... forgets to purchase whites and neutrals?

When I'm reviewing photos of quilts made, I realize I'm drawn most to those that use white or neutrals as a contrast to all the beautiful colors. But I ALWAYS forget to purchase these! I'm always drawn to all the yummy colors!

Anyone have a formula they use to help them remember to build their neutral stash at the same time as the rest?

--Jillaine

I usually have to make a special trip for white, creams or white on white. I just don't think about them until time to sew. You are not alone:)

I do the same thing! Now I try to buy some lights just to have in my stash~

sometimes they're hard to find online.

Same here!!!

Jillaine, I was lamenting my lack of whites and neutrals UNTIL I cleaned out my sewing room and found a bunch!!!
Still working on my major project :) but have found wonderful things I forgot about as well as things I didn't want anymore.
I now have fabrics in appropriate boxes, bolts etc so when I run low on something I can finally know it! :D:D

Because I am a fan of white on white, I always use

http://www.virginiaquilter.com/cgi-l...adf+1306915242

They enhance the image so that you can see the pattern - their fabric is nice quality as well.

I forget to get the earth tones, white,beigh,tans...then have to make an trip all over again

I make a point to buy at least 2 yards of it when I got and get other fabrics. That point actually happens oh every 5th time i'm at the store! lol

Thanks for the link.

I always get mine at Joanns, Hancock fabrics, or Walmart.

For me, Gotta have the WOW, COC and Muslin in supply.

I try to keep at least two yards on hand.

yes, they have a nice selection.

I usually go for the prints and colors and get the background fabrics when I decided what to do with the prints and colors. A lot of patterns now don't calll for a light background fabric. I usually have some on have but when I need 2 yards, I will have 1 1/2 yards on hand. Murphy's law!

I'm right there with you! I'm always collecting prints and patterns for my stash but it never occurs to me to get anything neutral.

I have been ordering a lot of fabric from Connecting Threads, and whenever I do an order, I always include at least a yard or two of neutrals. I don't remember when I go to the fabric store, so that's my way of building my neutrals stash.

I also tend to forget neutrals and whites when shopping. It must have to do with the brighter fabrics catching the eye.

Its the first thing on my list when I go sale shopping, or don't have anything I need but have that 40 percent off coupon.

I'm doing the same!

Yep me too

Your not alone at all. This is one thing I have to do also, just to have on hand.

I've got a fair collection of neutrals but have a hard time finding a cream I like (looking for more butter than taupe) and nearly impossible finding a white-on-white that is not floral or feminine or directional.

I went on a quest to increase my yellow stash and totally overdid it a few months ago.

Cheers, K

Just checked -that is a very helpful link!

I try to purchase a whole bolt of whites or creams when they are on sale. Like you I to am drawn to all of the pretty colors.

Verna2197

I know your pain. That is what I use my JoAnn, Hobby Lobby and Hancock fabrics coupons for now. I buy the entire bolt. At least I KNOW I will use that one eventually. I have one white, one black and one red. It has saved me a trip on more than one occasion. ~ Pat

Bella Solid "snow" is a buttery cream. Doesn't look like snow at all the me.

No formula.....but I realized the same thing.Neutrals make the quilt sing & I buy a lot of them.I stick with the neutrals & only keep a few whites.

not me...in fact that is the first thing I look for at sales...but then I also use them to dye to suit my needs...

anyway, look for sales where you get an extra % off if you finish the bolt and then look for thin bolts you can easily use...

When I'm traveling I love to hit stores never been but I make sure to buy at least one yard neutral if not more. It's just a habit I got into.

Same here.

You are among friends on this one :thumbup: Somehow, no matter my resolve, prints grab me.

Might be best thought to go to the shop, take a few of your own prints with you (?), and shop ONLY of whites and neutrals.

OK, I have to put that on the calendar ... and be strong ... and resist! Dang prints are gorgeous! :roll:

Julie

yep.. I do too...
although, saying that,I do still have a half decent stash of whites and beige and cream tone on tones.. but there is always room for more!

Same here, I'm always short of neutrals

Me too.

Whenever I find wide quilt backing on sale, I try to get a yard or two of the neutrals. That 108" wide goes a long way :thumbup:

I always look for whites when I'm shopping but usually can't find any I like. Also there's a very short selection compared to all the other fabrics. Maybe just a dozen bolts.

My new best friend is Moda Snow - a creamy, warm off-white that does amazing things as a background. I've just gone through a jelly roll of the stuff and am about to start a quilt which will pair it with the Moda William Morris collection. I think I'm in love...

Ditto. Batiks in jewel tones catch my eye and I forget about a supporting cast of fabrics. :-P

I love using tone-on-tone whites and neutral beiges in my quilts for contrast. So, whenever I find a good sale, I try to grab some whites and beiges just to have on hand. I had built up a good collection, then my husband became disabled and I was laid off, plus they got rid of the fabric in the Wal-Mart stores in the area (I'm still bumbed about that), so I haven't had the money to buy fabric. Then we had to down-size from a 3-bedroom home to a 2-bedroom apt., so I had to really purge my fabric stash, except for the neutrals. Now I'm making a family reunion quilt for July 4th in NE and I have run out of white. I know I have more somewhere, just have to find the right bin. I hate when that happens, as I lose my momentum and time is running out to have it done before the end of the month. Oh well, my girl friend says I work best under pressure.

I used to forget. But, now that I've sorted my fabrics by color, I know what I have and what I need. It was an enlightening (no pun intended) experience...I love black, but that is the one color I have the least of; I'm not a real fan of blue, but I somehow managed to amass five bins of it!!

I buy 3 yards (sometimes 4) of neutrals every 4th trip to the LQS whether I need it or not.