Someday…..we or our families will have to dispose of our stash–notions, fabric, machines, art supplies, etc.
No one likes to contemplate that day, and we know it is inevitable.
Make a Plan Now….
Here are a few thoughts –I suggest you make a written plan and put it where family and friends can find it just in case you are not there to give directions. And, if you are destashing NOW, these tips may be useful today. The less we leave…the easier their task will be.
Are you destashing or planning to desash now? I f you need some motivation and practical tips for managing your stash, check out Sustainable Stashing, my ondemand class available here.
Now..Here are some tips for an estate action plan.
QUILT/SEWER ESTATE SALE!
This is often the fastest way for our family and friends to liquidate our treasures left in our estate. Remember–please leave enough information so that they can properly value your items.
Who Can Help the Family Understand Value?
List your Guild contacts (email for the guild or website). Or list the names and numbers of close sewing knowledgeable friends who can help.
They might even hire the owner or staffmember from a local fabric or quilt shop to coordinate and advise.
So, here are some categories and ideas.
ESTATE SALE!
This is often the fastest way to liquidate our estate. However, please leave enough information so that they can properly value your items.
QUILTS
This can be tough. Of course, encourage family and close friends to take quilts or mark them for specific people.
- HIGH VALUE QUILTS. CLEARLY Mark them with a label showing value, date made and any other useful information. The family may be able to sell on Ebay or through antique or art consignment shops. Your Guild might offer them for sale OR auction at their next quilt show. They can also be sold at an Estate Sale with the PROPER value on them.
- Utility quilts. Guilds can usually take them to share with community groups, shelters and so forth.
Sewing Machines & Cabinets, Martelli Tables, etc.
List your machines and clearly identify which ones are valuable and which ones are not. We hate to see a $4000 sewing machine dropped off at Goodwill. And, yes, it happens.
List the machine and best options for destashing such as:
- Sell to local sewing machine shops
- Sell on online resale sites like Feel Good Fibers (link here)
- Ebay–but make sure they mark them as is, no returns
- Antiques — high end consignment, Ebay or thrift shops but NOT Goodwill
- Offer on local neighborhood online sites
Fabric and Patterns and Notions…oh my!
- If there are vintage items, help identify them (or store in a marked container). These can go to high end consignment or thrift shops or sold on Ebay.
- Most fabric and notions can be given to your favorite guild(s). They can use it for charity projects or sell it to raise funds when they have a quilt show.
- Fabric, Craft & Art Thrift or Resale Shops: These are popping up in more and more cities. Here’s a link to one in my original home town in Baltimore. These shops accept donations or consignments. Profits often go to support arts in the community.
- Art & Public School Teachers. Yes! Donate fabric, buttons, glues, paints, etc., etc. to teachers who often have to come out of their own pockets to get these items for students. Postings on community online sites usually get snapped up really fast!
Other Ideas?
Feel free to comment below if you have other ideas on how to help our families take care of this part of our estate.
Destashing Now? Need Help?
Are you destashing or planning to organize your stash and perhaps start destashing now? If you need some motivation and practical tips for managing your stash, check out Sustainable Stashing, my ondemand class available here.