Declutter Challenge 2026 - Day 13 - Other Notions

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Today is a big one — today we tackle notions. 

That means elastics, buttons, ribbons, snaps, zippers, interfacing, foundation papers, bag hardware, and all those little bits that somehow multiply when we’re not looking.

STEP 1

Use Your Timer This is absolutely a timer day. Set your timer for 15–20 minutes. Notions are sneaky. They live in containers… inside containers… inside other containers. The timer keeps you moving and prevents overthinking. You can always reset it.

Notions pile up because:

• We buy them for workshops

• Seasonal crafts

• Costumes and school projects

• Projects we never actually make

  
  

And in our big box amazon era, it’s often cheaper to buy 30 than 4, which creates a whole new problem: overstock.

Because notions are small and varied, they’re hard to manage — and once they disappear into the container-verse, it’s faster to buy them again than to dig through all those Rubbermaid containers to find what you already own.

STEP 2

Define your capacity. Is it a drawer, several drawers, shelves, buckets or all three? Notions are multi shaped and there is no one size fits all. 

And notions are different than tools. These are items that get incorporated into our projects.

And when they are used up, they might be gone forever. This category can also deteriorate. So this category can be very elastic, no pun intended. 

The other thing about notions is that most of them we only use occasionally. So they don't need to be in the prime spot near your sewing station.

So start by identifying:

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How much space do I want these items to occupy?

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STEP 3

Declutter. Take a really good look at the items that you have not used in 2 years. Because the question of the day is not will I ever use it, but do I want to use it.  And there is a big difference. 

For the items you choose to keep, check for damage:

• Elastics that have dried out

• Corroded metal

• Brittle plastics

• Yellowed or crumbling papers and other items

If it can’t do its job anymore, let it go. Notions are only useful if you can see what you have so get them of the container, in the container inside another container. If you discover you have far more than you need — you’re right. Most of us do. 

Seeing everything at once will hopefully remind you in the year ahead not to overbuy.

STEP 4

Get it Out of Your Space. Damaged and deteriorated items obviously are for the trash, but the other notions will be valuable for many people. So ask around, ask online or donate to the local charity shop.

If this is your first year doing the challenge, this next step is important. If you have containers that haven’t been opened in 5 years:

• Don’t sort them

• Open the lid

• Confirm there are no important documents

• Let them go

You have lived without the contents for years. The odds are strongly in your favor that you’ll continue to survive without them. And 99% of it is replaceable if you truly need it again.

Now, if you have other crafts living in your sewing space if you have not touched them on previous days, today is the day you should look at them:

• Knitting

• Crochet

• Beading

• Scrapbooking

• Quilling

• Felting

• Card making

• Watercolors

• 3-D printing

• Wood carving

• Fabric dying

• Pottery

• Photography

• Weaving

• Epoxywork

• Have I left anything out, I’m sure there is more

Ask:

• What have I done in the past two years?

• What am I realistically likely to do again?

If you’re actively doing another craft, it will most likely need it’s own decluttering challenge. Don’t worry about it today. Make a note to tackle it later by repeating this challenge and modifying the days as necessary.

Letting go of some of these old crafts is hard 

Today you will likely uncover:

• Old

• Crumbling

• Wacky

• Colorful

• Long-forgotten supplies

Maybe things from when your kids were young. Maybe things you’ve carried since your school days. That’s normal — and part of the process. Keep your memories and discard the rest. The relief afterward is worth it.

STEP 5

Now it’s Your Time to Share. What was the oldest, weirdest, or most surprising notion you found today? I love seeing what comes out of hiding on this day. Share your photos and progress using the challenge hashtags.

And there is a handout and suggested videos in the notes below. Here are the 2 videos I recommend today:

Take care — and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 14 ✨