I had to ask myself this question this morning: Does a closet full of clothes a functional wardrobe make??? I think that all of us would agree that the answer to this question is a big fat "NO". Yet. my cup runneth over when I open my closet doors. Issues created by the closet bulge:
- Clothes are so tightly packed in that I can hardly slide a hanger.
- Items are not organized, so it's hard for me to find what I'm looking for.
- The majority of the items were made by me. Many pieces have not been worn for a very long time. yet I cling to them with very strong emotional attachment because I created them or I love the fabric so much. There I've said it, I have an emotional attachment to clothes - am I the only one???
- My closet situation has been giving me anxiety for quite sometime. I complain about it and promise to reorganize but find myself procrastinating so it remains the same.
- Since I love to sew. I am capable of creating clothes that I love to wear. I create quite a significant number of garments per year.
- I quite often feel that I have nothing to wear.
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| 33 Pieces down - 18 more to go. More about this later. |
Great idea and no, your not the only one attached! My mom always told me, to get rid of something before you put something back in. That means you'll probably make 50 items which is a good number!
ReplyDeleteI like you and your Mom's control method LaQuana. I need to make this a regular practice.
DeleteHi Faye! I don't sew much, so I don't have much made-by-me clothes to get rid of, but I am always cleaning out my closet. I let go of things easily and find that it feels so good when I've gotten rid of what I am no longer absolutely mad about! Happy cleaning out your closet, and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSummer
Thank you Summer! Once purged I'm going to try my best to keep control on this closet situation.
DeleteIf it's a fabric I absolutely LOVE I make shoe bags or cut into 5" or 10" sq when I've enough I make a quilt throw for these chilly nights.
ReplyDeleteWonderful suggestion! Thank you.
DeleteHi Faye,
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of clothes and it the main reason why I don't sew as much. I was just thinking to evaluate my closet, purge and sew accordingly. Space is not my problem, I have tons of closet space, my problem is that I am hoarding clothes that I haven't worn is 2-5 years.
We are thinking along the same lines aren't we Mariela! I do so want to continue to sew regularly, I would be a bit down in the dumps if I could not do that. I have got to stop letting my emotions make me keep clothing for so long. I'm up to 45 pieces removed now.
Delete"Many pieces have not been worn for a very long time. yet I cling to them with very strong emotional attachment because I created them or I love the fabric so much."
ReplyDeletesigh. Yes. I am still hanging on to things that I loved when I made them even though 1) they are looking washer-worn and tired and/or 2) they don't fit so well anymore and/or 3) It doesn't really suit my current lifestyle.
I need to do a closet purge but just haven't pulled together the iron determination to be ruthless...
Lisa I think we are identical twins in this situation. My closet has been grinding on my nerves for quite a while now. When it was last purged, my Good Friend Ebony came over armed for battle equipped with her own trash bags, and with a look on her face that I knew meant business. Frankly she had me a little scared. She was ready to fight me in order to help me get that closet in shape.
DeleteI have procrastinated with this for so long because I love my stuff. I've been sick for over a week, but was determined that TODAY WAS THE DAY! At this writing I've pulled 53 pieces (3 Lawn and Garden Bags full).
Great post Ms. Faye! I agree with everyone else here, you’re absolutely not the only one attached! Years ago I found myself attached as well and decided upon a plan to help with the overstuffed closet issue. Despite living in Florida, we do have a change of seasons… So when I pack away my summer clothes for the cooler temperatures in the winter, that’s when I purge things I know I’m never going to wear again, especially if I haven’t worn it at all that year! For me I know if I haven’t worn it at least once in the year, I probably don’t care that much about it any longer. This is some truly works for me. Good luck with your purge and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteYours is a great method Myra. I hate that I had to do this double closet in one session, but I felt that it was an all or nothing situation. At this writing I've pulled 53 pieces (3 Lawn and Garden Bags full). I still have 2 small closets to purge but they will have to wait for another day. Pray for me that I'll be able to keep these closets under control!!!
DeleteGreat entry Ms. Faye! It's been a long time since my last good purge and its way overdue. It's time to get real about what size I am and what size I'll realistically not see again. Not to mention most, like yours, were made by me and are beloved fabrics. I'll be doing this soon, too. Good luck with the last two closets!
ReplyDeleteThank you Catherine. The other two closets are small and not to crammed. I am going to try to knock them out by the weekend.
DeleteI have an emotional attachment too...and it took me a long time to realize that. This is inspiring. I think I will try to set a goal on how much to purge. Saying this now, though, I have to remind myself that in two or three weeks I will be purging the kitchen for a total remodel....so I best get busy....after I take down the Christmas tree and decorations!
ReplyDeleteAren't we all so overly busy. That one reason quite often contributes to my procrastination. I did the kitchen cabinets in November, one closet yesterday. I still have 2 small closets and all of the dresser drawers. If I could only force myself to work for 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time maybe I could get this all done.
DeleteHow can you not have an emotional attachment to clothes that you've nurtured from fabric to garment? Keeping the closet in check is another story. My method over the years changes every time. I do try to cull anything that's looking a bit "sad" on a fairly regular basis. I have the hardest time giving up jackets. So much work went into each jacket, and even when the elbows are shiny and the style is dated, it's difficult to let them go. Every so often I just come up with a "rule" - anything over x-years old goes - or some such thing, and I grit my teeth and start culling. But, inevitably, some things that should go, end up staying.
ReplyDeleteYessss, something that should go ends up staying. I should do this culling at the end of my two seasons.
DeleteGreat post and I know exactly how you feel. I have a good deal of wardrobe space, but in a few days will be moving to a new home with much less. Today is the day when I have to let go and I like your idea of putting a number on it. The problem I have is letting go of things which are hardly worn, when I was young we had very little, but now we live in a age where I think we all have too much, maybe I need to settle on a happy medium. Another thing is having packed my fabric stash, if I sew a garment a month for the rest of my days it will probably see me out ��
ReplyDeleteI think the majority of us started with little and now have an over abundance in some areas. Maybe that is what makes it so hard to part with things. For me too many things cause confusion and chaos and force me into a position of not enjoying the things that I have been blessed with and really like or need. The chaos causes me into a do nothing mode. I promise myself that I will work on this this year. If I don't like it, or don't use it I am going to part with it.
DeleteWe just did a whole house clean out, mostly getting rid of kids' clothes that they had outgrown, but I also had the hubby go through his side of the closet. I had also a lot of things that I had made that had either worn out or were postpartum makes made from not the best fabric and are now far too big. Why have I made so many things with icky fabric? I thought that was something I had stopped doing, but I still found some! At some point you get to the point that you're sewing faster than you can wear things out. That's always been a big question I have for sewing bloggers in general. What do you do when you get to that point where your closet is largely handmade and you really don't need anything new? I know there's people who hate sewing for others, but it's a great way to keep on making when you get to that point!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth I think we all make garments from "Icky" fabric from time to time. When we choose and make the garment we don't realize that the fabric is "Icky" until the construction is complete.
DeleteYou're so right. And there's times when fabrics simply don't age well. My lavender cardigan I made a few months back by all accounts was really nice fabric--beautiful to sew, lovely to wear, but the second it went in the wash, it started pilling horribly. My guess is after about 10 washes, it's going to be houseworthy only.
DeleteThat's a great post! I have a lot of chlothes and fabrics(shoes too!). I'm just doing spring-clean but it's still messy! I haven't decided my goals in 2018, I'll be able to organize my sewing space by years' end.
ReplyDeleteEli I do understand exactly what you mean when you say messy. My room was a complete mess during this process. I haven't decided on my goals for this year either.
DeleteOMG...Ms Linda you are SOOOOOOO right!!! Im dreading getting in my closet and having to purge...ughhhh Not only that..I must clean my sewing space too...So after reading this I will get with the program!!! Thank you for this post!!!
ReplyDeleteI JUST COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!! I had to make some changes in that closet. Making changes with the closet is actually making a change in my LIFE.
DeleteI am definitely emotionally attached as well, Faye. Moving forced the issue of downsizing the clothing and making that closet look good for potential buyers. I got rid of a LOT. My first rule was if I haven't worn it in a year, off to the thrift store. Exceptions were a "funeral" outfit and one fancy outfit. I love to make "fancy" outfits so there will always be more. I really poured my heart into creating them but I want to make more so out if goes. Next thing: I got one big tote that went in the basement/storage, just one. In that tote went garments that I was extremely proud of but won't wear again or that had sentimental pull on me. When the tote was full that was it. I figure I can go through and revisit them whenever, just for emotional reasons. No more than that tote either. Next thing was getting a good shoe organizer and religiously keeping those shoes off the floor. I had far too many shabby and dated shoes. Out they went. Last of all, I hung my clothes to please me when I opened the closet, not put me into high anxiety. For me, this is putting like items together, all pants on pants hangers that can take 5-6 pair in one space. Tops together, jackets together, etc. These were then hung by color within their like pieces. The longer the items the closer to the end. So my order was tops, jackets, skirts, pants and then winter coats which we can have a lot of up here. Like you, I love to make coats so a major purge was done there as well. In our climate we need one heavy winter coat for outside garbage runs, a nicer one for going out and a more formal cloth coat for special events, still heavy warmth though. All others got donated. I look forward to making more coats. In the end, the more I purge the more I can sew. It's a good feeling and I know you will get there, Faye.
ReplyDeleteBunny it is so nice to hear from you! I love your method of closet organization (like things together work best for me too). I'm loving my closet better already. I did the shoe clean out during the summer. Again so very nice to hear from you!!!
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