may be helped by organization. When I don't feel like stitching, having to search for a chart in random piles, look for the right color of linen (and what is that count?), try to find the right pre-cut size, and then wonder why floss bags are missing from their chest, does not spur my mojo. So while going through what to keep I decided to finally make some changes. The clear sheet protectors were purchased long ago to protect the hundreds of freebie copies and small designs and group them in 3 ring binders. So many of you organize your charts and I should have followed your lead years ago! I filled two paper grocery bags with duplicates and downloads to discard and now have a binder for Christmas, freebies, and a small one with tips and help, many hand written notes from readers. Really nice to just flip through and see my options. This thinning was done once before yet I still kept so many designs thinking I may one day like them enough to stitch. If I haven't by now, I won't, and out they went. I don't know if this will encourage me to pick up a needle again but making it more enjoyable to browse charts is certainly a step in the right direction. No more loose papers in folders. The large samplers will stay in a box, I'm only thinking of smalls right now. To make this even easier, I may insert linen pieces between the two pages in the protector.
In addition to a box of old PS designs, this pile will be leaving, and I haven't gone through my completed charts yet, many of which I want to keep and that puzzles me. I've already stitched it, why do I need it? A few I may want to stitch again, but certainly not the large ones. Yet there is an attachment. My very first sampler charts decades ago, Safrona Ager, Lydia Bond, Hannah Breed, were thrown away and I wish I hadn't done that. The charts are still available and I've considered buying them, but why? To keep in a file? I've resisted and do not plan to add charts already stitched to the stash (which is now very small). The task of scanning and describing condition for so many will be a royal PITA. Almost all are unused which helps.
I'm glad I finally organized somewhat and found a few designs that I may want to work on. Are they new to me? Nope. Already stitched them but since I don't really want any other pieces for display, they will be gifts or offers. It may feel good to pull that thread through the linen, but it may not. I've been putting it off like a trip to the dentist, and honestly, if it wasn't for blogging and the FB stitching groups, I would pack everything away.
Thanks for visiting.
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12 comments:
Good for you on sorting and tossing, Marly! Reading your post reminded me that I need to go through my freebie binders again. Enjoy your Sunday!
I am a stitcher who saves charts that I have stitched. Why? I went through mine last week I decided to put a stitcky note on them saying who they were stitched for, my children. I have a large tall basket full of stitched pieces, that someday I will get framed ( or so I continue to say). I live on a house with plaster walls , awful to hang things so, they never get framed. I had plans to have husband add picture rail to sewing room then I can hangs lots of pieces but that has not happened yet, will it ever? I always admire those who are organized I do try really. I have solved the problem of ordering a pattern twice, and yes I have done that way too often. I have a small basket with file cards in it, patterns are alphabetized by name and then designed ,problem solved. Enjoy the cool weather we deserve it.
One of the troubles with "organizing" is that it makes
you feel space-free to "collect" again....Make sense?
Organizing is not the problem...collecting is...LOL
I think I enjoy sorting stash as much as I like stitching! I hope your mojo returns one day!
I have been lookin for PS “Buttob Up” forever. If you have it, I will gladly pay you for it. It’s leaflet # 143
Thanks
PlainChar@aol.com
every time I go through my hand work stash I find more I can live without...plus a few things that I'd like to get to soon, found some 18 count linen today and it needs to find a home, I give up on seeing the holes...it's been the perfect weekend for puttering in the sewing room...I'm enjoying this drizzly day...whipping a few small rugs and stitching patchwork pumpkin blocks...
I would be willing to buy a bundle of your charts.
I need to go through my stash and get rid of some of it. Especially since I'm not currently stitching. I need to be more organized too. Sigh.
I have a question to you. What do you do with your finished work ? do you frame it ? Do you roll it up in hopes of framing it one day ? Keep your patterns with your work. If you frame it make a pocket on the dust jacket ( the paper piece last put on the back of your framed piece to help keep the dust out ) and place your pattern there. Even if you give your piece away ( family members )you will still know where that pattern is and let the owner hold your pattern for you. Love your blog. Pam, Michigan
Organizing always feels so great, doesn't it? I need to go through my freebies and discard a lot of them. I know I'll never stitch them so what am I saving them for?
Great idea to organise charts! I can totally relate to you wanting to keep the finished patterns because I have not been able to part with those that I have already finished. Strange isn't it? Some sense of attachment, probably because we worked on it? Not sure how to explain
Organization is good. At least I think so. I am so lacking in that area. I could live to be 120 and not get to 10% of stuff I have and I keep buying more. Kind of sad, really!
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