cleaning out my sewing stash

I've been needing to clean out the closet that houses my stash of fabric, patterns, etc, but other things have been taking priority over that project until today. I read this blog post about a way to help some families that lost so much in the recent Alabama tornadoes. While many are collecting donations and money to help them, some friends realized that restocking their sewing stashes would be low on the list, but a huge blessing to them. So they are collecting donations of fabric, notions, patterns, gift cards and financial donations to purchase sewing machines! One of the ladies, Kelly, writes a blog that has been such a blessing and encouragement to me, so I was extra excited to be able to help these dear sisters in Christ! You can read their stories on their blogs (Kelly and Sherry) and on various other blogs too.

This is what my sewing closet looked like this morning. Scary!

Here is most of the stuff I cleaned out. There are some great things in there, but I had to face the facts that I'm just not going to get around to some of it for a LONG time. I'd much rather bless these families with some things they can use now (or soon!).

*That blue rubbermaid bin is full of patterns!

Of course I was not going to send them all of my junk to sort through, just the sorts of things that had been listed as needed. So here is the pile of patterns and fabric to send to the church that is collecting all of this. It is now all boxed up and ready to be shipped out! The rest of the stuff will be donated locally.

I was able to bless some wonderful ladies, and their families and my sewing closet looks MUCH better! Yay!
If you happen to find your self needing to de-clutter your stash as well, maybe this is the time to do it! It would be a blessing to them and you!

I'm linking to Raising Homemakers today, and Organizing Junkie