Dopamine Rush of Stash Building

I don’t think it is any secret that crafting is a few hobbies in one:

Procuring the supplies – fabric, yarn, tools, or patterns
Starting a new project – picking the materials, making the first cuts and stitches, or casting on
Finishing the project – binding off, hemming, weaving in ends

At any given time, one of these sub-hobbies can be more engaging than the others. Recently I had a fabric stash windfall and, boy, did it give me a boost even when my starting and finishing of projects has been lacking.

At the end of October, I was fortunate to be gifted a sewist’s lifetime collection of fabric through my local Buy Nothing group. This giant stash gave me a dopamine rush for a few reasons. First, I absolutely love sorting and organizing (seriously, do you have a room that needs some clearing out? Invite me over please!). Second, new-to-me fabrics and all the possibilities they hold.

14 plus bags stuffed with different colors, types, and amounts of fabric to gift back to the community. — This is the fabric ready to re-gift to the community after I sorted through it and added some from my stash too.

I picked up over 20 grocery bags stuffed with fabric that filled up most of the back half of my car. I spent the evening schlepping the bags into the house, telling myself I had all the time in the world to sort through things slowly and methodically over the coming week. The plan was to keep fabrics I loved and re-gift the rest plus anything from my existing stash that no longer sparked joy.

Of course, instead of waiting for the weekend or taking it slow, I jumped right in and started sorting fabric that night (all.the.fabric). It was so fun to see the variety – to picture the kids and grandkids who were luck enough to have a person in their lives picking out cozy Christmas flannel for PJs. To see where some kindred-spirit sewist lost steam on a project and sent it to the UFO pile.

A stack of wool fabric ready to use in garment sewing. — The stack of wool fabric I kept! I love the neutral colors and subtle patterns. I am can just picture a mix of skirts, pants, vests, and more.

A few hours later I managed to sort the abundance of materials into a big old bin of keep, and 14 grocery bags repacked and ready for their next home.

A big bin of gifted fabric that has been washed and folded, ready for the next sewing project. — Look at this big bin of fabric! I was on the look out for knit fabrics in colors I like since it can be harder to come across knits in the thrift stores I frequent.

One habit I have fully embraced since sewing more often with thrifted and found fabrics is washing everything right away. I do this because no matter how clean the fabric appears, it tends to be a bit dusty or musty. I also love to have fabric ready to go when sewing inspiration strikes. There is nothing like needing to do laundry to talk me out of starting a new project.

This lovely assortment of fabrics is ready for me as soon as I get myself back to the hobby of starting new projects. Until then I am loving the daydreaming stage of pairing fabrics, patterns, and possibilities in my mind.

I would love any project suggestions! Also, what is your favorite crafting sub-hobby: procuring, starting, or finishing?