to much stash? I know that we laugh about the one with the biggest stash wins, but seriously, when is enough enough? I have 10 good sized totes, so by no means do I have the most, but I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed by all of it. I have been trying to shop my stash when I start a new project, but the seems to always be one more fabric that I have to get to complete it. So naturally, when I'm looking for that "one" fabric I see a couple more that I just can't live without. Can anyone say OCD? Does anyone else feel this way?

Yes, If you get so much that you have no idea of what you have & seldom look through your storage containers and your paying for storage facilities, you have too much. My sister had 2 houses full of fabric, books, etc. but did not have cash for food when she was losing her battle with colon cancer - too sick to work or collect unemployment. I did not get to spend as much time with her as I would like to as there was no place left to sleep and I was 300 miles away.

Yes. And when you start to feel overwhelmed, listen to what your mind is telling you. I'm trying to cut back on speculation buying as well and also find that I need to buy something more to go with what I already have. But I did take a workshop with Carol Doak and was able to pull what I needed from what I have.
Donna Jean - what a sad story. I can't imagine going through that with a loved one.
lots2do

Mine's at the point that it's too much. Yet I still keep buying. Saturday I bought a tub full of fabric at a garage sale.

One last thought before I get ready for my day...I saw a cute jar block (paper pieced) in one of my quilting books. If I could allow myself to buy one or two food related fabrics in a small amount for a quilt with those, each time I go to a fabric shop, then I could still satisfy my 'need' without causing my stash to explode.
Quilt shops are one of my favorite places to go. Would hate to go cold turkey.
:)

Donna, I'm so sorry about your sister. It just strengthens my idea that to much of even a good thing isn't good. It can be so easy to get carried away. I know I can't stay out of my lqs completely, there are some things that I truly do need, but I'm going to try not to buy any stash stuff until I empty at least one tote. All of this just reminds me how materialistic (no pun intended) I have gotten and I don't like it. Time to make some changes and get back to basics!!

Funny, I was thinking that very same thing yesterday. I went to an estate sale Friday morning, they put in he ad tons of fabric, so you know I had to go. They had a box of bags at the door to this womans sewing room with a sign above it FILL A BAG FOR $2. I had 4 bags full, and a cutting mat.What a rush. Then I went to Jo-Anns to get their Warm & Natural for $5.99 a yard, I thought 5 yds was enough for right now, then I saw fabric with bones on it, had to get 2 yards, then saw a stray piece of fabric for .75 with a Halloween print on it, had to get it too. When I got home, and tried to put everything away, I just stood there going, "omg, where am I going to put it all", I am out of room!I do trade, pay it forwards, and eveything in between, but I have to stop for now. I use to have a storage unit, full. I got that cleaned out, and will not go back to the mess I had before. I made myself a promise no more fabric till I get at least 3 more tops done!( I piece in the warm monthes, quilt in the cooler/cold monthes because I hand quilt). If you need support to not buy anymore fabric untill you get some of yours gone, Im here for ya!

If one is spending money one does not really have for fabric - it's too much. I have not worked outside our home since August and have been very very grateful for my large stash - I have used it more than ever in the past year. RARELY have I gone to the store to BUY fabric - I go often with friends -they are amazed that I can walk away with nothing... not saying it's easy - but is do-able - oh, btw - I'm headed out to JoAnn's this morning with a friend - I've tucked $20 into my purse (just in case ;) )

If anyone needs storage space,they can store it at my house.(he-he-he)

I feel the same way. I started feeling a little overwhelmed by all that I had a couple of years ago. I realized my taste was changing, I was tiring of some of it and had no more space. This left me with a lot I wasn't crazy about any more, but still needed to use. So I went on a 'Only-Buy-What-I-Really-Need' spree.

I went from a large walk-in closet with 18" deep shelves floor to ceiling, to 2 rolling carts (6 drawers each from IKEA) and 2 shelves of backing/larger cuts. I like it this way. I have a great variety, still use the old and buy some new for each project, don't break the bank, and am not as cluttered. Just recently, I've bought a few new pieces just for stash. My friends were amazed that I could pass up the sales and walk away empty handed, as was the LQS owner (who said I really impressed her, and she was happy not everyone felt this way, although she admitted she did too!).

I believe, it's too much when you start feeling like this. Then it's simply time to use some up, or donate some, and once that's done - you can reward yourself :) But I have no intention of ever having that much fabric again. I simply no longer see a reason for THAT much...some yes, too much no.

Just my thoughts...

I'm just trying to quit looking at the classifieds here and that's pretty hard. I've got 4 quilts that have to be done by December 1st (some have to be mailed). I've been trying to use up my stash but with garage sales, estate sales, and a trip to Marshall Dry Goods it seems to be multiplying faster than I can use it. Maybe it's breeding. I need my sisters to come down from Michigan. (I once sent over 200 yds home with them and couldn't even tell) This fall is organization time. I may have to post some on here. I've got to cut back to a reasonable amount.

About 10 years ago a local Joann's closed and all fabric was 50-75% off. I had just rec'd my Christmas bonus and spent it all on fabric there. I filled 4 shopping carts!! You know, I still have some of that fabric in my stash. MY tastes and style of quilting have changed so much over the years. I advise new quilters to buy basics: blenders, white on white, beige on beige, and not so much of "today's" colors. I don't have a large stash. I've given away a lot but I'll never buy in such a large quantity again. (OH CRAP!! Who am I kidding??? If I saw a huge sale like that I'd prob do it all again and in 10 years have the same regrets LOL!!!)

I was in line waiting to have some fabric cut at Joann's on Saturday. I was joking with the employee about having to buy fabric for a quilt for one of my nieces because she wanted black and red and I was out of the colors in my stash and how hard it was not to buy more fabric because they had 99 cent fat quarters. The lady behind me gave me heck for giving in to an "Obsessive behavior". Turns out she had a real problem with fabric obsession and now she only keeps enough fabric etc. for one year. It's a good thing she spoke up about her obsession because I was about to give her heck right back. LOL!

no never LOL

I went to a garage sale one day and the entire garage was FILLED with 3 foot high piles of material - on rows and rows of tables - DOUBLE KNIT - from the 70's, I guess. It was so much that I even wondered how it all fit in the house. I heard the woman say that "Daddy just let Mom buy all of this material because it made her so happy". Guess we all have our little things that make us happy!

All of your comments have brought up another thought. Are most quilters OCD? Yes, I know a few who buy only what they will use at the time, but not many. The majority of quilters that I know will simply buy because they like something. I swear, sometimes it's like another person takes over when I walk through the door of my lqs. There must be something in the air that makes me go over to the dark side!!!

I went through a divorce several years ago and had no job and 2 sons in college. Needless to say the expendable income was quite lean. I learned that you can't spend if you don't go to the store. Every once in a while I have indulge but not unless I have a real need, whick means a pattern, a plan and a project deadline.
Luckily I had a stash and lots of quilts. BTW, I have moved several times in the last few years, that motivates you to stop buying just to buy also.

That's a good idea! I never thought to do that!

I agree! :lol:

If any of you would like to donate some of that stash, I make lap quilts for cancer patients and I'm always looking for donations. I do provide the batting and the backing fabric, so I'm donating also.

You know, I took a break from quilting for about 8 years while I worked and the kids grew up..When I started back up again, I thought about all that fabric left from before but there were so many pretty ones on the LQS shelves that I could bother going through my tubs and hoping I had just the right match. Then one day I decided to make a raffle quilt and wanted to go cheap, so I said to myself "use your stash!" figuring there HAD to be something decent there..And I was surprised to find enough fabric to make a gorgeous quilt that I don't want to give away!!! And I have planned several more from my stash....but in the meantime I have started several projects with all new stuff.
I say hobbies are all about what you can afford and have space for. They are only an obsession if you are putting off paying bills because you have bought so much fabric, or you become a hoarder like on the tv shows and you can't live in your house anymore:)
And just because we have to eat off paper plates in the living room sometimes because I am sewing and there is no room for people amongst the stash in the dining room, well, it doesn't mean I am obsessed!

When you have to start hiding it from DH, hate seeing your bank statement, you and DH argue over your expenditures, have no idea what you really have as far as colors and designs; buy fabric instead of pay bills, buy groceries, pay your tithe, are buying more than using, and you have that feeling in your gut you really don't need the fabric but just want it, you have too much fabric.

I'm at a point where I can actually NOT buy fabric. Yesterday I went to Joann because I needed some embroidery floss and needles. Pat laughed because my bill was under $5. That is unheard of. It is getting harder to find what I am looking for - and the cupboards are full. SO I have to stop my own insanity and be reasonable when it comes to adding stash.

Right now I'm getting ready to work on my IRR center and it looks like my pieces (applique) will come from my scrap bin.

Only if it bothers you.
I give myself a fabric allowance every month ... a set amount of money goes into the envelope ...when its gone its gone... if there is leftover it stays in the allowance envelope to be added to the next months allowance.
It sounds like dealing with a 5 year old but when it comes to fabric , that is about the amount of self control that I have.
Call it a fabric diet!!

You have a lot more self control than I do :oops: Though today I went into my lqs for batting and enough specific fabric for a carpenters wheel block and that is all I got. (OUCH, I just twisted my arm patting myself on the back :roll: ))

I think I have reached the point that I need to stop buying fabric for awhile(could be years) and just sew up what I have at home. My sewing room is full, the closet in sewing room is full and I have the parlor with way too much fabric in it. I like pretty fabric and see and think I can get it made up and there it sits. Going to a mini retreat this weekend and will finish a few things and then need to organize what I have and get started on only things I have already purchased and stop buying more fabric.

yes - or at least too much to use in one lifetime

I have tote upon tote upon tote of fabric, 26 totes stuffed full to be exact. I have so much and it isn't arranged in any certain order so if I want to find something I have to go thru all the totes to find something . Most times it is just easier to go buy what I need for a new project then take the time to go thru the stash. I'm not sure that I think that I have too much, but I definetly have enough for quite a few quilts. I also am quilty of having many quilt tops folded and stuffed in a tote. Quilting them isn't my strong suit, but I do love peicing them, and I also bought a lot of them off ebay. I don't think I can quit buying but I sure do need to cut way down.

Ha Ha, I too seem to have alot of fabric so, because I am saving to go to Australia next year to visit my daughter I am only using fabric in my stash, its amazing what I've found! ( of course did have to go and buy some for her wedding quilt - but hey that is very special), but its working and its odd how fabric just seems to blend together the only other thing I will have to buy is wadding - but then that is a 'need' rather than a 'want' so the answer is find something very expensive to save for then you won't be so tempted (not sure how long its gonna last though!!!! lol

I sent you a PM

Never.

I spent so much on fabric that I totally ran out of batting. So last Sunday, ran to JoAnns and got batting for quilts and fusible fleece for totes. NO FABRIC! Don't know how I did it, and while driving home, I was regretting that I didn't buy that cute lemon fabric that I was eyeing! Now that took STRENGTH! But I did it!. I have plenty in my stash that I do not need to purchase anymore for quite awhile, but if I see something I really like, usually I buy it, so Sunday was highly unusual for me to pass up that fabric. But all I think about is how cute that fabric would have looked in potholders --- hmmmm, might have to go back to JoAnn's just to get that out of my mind!

Feel sorry for me.... Have a stash that when I make a top now dont have to buy any fabric just find it here.... BUT I live next door to my favorite LQS.....

I tell you what - ever since those "Hoarders" shows have been on, I've really been trying to clear out - fabric included. I've got boxes I never see, with fabric that I bought when I was in the 1/4 yd. phase. Not enough to do anything with but a scrap quilt. So I spend yesteday getting a lot ready to donate. It will take several 'siftings', but I'm determined to find everything a good home.

Me too ! Those "hoarders" shows had me taking a good hard look at my "accumulations" of fabric.

yah, I know the feeling of being overwhelmed too. I am starting to feel crowded out. Gonna have to work harder to get it made up and maybe share some of it with a friend.

"Hoarders" just doesn't have me looking at my fabrics; it has me looking around my whole house esp the kitchen. How do I end up with 5 ladles, 3 collanders, 8 cutting boards, etc?? Starting boxes for donation to Humane Society Thrift Store--I could prob outfit an entire kitchen for someone!

I saw an ad in our local paper an ad $25 for all fabric in garage. I called and seems the wife had sewed all her life and had a disease now that she couldn't. I headed over there and seems the husband had done this without the wife's knowledge. He called and said not to come but said when the time came he would call me. Months went buy and I got a phone call. I was really suprised as I figured that I would never hear from him. Hubby and I GPS'ed his address and found their house. Sure enough the garage had at least 6 shelves full of fabric but most of it was knit. All kinds of knit. After meeting the wife and talking with her she had sewed everything for her family even their suits. I didn't realize their were so many types of knit. I didn't have the heart to tell them I didn't want it as knew the husband was trying to get rid of stuff. Both were in their 80's and no children. So we packed it up and now I have 10 bins of knit fabrics I don't know what to do with. I did donate some to a theatre group last year. Right now I am thinking I will open up a bin, take a picture and put it on Craigslist and see what I can get. Anyone else have any suggestions?

ditto here.

I have the same problem, when I lived in Ky, we had a store called Paul's discount and they had a huge area for crafts/fabric ($2.00 yd) all flat folds. My friend and I would go and spend several hrs finding fabrics. It was all 100% cotton and good fabric. then in 2007 my husband had a massive heart attack and has been ill ever since with all kinds of health issues. We moved back to Illinois to family that could help me and needless to say, my quilting went by the wayside. I have been working on getting it organized and out of the bins and totes I had it in and putting the bigger pieces on empty bolts from my LQS (which my daughter's mother in law owns slowly but surely it is getting better but I still buy