DECLUTTER CHALLENGE - DAY 8 - THREAD

New week, new challenges. I know many of you are already seeing how your sewing space is opening up and your SEWJO is coming back in.

This week our challenges are with our notions and tools. And we are starting with thread. Hopefully, playing with the colours will help lift your spirits for the new week.

We need thread to make a quilt. There are many different types and weights for piecing, quilting, serging and embroidery.

The amount of thread you need is dependent on what type of quilting/sewing that you like to do. And since you might potentially use all of it, where can you cut back?

• Start with how much space you want the thread to occupy in your space.

• Eliminate the dusty ones. I have many that I accepted from friends that were cleaning out their mothers/aunts sewing room and they thought I could use them.

• Consider eliminating those without any markings. If you have no idea if they are poly or cotton, 60wt, 50wt or 40wt, what are the chances you might use it?

• How many different spool shapes are you wanting to manage? Can you eliminate one size?

• How many spools have less than a project left on them? I add my end-of-spools to a miscellaneous bobbin that I use for practice pieces. I also like to use them in my hand sewing when I make my hexies.

• Speaking of bobbins, how many do you have? Do they work in your current machine? Any broken ones?

You may also want to consider the extra packaging with your threads that you can declutter. I won an incredible collection of Aurifil Tula Pink threads several years ago and because of the packaging, I have kept them separate...for no other reason than the black case they came in. Having them separate also gave the illusion that they were too precious to use. I’m letting the case go and this year I will start using them.

You might have other threads for other crafts like floss for cross-stitch etc. How many of those projects will you make in the next 5 years? How much space in your sewing room do you want them to take up? Be honest and cull accordingly.

While you’re working on this challenge, listen to my interview with Antia Zobens of Threadworks. She knows so much about where, when and why to use each kind of thread. I had so many questions and she answered all of them.

Are you ready for a new week of the Declutter Challenge? I’d love to hear how it’s going on my social media. Follow the hashtag #jgidqdeclutter2021. ..and Facebook. I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 9! Missed a day? Click here for the full list!