All this talk about stash
 

I love fabric and when I want to quilt or see a pattern I want to try, I hate to wait until I can afford fabric to work with. So when I have a few extra dollars and I see something I like, I buy a couple yards of it. I tend to shy away from oranges and reds unless I have a project in mind because I tend not to use them much. That way most of what I have will work together. My stash is small compared to some. Just a filing cabinet full of fabric wrapped boards.

I have a stash because when I started quilting the closest store to me is over an hour away. I just can't run to the store and buy what I need. My Sister also quilts and has a stash. When we go to town we hit all the stores and stock up, especially on tone on tone and blenders. We also share all our fabric with each other. If I don't have it she does and visa versa. Works for us.

Most of my fabric for years was for my stash. I love scrappy quilts, and usually 1/2 yard pieces were plenty. I would buy fat quarters too, but often, those weren't enough.If buying for stash now, I purchase mostly yard pieces, and 3 yards if I think I would want it for a border. I still rarely buy fabric just for a quilt...try to use what I have in my stash, and if need, go shopping for a sashing or border fabric.

Last year I bought 85 yards of fabric for a stash - but it was all in the "muddy" tones and I only had brights. I really wanted to make quilts in that sort of color tone and figured that was the way to do it. It also helped that the fabric was all on sale between 60 and 90% off. I've had a lot of fun using these fabrics. When I look at the other fabric I have I wonder where and why I bought it! Good thing is it all works well in scrappy quilts.

I buy for quilts, and always buy extra of each color. Sometimes I will see a fabric and think OH that would make a beautiful ( specific pattern) quilt and will buy it. If they have coordinating fabric I may buy a couple of yards of it too. Of course by the time I get around to actually using it I may have forgotten which pattern I had purchased it for! LOL Now I cheat and when I arrive home with the fabric I will put it and if not the pattern at least the name of the pattern in a project box and set it up on my bucket list shelf. I do have a stash and keep lots of solids, blenders, and holiday fabrics on hand but my stash is small compared to a lot of people.

I have a stash, one Im disabled and dont drive, 2. Only 2 LQS and they are small 3 on a fixed income so when i find it on sale i can afford it!!

I buy fabric that calls my name. there does tend to be a lot of fabrics that do call me. I love to be able to walk into my sewing room and pick up a pattern, throw open my cabinets, pull the fabrics and whip it up. I have been able to take advantage of some pretty awesome sales and have a substantial stash.

If its on sale and I gotta have it.... I buy it for my stash. For me it's a way to help keep the cost down and increase the profits.

I have gotten fabric I liked "Just Because". Many times I fuss and fidget with it putting it into groupings that I think would make a good quilt combination..Eventually I find a pattern that works with it..Other times it's the opposite..Pattern sits as fabrics collect...Until it finds a home it sits in my stash. If I see it-I like it- I buy it..

I don't stash. I can't stand tons of anything around. I buy what I need for a project. I have 3 plastic shoe boxes full of leftovers.

It's hard not to buy some of the beautiful fabrics I see, but I just can't tolerate the clutter. I also have a tough time with UFO's.

I've been a fabric collector since long before I started actively quilting. If I see a fabric that "speaks my name" it almost always comes home with me, either right then or when I go back for it. Enough times of going back and it being gone and you know what happens. . . See it, like/love it, buy it.

I may not have a specific pattern on mind when I get it, but I usually have at least a vague plan for it.

I mentally divide all fabrics into two big categories - focus fabric or coordinating fabric. It's really easy to have way too many focus fabrics and not enough coordinating fabrics, so lately I've been consciously seeking ones that will coordinate with what I already have.

I'm finding that pale to light shades of blenders, marbles, and the like are harder to locate, especially in batiks. And those fabrics are the ones I run out of first.

I buy a lot of stuff at yard sales and thrift shops. I MIGHT need it one of these days.

I buy stash (usually on sale) because I make quilts from my own designs much more often than I copy others or use a pattern. I can choose to make a pattern designed around the prints I have on hand.

If I start drawing something at 6pm and then at 8pm just *have* to start making it right away, what would I do if I didn't have my own fabric store of sorts to shop from?! Just like I keep extra blades, or needles, or thread, or rulers, or any other part of my *tools* on hand, I keep "extra" fabric in a stash.

By having a stash, I have recently made a curved log cabin quilt using 30 fabrics in prints of aquas, red, and yellows ALL pulled from my stash, even the backing. I also made a reds, tans, and navy rail fence lap quilt all from stash.

Oh, yes, I'm ever so thankful I can shop in my own fabric store any hour any day of the week!!

Jan in VA

I don't deliberately go seeking fabric to add to my "stash" .... instead, fabric seems to seek out me!

I'll be walking down the aisle at Joanns with the sole purpose of getting a zipper and WHAM! Right on the end of the aisle is the most beautiful fabric I've ever seen. Sometimes a project will immediately come to mind but more often than not I haven't any idea of what to make with it. But if I can swing it financially, I go ahead and get a couple yards of that beautiful just-gotta-have-it fabric that sought me out, AND I'll get 1/2 yard each of several coordinating fabrics in that line, so I have everything I need when I get around to using it for a quilt or project.

I sort and store my fabrics by project so it all stays together. Right now, I probably have 10 to 15 groups ready to go! It's fun having it "in stock", so when I come across a pattern I want to try, I'm ready to dig right in.

I have enough fabric set aside for particular projects that I can't find time to piece together, yet I keep adding to my stash. It really is ridiculous. Is a scrappy really a scrappy if you purposely bought a bunch of 1/4 yards and fat quarters just to cut up and add to your scrappy stash? I don't think I'd succeed at the fabric moratorium, but lately I've been thinking about putting myself on a specific budget for fabric to cut down on what I buy. I think I could make quilts for years before I truly needed fabric.

I am fortunate to have a modest stash (don't ask my husband his opinion on that though... he thinks it is HUGE lol) but most of mine was either bought on a HUGE sale, or gifted to me. I have TONS of scraps that were given to me, and I still buy for a specific project and if the finances are good at the moment, will buy at least a yard extra if I like the fabric and think I will use it someday. I too, have bought with a specific project, and years later, find these nice coordinating fabrics in a box, and think "what the *&^^ did I have in mind for this fabric" So, it goes into the regular stash.

I love to quilt and will use a lot of fabric in a few months time. If I had to shop for each project I'd be shopping more then quilting. I usually buy 3 - 9 yards of one fabric at a time when I find a great sale. I buy focus fabric as I need it for each quilt but I have background, blender, and backing in my stash. I have the room to store it neatly so it's not cluttered or stuck in bins.

Fabric lines come and go so fast. I'll go to the LQS and see some new fabric that I know by the time I finish my current project will not be there. True some else will be, but if I really like a fabric I buy it when I see it so I do get to work with it. That's how I have built up a stash. Then there's yardage or fat quarters I need like staples you keep in a kitchen that are part of my stash. My stash also has complete projects yet to completed. Last but no least, if there's a sale there's a reason to go to the LQS which always results in a purchase.

I had a stash before I ever started quilting. Back when I sewed only to make clothing.. if it was on sale at a very good price and I loved it.. I bought it. For me its no different than keeping a pantry of food item purchased on sale for future use. The concept is so parallel , flour and sugar are the muslin and tone on tone etc in my sewing pantry.

I make a huge amount of charity quilts. I make patriotic ones, kids and Hospice. I only buy what is deeply discounted and a good quality. I have had quite a bit given to me also--mainly floral. If I had to pay $12 a yard there would not be nearly as many quilts donated It is all neatly folded and on shelves in my closet.

Project only buyer here. I do buy extra for error sake but that's about it. I don't have room to maintain a stash and my tastes change rapidly. The project leftovers are my only stash. I'm also not into scrappy so it all works for me.

I don't live in town either. Until recently there was no place to buy fabric up here on the mountain. So I buy mostly for projects, but, I do put in blenders and backings in a stash for those days when it is snowing and I can't get into town.

Now there is the occasional exception when I have bought fabric that I loved and had no current use for. I love having inspirational fabric to start those creative engines. Believe me, between my charity quilts and the other things I sew, it all gets used eventually. The going out of business sales is what grew my stash to almost out of control once. Quilt shop quality at a dime store price, who could resist?

Hubby made my shelving in the double closet of the sewing room to organize mine. Then he added hanging kitchen-type cabinets above my sewing area.

Let me add one thing ... I don't have a closet full of shoes and purses, I don't have any hobbies but this one and gardening. So I feel no remorse whatsoever.

For me the stash just happened over years. Buying fabric for a project and then not making it for whatever reason. Left over fabric from when a design changes, fabric I just had to have. And as soon as people learn I quilt they get rid of their unwanted material by dropping it off at my house. I never bought a fabric to just add to my stash. There is always an intended use at the time I acquire it.:D
peace

I only ever bought fabric for an intended project, never had a stash. But with the price of fabric now, I wish I had one! Also, I am very disappointed in the quality of Christmas fabric. I have a little leftover, and can find nothing today that is as nice.

I buy fabric with no project in mind and it goes in my stash. Only rarely do I buy fabric with a project in mind. Like if I'm making a specific quilt. And that doesn't happen to often.

This is how I see it, too. How do I get a meal on the table without ingredients on hand? I try to buy food and fabric when on sale, things I know I'll use, so that when I need to be, I'm ready to cook or sew. I love being able to find backing in the closet that I have bought from the sale bin that is just right for my project. I just try to shop stash FIRST, THEN head to the store if I need to. Jmho.

Stash is a funny thing. I have left overs; pass on; freebies; sale items and stuff I just love. The biggest reason I buy stash is when you want it you can't find it so you better get it when you see it. Sometimes you just get that certain fabric in your mind and nothing else will do and you can go crazy finding it even with the web. I love it - I buy it.

I have a large stash, bought mostly when on sale, very few for reg prices. Also goodwill and yardsales.

I used to only buy for a specific pattern. Until it took me several years to get to the one project to use the fabric I'd bought. Then, guess what!?! I didn't have enough of one of the primary fabrics, and it was no longer available:{. Now, I buy a little extra, just in case, and that has turned into my stash. And, sometimes, the fabric calls my name, and if it does, I buy that without a specific pattern in mind, 'cause ya just never know, lol.
At any rate, because I work really odd hours, it is nice to be able to walk into the room and grab fabric whenever the mood strikes me to make a quilt, and usually, it's during the nighttime hours, when ALL the stores are closed.

My stash is pretty nice, and I am doing my best not to buy fabrics "just because" since the prices have really gone up. I check my stash first when I do a project. If I don't have want I need, then I will buy what is needed. Unfortunately, some of my stash came from a few quilt stores closing over the years, and the prices were good. I have found some nice fabrics at estate and garage sales. I love making Quilts of Valor and charity quilts as well as quilts for my wonderful family.

I am a "mood" and "fabric sales" shopper; if I wait to buy fabric for a specific project, there very well may not be a sale or a coupon or I may be in no mood to shop. The mood thing is much less of an issue now that I mostly buy fabric on-line and do not actually have to leave my house. Whether on-line or physically in a fabric store, if I find fabrics I love and I know I can and will use them in a quilt, I buy them while they're available. I have been doing this for many years and have had few regrets. When I get an idea for a new project, I absolutely love to browse through my fabric for what I'll need; if I don't have everything, I take fabric samples to the store and match them to what I need.

Pat G, I used to be like you, and couldn't understand why one would buy fabric without a project in mind. Within the last year, I too have started to buy fabric for unknown projects. I guess I can now say that I'm an addict. I see some that I love and if I wait it might be gone, so gotta have it. Bought some at a quilt show because it was $3.00 a half yard. Good buy couldn't pass it up. Ordered some fabric on line and if you bought $100 you got free shipping, so added some fabrics to get the free shipping. Now I have a stash. That's where it all began. :-)

Reading through these post, I realized they should all begin with. My name is _________ and I am addicted to fabric. :-)

I buy fabric for my stash when it calls my name. I also buy extra for projects because from time to time I run into a pattern that the yardage is wrong. Also because I sometimes make a mistake in cutting and need to recut. It is fun picking fabric from my stash for a project.

I buy fabric from many different places...I try to buy on sale or stock up when I go to Amish country in NY. since her fabric is so cheap and high quality. I have got so I like to search the thrift stores...I found over twelve yards of cotton fabric and over 3 yards of flannel in a thrift store two days ago...The best is it was 2.99 for the whole bag.I bought over five yards of Cranston..Looney Tunes print fabric for 99 cents last week at Goodwill... A stash is great for table runners and scrapy quilts. You do what makes you happy...If a stash is not your thing, no big deal....

For me, when I am able to drive to the nearest fabric store, I usually buy at least 3 or 4 yards if something catches my eye. I don't usually buy for a project, I buy if I find something I really love. When I was working, if I had a really bad day at work I would treat myself to a couple yards of fabric. Looking at all the pretty patterns would lift my spirits. I fugured, hey it's sure cheaper than going to a bar to drink. Now that I am disabled and in severe chronic pain, I sure am glad that I have that stash. Even though it hurts to sew, it's something I do to lift my spirits. Since I've become disabled, the pain has taken so much of the things that I used to enjoy away from me. Sewing is something I can still do, just much more slowly than I used to.

I too never saw myself as someone who would ever have a stash of fabric. That being said , there are so many beautiful fabrics out there that for me, it is impossible to not get at least some small piece of that fabric. I love to shop from my stash. Like having my own fabric store!!!!

I don't think I set out to build a stash - it started by leftover fabric from sewing projects. Then when I was planning a quilt I would buy 1/2 yd. or so extra just in case I miscalculated the yardage. Then there is the fabric that jumps off the shelves in front of me and I just have to buy it, as I know it won't be there when I go back, even though I have no particular quilt in mind. Of course there is simply buying fabric on sale at a great price for future projects. Although that can get me into trouble occasionally, like having to downsize from house to apt., where I have lots of "stash", since we've moved I have made several quilts - crib to king size - and picking fabric entirely from my stash. I do miss shopping for fabric though, so every so often I indulge when I have the time, opportunity and money.