Wednesday 16 January 2013

Killing Your Darlings...


                                             Image from http://trineogkim.no/portfolio/entry/kill_your_darlings/

After moving its logical to have a clearout. Start afresh and all that, But some of the stuff includes some of my me made clothing. Sarai brought this up calling it "Killing Your Darlings" (William Faulkner quote)
My first ever dress will never get thrown away but a few of the things never get worn, aren't well enough made to go to charity or the fabric is rubbish.
I am a very sentimental person and as a material culture historian I know the devastation when something precious is lost to history. But is someone seriously going to worry about 10 handmade garments from some random girl? Answer is most probably no. But nevertheless Its a painful process for me. I spent time on those pieces and they hold some of my own identity.
(Ironically i'm writing something about Victorian women and their needlework representing their domestic identity right now)

So tell me, how do you feel about getting rid of stuff you've made yourself?

10 comments:

  1. I just look the other way as I throw it in the waistbin. If I can't salvage the fabric, if the construction is completely wonky, I throw it away. The first time was the hardest, but it's gotten easier once I realized no one would appreciate it as much as I did, and I wasn't appreciating/wearing it very much (if at all).

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  2. I find it really tough, to be honest. I tend to let a friend of mine have a pick through and she will take most of it, the well made stuff goes to charity, fabric I like is saved and then there are always a few monstrosities that are cut into rags for work around the house or jammed into the bottom of the bin. I always feel bad about throwing things. Though I have noticed I don't feel like that with store bought stuff that no longer works. Bless sewing for developing awareness :)

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  3. I haven't made enough yet to have to throw any away, but I'm guessing i would be devastated too!

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  4. Difficult, but necessary sometimes. At least it shows you care about what happens to your makes. I like to imagine someone else enjoying them as much as me when I docud then to oz local charity shop :-)

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  5. I do it in two stages. First the offenders go in a bin bag at the back of the wardrobe. A few months later I dig the bag out and look at them again, to check I wasn't just throwing a tantrum. The I either bin them or senmd them to the charity shop. Though I suspect the charity shop will look for the shop label and when they don't find one, throw the item in landfill. SOB!

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  6. My first ever Black Cocktail Dresses
    will never get thrown away but a few of the things never get worn

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  7. I find it very hard to get rid of stuff that I have made, similarly I find it hard when my girls (6, 10 & 12) don't respect the clothes I've made for them! My first Lisette Portfolio doesn't get worn very often - I love the material, but feel dowdy in it but can't bring myself to get rid or refashion in some way...

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  8. Take up quilting!!! If I can't bear to part with stuff (usually because I love the fabric but just dont wear the item) - I turn them into quilts (or baby clothes). Only works with wovens though......

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  9. You know its funny... If I don't wear it then I'm usually not in love with it. And if that;s the case, then I have no qualms with either throwing it out, or salvaging certain favourite fabrics from it that I want to keep. I'm obviously quite ruthless!

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  10. nothing can be worried about ,if you come to everbuying.com

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