I remember Susan Powter making this saying popular many years back. In her context at the time, it referred to "dieting." My thoughts today, however, have nothing to do with "food" dieting, but with "pattern" dieting.
You see, I've been on a "cleaning jag" as my late Mom would call it. Yesterday, I cleaned my bedroom walk-in closet and carted about 5 large trash bags to the thrift store that benefits battered women. I can see the floor again! Feels good.
Today, I began going through the many boxes of sewing patterns I have. As I type there are 5 plastic grocery bags of patterns in the car to go to a different thrift store that benefits the County Children's Shelter. I counted the number of patterns in one bag; it was 29. There may not be that many in each bag.
Let's say there are an average of 25 in each bag. If I purchased each of them on sale at the $ .99 price, that is $125 worth of patterns. Of course, I'm sure I paid more in some cases and definitely paid more for the Vogue's. I'm sure I picked up a few of them at the thrift store where the price was most likely $ .50.
Believe me, I have no shortage of patterns left. When I looked at some of them as I put them in the donation bag, I couldn't help but question myself on exactly why in the world had I picked that one up at the store???
I really must slow down on this pattern buying thing. I must quit getting sucked into the sales. Even if I sewed a new pattern once/week - sewing just those in the donation bags would have taken me over 2 years..............REALLY!
I still have a couple of boxes of vintage patterns to go through - most of them bought through E-bay before I retired. Yep, I was thinking, "oh. I'll sew this when I retire:" "oh, if I don't buy this now, I might not run across it again." REALLY!
So the next Joann or Hancock sale, I hope I will STOP THE INSANITY and remind myself of this ''clearing out' exercise.
Your post made me laugh and smile! I was buying a lot of patterns at the 99 cent sales and have slowed waaaay down. I stop and ask myself, am I really ever going to make this??
ReplyDeleteAlso I don't go to Joann's as much anymore so I have been buying patterns off of ebay, etsy, simplicity or the BMV site. They're never a buck and that helps too.
Always happy to bring a smile to someone!
DeleteOh my! I probably have as many patterns as you! But guess what ? I ordered seven more last week at th BMV sale!!! Why did I do that? I may have to take a pledge!
ReplyDeleteI hear you sewing sister. I would hate to think about how much money is tied up in stashing patterns and fabric. There is no way on Earth I would be able to sew them all before I die. And yet I buy more!!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! I've got 25 times as many patterns as I will ever sew. Insanity.
ReplyDeleteOh I was going to say exactly what Beverley said - I hear you, ditto etc! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDelete99 cents for a pattern, I hear you say?!? Never heard of in Australia ~ the roof on my home would explode if I had access to such a bargain ...
ReplyDeleteJudith, it can be a blessing or a curse! Lately for me, it's the "curse" part! lol
DeleteWell, good luck. it seems that a little fairy lives in those pattern cabinets and knows all too well how to lure us in ;) Cleaning out always feels so good. It's on my agenda come April.
ReplyDeleteI know that little fairy is laughing at me behind my back!
DeleteLOL. I'm not laughing at you. I am laughing at myself. I attempted to do the math equation. How many patterns fit into a 8.5 x 11 copy paper box? Let's say, hypothetically I have 20 boxes full of patterns. How much money is that??!!! Oh. My. Gosh! I think a few of my brain cells shut down. I will not beat myself up. I will not beat myself up. I will not beat myself up.
ReplyDeleteAt least we are laughing together!
DeleteOMG! I never thought to add up the amount I have spent on patterns and don't want too...lol
ReplyDeleteYou can see here my addiction here: http://flyawayhome-4am.blogspot.com/2012/10/fridays-favorites-pattern-storage.html.... yes, I need to STOP THE INSANITY!!!
Right now, I have no room for any more patterns. If I cleaned that up (and out), well...better to keep the cabinet stuffed.
ReplyDelete