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Saturday, July 5, 2025

Wardrobe Malfunction

I heard a funny noise the other morning, but didn't think too much about it, perhaps it was the traffic on the road out the back.  But later in the morning when I went to hang some freshly ironed clothes  away, I saw what it was.  The wardrobe shelf and clothes rail had parted company with the wall, and was hanging by a screw!  Oh dear, what to do now?

Ooops, it gave way

I had an electrician around the following day, Callum, a nice young man just starting out in business on his own,  to replace the light fitting in the front porch.  Perhaps he would be able to recommend someone who could help.  Yes he could, there was another tradesman who he knew and had worked with, so passed on his phone number to me.  I must admit that I find this recent spate of home maintenance  a bit of a trial to organise, it's not something I have had to do before.  Something else went wrong recently too, which completely overwhelmed me, but that's another story.

So the day that Brent was coming to look at both wardrobe fittings, the other one in the sewing room had collapsed earlier and looked in danger of doing it again, I spent hours removing everything.  Various items were taken off the top shelf, shoes were bundled into a big bag, and clothes were stacked on the bedroom chair and on top of the bed.

That wasn't so bad, but the wardrobe in the sewing room was much more of a challenge.  I had a basket full of project bags sitting on the floor at the wardrobe door, which had to be moved, and umpteen RSC projects in bags piled up beside the basket, waiting to be completed.

This is just part of it

Inside the wardrobe were our winter clothes, they all came out.  Who knew that Robin had so many jackets hanging up including two sets of bright yellow vinyl wet weather trousers and jackets?  The hangers were cleared, then I had to deal with what was on the wardrobe floor.  Four large plastic crates chock full, and  bags containing unfinished projects, or materials gathered for new ones. And quite a few fleecy backings too, I noticed, and batting.

How did it all fit in the wardrobe?

I couldn't resist peeking inside this one - string pieced blocks, sashing cut ready to go, chickens to stitch, and several lengths of fabric for backings.  I'd completely forgotten all about these.  There was even another bag of neutral strings hidden away.  Everything was piled up - so much stuff I had put away and forgotten about.

I'd forgotten all about this bag

Tradesman Brent called around, we discussed what needed doing, and he will also trim back a tree for me which has a branch growing over the top of the clothesline.  He will come back bright and early on Friday morning he told me.  Oh dear, that means I have to move that big pile of clothes on hangers for the following two nights so that I can get into bed.  

The wardrobe fittings are now fixed, Brent added an extra piece of timber behind them for added strength.  I was a bit mortified when he asked for a soft broom so he could brush a few spider webs away!  But as someone told  me, a few whispy spider webs means that the home is warm and dry, according to a real estate agent.  So that has to be good, just sloppy housekeeping I guess.

Arrived bright and early on a cold wet morning

So now things have to be put away.  The bedroom is almost back to normal, and it is a chance to sort through Robin's clothes as well.  But the sewing room is another story.  I really need to go through those crates and umpteen bags before they get placed back.  And sort out all those rain jackets which Robin had tucked away.

With so many RSC block sets discovered, don't let me start any new ones next year!  I knew I had a few, but there really are a lot more that I realised.  Plus several assembled RSC quilts piled up on the chair waiting to be layered, pinned and quilted.    Oh dear, wish me luck with all this!

13 comments:

Julierose said...

Oh best of luck with all that sorting and storing, Jenny!! It is amazing when you find forgotten things you stored what you find!! Lots of nice projects to catch up with, though. Cute chicken;))) Hugs, Julierose

The Cozy Quilter said...

Nothing like a wardrobe malfunction to inspire you to clean out the closet. When I deep clean a cupboard or closet, I always find buried treasures too. Those string blocks will become something beautiful soon…. Glad you found someone to do all your fixit jobs for you.

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

So happy you are able to get your home 'back to rights'! Isn't it amazing what we find that we have squirreled away? It will be fun re-discovering your projects. :)

Janice said...

I feel your pain. I have so many unfinished projects too. However, it is a good excuse to have a bit of a sort out and prioritise what to work on first. At least you won’t get bored and your wardrobes should be nice and sturdy from now on. It’s also nice to know that there is a good tradie in the area.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

your closets was perhaps telling you it was time to remove some things? We all have too much gathering in closets - I bet if I turned on the lights in mine and really looked I would find cobwebs in the corners and a spider or two also. I have jackets hanging that no longer fit me that need to be taken to a second hand shop to find new homes.

Maria said...

Glad you found someone to do your repairs and cut the branch over the washing line.
Good luck with tidying your wardrobes…
You found someone to do great stuff to make and finish quilts.

Sara said...

How nice to have found a good handyman to help with any new maintenance issues that pop up. I really need to get inspired to clean out my sewing room again. I always have several RSC block sets in the works, but it keeps me from getting bored for sure.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I'm so glad you found someone to help you with those maintenance chores! I suppose it's good to have something like this happen to spark a little clean out. I need to do the same thing. The string blocks look like they'll make something pretty!

JustGail said...

Oh my, what a job to have thrust into your schedule. OTOH, collapsing shelves is probably what it will take for me to tackle my closets - I open the door intending to get started, look at all stuffed in there, shut the door and walk away. Well Done on the cleanup.

ButterZ said...

Think of it as an early start to spring cleaning

Nancy J said...

I have suitcases, camera bags, shoe boxes, and clothes, and a couple of boxes of photos and documents. they would all need to go if I had the same problem.!!! But so good to find the blocks and more. A Good handyman is like a tall man at the supermarket when things are on the very top shelf.

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

Good luck with the sorting! I'm doing some of the same kind of work in my basement. It takes quite a while and lots of small decisions, but it feels good when it's done!

Susan said...

An enforced clean-up is not top of the list of "want to do" but at the end it will be worth it - make a list as you go so you don't forget all those projects....again.