Stash organisation (and shock!) + some basic resolutions

I have been busy! I am in the process of documenting my fabric stash. This is the organisation part of the title; the shock part is just how much I have!

I am using Busy Lizzie in Brizzy's template for fabric stash data but in a different way. Instead of putting it on cards I have put my stash data on A4 sheets/4 per sheet and put in a clear document folder. I did this more because I had no card to print on and just wanted to start. I like this idea now - suits my needs better, but big thanks for the template of the stock card!

This has taken ages! On and off for a couple of weeks with a huge mess everywhere. I haven't finished yet. I have 2 giant bins full, and 4 baskets (seen above) full with 2 bins (not full) of fabrics downstairs that I'm not going to get into just yet - I kind of know what is in there and some is old quilt covers etc with some fabric but not much (thank goodness).

The top photo shows 2 pages of the 'stock card'. On the left are some of my silks (swoon), and on the right some of my 'special' fabrics (ball dresses, lace etc). The next photo shows me burn testing some of the 'not sure what it's made of'' fabrics, and the last one is 2 of the 4 baskets that fit in my built in cupboard in the sewing room. The winter fabrics are in a bin and also the knit in another bin. These will live downstairs (under the house) and my catalogue will let me just get what I need, when I need it.

I find when I decide to make something, I rummage through a lot of fabric to find what I want, then I see 5 or 10 other pieces I get inspired about, then I caress it and think and get distracted get out patterns and end up making a big mess but no sewing! I am anticipating that this organisation will keep me on track and less distracted.

Some things I have discovered:
1. I have A LOT of fabric
2. I have mostly (90-95%) natural fibres
3. I have a lot of silk and linen (such beautiful and quality stuff)
4. I don't have a lot of support items - linings, suitable fusing etc
5. I remember how much I paid and where I bought nearly every piece of fabric
6. I have mostly solids with prints only making appearances occasionally and more so in the last 10 years
7. I have A LOT of fabric....

This leads me to wonder why do I have nothing to wear when I have the skills, tools and 'raw materials' to make an entire wardrobe to suit every conceivable occasion? The answer I have come up with is - fit. Yes, the elusive good fit. When I started sewing I was pretty much a standard (short) size 10 with maybe some grading to 12 for the hip. Easy. Now, my middle aged, menopausal body is all over the shop and while I can make something technically very, very well, I am mostly lazy and impatient with fit.

So some basic resolutions for this year. I will try to not buy any fabric, but I won't berate myself if I do (great cop out isn't it!). I have been sewing for over 25 years and this reflects my differing tastes and what was fashionable at a place in time and is an investment (in what I'm not sure). I will sew with my beautiful fabrics and not be fearful of using it - I have A LOT so I need to use it and wear it and enjoy it. The second basic (but challenging) resolution is that I will try not to rush and just make something, but slow down and focus on the fit. No point making technically great clothing if it doesn't fit me! I don't want to keep making nice things that I can't wear.

Phew, that's a long post - but I haven't finished yet. Onto the shock part. The stats. Not counting linings, bag and sheet material (I used to make kiddie sheet sets and library bags for kindys) and small bits of fabric that are useful for kids clothing I have..... approximately 210 metres of fabric.
I did say I have A LOT of fabric. Is this too much? Ok? Average? How much fabric do you have and how much fabric do you consider A LOT or TOO MUCH?  I am interested in your thoughts. Thanks for reading this long.