zyxquilts

Most of my stash is sorted by color - well, the part of it that isn't laying all over the rest of the house that is. :oops:
I rarely buy fat quarters - and then they're usually for a gift or an exchange at guild.
Mostly I now buy 1 yard minimum & if one really calls to me & is on sale (I try to only listen to the ones on sale!), I'll buy multiple yards. I think it would be a great idea to mark your fabric as to how big each piece is, but for me, I just wing it. If I don't have enough of one, I either go scrappy or find something I have more of. :D

k3n

Sue - I love that you try to only listen to the ones on sale! LOL But why do the expensive ones always shout louder!

My stash - I have two little baskets of FQs, a drawer of charms and smaller than FQs and three little drawers of scraps - big enough for a seam and some fabric showing! The rest - half a yard and up are in baskets as well, sorted by theme. For eg I have one basket of blue and whites, one of oldy worldy florals and one for the rest. I buy mostly online as there are no fabric shops here so don't 'impulse buy' other than for example in a January sale; I buy for projects and always buy a bit more than I need to add to my stash.

k3n

Here's a pic of my stash cupboard - it's more pretty than handy because it used to stand in the lounge. Now it's on the landing outside the door to my sewing room and I'm thinking of changing to clear plastic boxes so i can see what I've got!

bearisgray

If you choose to pin (or staple) something - pin it in the selvage - so if it rusts or something - the only mark will be on the very edge. It probably is a good idea to keep track of how much you have and how much it cost.

Some people keep notebooks (3-ring binder types)- they cut off a tiny scrap and staple it to a piece of notebook paper with relevant information. Where, when, how much, maybe why?

Since I started buying quilting fabric, I've learned a few things:

1) That they keep making new prints
2) That they discontinue some prints - usually one I only bought a little of and wish I had bought more!

If it is a print that you truly, truly, truly love, buy at least 3 yards of it. Even it it's kind of spendy at the time.

Tippy

Boy, do I have answers for you!! I am in the process of re-doing my stash even as we speak, and this is a 20+ year collection. on the subject of yardage.. if it's a fabric that you might use for sashing or backing I buy a minimum of 3 yards... I have a few pieces that are 7-9 yards.. Usually my minimum cut is 1 yard. although I do have a "section" of 1/2 yard cuts.
I am washing and pressing all of my fabric, folding it in a very specific way and then I am marking each piece with a little tag that tells me how much, be it yardage or in inches how large the piece is.
I have a small closet in my room that is about a foot deep and about 5 feet wide and has shelves.. that is the beginning of stash storage. One shelf is 1/2 yard bits, one for 1 yard bits and one for large pieces.
I am putting the smaller pieces in clear plastic boxes so they are easily seen.
and will find or build an open shelving unit to store these in.
As you use fabric, re-size leftovers and reshelve.

Rhonda

I start with how much I can afford to spend. Then I look to see what strikes me at that moment. If I have only one that I want I spend as much as I have on me at that time. If I want several then I make a choice as to which ones I can't live without. Sometimes I talk myself out of something that isn't as good as the one or two or so that I just have !!! to have. Something I have been looking for and couldn't find or something that fits exactly what I need etc.

I store my fabric on shelves by color. I have floor to ceiling shelves behind my sewing machine. Yes it needs to be refolded and reorganized by value but I can still see what i have and overlook that it didn't get put back where it belongs! Oh well!

I get fabric at yard sales buy clothes at good will for the fabric and look for large dresses and skirts especially as they are good fabric if they are cotton.

You will find what works for you!

Ninnie

Being a scrap quilter, I love FQs, and have a LOT of them! :wink:

I have started to buy larger pieces, 1 or 2 yards, but always feel funny when I do.

I buy backing by the bolt, 108 in wide so it works for everything.

I do not keep any fabric on shelves, but in chests. when I start a new quilt, I take it all out and spend hours getting just the right pieces. then I put it all away except what I am going to use. My grandmother always kept her material in a dark place, and I just do it the way she did, no other reason! :D


Ninnie

Kj05

I completely know what you mean about feeling funny buying larger pieces.

Chrys

I mainly buy fat quarters, so I could have more of a selection. ;) But if it's something I really like, I'll do a half a yard. If it's something I love and adore then I'll get a yard.

kluedesigns

i think i have a rather large stash. i've never counted but i would say its over 1000 yards.

i store my stash in closet in my studio and i also have a bookshelf of fabric.

i sort it

1) if for a specific project - they all get stored together
2) if from the same line - they all get stored together
3) if from the same theme - they all get store together (japanese, batik)


the amount of fabric you buy really depends on the type of quilter you are and what you plan to do with the fabric.

i have a stack of japanese FQs and a stack of fossil fern FQs both for specific patterns - otherwise i never buy FQs because 1 FQ just isn't enough fabric for me - i'd rather have a half yard which is 2 FQs.

if its a novelty print i'll buy anywhere from 1/2 - 2 yards depending on how much i love it and how i think i'll use it.

if its a blender, tone on tone, solid batik, gradations, ombre or large scale print i'll buy 2 - 4 yards depending on how much i love it.

then i buy PFD by the bolt - i don't consider this part of a stash since its just white fabric waiting for me to paint or dye to turn it into something i can work with.