Coincidence or What:
I've just been watching a programme on UK tv which is all about people who hoard piles and piles of possessions (mostly rubbish) gathered over the years, and often referred to as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Strangely, the phenomenon of OCD also extends to people who have a compulsion to collect specific items and indeed to 'rave' publically about the extent of the collection and their desire to add to it! It seems that it is 'immaterial' whether the item has any beneficial use, the important issue being that they own it!! Since I mentioned the word 'material' it also appears that this obsessive collecting even extends in that direction, namely the gathering together of huge quantities of fabric material, often to be found in various secretive zones of the house.
Sound familiar...............................YES, it's the Scissor and Stash Sisters (excluding Yoriko who has admitted to only having two pairs of scissors, poor mite).
11929
We are who we are, we do what we do and collect "stuff" that might come in handy one day. If we weren't of that ilk we would not be here replying to this rant. My husband tells everyone it keeps me out of the pubs and off the streets, neither of which I have ever been drawn towards. My reply is that my sewing keeps me sane and him alive so there!!! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...............Ann
986I admit it I am a hoarder but my stash is not huge I have 9 tubs and a dresser drawer full. I keep it all in my spare room and my sewing room stays more moveable with it all in the other room:) my problem is putting it all back up when I am thru but i am never done......I kind of enjoy the extra room in my sewing room so my grands can sit and watch and play when i am in there. We are a diminishing group of folks because a whole lot of stores are losing their fabrics and increasing their sporting goods section so i think we need a pop out fishing pole and all sewing machines run off solar power
3432Not my idea of OCD from teaching children diagnosed with it.
However, my kitchen drawer does display a degree of OCD and if the spoons are not in their right pile I get slightly agitated (now, how useless is that) but go off then into my sewing room and you'll see that the OCD element just doesn't carry over into my playroom. Here you will find your statement about the important issue being the ownership of a constantly-growing collection absolutely true. Who, in their right mind, would pass up a chance to purchase another pair of gorgeous little snippers in the shape of a fairy or a lady or a little bird???? Who, in all the world, would pass up a chance to snap up that lovely piece of fabric, knowing full-well that one day it might come in handy, and probably won't????
My stuff isn't secreted in unseen zones around the place, either .... it's all on view in my lovely den and it's a real mess. It's such a happy place. It's so much fun out there that I just love to get there and gloat.
Not an item of rubbish to be found in My Playroom...... :}
AlmaG ( new blood, new iron, new energy, new fightin' gloves)
Boy Oh Boy, Mr D.... you nearly got me stirred up there.
1 comment
by dennis999
07 Mar 2014
If it's any consolation, Mrs A.................I was getting a little worried there for a moment..............especially when you mentioned new fighting gloves. I said to myself........."What are you, man or mouse?" and the only noise I could make was "Eeeeeeeeeeeek!"
17214I thought OCD was harmful behaviour?!
Buying and collecting fabric and notions is GOOD/helpful behaviour!
I didn't "collect" my range of scissors, they were bought for a job and they do their jobs well.
Dennis, don't you know that the TV people over dramatise everything. It makes for a good story.
After all a story about Dennis who buys fabric, thread, emb designs and scissors then makes items to give to family, friends and charities is not much of a story. Now is it?? :-)
1 comment
by dennis999
07 Mar 2014
True......................so true.....................I'm now crawling back under my little stone!
1941No Comment................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
You Got Me......
25546I think I've just been told off twenty three times in one post! That's got to be a first for me here..................................oh! hang on, I'm forgetting about that other time.........................................
3 comments
by toogie
07 Mar 2014
I am positive if you think a little while, the count will be higher.Who knows ,maybe get into Genius Book of Records.
11929Dennis, I think that everyone on this site is a collector/ hoarder of some sort. Unfortunately I cannot hoard too much material as I do not have the room, also I cannot get decent material where I live - so that helps!!!
I have watched several programs of hoarders in USA and UK and find it difficult to believe how some people live. I am afraid I am a tidy freak. Sarah
4 comments
by toogie
07 Mar 2014
Now that I have my sewing room and all my 'hoard' in order,I have been introduced by a very nice Cutie, to a Grace quilting frame.I want to take the second bedroom for this.The only thing is,my husband is still alive.-LOL
by toogie
07 Mar 2014
He said we can't take the whole house for sewing projects.I told him he will still have our bedroom and bath,the TV room and Kitchen , what more does HE need?
255049In these days we can not function normally without one or other disorder.(Look at the labels we add on persons 40 years ago we would have not heard of any of them!)
I am proud to admit collecting (hoarding?) fabrics and embroidery designs make me function according to what is expected now a days!
So I am NORMAL! (Ain't I?)
4 comments
by CymbleneJones
07 Mar 2014
But really, Ladies, NORMAL is simply a setting on our clothes dryers, isn't it?
57492Thanks Dennis - I've just read through this thread whilst eating my breakfast. It is good to start the day with a giggle.
My very good friend Scottie described her condition as OCO (Obsessive Compulsive Order) How could it be a disorder anyway?
Her daughter and I will be going through her fabric stash tomorrow.
1 comment
by Leaha
07 Mar 2014
Wonderful, every piece will be a loving touch from her to you both. Have a happy day. Tears are welcome.
140717Well Dennise, if we stop adding to our stashes we would be responsable for countless fabric stores having to close up shop and lovely shop assistant losing their jobs. So if that is not a good enough reason to use and replenish then I'm sure nothing is..
45918Hi Dennis, I'm going shopping for scissors in Japan, I just hope the custom at the airport doesn't classified me as terrorist :)) Fingers crossed for me! Hugs, Yoriko
4 comments
by asterixsew
07 Mar 2014
Good Luck,I had my scissors taken off me as I went through customs on leaving . I have a super cutting out pair of scissor from Japan but they were mail order
by mops
07 Mar 2014
Just don't put them in your hand luggage. My sister bought a nice nail set in Boston taxfree. It was confiscated at the gate!
88650I consider myself a collector not a hoarder. My fabric gets used up and usually given away. My designs are my Library where I can get lost for hours just deciding which one I need at the moment. Fabric and designs, notions, thread, etc. are necessities to create beautiful things, like an artist who has canvas and paints and brushes. If one collects but doesn't use their collections it may be thought of as hoarding. Relax ladies and gents, we are all collectors not hoarders! lol
Meri
1 comment
15572First I would like to say--He (She) who has the most embroidery designs wins. :) Next, I am not hoarding fabric--I am providing economic stimulus to the textile industry. :) Makes it sound good doesn't it.
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7103we at Cuties can become a group of "Fabric Hoarders Anonymous" (and proud of it? LOL) Flowers to everybody.... We also hoard our flowers don't we?
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by toogie
07 Mar 2014
I thought FHA was Future Homemakers of America,not Fabic Hoarders Anonymous...learn new things everyday,probally because I forget everyday too-LOL
132162350I also collect cook books. I am finding it hard to find more places to keep them. Do I qualify?
1 comment
858672848
59631My collections multiply in the dark! I have nothing to do with it. Thank you kind sir. :P
2 comments
by Leaha
07 Mar 2014
Hm...maybe...maybe not so much. I don't want to ruin the fun of the little elves, fairies and sprites who aid and abet my therapy! I even know where they live...in my collection of thimbles. I just haven't lifted the right one to catch them yet! :<>)
35301I can't imagine what any of you are talking about....
denial
158715Well I have it and by my mind it should be CDO (alphabetical order) of course - he he he!!!!! Love your sense of humour, Chris
1 comment
by graceandham
07 Mar 2014
Chris, I had a friend in college who could immediately alphabetize the letters in any word quirky, and totally useless except as a party trick.
234495Strange. When I tuned into the radio here in 'Convict Land' Australia last night they were discussing the same topic - OCD. I think most of us are guilty of collecting somethings to the extreme Dennis. be it scissors, fabric, designs or whatever. Just as long as it keeps us out of the pubs and off the pockies I think it it is fine LOL Shirley
52686SASS, abbreviated. There must be a 12,000 Stitch Program that will help us. First, we must acknowledge that we have a stash and that there is a Higher Power, uh, Higher Speed.
6690766907Well Dennis I do have a quantity of fabric in my home. Being aware that I have al this fabric I set a new years resolution not to buy any for as long as possible this year and to use what I have. Its now March and I have not bought any fabric. Come on Dennis what do you collect?
4 comments
by dennis999
06 Mar 2014
I collect fire brigade memorabelia and the character figures from Trumpton, Camberwick Green and Chigley, oh! and artwork.
by hightechgrammy
06 Mar 2014
I have made the last two baby quilt for gifts without having to purchase an inch of fabric! Now that is stash!
115749I stitch and sell what I can in order to feed my habit....it is an addiction not hoarding....everything can be used...eventually! Lol
3 comments
by rescuer
06 Mar 2014
LOL
Hoarding is reserved for useless stuff....like stacks of old newspaper or rubbish in the house. I have quality scissors and fabric with more than one machine so I can always have my therapeutic uhhhh I mean hobby at the ready.
We won't even discuss parading photos of ones orderly scissor collection in photos...are your scissors named or numbered? If one is out of place, do you notice? LOL
by hightechgrammy
06 Mar 2014
I think it is only hoarding IF you never use it, or give it to a friend when she needs it. Otherwise, it's just being ready to stitch!
57675You better be careful.You are walking on thin ice,when you speak of fabric,notions,etc to 'ladies' that appreciate ALL of it,no matter how much they have,use,and store.We may dis-own you.-lol
2 comments
109779Mr. D, did you by any chance see the BBC programme on COD cleaners who organised themselves into a group who cleans other peoples dirty homes that was broadcast this afternoon ? Apparently they used their COD to help others and said it was a sort of therapy for them as well.
I think therapy is what most of us would confess to.
2 comments
by dennis999
06 Mar 2014
I have seen that program many times. I'm required to as Ann is herself compulsive in wanting to watch it!
by CymbleneJones
07 Mar 2014
MOPS those organized cleaners could help themselves more by cleaning for us seamstress while we stitch. Then we'd all be happy.
145302I maybe a little guilty of this ... Sometimes I buy fabric just because I like it the feel of it....the look or just because its gorgeous I don't want to use it for anything because then it would be gone not really the same any more ..... What does that make me ........
6 comments
by rescuer
06 Mar 2014
Many thousands like you...we will never have to be cold as we will always have the means to make a blanket or other necessities. Some can even use a stash of yarn to knit or crochet some warm socks. ;)
I will always have a least one pair sharp scissors. ;)
by granniebea
06 Mar 2014
Me too. We are called tactile people, I love the feel of fabric.
Welcome to the club. :)
by toogie
07 Mar 2014
My husband tells people in the fabric shop, not to buy that one,because I've worn a hole in it, just feeling it so much!
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