Originally Posted by
Cattitude
I have made every mistake in the book as far as my buying habits. First I went nuts with FQs.....if I loved the fabric I bought it. Busy, colorful fabrics.....that did not go together. FQ bundle on clearance? Mystery FQ bundle? I could always use the ones I didn’t like in scrap quilts. Then the LQS guilt purchases. I couldn’t leave the store without purchasing something. Often this ended up being a charm pack. Why?! Then I discovered online deals. How many purchases were rationalized due to clearance prices. And then there were the ‘I’m already paying for shipping so I might as well add this item’ or......’I just need two more items to get free shipping’. And finally the panic buys....buying more of fabric I already had because I didn’t have a project in mind when the original purchase was made and I was worried I might not have enough when I made up my mind.
Cattitude, you have told my story except that I also have bunches that I got from my guild's free table as well as more from a friend who was destashing. Why oh why did I pay attention to those who said you had to have a stash in order to quilt??? Why isn't there more emphasis on how quickly a stash can grow from leftovers? I have so much fabric and some of it I actually like! Trouble is, I like to look at it and pet it, not cut it into pieces! I'm an newbie, started researching quilting about 3 years ago and have started a few UFO's - haven't finished a thing!! (Yes, I do love those exclamation points, it's how I talk.) So, I am also inspired to join the fabric moratorium - I must get this hoarding habit under control. I've already arranged for a friend to take all my fabric & sewing toys if I kick the bucket - I have an apartment in my son's house and he would just throw it all away! When I started down this path, I was afraid I wouldn't have enough ideas for making things and now, I I won't have enough time to make everything I want to make. Did I mention that I'm starting this venture while I'm on the downward slope to 80? And, that I still work fulltime as an AmeriCorps volunteer (literacy tutor)? So, my goals are simple: to actually complete some projects and to get rid of at least 25% of the fabric I have now. And, while it may seem counterproductive, if I succeed, my reward will be permission to splurge on some new fabric at the end of the year. I do have a serious addiction problem! I'm counting on this group to help me focus on my goals and remind me that I'm not alone.
