Switching Seasons

This is for all of you who are getting ready to start swapping out your bulky winter stuff, (that we didn't really need this year in Eastern NC anyway), for your spring and summer threads.  I just love this switch.  I feel like I have gone on a shopping spree without having to leave home.  I don't like to do this all in one day because things get overwhelming that way. 

So first things first:  You can't put more things in your drawers or closet until you put away what you have out for winter.  So here we go:

Step 1:  Take 5 minutes and grab together all of your bulkiest stuff.  This is bulky sweaters, wool pants, skirts, jackets, thick heavy scarves etc.  Anything truly wintery can be put away now because we are going to leave out some layering pieces for those random days.

Step 2:  Look through your pile and decide what you really want to wear again next year and the things you would like to replace.   Get rid of the pieces you don't love, or don't fit.  Put them in a box or bag and put them in the car so you can drop them off to your donation center or fave thrift store.  If something is not worth donating I like to take off the buttons and put them in a little jar.  You never know when you are going to need matching buttons (your favorite shirt loses one and you can't find a match?  Bingo.. you have a matching here from your old sweater).  You could also give these to your favorite crafty friend.

Step 3:  Clean the ones you are going to store for summer.  Depending on your sweaters, you may be able to wash them on your machine's gentle cycle and fluff dry.  I like to treat my sweaters gently so I usually head to the bathtub for some hand washing.  I'll post another blog about properly cleaning your sweaters soon.  You could take them to the dry cleaner's but that is gross and expensive so just take a few minuets and do it at home.

Step 4:  Pack your sweaters away.  The proper way to store winter items is wrapped in acid free tissue in a breathable container.  I do not have good breathable containers so I opt for the rubber made tote.  I have been pondering some kind of adaptation to these totes.  Maybe cutting some holes in the side and covering the hole with some kind of breathable fabric.   Next project?

Currently I have several sweaters flat-drying on my bed, the lighter weight ones carefully draped over my shower rods.