Originally Posted by
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!
I started with fat quarters! Then I got more daring and bought 1/2 yd at a time. I decided first on what to make and that was how I started my stash. Now, if there is a super sale with fabric at $2.00 a yard (and good stuff too) I buy three yards and work from that! I also ask at garage sales "Do you have any cotton fabric?" "Oh, do you quilt?" "Yes, I do".
And out of nowhere I get the most beautiful fabric. I bought Hoffman "Tiffany Windows" this past weekend at a yard sale. What a beautiful piece of fabric - 50 cents - Probably three yards! I have been quilting for about 15 years now and I have a bookcase with my fabric folded on the shelves. It is my treasure. And the very best part, I could tell you each and every place I purchased the fabric. I buy fabric if I like it. The one fabric I buy for a specific purpose is my backing fabric. With that I take the quilt top and bring it along to the fabric shop and pick out my fabric to go with that and purchase just what I need. Backing is not the most beautiful of fabrics, I think. One of these days I am going to make my own backing with some of my stash. My two sided quilt!!!!! I am going to be starting a new stash soon - I am going to make a flannel quilt (which I have never attempted) for our cold winter (if we have one) and that will be the start of another new stash. I have those plastic shoe boxes that I put my fat quarters and leftover fabric in (by color) and when I am making a "Floating Stars" or need small pieces, I go to them. Then I don't have to go out and buy 1/2 yard of this or that, I already have it. I love fat quarters. Some are so beautiful you hate to use them. I got a fat quarter pack (6 fat quarters) from my friend who went to Alaska and the fabric had batik, tonal, patterns all connected to Alaskan design. I used some of the fabric and made her a Sampler coverlet and she was so pleased that I included that fabric in it. It became a memory for her and her trip to Alaska as much as it did for me by showing her how much I appreciated the fabric. I still have pieces of it left and save it for something very special.
There is a whole new world in your stash. It is a wonderful world. You cannot have too little or too much. If you don't need it and you like it and the price is in your range, get it. You'll use it. I love making sampler quilts and I use a lot of fabric that way. Go to Quilters Cache on line. Have fun! Edie