annthreecats

I usually buy my fabric from JoAnns or Connecting Threads when it's on sale. I have built up quite a nice collection of fabric in the last 2 years just by buying extra yardage when doing a project or getting sale fabric that I like. Have fun shopping.

rush88888

i didn't start stashing fabric on purpose! honest!

lfstamper

Check out items for sale on the board - there are lots of beautiful fabrics for sale here that are very inexpensive. Should help build your stash!

sewplease

I'm on a very tight budget. I'm also into very scrappy quilts thanks to Bonnie Hunter. What I've been doing lately is buying 1/4 to 1/3 yard pieces. It gives me the variety of strips I need for a project and adds to my stash plus gives me that happy feeling buying quilt fabric brings, lol. :-)

One thing I've learned over the years, however, is not to buy fabric simply because it seems like a good buy. I've got some OK stuff from at least 15 years ago that I thought I SHOULD buy because it was a good deal and I might use it someday. Seems rather obvious but when I was first getting started I thought I had to build this all encompassing stash. So my advice is start small, take your time, and have fun!

quilttiger

Over ten years ago, there was a lady in one of my classes who said she buys ten yards of each fabric she gets. A couple years later, I came across her and asked if she was still doing that. She replied she now buys five yards. With the current cost of fabrics nowadays, I wonder how she is doing. Haven't seen her in ages, smile.

karenpatrick

A stash is not something that happens over night. I don't think anyone here just went out and bought enough fabric to constitute a stash. A stash happens gradually. Whenever you buy for a project , buy some extra for a stash. When you go on vacation find the nearest quilt shop and buy some fabric you like. Shop your LQS and buy a few yards for your stash. Pretty soon, you'll have a stash. Don't buy too much to keep on hand as Im sure your tastes will change over time. I only buy what I really, really like and there are some fabrics in my stash that I will never use up because I just don't care for them any more. I'll never get rid of them as they are part of "my stash."

AshleyR

Oh, that's a very good idea!!!

pumpkinpatchquilter

Oh you lucky duck, I hope you get your long arm class! Do share pictures! When I first started sewing I remember thinking my stash was so pitiful! I still don't have TONS of fabric...I really use my stash! I used to buy fat quarters and half yards when I was really into a scrappy look. Lately I've been into more, controlled scrappy. So I've started buying two to three yeards of fabric. I have TONS of small pieces but just like you I don't have a lot of backings sitting around. So I'm building my back stash!!! I figure if I have at least two yards of something I can pieced together a back or if I have a big quilt match it up with another two yard cut.

alwayslearning

Watch for yard and estate sales. Check thrift stores often. Never can tell what you will find.

solstice3

our LQS has a clearance room. I always hit it first for 1/2 price fats and yardage. Another think I do to add to my stash is hit the online sales with a girlfriend. We pick out a variety of pieces we like, get 1/2 yard of each, and buy enough to qualify for free shipping When the box arrives, we cut the 1/2's in fat quarters so we have a nice selection.