Tippysmom

I am curious about how you all collect and add to your stash.

What does it consist of? Is it leftover fabric from a project, or an impulse buy? Do you see a bolt of fabric and buy X amount of yards with nothing in mind right now?

How do you know how much to buy? I just started quilting and keep reading about everyone's stash, and I want one!

Joset

just picking up fabric here and there. if i see something i like i usually get
at least 2 or 3 yards if the price is right. i think i collect fabric lol

joyce j

Same as Joset just said, joyce j

paulswalia

1. Leftovers from prior quilts - cut into usable pieces ie 2.5 squares, 2.5 strips, charms, other sizes too
2. See it, love, it, gotta own it purchases (minimum 2 yards)
3. Trades with other quilters at guild
4. Fabric planned for specific patterns
5. An inherited stash from my dearest friend who died of brain cancer

There's over 360 yards on bolts plus bins of precuts and plastic storage boxes of fabric put togeher for spcific patterns. I'll probably never shop again. (boo hoo......no more shopping thereapy!)

Stitchnripper

I rarely purchase yardage. Usually I hit the remnant bins at Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's or Hancocks. I have quite a few pieces that I do end up using either on a quilt or for doll clothes for the granddaughter. I have found a few bigger pieces at flea markets or garage sales, but that is very very rare.

woody

What stash LOL I have a few leftovers and a very small collection of batiks for a applique quilt I am doing and that is about it. I drool over some of the stash pictures I see, I would have to win the lottery to be able to afford so much fabric at the prices we pay here in Australia

Scissor Queen

The secret to a good usable stash is how much to buy of each type of fabric. The largest size quilt I make is queen size so I always keep that in mind.

Most queen size quilt patterns call for 3 to 4 yards for a background fabric if it has a background. 4 to 7 yards is a good amount for the focal fabric since you'll probably want to use it for borders too. And then you'll need supporting players, good tone on tones, small patterns and geometrics and you'll usually use two or three in a quilt so 2 yards is a good amount for them.

I've started buying two extra yards of the focal fabrics so I have enough to make pillow cases too.

Then the quiltovers get saved and are the starters for great scrap quilts.

Becky Crafts

Friends had given me fabric they didn't want any more. I would have to say a lot of my stash is left over from other projects, if I see something I like a lot, I get a yard or two depending on cashflow, I do the Shop Hop to find the bunnies & winnings help to give me back some of what I've used, I shop sales & buy stash builder boxes on E-bay. My DH got me two boxes of 50 fat quarters & we get the ones for $1.00 each at Big Lots.

teddysmom

I've only been coupling for a couple of years so my stash is fabric left from something I've already made. However, I do have fabric that is "in waiting" for a future project.

joyce888

I usually don't have a pattern in mind when purchasing fabric. I usually buy on impulse and get anywhere from 1 1/2 yds to 3 yds. Wish I could pick the pattern first. One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started quilting was buying nothing but solids for the backing. Needless to say I have a lot of solid Kona cotton that's not being used.