Ten tips for cleaning your sewing and garments stash

1. Donate it.  Think Goodwill, Salvation Army or a local women’s shelter.

2. Sell it. Don’t love it anymore for yourself? Sell it at makers resale (instagram), destashify or for fabric / patterns Sewing Pattern Review (but you will need a paid account) or if its a ready to wear item sell it on Poshmark.

3. Mend it. Still love it but haven’t worn it in a while because you are dragging your feet because it’s missing two buttons, and has a hole under the armhole… MEND IT.

4. Refashion it.  Case in point I have this knit dress…. the print is a LOT going on. It’s going to be made into a henley top or a Agnes top.

5. Toss it. If it’s past the point of no return aka… holes everywhere, fabric worn to the point of no mending and its’ one wash away from disintegrating. Then it's time to say “adios” and toss it. I usually take a look at the notions… a big one for me it’s buttons. Can’t part ways with nice ones.

6. Adjust it. If it no longer fits because you have gained or lost weight… then adjust it.  Especially if it’s a piece you love and left yourself some seam allowance.

7. Store it. If it’s a garment that you will use many times over, still love it but its taking up space in your closet it, then store it in a different area. Perhaps put in there the summer clothes that you know you will not need for the next six months.

8. Organize your already made garments in your closet with things that you know you will wear again and again. For me it’s zip up jackets, leggings and t shirts.

9. Share the love with a sewing friend. You have some fabric that you know a sewing friend would love to have…. give it to them.

10. Organize your fabric stash. I already feel like i have a lot but there are some people that have tubs and tubs and tubs of fabric. Organize it by color, fabric type and season so it serves as a reminder of what you already own… and perhaps serves as a reminder to cool it buying more of what you already have.