My plan also includes bins for each of my 7 great grandchildren with a note from me. The bins hold receiving blankets & quilts for their children who I will likely never meet.. Thanks for sharing
OOOOOOOooo!!!!! GREAT idea. Deliberate quilts for the next generations. The current one has each their own, so now its time to start on the next group. ))))))) There's a good 50 quilts worth of bins of colors. I'm excited about this now. There's already 6 on my own bed and a stack beside the bed. NEW PLAN!! Great grandkids, Great Great grandkids. ))))
At the request of my darling daughter, I am in the third camp. She referred me to the custom of Swedish Death Cleaning. My goal is to play even ups in such a way that the stash lasts only as long as I do! I am still buying and creating and making goals for the UFOs and WIPs. This is a great topic to have brought up and your infectious cheer make it easy to hear. Thank you!
❤❤❤I’m 69 and have more quilting STUFF than I will ever deplete..but it’s my joy! In years past my family and I went out for dinner and to a movie each weekend, 10 years of spending the weekend at the baseball park (these years..no quilting ). We aged and things changed. NOW in the past 15 years I can spent all that weekend $$ on my joy😂 In this past year alone, I have experienced the joy of going to 5 quilters estate sales! How lucky am I! I truly I have purchased all that I need for pennies on the dollar and I too, noticed and appreciated those quilters and took home with we some of their joy! (KH)
Boy, has this been on my mind lately!! I have been ill most of the year, in my 70's and rethinking my purchases. I have had to put three quilts on hold and have only been in my fabric stuffed sewing room twice this year instead working on small lap projects. I also have a library full of books. I am sad to say no readers or quilters in the family. I started thinking about this every time I make a purchase but I've come to the conclusion, if it makes me happy in the ' winter of my life' , so be it. My kids are resourceful and will figure it out and as you said, I won't be here. Happy quilting and collecting until the end!!!!💛
Sounds like you are working to happily stay in that first camp!! Good job. I do think it is important to enjoy all of the life we have left!! Hugs to you.
I love this. thank you. I'm 76 and I'm not even close to having the stash I want. I'm in the first category. My philosophy is - you can't take it with you (money of course) so buy fabric while you can. I'm sure I'll start being more realistic as I get older. But you have inspired me to be just a tad more thoughtful of my fabric estate.🥰
Thank you for this video!! So timely for me. Mid-sixties, LOTS of everything sewing, MANY sewing machines and sergers, some very $$$ and I just purchased a new long arm....feeling slightly guilty about that. What you said makes perfect sense.....Thanks again!!!
I don’t have family quilters. So my partner knows to call my “quilt executors” to care for my stuff. They are two friends who now they are to dispose of my stuff as they see fit - keep it, sell it, give it away, or any combination!
I love your description of that middle camp! And as long as no major disease crisis surprises me (we are indeed not promised tomorrow,) I hope I have about 20 years of relative health ahead. Estate planning isn't quite finalized yet, but I know who all of the sewing stuff is going to, and she can keep and share and sell in whatever manner brings her the most joy. She is very generous and I know she will benefit from what she chooses to keep, and she will make sure others benefit from my collection too. What an interesting topic! Beautiful around the world quilt you are working on in the video!
It is so nice to have a plan. The TATW quilt - quilted up beautifully and is on the bed in it's "forever" home. It was too "beauty" not to have a "cameo" in a video. Thank for noticing it.
@@merrymabelmarket Oh my dear! Quilters notice EVERY quilt in a video. We compare colors and size of blocks and arrangements and and and to the ones we have on our "next" wall. EVERY ONE )))) Yours is a gorgeous piece )))))
You are always so Good! It makes one think. 🧐 Plus, I love the ending: they are reminded that “they love you and should treat you really really good!” 😅
Absolutely Awesome! So many people refuse to even think of death, let alone talk about it. It's just part of the cycle of life, and if I can make it easier on my kids when I go, that is what I'm going to do; but, I'm still going to live now. Love this video, thank you.
Wow. I think this video make my blood pressure go up. I am in that last camp. I carry so much guilt when I buy fabric that I usually don't need. But quilting is my only hobby and it keeps me sane. I will write down what I want done with my "stuff". Actually I have had this thought for a while. Look forward to your next video on how I can use my fabrics.
Your great demise? I think of death as graduation from this mortal boarding school and returning home! Great advice! I'll get working on my plan and instructions.
Comedic Phrase. For sure. (I like to think I'm funny.) I think of death seriously as "our mortal test is over" and we get to go home. While here... I want to enjoy every minute. "Stay Merry and Creative"! (And yes - a plan is a great thing for peace of mind and joy.)
Thank you so much for your video! I'm 80 and have more material (and jewelry supplies) than I can ever use! I have no daughters or Granddaughters to pass my "stuff" on to. My sons keep telling me "no more quilts, please"! ha! I have told many friends they can have anything they want but I do realize I need to put it in writing. We do have a trust for our financial stuff but of course, my husband feels my "hobbies" don't fall into the important area. TAke control of your own interests! Again, thank you for giving us older gals a "push" to think about this matter. Love ALL your videos!
You are the most amazing person I never met. Can you be my next door neighbor? I absolutely adore you and this video. I’m 73 and going strong (thank the Lord) with 4 amazing kids and 15 unbelievable grandkids. I know you are a sister in the Lord. I was feeling guilt because I know I have more fabric than I can ever make but I love giving too. So, what a great perspective you bring to the table!!! And what a blessing that I’ve had such a good life and can gift. Thank you so much for this reminder that our life is a vapor and so temporal. But there are better things ahead. ❤
There is a house for sale next door.... (wink)! Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful response. I do love reading the comments and getting to know my fellow quilters better!! It is nice to be able to share!
I thought I'd have time to use most of my stash. Found out that's not going to happen. I have many quilty friends who I encourage to visit my stash. What's left goes to a special friend who organizes a quilt group for her church. Perfect. Thank you for a smile with this upbeat look at possibilities ahead. ❤quilters❤
Yup. Got that right )). We're here to encourage joy. Our service is in thread. We get to continue to make joy with the beauty we've made and collected, shared or sold after we're gone. I'm pretty sure there are quilts in Heaven (duplicates of all we've made here). Daughter is a quilter spinner weaver lacemaker pro artist as well. She'll have all the thread and tools and books, to keep or sell as she wishes. Grands are spinners lacemakers pro artists now. Free stuff from Grammy. WHeee!
@ , I'm working on it and also working through my stash! Trying to use fabrics from my own home before buying more but that's kind of a futile task!! Thankfully I have a granddaughter who is a mini me! LOL!
Thank you for this thoughtful and thought-provoking video. I've given instructions verbally, but will now also prepare a document and keep it with my will. I will also cross stitch a checklist like the one you wrote in the video, and hang it in my craft room! 🤗 ⚘️
Loved how you covered this topic. I am still dithering about what I think I want to do. But I think I'm mostly in the first camp with shades of the second and third camp. I will be dead, it will no longer be my problem, but I hope to have used most of the best stuff before I go and I hope that my kids will sell off everything they don't want. With that in mind, I am slowly organizing things and trying to complete all my UFO's.
No one in my immediate family is interested in my quilt material. Only one great, great niece is interested so I gathered up a lot of orphan blocks gathered from my 3 sisters and my mother and gave them to her. I am 85 years old and know I probably don't have that many more years to go but I am still going to buy more material and make more quilts.
Thankfully as I am on the "home stretch" of dealing with spouse' recent passing and the insanity of his putting home in reverse mortgage (don't do that), the atty recommended a book "I'm dead, Now What?" It contains great advice to include an inventory of your hobbies, crafts, etc. I so appreciate your video and logic, and will try to follow suit. Bless you.
Thank you for sharing this video. It’s something I have been thinking about, since my sons don’t want what I have. I’ve already given my youngest grand daughter a bunch of sewing notions & a machine to get her started. She’s not a quilter but loves to sew.
Thank you for such a wonderful video. I am 69 staring at 70 in 2025. I have been collecting fabric, patterns, quilting notions for years. My daughter and son haven't shown any interest in what I work on. So, I like the idea of them holding a material and notions sale and use the money to purchase something they would like.
I love being in camp 2... I buy much less fabric than I used to, but I am not worried about my fabric, etc. I agree - family and friends get first choice. After that, they can donate it. When I look at my stash, knowing I won't ever use it all, I think about the joy others will have getting good fabric at bargain prices.
I'm in the "Get it done!"camp. At the age of 80 (gulp) I think daily of the quilts I have in my cupboard as yet unmade. It is fabrics I love and have plans for.
Great video. Interesting thought I have had about this topic recently. I am retiring in 8 weeks and 1 days, but who is counting HA! God willing I have many years to quilt and give and donate, to share my passion. I have always said that my daughter and granddaughters are to take whatever they want and then let friends go next as you have said. Well, if I am around for a while, the friend pool will be slimming down too. Good thing my daughter is not afraid of donating and helping others that may need and enjoy…that would make me so happy too.
I too have lots of quilt stuff, especially fabric, at 77. I made a codicile to my will for this stuff. I have also gotten a younger friend to agree to be my quilt-executrix. She's very active in charity quilting, teaches quilting, and belongs to a guild. I know my stuff will have a good home(s). My greatest fear was a yard sale or trashed by my husband and son. 😢 Tks for this video.
I’m currently in the process of selling my home of 54 years. I became a serious quilter 30 years ago and have a large stash of fabric and quilting supplies and equipment. I have been living in another state for the past 11 years and have a similar situation there. A family member has been living in the home I’m selling and has been the keeper of the stash during that time. The high cost of shipping leaves me to purging my stash that has been carefully stored away and is still in excellent condition. I have given some of it to family members who enjoyed selecting what they wanted. I have sold a bit of it to crafters who sell their wares. I plan to donate whatever I have left to some groups who sew for charity and senior centers. I also plan to share with my friends who sew. Of course I chose to keep some of my favorite quilt sets of fabric to take with me. It hasn’t been easy but it feels good to see my stash going to enrich other lives instead of just sitting in totes in storage.
You know what I thought about that too, Where will my quilts go, who will keep them ? Even the decoupage boxes I made. But you know wha? For now they are all mine, and that counts. But to have a plan helps so much. You are right once again❤😊😊
I've been thinking about this. If my stash is well organized my children will recognize that it's meaningful and worthwhile. If my stash is a mess I suspect my children will consider it unimportant and either dump all the fabric as unnecessary or throw it away thinking its worthless. I need to be more diligent in keeping it organized!
I also collect social security, but I would like a sewing machine with a wide throat. Haven't bought it yet because I know they are expensive. However, so are longarmers.
One of my most favorite posts by you❣️ Though I enjoy them all and have rewatched several. I have been mainly in Camp 1 and have found that I’m not one to like to have a wall or closet full of fabric (too much and I feel overwhelmed and lose my ‘Sew-Jo’) so I am becoming more of a “have a plan before I purchase any new fabric” quilter. I struggle with my “hobby” as I find myself feeling guilty about the cost. I don’t own a long arm machine and to send out to get a top quilted costs me $150+ for twin size and I understand and don’t deny the value and expense to the L.Armer for the machine and time and skill/knowledge required but the cost to me if I was to send all my tops out! 😵💫 I can’t justify buying a Long Arm at my age (70) though I am in good health and longevity runs in the family, I don’t want to feel pressured to be down in the basement constantly using it. My Bernina QE 440 doesn’t have much throat space for me to quilt tops myself…besides having to roll up and toss the top over my left shoulder balancing it there and then to feed it all through the throat area…I keep thinking there has to be a better way 🤔. So the unquilted tops are piling up. 😬 Have you made a previous post about the different (not as expensive) ways to quilt tops? I appreciate your sharing! Thank you ❤❤❤
I haven't made a post like that. I can tell you here that if I were 70 with longevity - I would buy a longarm. In my experience, they hold their value better than a car. It took me years to "buy a longarm" and I have purchased (and sold the old ones) a couple of times now. My newest one was purchased less than two years ago. I'm worth it. AND, the joy of being able to quilt a quilt start to finish without waiting for a longarmer changed my life. You don't feel guilty owning a car. Why do we think we aren't worth having the tools just for the sake of enjoying our life? No guilt needed. If you can afford it? Buy it. Once I had a longarm - it set me free to make, finish and gift so many more quilts. It upped my ability to quilt "comfort or charity quilts". Once you own it, enjoy it. Don't keep track of IF it has ever "paid" for itself. It can pay for itself in JOY and in COOL NEW STUFF TO LEARN. Those things can't be monitized.
@ thank you for your encouraging and kind response. I so appreciate that you took the time to respond to my comment and it actually brought tears to my eyes. You are absolutely correct using the car example and that it will pay for itself in the JOY and new learning experiences, and to top it off I can invite others over to use it who can’t afford to buy one themselves let alone have the area to set one up. “Sharing is Caring” Do you have a post on finding the best Long Arm? I need to be diligent in making this purchase and I don’t believe Consumer Reports includes Long Arm Machines. ☺️ 💞Susan
@@SpeakTruthBeKind As you learn about the different brands you can look up information online. I show which machine I prefer in my videos. In fact, all of my longarm machines have been the same brand because I've been so happy with it. I sold the last one JUST because I didn't want to move it across the country - and then bought the latest version of the same machine after I was settled in my most recent house. Everyone had strong opinions about "which machine is best" when I was first shopping for a machine. I think the best thing to do is to attend a big quilting show. All the vendors and machines show up and they will let you "test drive" them. I would also just start asking people who own them what their experience is. My sister owns a different brand than mine and she loves hers. So - there isn't just one right answer. Your personal preference and the reputation of the company will tell you a lot. I'm glad I noticed your last comment asking. I don't usually see these comments after the first one. We just got lucky that I was looking the comments over "deeply" for another reason. You can contact us through my website if you want me to see any other comment. Or, I always see "first" comments. (Just not the comments in the deep like this one.)
Great topic!!!! I hope you help people consider their choices. Tons of fabric and never sew? Buy fabric often, never sew? Sew it up as fast as I buy it? Live as though I will live forever and make the most of each day as "tomorrow is not promised!? (that's kinda me, my Grandmother's both reached 94 and I'm just 63 :-)
Although it is a sad thought, it is sadder NOT to consider. I am the recipient of fabric my friend did NOT want when her MIL, a long-time quilter, passed. Her MIL's stash was washed and folded and included many fabrics my friend didn't fancy. I was a beginning quilter and I took all she gave me. It was freeing for me to learn to quilt with these fabrics. I made many dog quilts for my two, senior dogs and learned to free motion quilt on these fabrics that were long outdated. My dogs didn't know or care. LOL
I will always buy fabric, I love fabric, I collect fabric! I don't care once I am gone but I remind them its worth money so choose wisely what they do with it and all my collections
Build a stash of cash for the kids to pay for the truck and the auctioneer, groceries while they're arranging, and surprize costs too. Do have a lawyer make up the official paperwork so no one can fuss. You don't have to hand out copies while you are still here. Just keep quilting and spreading joy.
AMEN. I have a Estate Plan set up for everything. I have a list, with name, address, phone number and numbered 1-10 of who gets first shot at my quilting things. There are 3 machines I want KEPT IN THE FAMILY. Everything else is left to my quilting groups to continue the charity quilting. My kids know this as none of them even sew. YES make plans and give to groups you quilt with.
I am facing this dilemma now. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and have been on chemo since March 25. I have So Much fabric, yardage and precuts. I have 3 machines, one is a sit-down long arm. All are Berninas. I have many templates and patterns, many that I haven't used. I have thousands of dollars invested in an Accuquit cutter and dies, many of which I have not used. I have thread, too many to count. I have embroidery supplies galore. I am 69 years old. I have known I am a hoarder for some time, but it has been and still is a glorious ride! I am not giving up yet! .
I’m 69, I don’t know what camp I’m in ( I’ll have to figure it out). I do know that I’m agreeing with my sister who said many years ago “ You will never live long enough to use all the fabric you have “ 😊. I have stopped buying fabric ( for now) unless I need some for a particular project and I don’t have any in my stash that works 🤷♀️🥴
Camp 1! (This is also why I don't label, I want my quilts to be liked or disliked for what they are not who made them.) ALSO Plan 4 - I'm going to use it up. HAHAHAHA
It’s great if you have children that you can pass it on to, but there are those of us who do not. My fabric would be dispersed to quilt, guild, and friends. More important to me is what will happen to my collection of sewing machines.
Yes, my friends who do not have children have made glorious plans for their quilting estates. Children are not needed to make a plan. I hope you come up with a plan that will please you. Especially concerning those sewing machines that you love.
I am in my mid sixties and am considering a major move. My problem is that I want to bring everything sewing related with me. My stash is pretty large but I never paid a lot for any of it. It is valuable to me.
...can I be officially in your family.....please and thanks! Lol!... I have a Letter of Wishes along with my Will...that m y Cousin gets it all, everything in my sewing room, with the exception of the furniture... But My hope, is that I still have lots of time left, to sew my way through most of it...no more fabric purchases...I am 58, so have a lot of time left, I hope! Also, to leave my kids to 'clean up after me' should not be anyone's camp! What an awful legacy to leave your grieving kids and family.... ask me how I know.....
My plan also includes bins for each of my 7 great grandchildren with a note from me. The bins hold receiving blankets & quilts for their children who I will likely never meet.. Thanks for sharing
Love that! Thank you for sharing!!
OOOOOOOooo!!!!! GREAT idea. Deliberate quilts for the next generations. The current one has each their own, so now its time to start on the next group. ))))))) There's a good 50 quilts worth of bins of colors. I'm excited about this now. There's already 6 on my own bed and a stack beside the bed. NEW PLAN!! Great grandkids, Great Great grandkids. ))))
Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
I love this post. Im 80 & just bought more fabric. I have much much more than I'll ever use. You are speaking to me. Thanks!!!!!❤
Happy Sewing!!
If l had not given up driving , I would be echoing that. But
😂 ❤❤❤
At the request of my darling daughter, I am in the third camp. She referred me to the custom of Swedish Death Cleaning. My goal is to play even ups in such a way that the stash lasts only as long as I do! I am still buying and creating and making goals for the UFOs and WIPs. This is a great topic to have brought up and your infectious cheer make it easy to hear. Thank you!
Glad you are figuring it out while having FUN! Good job.
I love that you say I don't have to feel guilty about my fabric stash! It does have value!
Enjoy it!
Death is a hard topic sometimes, but you made this really cheerful to watch.
❤❤❤I’m 69 and have more quilting STUFF than I will ever deplete..but it’s my joy! In years past my family and I went out for dinner and to a movie each weekend, 10 years of spending the weekend at the baseball park (these years..no quilting ). We aged and things changed. NOW in the past 15 years I can spent all that weekend $$ on my joy😂 In this past year alone, I have experienced the joy of going to 5 quilters estate sales! How lucky am I! I truly I have purchased all that I need for pennies on the dollar and I too, noticed and appreciated those quilters and took home with we some of their joy! (KH)
Years of more joy and Merry Creating left in us!!
What a great video! Sad topic done happily. I love your content. You are such a happy soul and your attitude is infectious!
I'm in the fourth camp of thought: Like the Egyptians of old, I will be buried with all my fabric and bring it with me to the Field of Reeds. ;)
THAT sounds like a great camp. Good job.
Camp 5 here! I already gave God orders He better have fabric, notions and a sewing machine when I arrive!
Camp 6: Live until stash is used up. Maybe 118 or so.
😂😂😂😂😂❤
Boy, has this been on my mind lately!! I have been ill most of the year, in my 70's and rethinking my purchases. I have had to put three quilts on hold and have only been in my fabric stuffed sewing room twice this year instead working on small lap projects. I also have a library full of books. I am sad to say no readers or quilters in the family. I started thinking about this every time I make a purchase but I've come to the conclusion, if it makes me happy in the ' winter of my life' , so be it. My kids are resourceful and will figure it out and as you said, I won't be here. Happy quilting and collecting until the end!!!!💛
Sounds like you are working to happily stay in that first camp!! Good job. I do think it is important to enjoy all of the life we have left!! Hugs to you.
I love this. thank you. I'm 76 and I'm not even close to having the stash I want. I'm in the first category. My philosophy is - you can't take it with you (money of course) so buy fabric while you can. I'm sure I'll start being more realistic as I get older. But you have inspired me to be just a tad more thoughtful of my fabric estate.🥰
You tulip dancer you!! I love it. I'm glad you are so happy in your fabric space!!
Thank you for this video!! So timely for me. Mid-sixties, LOTS of everything sewing, MANY sewing machines and sergers, some very $$$ and I just purchased a new long arm....feeling slightly guilty about that. What you said makes perfect sense.....Thanks again!!!
You must have written this for me. I’m just the same.
You are so welcome! Enjoy life!!
I don’t have family quilters. So my partner knows to call my “quilt executors” to care for my stuff. They are two friends who now they are to dispose of my stuff as they see fit - keep it, sell it, give it away, or any combination!
Having a plan is SUCH a good thing!
I agree on everything you said . I am bit of every camp. Love to know that someone thinks the same.
Great video and I always remember Maryanne saying you're not promised tomorrow. You gave great advice!
Love that! I miss Marianne often!
Love this.
I love your description of that middle camp! And as long as no major disease crisis surprises me (we are indeed not promised tomorrow,) I hope I have about 20 years of relative health ahead. Estate planning isn't quite finalized yet, but I know who all of the sewing stuff is going to, and she can keep and share and sell in whatever manner brings her the most joy. She is very generous and I know she will benefit from what she chooses to keep, and she will make sure others benefit from my collection too. What an interesting topic! Beautiful around the world quilt you are working on in the video!
It is so nice to have a plan.
The TATW quilt - quilted up beautifully and is on the bed in it's "forever" home. It was too "beauty" not to have a "cameo" in a video. Thank for noticing it.
@@merrymabelmarket Oh my dear! Quilters notice EVERY quilt in a video. We compare colors and size of blocks and arrangements and and and to the ones we have on our "next" wall. EVERY ONE )))) Yours is a gorgeous piece )))))
You are always so Good!
It makes one think. 🧐
Plus, I love the ending: they are reminded that “they love you and should treat you really really good!” 😅
Yes... Did you see the chocolate?? Tee hee...
Absolutely Awesome! So many people refuse to even think of death, let alone talk about it. It's just part of the cycle of life, and if I can make it easier on my kids when I go, that is what I'm going to do; but, I'm still going to live now. Love this video, thank you.
Thank you for your sweet supportive comment!
Wow. I think this video make my blood pressure go up. I am in that last camp. I carry so much guilt when I buy fabric that I usually don't need. But quilting is my only hobby and it keeps me sane. I will write down what I want done with my "stuff". Actually I have had this thought for a while. Look forward to your next video on how I can use my fabrics.
You will feel better after you make a little "list" for those who "stay behind". Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Your great demise? I think of death as graduation from this mortal boarding school and returning home! Great advice! I'll get working on my plan and instructions.
Comedic Phrase. For sure. (I like to think I'm funny.) I think of death seriously as "our mortal test is over" and we get to go home.
While here... I want to enjoy every minute. "Stay Merry and Creative"! (And yes - a plan is a great thing for peace of mind and joy.)
@@merrymabelmarket I love your delightful sense of humor, your faith and optimism.
Thank you so much for your video! I'm 80 and have more material (and jewelry supplies) than I can ever use! I have no daughters or Granddaughters to pass my "stuff" on to. My sons keep telling me "no more quilts, please"! ha! I have told many friends they can have anything they want but I do realize I need to put it in writing. We do have a trust for our financial stuff but of course, my husband feels my "hobbies" don't fall into the important area. TAke control of your own interests! Again, thank you for giving us older gals a "push" to think about this matter. Love ALL your videos!
Yes. YOUR stuff is worth a LOT!!
You are the most amazing person I never met. Can you be my next door neighbor? I absolutely adore you and this video. I’m 73 and going strong (thank the Lord) with 4 amazing kids and 15 unbelievable grandkids. I know you are a sister in the Lord. I was feeling guilt because I know I have more fabric than I can ever make but I love giving too. So, what a great perspective you bring to the table!!! And what a blessing that I’ve had such a good life and can gift. Thank you so much for this reminder that our life is a vapor and so temporal. But there are better things ahead. ❤
There is a house for sale next door.... (wink)! Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful response. I do love reading the comments and getting to know my fellow quilters better!! It is nice to be able to share!
Wow I hope you're doing well ❤ first and foremost. That trip around the quilt was an amazing find .
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas.
I thought I'd have time to use most of my stash. Found out that's not going to happen. I have many quilty friends who I encourage to visit my stash. What's left goes to a special friend who organizes a quilt group for her church. Perfect. Thank you for a smile with this upbeat look at possibilities ahead. ❤quilters❤
Sending you ALL of my support and best wishes on your journey!!!
Yup. Got that right )). We're here to encourage joy. Our service is in thread. We get to continue to make joy with the beauty we've made and collected, shared or sold after we're gone. I'm pretty sure there are quilts in Heaven (duplicates of all we've made here). Daughter is a quilter spinner weaver lacemaker pro artist as well. She'll have all the thread and tools and books, to keep or sell as she wishes. Grands are spinners lacemakers pro artists now. Free stuff from Grammy. WHeee!
Love that! Well said!!
Love how you described all of this! Now, if I can just get my stash organized, I want to be that lady!
You can do it!
@ , I'm working on it and also working through my stash! Trying to use fabrics from my own home before buying more but that's kind of a futile task!! Thankfully I have a granddaughter who is a mini me! LOL!
Thank you for this thoughtful and thought-provoking video. I've given instructions verbally, but will now also prepare a document and keep it with my will. I will also cross stitch a checklist like the one you wrote in the video, and hang it in my craft room! 🤗 ⚘️
Wonderful! Love your x-stitch wall hanging plan!! Tee hee...
Great advice. I often wonder. I am already doing a little of each. Gift, share and make a list. Have a great day.
Thank you! You too!
Loved how you covered this topic. I am still dithering about what I think I want to do. But I think I'm mostly in the first camp with shades of the second and third camp. I will be dead, it will no longer be my problem, but I hope to have used most of the best stuff before I go and I hope that my kids will sell off everything they don't want. With that in mind, I am slowly organizing things and trying to complete all my UFO's.
Sounds like you are facing reality and enjoying yourself. Good job!
No one in my immediate family is interested in my quilt material. Only one great, great niece is interested so I gathered up a lot of orphan blocks gathered from my 3 sisters and my mother and gave them to her. I am 85 years old and know I probably don't have that many more years to go but I am still going to buy more material and make more quilts.
I love that you are enjoying life!!
Thankfully as I am on the "home stretch" of dealing with spouse' recent passing and the insanity of his putting home in reverse mortgage (don't do that), the atty recommended a book "I'm dead, Now What?" It contains great advice to include an inventory of your hobbies, crafts, etc. I so appreciate your video and logic, and will try to follow suit. Bless you.
Best wishes as you figure out widowhood. It's a journey for SURE!
Thank you for sharing this video. It’s something I have been thinking about, since my sons don’t want what I have. I’ve already given my youngest grand daughter a bunch of sewing notions & a machine to get her started. She’s not a quilter but loves to sew.
Sounds like you are figuring it out. Loving to sew is a great step!
I love your approach!! Thank you so much for this!!😀😀😀💕
You are so welcome!
Thank you for such a wonderful video. I am 69 staring at 70 in 2025. I have been collecting fabric, patterns, quilting notions for years. My daughter and son haven't shown any interest in what I work on. So, I like the idea of them holding a material and notions sale and use the money to purchase something they would like.
If they understand the value - it is SO wonderful to be able to sell it to happy folk!!
I love this. You gave me an answers to my internal questions and now I can make a plan. At 69 I hope I have a few more quilts in me.
At least a few!
I love being in camp 2... I buy much less fabric than I used to, but I am not worried about my fabric, etc. I agree - family and friends get first choice. After that, they can donate it. When I look at my stash, knowing I won't ever use it all, I think about the joy others will have getting good fabric at bargain prices.
Love that!
I'm in the "Get it done!"camp. At the age of 80 (gulp) I think daily of the quilts I have in my cupboard as yet unmade. It is fabrics I love and have plans for.
I like your camp. Lovely plans. So much creativity to still enjoy.
Great video. Interesting thought I have had about this topic recently. I am retiring in 8 weeks and 1 days, but who is counting HA! God willing I have many years to quilt and give and donate, to share my passion. I have always said that my daughter and granddaughters are to take whatever they want and then let friends go next as you have said. Well, if I am around for a while, the friend pool will be slimming down too. Good thing my daughter is not afraid of donating and helping others that may need and enjoy…that would make me so happy too.
Sweet plan. YAY for retirement!
Such wonderful advice! Thank you!
I too have lots of quilt stuff, especially fabric, at 77. I made a codicile to my will for this stuff. I have also gotten a younger friend to agree to be my quilt-executrix. She's very active in charity quilting, teaches quilting, and belongs to a guild. I know my stuff will have a good home(s).
My greatest fear was a yard sale or trashed by my husband and son. 😢
Tks for this video.
I loved the way you solved this!! So good.
I’m currently in the
process of selling my home of 54 years. I became a serious quilter 30 years ago and have a large stash of fabric and quilting supplies and equipment. I have been living in another state for the past 11 years and have a similar situation there. A family member has been living in the home I’m selling and has been the keeper of the stash during that time. The high cost of shipping leaves me to purging my stash that has been carefully stored away and is still in excellent condition. I have given some of it to family members who enjoyed selecting what they wanted. I have sold a bit of it to crafters who sell their wares. I plan to donate whatever I have left to some groups who sew for charity and senior centers. I also plan to share with my friends who sew. Of course I chose to keep some of my favorite quilt sets of fabric to take with me. It hasn’t been easy but it feels good to see my stash going to enrich other lives instead of just sitting in totes in storage.
Truly Beautiful!!
❤ Perfect!
You know what I thought about that too, Where will my quilts go, who will keep them ? Even the decoupage boxes I made. But you know wha? For now they are all mine, and that counts. But to have a plan helps so much. You are right once again❤😊😊
It TOTALLY counts that you enjoy them while you are able!!
@@merrymabelmarket 🤗💙🌸💙🌷💙🌻
You videos are beautifully edited. Do you do it yourself?
We do. Thank you for your kind comment.
Absolutely love this talk.
Thank you!!
Thanks for this
Excellent post. Thank you 💕
I've been thinking about this. If my stash is well organized my children will recognize that it's meaningful and worthwhile. If my stash is a mess I suspect my children will consider it unimportant and either dump all the fabric as unnecessary or throw it away thinking its worthless. I need to be more diligent in keeping it organized!
Now THAT is a great thought to ponder!!
Great video. Important to think about
Absolutely. Thank you for watching and commenting!!
Great advice! I'm following it! Thank you!!!
Fantastic!
Thank you, really great advice!
I also collect social security, but I would like a sewing machine with a wide throat. Haven't bought it yet because I know they are expensive. However, so are longarmers.
Our whole hobby is expensive. But, somehow... so worth it!! Eventually you will decide to get it!
One of my most favorite posts by you❣️ Though I enjoy them all and have rewatched several.
I have been mainly in Camp 1 and have found that I’m not one to like to have a wall or closet full of fabric (too much and I feel overwhelmed and lose my ‘Sew-Jo’) so I am becoming more of a “have a plan before I purchase any new fabric” quilter. I struggle with my “hobby” as I find myself feeling guilty about the cost. I don’t own a long arm machine and to send out to get a top quilted costs me $150+ for twin size and I understand and don’t deny the value and expense to the L.Armer for the machine and time and skill/knowledge required but the cost to me if I was to send all my tops out! 😵💫
I can’t justify buying a Long Arm at my age (70) though I am in good health and longevity runs in the family, I don’t want to feel pressured to be down in the basement constantly using it. My Bernina QE 440 doesn’t have much throat space for me to quilt tops myself…besides having to roll up and toss the top over my left shoulder balancing it there and then to feed it all through the throat area…I keep thinking there has to be a better way 🤔. So the unquilted tops are piling up. 😬 Have you made a previous post about the different (not as expensive) ways to quilt tops?
I appreciate your sharing! Thank you ❤❤❤
I haven't made a post like that. I can tell you here that if I were 70 with longevity - I would buy a longarm. In my experience, they hold their value better than a car. It took me years to "buy a longarm" and I have purchased (and sold the old ones) a couple of times now. My newest one was purchased less than two years ago. I'm worth it. AND, the joy of being able to quilt a quilt start to finish without waiting for a longarmer changed my life. You don't feel guilty owning a car. Why do we think we aren't worth having the tools just for the sake of enjoying our life? No guilt needed. If you can afford it? Buy it. Once I had a longarm - it set me free to make, finish and gift so many more quilts. It upped my ability to quilt "comfort or charity quilts". Once you own it, enjoy it. Don't keep track of IF it has ever "paid" for itself. It can pay for itself in JOY and in COOL NEW STUFF TO LEARN. Those things can't be monitized.
@ thank you for your encouraging and kind response. I so appreciate that you took the time to respond to my comment and it actually brought tears to my eyes.
You are absolutely correct using the car example and that it will pay for itself in the JOY and new learning experiences, and to top it off I can invite others over to use it who can’t afford to buy one themselves let alone have the area to set one up. “Sharing is Caring”
Do you have a post on finding the best Long Arm? I need to be diligent in making this purchase and I don’t believe Consumer Reports includes Long Arm Machines. ☺️
💞Susan
@@SpeakTruthBeKind
As you learn about the different brands you can look up information online. I show which machine I prefer in my videos. In fact, all of my longarm machines have been the same brand because I've been so happy with it. I sold the last one JUST because I didn't want to move it across the country - and then bought the latest version of the same machine after I was settled in my most recent house.
Everyone had strong opinions about "which machine is best" when I was first shopping for a machine. I think the best thing to do is to attend a big quilting show. All the vendors and machines show up and they will let you "test drive" them. I would also just start asking people who own them what their experience is. My sister owns a different brand than mine and she loves hers. So - there isn't just one right answer. Your personal preference and the reputation of the company will tell you a lot.
I'm glad I noticed your last comment asking. I don't usually see these comments after the first one. We just got lucky that I was looking the comments over "deeply" for another reason. You can contact us through my website if you want me to see any other comment. Or, I always see "first" comments. (Just not the comments in the deep like this one.)
Great topic!!!! I hope you help people consider their choices. Tons of fabric and never sew? Buy fabric often, never sew? Sew it up as fast as I buy it? Live as though I will live forever and make the most of each day as "tomorrow is not promised!? (that's kinda me, my Grandmother's both reached 94 and I'm just 63 :-)
I hope you break the "live long" record!
Although it is a sad thought, it is sadder NOT to consider. I am the recipient of fabric my friend did NOT want when her MIL, a long-time quilter, passed. Her MIL's stash was washed and folded and included many fabrics my friend didn't fancy. I was a beginning quilter and I took all she gave me. It was freeing for me to learn to quilt with these fabrics. I made many dog quilts for my two, senior dogs and learned to free motion quilt on these fabrics that were long outdated. My dogs didn't know or care. LOL
I must add, I was very grateful to receive the fabric and continue to enjoy.
What a happy thing that YOU were able to enjoy this legacy!! Love it! There is always someone who would amazingly benefit.
I will always buy fabric, I love fabric, I collect fabric! I don't care once I am gone but I remind them its worth money so choose wisely what they do with it and all my collections
Sweet!
Wonderful❤️❤️
Thanks Dawn❤
Build a stash of cash for the kids to pay for the truck and the auctioneer, groceries while they're arranging, and surprize costs too. Do have a lawyer make up the official paperwork so no one can fuss. You don't have to hand out copies while you are still here. Just keep quilting and spreading joy.
Great Plan!!
AMEN. I have a Estate Plan set up for everything. I have a list, with name, address, phone number and numbered 1-10 of who gets first shot at my quilting things. There are 3 machines I want KEPT IN THE FAMILY. Everything else is left to my quilting groups to continue the charity quilting. My kids know this as none of them even sew. YES make plans and give to groups you quilt with.
Sounds like you are prepared! Enjoy your fabric!!!
I am facing this dilemma now. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and have been on chemo since March 25. I have So Much fabric, yardage and precuts. I have 3 machines, one is a sit-down long arm. All are Berninas. I have many templates and patterns, many that I haven't used. I have thousands of dollars invested in an Accuquit cutter and dies, many of which I have not used. I have thread, too many to count. I have embroidery supplies galore. I am 69 years old. I have known I am a hoarder for some time, but it has been and still is a glorious ride! I am not giving up yet!
.
I love that I can FEEL the joy you have in your wonderful quilting materials! I wish you all the best!
Thank you so much!
Precious! (Psalm 116:15)
I'm leaving all my sewing/quilting supplies and equipment to my guild.
I hope they love your gift.
Speechless
I hope it's a good speechless. Cheers!!
I’m 69, I don’t know what camp I’m in ( I’ll have to figure it out). I do know that I’m agreeing with my sister who said many years ago “ You will never live long enough to use all the fabric you have “
😊. I have stopped buying fabric ( for now) unless I need some for a particular project and I don’t have any in my stash that works 🤷♀️🥴
Sounds like a "mostly" plan!! Have fun creating!
❤❤❤
Camp 1! (This is also why I don't label, I want my quilts to be liked or disliked for what they are not who made them.) ALSO Plan 4 - I'm going to use it up. HAHAHAHA
Plan 4 sounds like a great thing to work towards.... while you are hanging in camp ONE!
Do you have a special design floor or is it just the floor? By the way, this is a very good idea for quilters/sewers for when the time comes
My special design floor IS the regular carpet that I layed out on part of the hardwood. But, it feels special???
@ that’s nice! My design floor is the floor with a rug on it too!💜💜
It’s great if you have children that you can pass it on to, but there are those of us who do not. My fabric would be dispersed to quilt, guild, and friends. More important to me is what will happen to my collection of sewing machines.
Yes, my friends who do not have children have made glorious plans for their quilting estates. Children are not needed to make a plan. I hope you come up with a plan that will please you. Especially concerning those sewing machines that you love.
I have Swedish death quilting projects to burn through stuff…
I am in my mid sixties and am considering a major move. My problem is that I want to bring everything sewing related with me. My stash is pretty large but I never paid a lot for any of it. It is valuable to me.
I moved a few years ago and used my fabric as "packing material". It worked brilliantly!!
@ oh what an excellent idea. Thanks for that.
😊
I buy food, fuel and fabric and will continue to do so.
That sounds like a plan!
I’m in camp number 1! I’ll be dead and gone! I won’t know!
I LOVE tulips!! So great.
i don't tiptoe either
...can I be officially in your family.....please and thanks! Lol!... I have a Letter of Wishes along with my Will...that m y Cousin gets it all, everything in my sewing room, with the exception of the furniture... But My hope, is that I still have lots of time left, to sew my way through most of it...no more fabric purchases...I am 58, so have a lot of time left, I hope! Also, to leave my kids to 'clean up after me' should not be anyone's camp! What an awful legacy to leave your grieving kids and family.... ask me how I know.....
I've been in the "clean up the estate" camp myself. I will admit that it is work.
More family is always a good thing! (Official or not!)
Excellent advice!
Thanks for watching!