OK, technically, I have many secrets and this one has been as equally well-kept from me as well as from you, until about 10 minutes ago, but the time has come to talk about it.
I have so many fucking clothes it's vaguely horrifying. (And I don't shop on a regular basis by any means?!)
I discovered this, alas, when I started ripping up my closet, shelves and drawers in light of a some bug-eaten clothes I've lately discovered. Although my house is regularly vacuumed, I use cedar blocks in my cupboards, I spray things with cedar spray and I wash things (though not as much as I might) with 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in addition to soap - this has occurred. And not for the first time.
The truth is, when you live in a densely populated place, in a home that's 125 years old and practically everything you own is made of wool, it's bound to happen occasionally.
Doesn't make it any less hideous.
So, here's my strike-back plan:
- Have begun the labour intensive process of shaking out all of my clothes. Only 1/3 of the way there - and I worked for 2 hours today.
- After shaking, and looking carefully at the clothing, I'm prioritizing my daily hand-washing. Those things that have bites (about 4 garments out of 50 so far, and the holes are manageable) have fast-tracked for hand wash. Darning will follow. Mind you, everything, eventually, will be washed. Seriously, I have an assembly line system - I can wash and dry 2 things at a time (as the drying requires a spacious flat surface). This will likely continue till May, at this pace.
- I'm off to the health food store to get some cedar oil to rub on my cedar blocks (apparently the scent wanes and either re-dousing or sanding is required).
- Happily, I am the kind of woman who keeps massive quantities of food-grade lavender in her cupboard at all times. (What?! You never know when you're going to need to infuse some dessert with flower-flavour...) Next up, I'm making a zillion sachets with ends of fabric - or maybe cooking muslin if I can find it. I want something airy to allow the scent to diffuse and torment those fuckers, should they still be around.
- I haven't found any larvae. I did see a fragment of one little exoskeleton on one garment (a garment without holes, weirdly). But I'm very aware that I must look for them, and draw conclusions from where I may find them. In truth, I really hope I don't find anything else - alive or dead. You cannot imagine my dislike of insects.
I have zillions of freakin' awesome things - RTW, hand made, vintage... But what's the point? I'm either too fat for this thing or too over that thing. Some other thing just hasn't come out of hiding for 2 seasons. Honestly, I have sweaters that cost hundreds of dollars that do not see the light of day on a regular basis because I'm wearing other sweaters of the same description.
At this point, I don't even know how I can justify making new things. But making things keeps me sane, so stopping is not in the cards.
And don't think I never give things away. Routinely, I put stuff on the front walk (admittedly, not for 6 months now as we haven't had a moment without snow) and within a day (usually an hour) everything goes. What do you do, however, when all the things you have are gorgeous and you love them and you do not want to give them away?
At any rate, I'm looking for your feedback: Do you share my little secret? Does it bother you? How do you continue to make things without being awash in them (literally!)? I do give many things away but, really, you have to keep some of what you make, no? And - on a side note - how do you deal with bug-eaten clothes and the process of ensuring that those bugs get the fuck out of town? I thought I had a good system - I do! - but sometimes even systems fail.
Please, let's talk!
Posts
I'm going thru my wardrobe this weekend, trying to figure out what to get rid of, what I need to add, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just read a great post on the Shopaholic Blog that totally addresses this question:
http://recoveringshopaholic.com/reader-question-paring-down-a-large-wardrobe/
I can't pull up the post now - maybe that server is having issues, I dunno. I was able to read it in my feed reader, though.
What a great link! Thank you!
DeleteAbout the bugs, have you ever thought about doing one of your walls in your closet ceder? In the last house I owned, I did this and it made an amazing difference. Granted it wasn't 125 years old. I am about to start my purging of my clothing, as a good portion I don't wear, and we're moving again in 4 months and have to keep our weight under 7200 lbs with 4 of us. My job moves me every couple of years, so I feel like I'm constantly purging. Sometimes it's great, but sometimes it bites me in the butt when I'm like oh I'd like to wear such and such, but had gotten rid of it in the last move. I did however just buy 17 meters of beautiful tropical brazilian cotton to take with me for when it's dark and gray in our next home. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would LOVE to - but my house is very old and very narrow. It would be an expensive proposition and I have so many things that need my money first, I think it's going to be a long time before that happens... I do not know how you move every couple of years. The last time I moved, 14 years ago, it was so traumatizing, I decided I'm never moving again :-)
Delete*sigh* I have this problem with clothes, with shoes and with fabric! It is with much regret that I'm curbing the shoe and fabric buying but like you I have to sew to remain sane so I can only curb the clothing for so much. I'm due for a donation since spring is upon us. I will be ruthless this year because I need more space...but I do understand how you own so much!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I haven't exactly been cooling it with the fabric purchases lately! It's cuz I want to be ready to make something at a moment's notice. But then, where do I keep it?? I guess I need to be more ruthless too...
DeleteI have a similar problem: in 6 months time I'm going overseas for 15 months, and need to take my wardrobe with me. I now view every new purchase in terms of "will this be worth the space in my luggage?"* It's caused me to constantly evaluate the contents of my cupboard, and how many great pieces I have that I never wear because I'm too busy wearing the newer great pieces, or because they're near the bottom of a pile and I've forgotten I have them.
ReplyDelete* The answer is usually yes for bras, no for anything else.
Ha! The answer is always to bring half a suit case of lingerie!
DeleteOh no! I'm so sorry to hear you got an infestation :-(
ReplyDeleteI do have the same problem, although in my case I don't think it's a big secret, as I've talked about it before on my blog. And I also routinely go through and get rid of stuff. A lot of my stuff piled up because I stayed basically the same size for almost 20 years, and shopped and made things the whole time.
But for the last few months, I've been going through EVERYTHING and trying on each and every piece, and ruthlessly getting rid of things that no longer fit. This post-menopausal body is never going to be a size 2 again :-) (I hope - because if that happens, it will most likely mean I'm ill.)
I've had the same thought about how to justify continuing to make things even though I don't need them, just because it keeps me sane and happy. My attitude now is that a lot of what I make is an activity, rather than an item. I'd happily pay $x for a fun activity, so I'm choosing to think of sewing and knitting as the same. And my hand-made items are not immune in this purge!
OK, we don't call it an infestation! It's a couple of bugs! This is what I am telling myself and I believe it.
DeleteAnd, oh, the things I'm never going to wear again. But let's toast that with some wine :-)
DeleteOoh, since I've started knitting and sewing with more wool, I've been living in fear of the day I have an invasion.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a huge wardrobe, but it's bigger than I generally acknowledge or need. I try to cull twice a year or so.
I seem to be able to cull at any time - and what good does it do me? Still so many (admittedly great) things.
DeleteAbout 6 years ago I did a huge purge. We were completely redoing the master bedroom. New furniture, carpet etc so it had to be emptied out.
ReplyDeleteI have to do a seasonal clothing switch and really look at everything as I put them away each time. If I know I didn't wear something I really question why. If I can't come up with a really, really good reason it gets donated or tossed. Then when I'm taking the same clothing out I look at everything again. Even though I may have kept it at the end of last summer at the beginning of this summer I may change my mind.
For me the two things that were key was the first big purge and doing the seasonal change over. The only time it was a problem was last summer. I got rid of so many short sleeved tops I only had two when the season started. Good excuse to make more!
That's a very good system. Because I have enough space, and I live in a place where I wear fall/winter clothes most of the year, I don't tend to put stuff away - I move it from one part of the closet to another (to be more visible). But I should still pay attention while I'm doing this...
DeleteI keep reminding myself of all thew wonderful clothes I found at Salvation Army and Goodwill when I was a starving student, and try and send my stuff out into the world for someone like me (20 years ago!) to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI've got all my wool locked up in Rubbermaid bins - we've got a ton of moths in the house (110+ years old). We had bees living in the walls, and when they left apparently the moths took their place.
This is an excellent philosophy and one I subscribe to. That's how I can happily put stuff out on the front walk. And eek about the bees and moths! I know these old houses are a treat in many ways, but that would freak me out. Then again, I'm freaked out about most of the bugs. I choose to live in denial.
DeleteLuckily we've had an increase in spiders in the house - it's kind of amazing watching them dispatch the moths...
DeleteThere is a lot to be said for a house this old, but I must admit that when we sell (this spring), I'm kind of looking forward to buying a house that's only 30 or 40 years old.
Let them go! Clothes are meant to be worn, not to languish forgotten in our closets. If you aren't wearing them, then let someone else wear them.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point. Languishing is not good for clothing. Mind you, I go through phases where I lose sight of some of my wardrobe, and then I rediscover it. If I gave it all away, I wouldn't have that delightful experience. I'm also very into the novelty. I'd end up buying new things more often if I didn't shake things up in my closet on occasion.
DeleteI think having too many clothes is a blessing, and I constantly want to add to the collection. But I do need to d a purge to make room and get rid of things I just do not wear.
ReplyDeleteReally Faye, you always have the best attitude!
DeleteA couple of days in the freezer will take care of moths I think.
ReplyDeleteTrue - but you haven't seen my freezer! :-)
DeleteI read Shopaholic's post just after I pushed the buy button at FabricMart and cringed at the irony of it. ;) Going down 3 sizes in the past 2 years has left my closet very empty. My fabric closet, on the other hand, is very bloated and needs some paring down. Unfortunately, all my TNT patterns no longer fit and it's taking me forever to find some new ones so I can get some of this fabric sewn up into the clothing that I really need right now.
ReplyDeleteOh, isn't it always the way. BTW, when you change shape, you need to respect that and purchasing new is necessary. You will use that fabric when it's time and make beautiful new things. I think your purchases are totally appropriate (not that my opinion makes any difference...)
DeleteI have heard the #1 thing they don't like is disturbance. I live in a 55+ year old house which is less than 1500sf and sew out of my bedroom. One of the upsides to having a large stash in a small space is having to go through it often to find a certain yardage. Due to space issues I also don't pack away winter clothing, I just stuff everything in wherever it will fit so during the summer months I'm still moving those wool sweaters around. My living arrangements probably horrify many people but I have never had a problem with moths.
ReplyDeleteOh, good to know. Cuz I am disturbing the shit out of things right now! I think the moths come to some homes and don't go to others. I wouldn't say I've had major issues over the years, but sometimes issues crop up. I'm only glad that they're largely resolvable.
DeleteI did a huge purge a couple of years ago, but closets are full up again, so will need to go through everything when I change out my winter clothes. Given the thick layer of new snow outside my window this morning, it will be a while before I tackle that job. Have you thought about donating to Dress for Success or a similar organization that helps women get back into the workforce? Or having a clothing swap with friends? Clothes are more fun when you share.
ReplyDeleteI do donate to certain charitable organizations in addition to putting stuff on the walk - and giving things away to friends. Trust me - I have enough stuff to work all the angles! :-) Good luck with your purge. Sometimes it's good to tackle this sort of project as a way to will the spring!
DeleteOh, me too! Both to the visitors (we have them on and off in our city apartment -- I try to get stuff out of the closet and into sunlight in a regular rotation. Apparently, moths don't tolerate light) and to the "too much stuff." Changing sizes has been almost a relief as I have a legitimate reason for getting rid of stuff, but it's been appalling to realize how much too much. And I was good about slowly and thoughtfully replacing, but I can see the accumulation is happening again. I don't even have your sewing excuse. . . But my daughters have been happy with what I passed along to them, and I try to be good about moving clothes along if I haven't worn them for a year (save a few favourite pieces I just can't say 'bye to).
ReplyDeletebtw, don't know how much freezer space you have, but I've bagged up stuff and thrown it in there if I don't have time to get to the hand-washing immediately. . . .
If only we had some sunlight! :-) Today we do but it's too wet outside to make use of it right now... How excellent that you have so many daughters to pass things along to! That's perfect. I do that with M occasionally, but our tastes are not the same right now - and she's very disrespectful of her clothing...
DeleteMy biggest expense is probably clothes and shoes. seriously. And perhaps my sewing and knitting hobbies. So, I'm right with you. I'm pretty good (but not great) at scaling down my closet. Every time I do a big purge there is always something I regret.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be so careful when you give stuff away...
DeleteI cant advise on the insect situation, sorry...but I can give you this advice - once you've bagged for donation, NEVER EVER go back into the bag!! I bagged last week but I pulled out 2 pieces yesterday coz i thought maybe just maybe...Now Im irritated with myself.
ReplyDeleteI've done that! Not a good idea, I agree...
DeleteI think my closet is not very large... everything goes in a space 1 yd x 2yd and it's one item - one hanger policy, But I pack away clothes from other seasons in large plastic boxes.
ReplyDeleteSo my anti-bug strategy (and I don't have 50 sweaters, but I have sheep skin coat and fur aviator hat and several pashminas and gloves with cashmere lining and well about 10 sweaters): everything I'm not going to wear for several months goes through freezer (couple of days at temperature well below freezing point kill larvae quite effectively) in a plastic bag, than it goes out and hangs there couple of hours during the day and then it goes to a tightly closed plastic box with repellent inside. All I'm wearing time to time I have in plastic bags and only things I wear often can live without.
Have you thought about doing things for somebody else if you need process more than new clothes? I know that it's less fun, but that way you can make some money instead of spending them )
How are you doing M!? Hope all is well.
DeleteThis is the time I wish I only had 10 sweaters :-) I have to make space in my freezer for something other than ice cream and english muffins. (My husband has this weird "buy ahead of the curve" mentality.
I suspect, at this point, it would be smart to sew for others - maybe even for a tiny profit! Then I get to do what I love and someone else gets the end result...
I'm ok, thanks ) It's a lot of rumors about Russians, but they are still avoid big scale invasion.
DeleteActually it's very hard to make a big money out of sewing or knitting, but I know a knitter who does this just because this way she doesn't spend money on something she doesn't need and can see another person happy (payment is rather symbolic, but yarn is bought by "customer").
May be you need nice little freezer for all these things made from wool? (and I'm not really joking here).
Glad to hear that things are stable. And I see your friend's perspective. If you're going to do the craft, one way or another, you might as well make a tiny bit of money - and not have to store the finished product!
DeleteI regularly purge my closet and I love knowing that the stuff I donate is going to a person who will wear it. I have to keep my closet pretty empty though, because my hubby (the one with the "real" job--ha!) has a shitload of clothes and takes up all the room in it. It's OK though, it means that the things that I keep are things I truly love and wear. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've given a couple of my pieces to these young women I work with (they are adorable!) and, every time one of them wears it, I get a total kick out of it!
DeleteAs others have mentioned, I freeze items. I freeze preemptively- when they come in to my house, if I am not going to wear them awhile, if they have been out of storage awhile (I use vacuum pack bags for yarn and some clothing- seals better than tubs).
ReplyDeleteAs for making- I made a ridiculous quantity of hats (hundreds and hundreds) using up yarn, just for fun, whatever. I donated them, gave them away to friends, etc. I make most things just for fun- so it isn't as big of a deal to donate them. Much harder for me to donate clothes (especially pants, which are hard for me to find!)
That's a very smart system. I should consider making things and donating them. Thing is, I like to make big things and the project costs add up. Having said that, I make big things and give them away all the time. The only difference is the original intent...
ReplyDeleteYes, I know that problem, and since I have yarn and fabric that i want to make into clothes as well, I see it will be an eternal problem. At the moment I have clothes I moved from NY that I haven't worn, but the good news is that more of it fits again, which brings up the bad news that I gave away some things that didn't fit but which would fit again now except that I no longer have them. it is a cycle and a process. But I do think things need to be worn, and to see the light of day. I don't really know where I am going with this though, but I suspect I will make, wear, and give away as long as I live.
ReplyDeleteWell - at least you have that awesome craft room with those amazing shelves! I'd be stocking those up constantly :-) I don't know the answer either. I keep some things forever and never use them cuz they don't fit or I just don't gravitate to them anymore. Then I give something away, that fits the same initial description, and I want it back cuz now it would fit or appeal. No win in that respect.
DeleteEeeep! One bug is one too many in my book. I'm very glad the husband had the wolf spider infestation under control before I moved into the house!
ReplyDeleteI am no help at all I'm afraid. My closet is completely the other end of the spectrum. I actually need to get my act together and make more clothes.
OMG - the wolf spider is the thing that freaks me out the most. Honestly, I have shivers just writing this comment. UGHHHHH. But don't brag about getting to make more clothes without the cupboards popping open :-)
DeleteIt seems to me that this process vs quantity is something you actually do pretty well with. How long did you spend on that tailored jacket (pick one, any one)? Think of the state you'd be in if you spent all those hours making Renfews or unlined skirts? Same goes for knitting, you don't pick the quick n' easy projects very often.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of dealing with moths is well... ugh, awful. Given that everyone is suggesting freezing, perhaps if we have a cold night (notice not day because I cannot process that what-if scenario) you could bag up a few things and leave them outside to be cold? It might not be the ideal sustained cold, but it's something.
Thanks C! You know, when I read your comment, I started thinking about it, and I sense you're right. I don't accumulate because I'm afraid to let things go. I do tend to choose projects that take a bit of time (or I don't make the easy ones too often - not more than I will wear that basic). So thank you for giving me this contrasting perspective!
DeleteAnd hmmm, if we didn't have FREAKIN' raccoons, I would leave them outside! And I can't process the what-if scenario either. Not that it's so warm today, truth be told.