I’ve been thinking a lot about the comments I received from my last post, along with a few emails that were sent to me on the subject as well. The main theme I noticed throughout most of them was fear.
We’re all afraid of something. Whether that be conflict, losing a job, crossing a busy street or simply cutting into a beautiful piece of fabric. Why do we let fear stop us from doing wonderful things? We stay in situations that make us unhappy, we say “yes” when we want to say “no”, and we let the fear in our hearts and our heads paralyze us from moving forward.
I’m not saying that this all has to do with fabric, but I’m saying that finally cutting into the yardage you’ve been saving can be a step forward. Having “things”- that can be fancy dishes, unmarred notebooks, a giant stash of fabric, etc- can mentally burden you, and you don’t even realize it’s happening. Why do you save every last bit of your favorite fabric’s scraps, or keep a pile of plates you only use once a year (yes, I do it too)? We’re so afraid of not having, as if there will be a drastic change to our lives if you “use up” or get rid of something that’s supposedly precious or considered an important part of your life.
Less is truly more. You have freedom to choose again, and if you’ve used up your stash of fabric, then you aren’t bringing home guilt with those four yards of new linen either. You’ll have finished projects, things to wear and be proud of, rather than the shame of stacks of prints that stare at you from a corner.
So let’s stop paralyzing our creative processes. Let’s let go of fear and worry and excess and use things for their intended purpose. Your projects won’t always be perfect, and you won’t always love it, but that’s okay. If you never even try, you’ll never move forward.
Let go. Start cutting.

These are first fabrics I will be cutting into from my stash, starting TODAY.
If you’re interested in a Use Your Stash challenge, I will happily organize one. I think it will involve coming clean about EVERYTHING in your stash, and then using it up, piece by piece, no matter how old or treasured it may be. I plan on doing this anyways, so if anyone wants to join me, let me know!
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