I see so many posts about sorting, and cleaning rooms and what to do with stashes . . I really have to start mine :thumbup:

So yesterday at lunch I went to Joanns by my office. Tons of fabric for $2.00 a yard. My logic says if I buy just 1/2 yard of 4 different patterns, that's only $4.00 or so. It's almost like a lunch - and not too much that my husband would even notice :)

I only hope someday - I have to clean it out!

I think you've discovered a great diet! Skip lunch, buy fabric!

LOL!! Too funny! But it just might work lol!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

What a wonderful problem to have!

and another monster is created! LOL.....

once you get started you're gonna love it!...

Truly you will, I have a tiny stash but it was so fun yesterday to go in there and pick out some fabrics and just make what I wanted to! You will love it!

What a fabulous lunch!!!!!

That's how I felt not too long ago (a year, maybe?), and BOY oh boy have I got a stash started already! Not enough to make a whole quilt out of, as the fabrics just don't go together (even though there's enough to make at least three or four or more that don't go together)... but definitely enough to have fun looking at!

Oh my! When I think of all the money I have spent on lunches in the last decade.....I could have so much more fabric.

I think its ok not to have a ton because when you do get to go pick up that tiny bit of fabric do you not feel like its the best biggest treat ever? When I can go to the fabric store with say $10 I can spend an HOUR deciding which one I REALLY want/need and then if I break it up into fat quarters I come home and the feeling of total excitement is marvelous. Your stash will come, especially if you do what quilters do.. save that piece if its over 2" or 4" or. from each project.Everyone of us has a bag of scraps that were too good to toss out :)

I actually had a bunch of pcs from my daughters school. The teacher was getting rid of it at the end of the year and she took it. So technically I do have quite a bit - but mostly smaller pcs that really don't go together at all. I have only gotten fabric spicifically for a project so far so I am excited to start getting some just for fun. When I went yesterday for "lunch" I completly lost track of time. I was about 20 minutes late comeing back! I spend so much time looking and trying to decide that normally my husband takes me to the store and almost forces me to decided. I am very excited when I get any fabric - but then my head starts to spin thinking about how to use it. My hope is to have more on hand that when looking at it - something will just come to me! At least that is my story - and I am sticking to it!!

Yes, it is fun starting your fabric collection! I am still working on mine.

I like going to the local quilt shops when they have fat quarters on sale.

Karen

I should have known better! It's not the bolts of fabric above the price that are $1.99 - it is the stinkin' FQ's below the fabric :( Most of the FQ's were gone, so I didn't even notice at first.

But - I am still going to get 1 yard, at least once a week (more if I can) and use a 50% coupon. So still 1 yard for under 4.00 or so is not that bad. The one I got yesterday was only $2.00.

Hey...I'm up for that diet!!!!

That is a great way to start!! And before you know it, you will be having to sort and plan ways to store it!!

AND, the best thing - you are just starting? - - - make sure you keep it nice and neat and you'll always have a clean sewing area!! Wish I had thought of this years ago!!

I always check the clearance to then you can get a yd for 3 bucks and then use your coupon for anither yd that is not on sale!!

and just think once you get a big enough stash, like some of ours, DH won't even notice a new piece or three!!LOL

Also check Craiglist. I keep an eye out in my area. I just do a search for "Fabric" or "quilt" or similar items. I got a whole bunch of fabric last summer for about $50....it filled up my cabinet!! I also have found some at garage sales!!

and don't forget the thrift stores!

What a great diet, untill you have to sort all your fabric. lol

Who needs food when they can have fabric?

What a great system :D:D:D
A suggestion is to by full yards of fabrics that scream your name... 1/2 yds aren't enough usually if you want it for a focal fabric in a quilt :wink:
I buy 1/2 yds to go with my full yards... Don't forget to check out their section of discounted fabrics too :D:D:D
A PBJ sandwich once a week in exchange for fabric sounds like a pretty good deal to me :D:D:D

HI FROM A LONG TIME AND BIG STASH QUILTER!
Don't buy too much fabric when you first start, your taste will change as you see more fabric, and get better and better. Finally you'll say when you look at your first fabric purchases....."what was I thinking?" I do think that what you are doing in only buying small quantities is a great idea. I have had to give away so many of the fabrics I first thought were so wonderful.........! You will find that different thread counts make a difference in the fabric finish, the type of dying, etc.
But have FUN and learn about fabric as you go along and discover your favorite fabric companies and types of fabric!
One thing I had problems with is making myself use a beautiful fabric that I think is too good to cut up! What has helped me get over that is that my best friend and quilting partner died with all her beautiful fabric left......I cleaned out her studio and have all her glorious fabric that she was too afraid to actually use! I realize I don't want to die and not have used all her, and my wonderful fabric in a quilt that would be loved by a relative or friend. If you buy it......use it!

Fabrics are supposed to go together????? lol
I love log cabins and when doing a scrappy log cabin block, my first instructions said to have three paper bags full of scraps - light - medium - dark. You start with your center and then a light, then pull a medium, etc, and you sew whatever you pull out. The logic here (I think) is if it is scrappy it's going to end up somewhere you hadn't planned anyway. I can't actually do that, I do sort of judge my colors, but I have certainly branched out since I got on Quiltville. Now those are scrappy, beautiful quilts. I am the swap hostess of unwashed fabrics at Quiltville swap (we do have a washed hostess also). This month we are doing Chunky Churndash (on Bonnies site) and I love making these cute little blocks, and I got to pick & chose even tho they are scrappy. I made 11 sets (5 different blocks count as a set) and all are different (I made 2 of each, one for me to keep). So when I swap for the other swappers blocks I will have all different blocks in this quilt. This quilt also has a 2 fabric hour glass block to set it and I ran out of fabric - OMG - luckily I found more and ordered it.
Judi

Penny this is certainly a story to share. Since I am an over the top kind of person anyway, I always have more fabric and sewing machines than 5 people need, but.....it keeps me off the streets. lol I use my machines, my fabrics and enjoy them so much.
One thing about fabrics I'd like to share. I know many people buy from JoAnn's, Hancocks, Hobby Lobby - everyone wants a bargain. But much of this fabric is not as good as Quilt shop fabrics. Now you do not have to spend $9-10 dollars a yard to get great fabric. There are many sites and ebay stores that sell top fabrics for as little as $2.99 a yard. Not sure if I should post them - if it's ok I will. Order some of these and compare to the JoAnn's - there is a huge difference - the thread count is not the same, they don't hold the dye the same. I"m not saying all the fabric is like that, but you have to be choosy. One of my first quilts was a foundation pieced pineapple block - purple & green. Most of my fabrics were quilt shop, but I have borders done in a fabric I found at JoAnn's. It was perfect, but I swear I can watch that fabric fade as my top stays bright. You know ladies, these quilts are our legacies. With our quilt labels (hopefully) our family and friends will see our work long after we are gone. It's how some of us will be remembered. I do spread my quilts around - nieces, babies, grand kids, friends, charity. Hopefully they will be loved for a long time. I certainly loved sewing them.
Sorry for being so windy, but I too bought lots of JoAnn's & others, that I ended up gifting to someone. Maybe I'll save someone some $$$ in the long run.
Judi

Don't forget to watch for SALES. There were some great ones before Christmas and now spring sales will start popping up. Decide what you like (brights, batiks, traditional, 1930's, funky, etc.) and pick up good buys when you find them. Before you know it you will be like the rest of us--bulging closets, hidden boxes under beds, stacks in the trunks of our cars. I even have a friend that rents a storage unit for her extra fabric. And then there is the internet........ :lol:

What a great way to spend a lunch. I do buy fabric from Joann's and some quilting stores in the area, however

I have been buying fabric at a site called FABRIC.COM, They are always having a sale and if you purchase $35 or more they ship your order free. I normally find that most online stores charge $6-7 to ship a $35 order. I love free shipping - the savings allows me more $$$ to spend of fabric.

Right now until Feb 1 they are taking an additional 20% off of their clearance fabric.

I so totally agree with the quality of fabric comments. I know good fabric is expensive but there are always bargains to be had. I like to stock up when our lqs has their end of bolt sales. She also has a sale rack of fabrics that haven't sold. I have picked up some beauties there. I also find fantastic bargains online. But my lqs is still my favorite. I would rather buy one or two yards of really good fabric as opposed to six yards of lesser fabric. Just my opinion.

I wish I were in your shoes...stashes are the most fun ever. a friend and I used to say who ever died with the most fabris wins :-o . I am keeping the contest going...she quit years ago.

Great start. I like your thinking.

I certainly agree with your statement about your taste changing over time. I see some of the first "Country" colored fabric I bought and have that same thought of ,"What was I thinking?" Geometrics are another I just don't ever seem to use in a quilt, but give me a Batik and then it's, "Yes, I want that!"

A1penny, I love your philosophy. I also need to start using my pretty fabrics. I think maybe one of my resolutions (it's not too late to make one is it?) would be to not buy new fabrics and just sew from what I have. My closets and totes could definitely benefit from this, along with my bank account.

I seem to have that thought and then start looking for fabrics from my stash and usually find some that will work, but not enough and then end up going shopping anyway.

Having a stash is soooo much fun. But really watch buying cheaper fabric you put so much time and effort into making them you want them to last. I know in PA Lancaster area you can get to so many wonderful fabric shops. Some owned by the Amish, they are so willing to help you, the fabrics are so reasonable to buy and the quality is wonderful.

OH MY GOODNESS! Look what I got today!!! Is it my birthday? Nope - just another wonderful person from the board doing something so very nice. Thank you soo much N.J. linda!!!!

One more :)

Wow, what a wonderful surprise. Quilt Angels really do exist.

I used to make a stash when I was working. But when I had to move it a couple of times without a moving company I decided to nix that concept. Now I buy the the project that is at least in the planning stages and never buy a fabric just because I like it.

Not to rain on anyones parade. This is just what I do.

Congratulations! What fun to start a stash :)
Don't forget to stock up on the tone on tone fabrics. I don't even buy white or muslin fabric anymore. I just stock up on the tone on tone when my local quilt store has them on sale. Really adds interest to a block/quilt. I even use them on my machine embroidery blocks. About the most versatile fabric for a new stash. :)