How are we doing with our resolutions?
How many of you are already laughing? Me, too! I am trying to get organized and clean out my sewing room as my first large project. I have new shelves, and I am so proud of that. But that meant I had to unload the old cabinet so it could be moved out and make room for the new shelves. What a revelation that proved to be!
I grew up in the generation where you did not discard things that might have another use at some point in time. Therefore, I had bags of little bits of fabric, lace, and really odd things used in sewing. I also found antique garments that I bought that I was sure I would enjoy seeing again and displaying.
In the first few bags were tiny scraps of fabric so small, I could barely think of a use. What was I thinking? Was I going to cover a button? Wow, that was ridiculous! But my grandmothers would be proud.
I am also, or was also, the proud owner of a gorgeous antique silk ladies’ robe with big lace at the hem and a tie with oversized silk tassels. It must have been for a Hollywood starlet. I remember buying it, but now I can’t remember why. As I unfolded that beauty, it began to shred. With every pull or stretch, it just came to pieces. So, I thought I would just salvage the incredible lace and tassels.
The lace was totally dry rotted and fell apart in my hands. But those tassels would be the crowning glory of this. When I began removing stitches that attached them to the sash, one silk strand at a time fell to the floor. I grabbed it all up and tossed in the trash. Done!
I found three antique wedding dresses that belonged to mystery brides—not sure how those became mine. They were tiny and very narrow. Definitely no one related to me ever wore those.
What I discovered about me was I am the keeper of the stuff. Every family has one. Give it to her, she will love it. Then guilt overcomes you and you can’t throw things away, especially if they might have another use someday. Our family has two—me and my sister. So, you can imagine the fun we have asking ourselves, “What are we going to do with all this?”
So, this year is the year to get organized one room at a time. How about you? Are you the keeper of the stuff in your family?
(Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash)