Building up a stash from nothing
#11
Like you, I'm a newbie quilter so I had no stash of "quiltish" fabrics. I've been bitten by the Fat Quarter Bug and have been accumulating them left and right lately (15 today.) I've vowed now to slow down on just buying random FQ's and to begin organizing the fabrics, colors and patterns I've collected into projects I'd like to do.
I come from a garment sewing background but in a really big way - medieval and Renaissance era costuming. This means that my existing stash is comprised of HUGE cuts of cloth. 10 yards of 60" slate gray cotton velveteen, 30 yards of cotton poplin, 7 yards of an exquisite sapphire blue silk ... you get the picture. I should have quilt backs enough for the next 47 years! I uncovered yet another hoarding spot of fabrics yesterday. It's all being dragged into the living room and stacked up in front of the fireplace for "review and disposition."
So don't do what I've done. Try to stay reasonable about what you buy and how much of it you buy. Fabric is an obsession that can easily take over your world. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it IS a thing you should be aware of and might want to try to control. Be smart about your collecting.
My .02 cents,
Sue
I come from a garment sewing background but in a really big way - medieval and Renaissance era costuming. This means that my existing stash is comprised of HUGE cuts of cloth. 10 yards of 60" slate gray cotton velveteen, 30 yards of cotton poplin, 7 yards of an exquisite sapphire blue silk ... you get the picture. I should have quilt backs enough for the next 47 years! I uncovered yet another hoarding spot of fabrics yesterday. It's all being dragged into the living room and stacked up in front of the fireplace for "review and disposition."
So don't do what I've done. Try to stay reasonable about what you buy and how much of it you buy. Fabric is an obsession that can easily take over your world. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it IS a thing you should be aware of and might want to try to control. Be smart about your collecting.
My .02 cents,
Sue
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Silver Springs, NV
Posts: 2,404
Wow ladies, lol I might buy a yard from one of you once in awhile, maybe more seldom lol. I never buy in stores unless I need it.... well, can't really afford it either. When I do shop, I may buy 1/2 yard extra of iten on sale. I am building stash little by little and a couple of angels send me gift packages. (smile) So now I am having extra fun.
#13
Welcome from Alaska!!
My stash grew slowly. I did like you do, buy as needed. But then I wanted to make some smaller projects and had no fabric. So I started buying fat quarters. But then I ran out of pieces I liked very fast. So now I get between 1 and 3 yards, dependin on how much I like the fabric. Good luck with your hunt!!
My stash grew slowly. I did like you do, buy as needed. But then I wanted to make some smaller projects and had no fabric. So I started buying fat quarters. But then I ran out of pieces I liked very fast. So now I get between 1 and 3 yards, dependin on how much I like the fabric. Good luck with your hunt!!
#14
. This means that my existing stash is comprised of HUGE cuts of cloth. 10 yards of 60" slate gray cotton velveteen, 30 yards of cotton poplin, 7 yards of an exquisite sapphire blue silk ...
Sue[/quote]
Sue, these fabrics sound like they would make a great crazy quilt!!
Sue[/quote]
Sue, these fabrics sound like they would make a great crazy quilt!!
#15
Anytime this question is asked, I say stock up on basics first. When you can get these on sale stock up. I usually buy bolts of Kona white and natural muslin at least 108" wide, I have found I always need white and beige in something and its also good for a backing also. If you find a fabric you can't live without, absolutely HAVE to have can vision in quilt and borders 3-4, if just in quilt 2 and if you find something that you like, don't have any idea what you're going to do with it 1-2 yrds.
I also love shopping the remanant bins! Great way to stock up on stash fabrics for scrappys.
I also love shopping the remanant bins! Great way to stock up on stash fabrics for scrappys.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kansas City area USA
Posts: 421
I agree....buy what you fall in love with in at least 1 yard pieces. Tone on tones, blenders and solids.....the ones you find you use the most in almost all quilts, 2 to 3 yards. Fabric that might go on a backing ( good stuff but with a great sale price!! ) 6 to 9 yards will do for the largest quilt but it will be pieced if only 42 inches wide......3 yards if you find the w-i-d-e stuff!! FQ are great for a lot of color....think scrappy style quilts. Oh yea, if you find you ''run out'' of a color ( red for example ), that is the time to substitue a few other reds from your stash and enjoy the savings because you pulled from YOUR stash....like our Great great Grandmas would do!!
#17
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Russellville AR
Posts: 1,942
For stash building, I prefer to buy only solids and blenders (like marbles). That way, when you are out shopping and run across a fabulous print, you have a good chance of having fabrics to compliment it at home.
I use to buy in 3 yard increments, but now I buy by the bolt... but only solids and marbles :)
I use to buy in 3 yard increments, but now I buy by the bolt... but only solids and marbles :)
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Originally Posted by winterpromise31
Hello! Newbie here. So far, I have only bought fabric on an "as needed" basis. As such, I have no stash! I've been looking through some of the pictures posted around the forums and admire the piles of fabric some of you have at home. :D
How would I go about starting a stash? My hubby is actually encouraging me to buy extra fabric, the sweetheart. I am very lucky. How much should you buy if you don't know what you'll be doing with it? Fat quarters? A yard? More?
Help! Such a dilemma to have! hehe
How would I go about starting a stash? My hubby is actually encouraging me to buy extra fabric, the sweetheart. I am very lucky. How much should you buy if you don't know what you'll be doing with it? Fat quarters? A yard? More?
Help! Such a dilemma to have! hehe
#20
I am trying to build a small stash. NOTHING like what you see on here, but I want to have about a yard of different colors so when I have a block to make for someone else, I can make it without running to the store. I've been buying fabrics that are on sale. I have a color wheel and am trying to have 1 yard of each color.
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