Because I want my stash of yarn and fabrics to be all stowed away in the large cupboard in my sewing room, rather than boxes stacked on the floor, 'something had to be done'! So for a few weeks now, during the cool of the evenings, I've been reassessing/ rationalising/being ruthless with my dressmaking fabrics.
We didn't take photos of every room but just a few to show some of this beautiful old house.
Readers from overseas, this home is typical of the type of homes built in Queensland by modestly wealthy people in the years after World War 1...this one has been beautifully kept. And I might not want to buy any fabric, yarns, patterns etc, but I'm going back again to have a cuppa...that's for sure.
Asking myself questions such as for example, 'You bought this fabric 10 years ago. Every year you look at it, say you love it and that you must make that skirt/dress/blouse soon, and then put it away knowing you'll never get the mojo to even cut the garment out'. Tough talk eh? Well this time I 'listened' to myself and I soon had a rather large pile of beautiful fabrics. My first thought was that I would bag them up and place them in a Lifeline bin...but then I thought that the op shops probably get a lot of fabric and possibly some donations get rejected and dumped.
And then I remembered The Nest Community Inc which is in my suburb. This is a place where young people can learn craft skills at workshops...and the not so young too! You can read about it here...
To raise funds the group has collected donations of craft supplies, including fabric, yarn and haberdashery and operate a shop 2 days a week.
So I contacted them and asked them if they would like my fabric...they sure did! So on Saturday I dropped off 3 big bags (well they were rather heavy so DH did the lifting and carrying up the stairs).
Visitors/customers are encouraged to linger over a cuppa and there is a roster of baking volunteers who make goodies to have with the cuppa.
The verandah has all sorts of items for sale...
I've driven past this gracious old home for years and often wondered what views it would have...
And best of all, I have heaps of shelf space in that cupboard now!
Oh good on you Maria, amazing the hold that our 'stuff' can have on us, but oh-so liberating to let it go!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous place where you can donate things you have treasured to be used for a good cause....
ReplyDeleteHello Maria,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place, love the old building. Enjoy that cuppa when you go back.
Happy days.
Bev.
I love the idea of teaching the old skills and who could resist a class in that wonderful house. I'm sure someone will really enjoy your fabric and put it to good use.
ReplyDeleteOH wow!! Wish I had a place like that to take my much loved but unwanted cuts. Also looks like a great place to FIND something to love.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful house Maria - a lovely place to pass an hour I am sure. Good for you clearing out all that fabric - I am trying! xx
ReplyDeleteThe old qlder homes always make me homesick for Brisbane lol! We were lucky enough to live in a couple of them before we moved to Vic. I just love them to bits
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to have nearby!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for de-stashing Maria. I'm in the process of doing the same but have hit the wall (so to speak) and it's getting hard. I need to be as ruthless as you !! Love that craft place but I wouldn't trust myself to go there :)
ReplyDeletegood to see there is somewhere for youngsters and the not so young to learn, what a wonderful house, such a good place to donate your fabric to. I finally got some of my dressmaking fabric to a new home, one piece I had bought when in Aus in 1996!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Wish there was more of these around here
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! Lovely building, lovely views, and a wonderful purpose.
ReplyDeleteI must remember that place when I de stash all that fabric that I will never use for clothing . . .
ReplyDelete