petpainter

I don't have a stash either, since I'm a fairly new quilter- but I have a BIG stash of clothing fabric. I have been just buying for my project so far, with funds tight, but if I see something outstanding I grab it. I try to take a lot of classes at my Guild, and they always refer to just grabbing this and that from your stash, and I have to go buy it for just a small amount. I guess I need to keep stocking up on FQ's, too. I try to buy Batiks to have since they are so versible. Put them on your B-day and Christmas list!!!

butterflies5518

My BFF is an enabler, no FQ is ever overlooked, or a yard or 2 added to the original amount needed. Guilt free when he's along! (his eye for fabric selection is much better than mine) Enjoy your class!

cwessel47

My stash was started over 30 years ago. Time is the answer in collecting anything. My hint though is ALWAYS check out the remnants! Because I am a scrapper this works really well for me. I hardly ever purchase more than a yard at a time - it has to be for a particular project if I do. Rems also add to the variety you will have on hand. Things that you would never pick (as yardage) are often exactly right!

Maribeth

Me too, I remember buying two or three clearance kits at a time, if I liked the fabric. Then I would put the kits apart and put the fabrics on the shelf by color. I would leave the extra patterns at quilt club meetings.

sewplease

Great idea!!

MargeD

I agree with Lizzytish, I always buy a little extra "just in case", but I also find myself buying the fabric that jumps into my cart or arms,as the case may be. The best deals came from a quilt shop where they cut the price of the regular fabric to $2.99 to clear it out to make way for new fabric. I got some great deals, and I tried to pick up enough yardage for backings; although one fabric in particular decided that she should have top billing and became the focus fabric for a queen size raffle quilt for my church, and it made quite a bit of money that year.

MargeD

I do know what a pinafore is, but my DDIL didn't, when I told her I wanted to make my DGD Zoe's Christmas dress with a pinafore, she asked what a pinafore was, so I have to make the pinafore for the dress to show her.

MargeD

What a great Christmas gift - fabric.

KyKaren1949

When I first began quilting, I worked on my stash faithfully. At first, I picked an area at a time-novelties, baby fabrics, 1930s, Civil War, florals, solids and textures, black, white and cream tone on tone. Then I started on Christmas, Autumn, Halloween, Red and White, Black and White, etc. I watch for fabrics on sale to buy "quilting sets." Like someone else said, I try to work within a suite of primary fabrics of one line for quilts. I can add solids and textures later.
When buying fabric yardage, I usually buy 3-4 yards of the primary design. If I think it will be used for a small project; 1-1/2 yards. Solids and tone on tone-2-3 yards, sometimes more if the price is fantastic.
This was so hard for me in the beginning because I had no concept of how much yardage would be needed for anything! It's getting easier now than I sew more often.

QandE2010

I love the idea of asking for fabric for Christmas, etc.