How to destash fabric and sewing supplies

What is destashing and why bother?

Anyone who has been sewing for a while will know that fabric shopping can easily outpace project completion. This can lead to accumulation of fabric and other supplies, which may no longer inspire you and can become overwhelming. The term ‘destash’ refers to passing on unwanted items from your sewing stash so they can be used by someone else. This saves materials from landfill and means supplies can still live out their potential to become an incredible creation. Every item you rehome frees up both physical space and headspace, so it’s a win-win!

Below I’ll outline some ideas to help you destash fabric and sewing supplies, so you can curate your perfect stash.

First: Set your stash goals

This is a really important part of the destashing process, so don’t be tempted to skip it! Setting your stash goals will help you focus and motivate you through the destashing process. It will also give you a great sense of achievement when you meet your goal. As fabric stashes are as unique as individual sewists, choosing your goal will be personal to you depending on what you’re hoping to achieve through the fabric destash. Here are some examples of stash goals you could use:

Motivation	Goal
I just need to get started	Pick a number of fabrics to destash – “I want to destash 5 fabrics”
Running out of storage space	Designate a storage location which acts as the maximum capacity – “I will destash everything that doesn’t fit into the fabric cupboard”
Feeling overwhelmed thinking of ideas	Only keep fabric you have a plan for already – “I don’t know what I could make with this, so it’s going”

How to decide what fabric to destash

It’s likely that your stash is full of fabric that is objectively lovely, however, it needs more than that to keep it’s spot! One easy way to decide is to think “would I buy this fabric now?”. Considering whether you’d choose this fabric now means you’re considering your current taste, colours you’d actually wear and fibres you enjoy sewing. After rehoming all the fabrics that don’t inspire you any more, you’ll be left with a stash you can’t wait to sew.

Maintaining your ideal stash is an ongoing process, so you can use this method to keep your changing tastes in mind. Regular destashing can help keep your stash fresh and inspiring.

Emotionally letting go of fabric

Now we’re onto the hard part. What if you’ve got a fabric you don’t think you’ll ever sew but it has a story behind it that makes it difficult to part with. The truth is, you don’t need to keep the fabric to treasure the memories. For really special fabrics, you could cut a swatch, stick it in your journal and write out its tale. Then you can let go of the length and consider how special it is that a fabric that meant something to you has been given a new home and the chance to be sewn!

If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of letting a particular fabric go, revisit your stash goals. You might find that you can still meet your goal without destashing that particular piece, or you may find it gives you the motivation you need to let go.

Destashing is the key to an organised sewing space

If you’re hoping to get your sewing space more organised, you need to start by rehoming items you won’t use. This means you’re not wasting your time trying to find a space for excess stuff you don’t even want. An organised space isn’t a Pinterest Aesthetic – it doesn’t have to be minimalist or colour coordinated. An organised space is a feeling. Items that are no longer wanted become clutter, which is a burden on both your physical space and headspace. Destashing allows you to remove unwanted supplies and pass them onto someone that finds them valuable, leaving you with a calming uncluttered space.

Mindful shopping reduces the need to destash

FOMOOF (Fear Of Missing Out On Fabric) can be one of the biggest contributors to an excessive stash. The scarcity mindset tricks you into thinking you need certain fabrics because they are limited edition (I’m looking at you, deadstock fabric). Just because a piece is unusual, it doesn’t mean it’s right for your stash. Same goes for fabric on sale, a good price doesnt mean you need it. Consider whether you’d still buy it if it wasn’t limited edition or would you be happy to pay full price? Remember, there is always more out there, so even if you miss out on a fabric, you’ll still be able to find more amazing fabric for your future projects.