Let’s talk about my hobbies and buying and this afternoon, I’ll show you what arrived recently.
The other day a reader commented that she thinks I like buying supplies for the hobbies more than I actually like the hobbies . . and she may well be right. It’s very hard for me to share my position sometimes because I start debating with myself and by the end of that argument, I’ve changed my mind and am arguing against myself. Let’s talk about each hobby and how and why the stash was acquired.
Quilting:
I have never lived in a town that had a nice quilt shop (or yarn shop or cross stitching shop). We were living in Kentucky when my quilting habit really blossomed. The closest quilt shop was Village Mercantile in Boonville, Indiana and from where we lived, it was probably 40 miles one way and there was a scary bridge. I couldn’t run over there because I needed half a yard of a brown Moda Marble or because the red I had was too orange for the project. I ordered a lot of fabric online and if I needed red, yellow, green and blue for a quilt, I’d order three or four pieces of each color, hoping one would work together from each color. There were several online shops I loved. This was back in the 1997 – 2005 era. Sometimes they would have the good quilt shop brands of fabric on sale for $3/yard. A heck of a lot of my stash came from those sales.
When I wrote the three quilt books, there are probably close to 40 quilts in the three books, maybe a few more and many of those were made multiple times. I’d tweak a design and have to remake the quilt for the book. By the time I did the quilts for the second and third books, I could make them all from my stash.
Even now, when I start quilting, I have fabric to make quilts til I’m too old to even think about making a quilt and I’ll never have to buy a piece of fabric – not for the top, not for the backing. That’s nice to know that I don’t have to pay the price for today’s fabrics so, even though my fabric stash is excessive, I’m very thankful for it.
Knitting:
It’s the same with knitting. No matter what I want to make, I can come up with the yarn to make it and I have enough yarn to be able to knit non-stop for the rest of my days. It’s no fun to decide I want to start a new project tomorrow, then have to get online, find the yarn and wait a week or so for it to get here.
Nicole knits and sometimes she’ll want to knit something so we go to the stash and get what she wants. I hope some day Addie will have an interest in knitting and I can supply her yarn needs. I love the yarn stash. Since it’s mostly all in tubs and not out like the fabric is, when I’m going through the yarn, I realize all over again how much I love what I have.
Cross Stitching:
I’ve been thinking of cross stitching for several years so a couple of months ago when I decided to do it, I ordered a lot of patterns and a lot of fabric. No matter what I’m doing, I tend to want everything right here at the house that I could possibly need.
Even with cooking, I make a menu plan for two weeks (not so much with it just me here). I buy groceries for two weeks at a time and I make sure everything I have for two weeks is here. I cannot stand it if I’m fixing a broccoli casserole next Thursday and I forgot to get broccoli. That weighs on me and, before Covid, I would just go back to the store and get it because I have to know it’s all here.
That’s just how I am. We all have our quirks and crazy ways. Maybe I have more than the average person.
When I see a pattern that I love and I want to make, I don’t want it on a list. I want it in my pattern drawer.
I’ve always felt like I should keep on hand anything I might need. If I’m quilting, I want extra longarm needles, extra sewing machine needles, an extra bottle of machine oil, a good supply of batting, plenty of thread . . that’s just how I am. The only time it’s really a problem is when we have to move it all!
It can be a bit costly but when you figure we never go on vacations, we rarely go out to eat, I hardly ever buy shoes or clothes . . it doesn’t really cost that much to keep me happy. Speaking of that . . on January 23, it will be one year since I had a haircut. I thought it was February 23 but looked back on my calendar and it was January. I did have an appointment for February 27 but we had planned to go to Louisiana that week. I’m not sure if we canceled those plans because of Covid or something else but I canceled the February haircut and never was able to get it rescheduled.
Anyway . . yes, I like to have lots of supplies but I also do love my hobbies.
Donna Williams says
I’ve always done exactly the same. Never had supplies immediately available by running across town, so unless we traveled at least an hour each way we couldn’t get it. I understand completely.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m not saying it’ bad because I’m the same way (and we all know I’m not bad!) but I think some people can’t imagine what it’s like living where you can’t run down to the local needle shop for a skein of floss or a new needle. For some of us, it’s order it online and wait til it arrives. This is the first time in many, many years, we’ve lived where there are good hospitals, nice restaurants, bakeries . . most everything we would want and we can’t go anywhere because of the pandemic. This area isn’t in lockdown . . it’s my choice to stay in. Some day this will end.
Dottie Newkirk says
I feel the same way you do – I have more than enough fabric/patterns/books/tools for quilting, the same with yarn/patterns/books/needles, etc. and the same with cross stitch – I was obsessed with counted cross stitch 30+ years ago, purchased multiple kits, patterns/books, floss, etc. and have been unearthing them recently because the appeal is still there, just not as obsessive as it once was.
I had decided that I needed/wanted to have my “stash” when retirement rolled around in the event money was tight, I could shop my stash. It’s been wonderful.
Also, in the past 25 years, the places we’ve lived have been “roughly” an hour away for shopping (craft shops, quilt shops, Joann’s, Hobby Lobby, etc.)
Judy Laquidara says
I know those feeling (1) spending in case you can’t during retirement and (2) having to drive an hour (or two in our case in Texas) to get most places we wanted to go. We did get a Hobby Lobby in our town a couple of years before we left and it was so nice.
Judy S says
I’m completely onboard with your way of thinkingJudy. My stash goes way back and I have enough fabric and patterns to make quilts for the rest of my life. I couldn’t afford the fabric I have at today’s prices. My yarn – well that’s another story. I don’t think you need to justify what you do. I feel we should all do what works for us individually.
By the way, check your IM. I sent you a message last week regarding cross stitch. Also, I am glad Vince and your parents are getting better?
Judy S says
Finally figured out why my comments are ending with a question mark. A while back and today’s comments were ended with a Smiley Face which turns to a question mark when sent. Good to know.
Elle says
We each have our own level of ‘enough’. It’s not like you’re depriving children of food and clothing or living in a shack because you want materials for a hobby. Safe, warm, healthy and happy. 4 terrific goals in life!
Judy Laquidara says
I’m not sure Vince sees it that way but I’m happy with my stash.
Julie says
I wish I had that stash!
Carolyn says
I think I would feel overwhelmed if I had a stash the size of yours, but I do have a nice stash and I don’t mind adding to it when I feel it necessary. I don’t understand why people feel it necessary to comment on what others do, is it really of any concern to them? I’ve cycled through so many crafts…needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery, crewel, quilting, macrame, etc. and love them all and have supplies around for most of them, along with unfinished projects.Hopefully someday I’ll finish that embroidered tablecloth I asked for when I graduated high school in 1979!!! Every time I mention that I’m ordering fabric or yarn, my husband says, “Get what you want, it’s your retirement fund!” So, I take him up on it and get a little extra! You do what you want and do worry about what others think, just so long as YOU are happy…and it seems like you are very happy! Glad Vince is feeling better!
Becky Louise Rhodes says
I managed a quilt shop until the owner retired and boy have I accumulated a stash. But I love it all and need to get it neatly organized. Yes, with prices continuing to rise why not have what you like handy for future projects? It’s legal, you can afford it so why not.
Darlene says
I must admit that I snickered and giggled a bit as I read through your post. Please understand that I wasn’t laughing, snickering or giggling at you. I’ve always believed that if something brings you joy then do it. Even if you only shop and stash and it brings you joy that I’m happy to toast you with a large glass of caffeine free diet coke. LOL My husband was my biggest cheerleader and encouraged my stash enhancement.
So, you do you and don’t give it a second thought. Just don’t forget to have fun!!!
Judy Laquidara says
That’s the attitude I like to see! 🙂
Darlene says
There’s too much ‘stuff’ we have to fret about; I don’t want to have to fret about my toys, too. LOL
Have fun, Judy, I’m enjoying reading about it.
Sandi B says
I’m exactly like you in needing to have everything on hand. A difference between us is you actually begin and FINISH many things. I’m a great starter…not always good at finishing. I. Jags an older, wiser quilting friend tell me one time: I’m 80. I try to learn something each and every day. Sometimes what I learn is that I don’t want to do that again. I thought that was very wise. Sometimes I stop because I learned what I wanted to, and then I’m done. At that point, I pass it along and bless someone else (if I’ve already cut everything out.) Otherwise, the fabrics for back into the stash.
I love seeing you gather and read of your decision making process.
Thanks for sharing!
Judy Laquidara says
Oh, goodness . . if you heard or read all the reasoning and rationalizing I do in my head . . you’d call the men in their white coats to come and get me.
Sandi B says
Lol!! I’m going to have to proofread before I post! All of those words that were changed. Yikes! I guess figuring out what I was trying to say is good mental gymnastics!
Nelle Coursey says
I always say I want to make sure I have enough things to take to the “home” with me when I have to go there! LOL So I have plenty of painting, sewing and other supplies to do what I want when I can’t do anything else! LOL
Twyla says
I built my fabric stash when I was working because I knew there would be little $ to spend in retirement. I enjoy just looking at it and touching it. It makes me happy. My great-granddaughter told me recently that I had lots of stuff. Yes I do and I enjoy it all (mostly). And it is not just my hobbies I buy groceries, household needs and birthday presents ahead. I already have purchased nice Christmas gifts for several and at a major sale price. I don’t spend $ on alcohol, drugs, clothes and accessories. so I am not making anyone do without for my ‘stuff’. But, the bottom line is it is not anyone’s business what you do especially if it does not effect their wallet. And by the way I am trying so hard to resist your bad (lol) influence on me to start a stash of cross stitch.
Judy Laquidara says
That’s exactly what I do and that’s exactly what Addie told me. And, yes . . no one is doing without because of what I have. About that cross stitch temptation . . there were times when I had the urge but it wasn’t gnawing at me. It’s gnawing now! Same with sewing bags. I’d love to make pretty bags and if I had someone here walking me through the first one step by step, I might do it but so far, the urge to do it hasn’t overcome my apprehension about my ability to make one that doesn’t look terribly homemade.
You’ll know when the time is right to start buying cross stitching supplies! 🙂