Hello, my friends! I apologize for the not-so-pretty photo, which was taken in the dim lighting of my basement a few months ago. This is the crazy fabric/yarn stash situation that’s been assaulting my conscience for years. Bear in mind that this is only about half of what I actually own. The yarn sitch isn’t awful; it’s just that one bin in the top row. But the fabrics!!!!!
Luckily, I have a solution.
It’s to pretend that my stash is as soothing and contained as it is in this photo. Denial can be a beautiful thing. No, that’s not it.
The solution is more involved. My dear, dear friends — I’m working on another sewing book. Actually, I’m working on two sewing books!!!!! One is due out in 2020 and the other one will be released 2021. As is the case with books, I can’t say a whole lot about them at this time since I’m smack dab in the middle of it all, but they will perhaps help with the stash problemo.
I’m calling the process my “destashival”, which is an amalgamation of destash and festival. A celebration of destashing! Thank goodness I have an exorbitant amount of supplies at the ready for these upcoming books.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been steadily purging all of my belongings to get closer to something that resembles minimalism, but these fabric-stuffed bins have been throwing a wrench in my whole scheme (not to mention art supplies, and books, and skincare, and teas — but we’ll discuss those later). For the next several months, I’m going to jubilantly sew samples for my books and tackle the many, many other sewing patterns I’ve been holding off on (I just posted on Instagram the dolman sleeve top that’s near completion).
Now, with my destashival in full swing, I’ll be able to show you an empty wall in…I don’t know…a year? D’you think I can do it?
I realize that this announcement is somewhat lacking in fanfare but my insides are full of fanfare and sparklers and massive fireworks. I feel so outrageously, profoundly lucky that I get to do this. Could I have predicted that I would be working on my fifth and sixth book in 2018? Nope. Nuh-uh. No way. One always hopes that opportunities are ever-flowing, of course, but there are no guarantees. It boils down to you and this little blog in many ways. Thank you for visiting even when my posts are sporadic, thank you for buying my books or checking them out from the library, thank you for encouraging me through the Furoku membership (where I talk about all the behind-the-scenes stuff), thank you for all your comments here and on Instagram, and thank you for all the virtual good vibes. I am rendered speechless by the immensity of my gratitude.
Alright, back to book-making shenanigans. Have an awesome weekend, all! I hope this autumn season is treating you well and that you’re gearing up for a spectacular Thanksgiving!
P.S. I’ll be at Queen Anne Book Company next Saturday, November 24th around 1pm as part of Indies First! It’ll be fun!
Sheila says
So excited to hear about more sewing books! I love your first one!
Sheila
sanae says
Thank you Sheila! I’m excited too (and a tiny bit overwhelmed to be honest – but in a good way!). xo
Molly says
Do you have a secret for keeping your fabrics free of the mildew smell when stored in Tupperware containers?
Congratulations on your new books!!!
sanae says
Hi Molly! I keep cedar balls and small soap bars in the bins with the fabric to avoid moths and the musty scent :). Thank you!!
tameka says
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
sanae says
Thank you, Tameka!
Patrizia says
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you are making!
sanae says
Thank you, Patrizia! I’ll have a lot to share, I hope!
Tammy says
I’m over the moon with your announcement! I’m looking forward to sneak peeks of your new sewing books.
sanae says
Thank you, Tammy! I’m over the moon too!! xoxo
Lucinda Poel says
TWO more sewing books?! Be still my heart! Thrilled for you Sanae, as I know creativity is your passion, but thrilled for all of us lucky readers as well:) And if you need testers . . . 🙂
sanae says
Thank you so much, Lucinda! I’m wide-eyed with disbelief that I’ve been so fortunate. My editor at Sasquatch Books has been a virtuoso at pitching my ideas!!