfits and all sorts of random makes. I'm a proud maximalist, but i have lots of shelves for fabric, with ornate curtains across to avoid a cluttered look/sun damage, and i have an eclectic mix of drawers, antique suitcases, wooden boxes, etc etc with different useful items in like old jewelry, corset making things, interfacings, zips, and of course a large button box etc. to others it may look random, but i know where everything is and if any friends need anything, i can often just put my hand on one. i enjoy looking at my stash, and it doesn't worry me ... but it takes all sorts!

[@halesmoore]

Yes we definitely all have our own methods of organising etc. In a previous job I was spoken to about the state of my desk as there were papers everywhere but when I asked if I was behind in my work they said no, so I carried on as before as knew where things were because they were sitting out, however now it’s my home which is the mess it bothers me more

[@lynneprentice4278]

You’ve been incredibly busy decluttering! I bet you feel a whole lot less overwhelmed! ❤️

[@halesmoore]

Well I did, until I piled it all up to destash - it’s messy again🙈. Will give myself a deadline for the destash I think so it’s not hanging around for too long.

[@ClaireWhoMakesThings]

Well done Hayley!

[@halesmoore]

Thanks Claire, so much more stuff to get rid of!

[@ClaireWhoMakesThings]

@@halesmoore I liked seeing the old square neck top! x

[@halesmoore]

I’m currently dipping in and out of your latest video while I get the laundry on!

[@ClaireWhoMakesThings]

@@halesmoore ❤️

[@leannsews]

I just painted my sewing room. I had a double bed in it also for when family came but I've switched it out for a single. I've moved things around and I'm about to get rid of some material that I don't want. I have bought polyester and didn't realize that I wouldn't wear it. Duh, silly me. You're doing a great job and inspiring me to keep at it.

[@halesmoore]

Good on you! I think we all hold on to things, but I’ve realised if I’m not going to use or wear something then there’s no point in me keeping it and running out of room. I want to do all the rooms in the house now!

[@SlapHappySewing]

I love the Minimal Mom and watch a few videos to get in the mood before a good tidy up! I think she helps unpack the thought processes that keep you on the consumerism treadmill. I have noticed that sewing influencers have been hard to resist though!

[@halesmoore]

I know what you mean, it’s so easy to see a new pattern or fabric sale and think we need it, but actually most of the time we’re just collecting more and more stuff

[@yougotmeinstitches1847]

Haya. You are doing a wonderful job, it is very satisfying after all the hard work. I think we like what we like at the time & then as time goes by we change & therefore bring in to our collections what we like in the 'now' & still keep the previous things, then before we know it we have waaaaaaay too much 'stuff' I find it hard to part with things & think "oh I can make that into this" ect. . . A lot of why I keep things is stuff from years ago, either it got taken away, broken or was not aloud X, Y & Z. Also it takes me forever to go thru things as I start reminiscing on everything ( I think you do the same?) Thanku for sharing :)

[@halesmoore]

Definitely, I look through and think oh perhaps I could use this, or oh I remember when I bought that. It’s a long process😃

[@nancynewman6592]

Inspirational :) You really took off and got a lot done! Once the de-clutter light has gone on, as to WHY am I keeping this, it gets easier, and you feel better donating to others, or recycling. Looking forward to your future videos on this ! I will turn 70 this fall and am still working on it, but I have finally found my style (thank you Clutterbug) and am thrilled with the difference.

[@halesmoore]

I love her channel and podcasts as it makes me feel I haven’t failed, I just haven’t got the right system in place that works for me. Think it’s a process rather than an overnight thing

[@zenanadancewear]

Hales, congratulations on your choices! I'm enjoying seeing how you are choosing, and what you're basing those choices on. We all have our own threshold for "stuff". I am fortunate enough to have a room with a closing door - but I can NOT do anything in there if I have things everywhere. I am not a minimalist, but I need clean surfaces and organized storage in order to be able to work in that room. In complete counterpoint, my younger sister (in her own home), seems to do just fine with her supplies everywhere. For her, more is better. She's very creative in her space, and I can be very creative in mine. If we were to swap rooms, each of us would just be overwhelmed.

[@halesmoore]

It’s funny how we all like to organise in our own way, yet it doesn’t mean one way is better than the other. I had a flat mate at uni who had such an empty tidy room all the time and I couldn’t work out how she lived like that😂

[@juliej6638]

I'm the same as you Liz. I am very lucky to have a dedicated 'sewing' room and a load of stuff the same as everyone who sews/knits/crafts BUT I have to have it organised and tidy or it does my head in. I try not to start a new project until I have finished the one before and between projects I tidy, clean and put stuff I don't need for the next project away. You know, that packet of buttons I decided against - the reel of thread and bobbin, the interfacing I used in the last project .... For me that makes a real difference and helps me enjoy my hobby. I may be a truly sad person..... Another thing I do is have a spreadsheet of my fabrics and patterns. Then eg if I see a pattern I like I can immediately scroll through my fabric spreadsheet and see what lengths of fabric I have that will make that pattern. Then I note the pattern name and designer against that fabric as a 'suggestion' of what I could make with it. I try not to actually buy the pattern until I have a firm plan to make the garment and given that I mostly buy PDFs or Big 4 patterns from Amazon with next day delivery this doesn't cause me a problem. I can't tell you the number of times that doing this has stopped me buying either fabric or patterns on a whim and then forgetting why I bought them. However I confess I am as much of a victim of the online fabric store sales emails and KZbin vloggers as anyone and despite my best intentions I am still a regular purchaser of fabric I just plain 'like' without definite plans to use it. Consequently I have about 100m of fabric in my stash - and I know this because my spreadsheet tells me.... at least it is all stored away in boxes and organised by fabric type, eg cottons, linens, jersey, denim, wool etc

[@susanstaley6408]

A wonderful insight into decluttering ruthlessly. Thank you. I find I need to be in the correct frame of mind to declutter. Just recently I had a huge clean out. I felt so much less overwhelmed afterward. I’m also like you in that I work much better when I see things visually. At the moment I’m wanting to catalogue my PDF patterns, I have so many & I really struggle to remember any of them!

[@halesmoore]

Thank you! I went through my pdfs this week and had to be realistic about whether I would ever make it again and if it was a no then I dumped it in the recycling - it felt so good to free up space and only keep what was useful. I know what you mean about cataloging them, but the apps don’t appeal to me

[@traceyhenderson6708]

Oh you've just transported me right back to being a teenager😂I collected all of the make it easy patterns. They were car booted about 10 years ago but I still have the reference cards, they sit in my sewing space( never use them but can't part with them either) I can totally relate to such a lot you've spoken about. Xx

[@halesmoore]

I think the reference cards are all still relevant but I know I haven’t really looked at mine and they can’t stay on my bedroom floor for another year😂

[@carolwebb9948]

Fantastic job! Perhaps donate to local college/ school if charity doesn’t want the patterns.

[@halesmoore]

Good idea!

[@SewingBunny]

Your doing a great job so far! I really need to sort out my sewing space too at some point 🙈

[@halesmoore]

Thanks Michelle, I know if I had a separate room I could close the door and pretend it wasn’t there but sadly the kids have their own rooms😂😂

[@SewingBunny]

@@halesmoore yeah I do have a separate room and that’s exactly what I do and shut it all away 🙈 the thought of going through everything is super scary….maybe one day….it can be next year’s resolution….maybe 🤣

[@halesmoore]

@@SewingBunny 😂just keep on closing that door!

[@EJWelton]

I had all these make it easy patterns - I regret getting rid of them!

[@halesmoore]

Well, if you want them..😂

[@EJWelton]

@@halesmoore thanks - but I’m worse than you for hoarding! I need a declutter too, not to be collecting more!🤣

[@halesmoore]

@@EJWelton 🤣

[@hannahblowers6680]

Have you considered a Trello board? For things like Zips you could put them all on there then you can see on your phone when your in a shop what you have got?

[@halesmoore]

I’ve looked at Trello and air table for keeping track, but I’d probably forget to update my app. I can visualise things in my head so hopefully if I can get a physical system in place it will help me

[@karivanherk5017]

I always struggle to keep those things up to date. Especially fabric and notions. I do use Evernote to track my PDF patterns and I really like it. Fabric I try to write up in a notebook. I gave up one notions lol

[@halesmoore]

@@karivanherk5017 you’re right it’s maintaining these things which is hard.

[@whatbethsews1776]

I have been looking for the 80s patterns as I have some of them and really like them, if you have the first 4 books/patterns I'd be happily take them off your hands

[@halesmoore]

I do have them but I’ve just checked and number 1 has been cut and possibly number2. If you’re in the uk and happy to pay the postage I can send them along with the corresponding magazine? Feel free to message me via Instagram @halesmooresewing

[@alisoncameron4937]

Could you still roll the fabric, kondo style, but stack them vertically in the kallax boxes? So you could see at a glance what you have?!

[@halesmoore]

Yes I’ve managed a few like that but doesn’t work so well with wool coating. I may try the comic board method instead

[@alisoncameron4937]

@@halesmoore That's true. I use a combination of rolled and comic boards. I'm sure you'll do it to suit you! I have a small sewing area in our bedroom so I feel your pain! 🤩

[@EJWelton]

I draw a line drawing of the item on the front of my PDF envelopes

[@rhonddalesley]

I print off the pattern envelope front and stick that on 😁

[@magsohara7908]

Wendy Ward has a new book out about being eco friendly with fabrics and sewing - Sam at frugalisima has just reviewed he book. Worth a look anyway Zips are my nemesis Re how to store them!! Good luck with your decluttering 🤓🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@halesmoore]

Oh thanks, that book has passed me by so will look it up.

[@jadrankacarmichael5392]

I keep my zips in a shoe box.

[@juliej6638]

I organise my zips by length with an elastic band around each bundle and then they all go in a plastic shoe storage box. This way I can see what I have in each length and if I haven't got the colour I want in the correct length I can go up the bundles until I find the right colour and then just cut them shorter once they are sewn in.