I have been in a battle to simplify life for the better part of six or more years. Life is far too complicated, and so much of it is self-imposed by the "stuff" we choose to own. But my less-is-better attitude recently hit the big test: while cleaning out a drawer I came across the dress fabric - red with white roses.
The more I clean out the more cluttered things get, but then that is how I clean. It gets worse before it gets better. Everything comes out of the closet and then it sits there while I deal with it, which may take months. It is hard for me to get rid of things.
As a result I decided I needed to get more serious about my endeavor. I started in my kids' rooms and realized that, combined, the three of them have less stuff than I. So it seemed to follow that I had to rid myself of my own stuff. In my case, that means to get rid of projects: arts and crafts, garment sewing, and even some (gasp!) quilting projects. Getting rid of projects will clean up the messes.
So, I started with a drawer and the first thing I found was the red fabric with the white roses. I bought the fabric about as long ago as I started to simplify life, not knowing at the time that it would become symbolic of the whole process.
"Oh.not this one," I thought. I scrambled for the pattern drawer to find the pattern I had chosen to go with this fabric. Perhaps I should sew it up tonight? I found five patterns that I had bought over the years specifically for this fabric, complete with zippers, buttons, and spools of thread.
Apparently indecision is not a new theme in this fabric's history. The red-with-white-roses dress, ah yes, down memory lane.it was to be worn to the dinner dance at my husband's company. It was for my son's first communion. It was for several Easters, a couple of birthday parties, a Christmas here and there, for my sister's baby shower and her next child's baby shower. The pattern would change with the season and the degree of formality of the occasion.
I have not worn the red-with-white-roses dress more times than I ever would have worn it. So essentially it has had quite a bit of use. And six or so years later, this fabric that I love will still work in its current form as a rayon tablecloth or a parea (sarong). Bottom line, I love this fabric . but apparently not enough to sew it up.
So, I opened the goodwill box and gently laid the fabric inside, with zipper, five pattern choices, and a variety of buttons and threads. (Oooh, not the thread!) And with that ceremonial parting, I also said goodbye to a few other fabric pieces in drawers. Yards of potential past memories joined the red-with-white-roses fabric in the goodwill box.
With a dull ache in my heart, I came to realize I was saying goodbye to my garment sewing days. At twelve, I made matching outfits for my dog and I. At twenty seven, I made my wedding gown. In my thirties, countless baby items rolled out of the serger. A craft that I have enjoyed for over thirty years was being packed up for sake of simplicity. It was hard, but it brought a sense of relief as well.
Next I am headed to the scrapbooking section of the house!
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