Stash Strategies

Updated May 1, 2018

Lately it seems, I have been buying lots of canvases. Back in January, while I was sick I took some time cleaning out canvases. It seems that I have now filled the space I created because everything was overflowing.

My project hamper was so full, thanks to my DDs cleaning in January, that I couldn’t find things. I pulled everything out, got rid of some projects, and cleaned up others. I put everything in order and now I pull a piece from the top of the pile as my next project. The candy cane was one of these as is the heart that’s my current car project. I have also finished another of those you’ll see in a post next week.

The thread stash is huge however. I know many people who have much bigger stashes of thread than I do, but mine is big. So big I rarely buy thread for a project because almost everything I want it there already.

Almost every stitcher I know struggles with stash. But SABLE (Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy) aside, we all can use these strategies to reduce our stash.

1. Are there types of thread you don’t like or just don’t use? Give them to friends who do, donate them to your guilds auction, or sell them. If, like me, you need to use threads which are only currently available, add them to this pile as well.

2. Do you have little ends of thread among the threads in your stash? Add them to your scrap basket and use them in projects.

3. My favorite strategy is to shop the stash first. I’m about to start a new ornament from Art Needlepoint. Although the canvas is new, all seven threads, plus the stretcher bars are from my stash. And I could choose from many different threads for each color in the piece. This way you use your investment in threads and save both gas (that trip to the store) and money (this my DH loves).

I actually count up the colors I use all of when I work. Once I used up ten different threads in doing a project. I’ve also done ones where I only had to buy the background thread, everything else was in the stash. And then it was only to keep the dyelot consistent.

Most of the time these days I can shop completely from my stash. I love this because it challenges my creativity. For example sampler you saw yesterday, pictured below, everything need to coordinate with this shade of Overture. It was a challenge to find threads but in the process I used up two skeins and tried a thread that was new to me. I also stretched my color wings and ended up with a project I love.

4. Finally, and I often forget this, always have a stash project in progress. This could be something small (think about Rainbow Gallery’s or Kreinik’s free designs). Or use a canvas from your stash. Or even draw an outline, divide it like a crazy quilt and fill it with threads and stitches. I’ve done lots of Scrap Bag Needlepoint projects and I just love them.

It’s a challenge to do this, tons of fun and you have the joy of making something pretty from the stuff you have collected.

I’m starting a couple of new stash projects this week, trying to use up stuff and I’ll show you how I’m coming in the next few days.