Building up a stash from nothing
02-27-2011, 10:58 AM
#41
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 45
Every place I go for news predicts that fabric is going up 30%+ within this year. That does not include what it has ALREADY gone up this year. If one can - build stash now AND also use those backs of shirts too - they are great for little needed pieces. If prices continue to rise, us oldies with TOO much fabric must share with our new lil' quilting friends!
02-27-2011, 11:32 AM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 527
The very first quilt book I bought was Carol Doak's "Your First Quilt Book" (or it should be) Her advice in there:
"If you like it, buy a yard
If you really like it, buy 2 yards
If you can't live without it, buy as much as your budget can afford"
I buy fat quarters, but mostly I buy a yard at a time. I can almost always put enough complimentaryfabric to gether for a baby blanket or some other quick project. However, most the quilts I make are baby or lap robe sizes, so this is working so far.
"If you like it, buy a yard
If you really like it, buy 2 yards
If you can't live without it, buy as much as your budget can afford"
I buy fat quarters, but mostly I buy a yard at a time. I can almost always put enough complimentaryfabric to gether for a baby blanket or some other quick project. However, most the quilts I make are baby or lap robe sizes, so this is working so far.
02-27-2011, 11:41 AM
#43
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Be careful what you wish for. Stash can take over and if you don't have the space and you don't like scrappy quilts then it can become a hinderance. That said, when I first started, I always bought a little extra for the projects that I was actually working on. Then I started buying fabric "just because." DH thought for the longest time that fabric HAD to be bought in full yard increments, starting with 1 yard. lol.
I have now become "full up" in my stash containers and have to be extremely frugal (self-imposed).
Some people make a swatch book of their stash and take that with them to the fabric store so they can match and supplement. Others just buy what suits their fancy.
Anything from 1 yard of a panel size to 5 1/2 yards for a potential backing (or more). Trust me, if you want to grow your stash - every Fat Quarter helps.
I have now become "full up" in my stash containers and have to be extremely frugal (self-imposed).
Some people make a swatch book of their stash and take that with them to the fabric store so they can match and supplement. Others just buy what suits their fancy.
Anything from 1 yard of a panel size to 5 1/2 yards for a potential backing (or more). Trust me, if you want to grow your stash - every Fat Quarter helps.
02-27-2011, 11:45 AM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,229
This has been a very interesting thread. I think a stash builds itself, at least mine did. I got the quilting fever in 2004; started off buying 1/4 yard pieces. That didn't last long. I still only buy 1 yard pieces; but, that's because of finaancial issues. I only buy on sale, unless I'm buying from my local QS; never find fabrics on sale there. However, I don't use only QSQ, though I don't use thin or see-thru. Oh, my stash was increased greatly when I inherited my mother's large stash. Took me months to give away all her double knit; I still find a piece here or there, lol.
My advice is similar to the previous posts. Buy at least a yard when on sale; mostly blenders and tonals. and have fun!
My advice is similar to the previous posts. Buy at least a yard when on sale; mostly blenders and tonals. and have fun!
02-27-2011, 01:16 PM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: washington
Posts: 1,424
Originally Posted by Cyn
I can't help because I buy anything! anytime! and if I'd actually sew more then I wouldn't have a whole house full of fabric. So if you have enough to do what you want when you want, the rest will just come in time, I think :)
02-27-2011, 01:18 PM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: washington
Posts: 1,424
Originally Posted by winterpromise31
Wow! You guys are awesome. :D Thanks for all the responses. There are definitely a few things here to think about.
Since I'm still new, I don't really know which kind of quilts I prefer. I do know I want to try something more complex than 9-patch. I will have made four quilts as gifts before I make the first for me to keep, and I know that one will be a mystery/sampler quilt (I think queen sized). So I guess I'll keep buying fabric as needed for now unless I find an awesome sale on something I love! Maybe after a couple more quilts, I'll have a better idea of what I want to do in the future and will thus be able to buy fabric in advance.
Thanks again for all of your help!
Since I'm still new, I don't really know which kind of quilts I prefer. I do know I want to try something more complex than 9-patch. I will have made four quilts as gifts before I make the first for me to keep, and I know that one will be a mystery/sampler quilt (I think queen sized). So I guess I'll keep buying fabric as needed for now unless I find an awesome sale on something I love! Maybe after a couple more quilts, I'll have a better idea of what I want to do in the future and will thus be able to buy fabric in advance.
Thanks again for all of your help!
02-28-2011, 03:51 AM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere in Time
Posts: 2,697
Since I only purchase fabric I really like for specific projects, I purchase at least 2 -3 yards. Also, I select other fabrics I like and purchase a couple of yards for my stash at the same time. As my stash builds I purchase colors I am missing. Currently I am adding browns and backgrounds in colors other than white, adding prints.
While I don't particularly like pastels, for our guild challenge project this year I have pastels, so on a recent roadtrip I actually found several I liked and purchased extra for my stash.
No matter how big my stash is, I always find several new pieces to add to it. Once you start, it will be easier. It is alot like eating potato chips.
While I don't particularly like pastels, for our guild challenge project this year I have pastels, so on a recent roadtrip I actually found several I liked and purchased extra for my stash.
No matter how big my stash is, I always find several new pieces to add to it. Once you start, it will be easier. It is alot like eating potato chips.
02-28-2011, 04:10 AM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,304
I'm a fairly new quilter myself and when I started stash building, I'd get fat quarters or a yard. I quickly found out that that is not enough unless you plan on making scrappy quilts. So now, I buy at least 2 yards. If I'm buying a lot of coordinating fabrics and intend to use them together, I might get 1 yard, but most often I buy 2. I usually buy fabric with intentions to use it together or for a specific project, but I rarely have an actual pattern in mind, therefore I rarely know how much I need of each fabric, and I've found a couple of times that I would much rather have too much than not enough. So far in my experience, having two yards of each fabric in my "plan" gives me plenty. Also, I don't often buy big print fabrics unless I'm buying for a specific project. I stick to blenders and neutrals for the most part and buy prints on an "as needed" basis.
I usually use bed sheets (most often flannel) for backing, so I don't often buy yardage to back my quilts.
I usually use bed sheets (most often flannel) for backing, so I don't often buy yardage to back my quilts.
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