I have been working on slowly decluttering. For me, the key has been recognzing that some items do not bring me happiness. I keep them around for negative, not positive emotions. For example, common reasons to keep involve "guilt":
- It was a gift (this is DH's weak spot)
- I paid a lot for it
- It's still in good condition (but I don't like X about it)
I'm working on relinquishing these items first. I tell myself someone else will be able to use it if I donate it, and I'll get an immediate tax donation now if I do that. I also have been trying to be honest with myself over whether I even like myself in the item and feel good wearing - and if not, I'm letting those go. Oddly enough, reading a fashion blog someone else posted here (extrapetite.com) - where she posts way too much clothes, though I think a chunk is donated - helped push me over to recognizing and getting rid of things that don't make me feel good about myself, and recognizing what I can repurpose and wear in a way so I will like it more. I'm trying our her suggestion to 1) put together a basic outfit, 2) add a layer (scarf, blazer, etc) and 3) accessorize. I've never done more than number one. This allowed me to give myself permission to get rid of "good" clothing that is ~10 years old, that I haven't worn in about 5 years. Sure I might regret an item (I wish I hadn't donated a cardigan/sweater, when I got rid of a matching shirt a few years back that had a stain), but that's rare compared to the feeling of relief/freedom in having more space. I truly am reveling in having fewer things - and I have so far to go to *really* paring down in terms of stored food, clothes, textbooks, and household goods. I think this is how MMM feels about spending - I'm just not quite there yet. ;)
If you're already purged beyond this point, I can't help you much. I would suggest evaluating 1) the likelihood it will be needed again, 2) how bulky it is to store, and 3) how expensive it would be to replace. Perhaps even assign numeric numbers, and create a calculus, then get rid of those that score poorly.
Regarding fabric scraps - if you are like my mom, you have way more scraps than needed for oodles of project. Just keep the ones you love, and give away the others where you keep for guilt.