Blessed with more fabric and books!
 

Recently, I have been down with a injury so no sewing/quilting for me for the last few months. Being laid up, friends, family, neighbors have brought me some nice quilting magazines and books and even fabric! Not to mention, that I have been able to order from MSQC and others.( Gotta do something when you are down!) So I am getting a nice pile of projects for the future. Now, a friend has offered me a tub of fabric, which I gladly accepted! All very wonderful but When do we stop collecting? My room is full of things I can't get to now, but it is so fun! An addiction I think. Also, at the price of fabric I couldn't turn it down! Just wondering when you say enough is enough or do you?

I haven't said enough yet, even though I should. LOL

same with me

Never stop collecting but after sorting, if there are fabrics you will never use, pass them on to other quilters that could make use of the fabric. Find out what charity organizations are located nearby.

I'm a confessed fabric-alcholic, I don't think there is a cure......

I don't think I will ever stop collecting. I started with Carnival glass, went to auctions for more glass and got a winning bid of a Singer in a cabinet for $15.00, that is what started my addictions to sewing machines, fabric and anything quilty.

I tell my husband that I'm stocking up now for the time when we'll be on a fixed income and fabric purchases may not be in the budget.

He does not quite believe me, since I've got over 10 years before retirement.

I think that is a great solution. I probably wouldn't say "Enough" unless it involves shipping. Then, my bank account might determine how much I could ship. Otherwise, if I have good health, I'll probably at least try to use it.

When you run out of room, I suppose. I'm not there yet! I like to think I'm supporting the local economy!

I say as long as you have the space for it and desire to organize it so you are likely to use it and it gives you pleasure - enjoy! Our hobbies fuel our creativity and reduce our stress

I was just going to post a question about how you develop a stash. I have been just buying for the project that I am in the process of doing. I buy what the pattern says to buy but no more. It seems I am always having to go buy fabric. I never have any. How do you collect so much? Is it worth it to buy the smaller pre cut fabrics that i keep seeing and hearing about?

Well, it's nice having some good things to look forward to, right, even if you can't use them right now? I'm all for that!

There are some wonderfully giving people in the world. A very dear friend of mine, who is approaching 90 years old, got in touch yesterday. She is gifting me with one of her Viking embroidery machines! The offer came out of the blue and I'm really touched that she thought of me. I'll enjoy thinking of her while I'm using the machine. :)

When a collection outgrows the space, when it causes stress--concern about financial investment, concern about getting it used, concern about it overtaking more important priorities, concerns about family conflicts. Then it might be time to make some important evaluations and perhaps changes

I look at it this way. Many people are collectors - stamps, commemorative plates, old fashioned toys, etc, even tractors. Most stuff that is collectable is in no way useful except that it gives the owner pleasure, and if it doesn't interfere with living a normal life, I say go for it. At least our fabric collections will ultimately be useful should we choose to sew with them instead of just admiring and fondling them. Now, excuse me while I go adjust a pile or two.

me too. Wonder when we do quit? Yes an addiction.

If you find a cure, please let us know

Even though I have enough fabric to last several years, I can't resist adding a piece or two. There is a country store that discounts their fabric after awhile and probably once a month I have to check it out and never come home empty handed. I have been organizing my fabric by colors and if I see some combinations that would work well together, I try to separate by that also...so even though there is a lot, I can still view it and put combinations I like together. It was just in bin drawers before and then I was sort of lost. Now it is on book shelves stacked in folded piles. If there is some that I really don't care for, I pass it on to someone else. Yes is is a bit of an addiction for me.

Deborah, the easiest way to grow your stash is to buy a bit more than what the pattern states. If the project states 2 yards for fabric A, then buy 2 1/2 yards. If you see a fabric you like but don't have a special project yet, buy a yard or two.

I really did that, spent the money on things I knew would be guilty later. The money was gone, but I am using the stuff now. I have started a home for wounded machines and am slowly rehabbing them. I admire your machine shed and your vast knowledge about vintage machines. I am just trying to keep the great ones out of the landfill and donating the not so great ones to worthy organizations. Keep up your good work. We so enjoy your posts and learn so much from them.

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure how much you buy when you find fabric you like but don't have a pattern in mind yet. So a couple yards will do. Thanks

I have a stash. Lots of scraps. However, I find that I love the newer fabrics, especially the precuts, and it is hard to match up the old fabric with newer fabrics. Colors do change. Just this week I wanted to make a table topper of many different fabrics. Ended up purchasing a charm pack. Much quicker and easier than going through my stash and pulling out a number of fabrics, cutting out 2 triangles and then putting it all away.

I've almost reached that point. My sewing room floor was crowded when Hancock's had a great sale on fleece. It's so bulky there was no place to store it so it stacked up on the floor. I'm working through it and rediscovering my floor so I feel it's manageable again. One good thing that did keep me motivated to get some projects done. haha

I'm trying to say no to huge batches of fabric at garage sales/estate sales, but when I see something like "fill a bag", I'm all in!

I have quilted about 20 years & I haven't reached the point yet as having too much fabric. After all I have a garage! lol

This is what I do...when I bring in more fabric, I take a look at what I have, and pull out what I don't think I'll use.....(sometimes it comes back out of this pile), but then it moves onto someone else.

When you no longer enjoy it and are getting slowed down. Since you are blessed with more fabric you can always pass on something from your own stash so you do not get bogged down with stuff. Makes everyone happy.

There is no such thing as enough. I am going to be moving in the near future and the only person that will think it is enough is the one that will be packing the sewing room.

I'll let you know when I get the place where I say "enough is enough". Fabric is an addition to me, and when we downsized to a 2-bedroom apt. from a 3 bedroom home with a large sewing room in the basement, I had to purge half of my fabric stash, it was very difficult. Fortunately my dear friend helped me sort, she took the fabric with her, then took what she wanted, then gave the remainder to a charity that made quilts for children in local hospitals, so it had a good home. She even "ungifted" one large piece of fabric that was perfect for the family reunion quilt I was making in my sister's memory; but she had set it aside, just in case I might need it, and I did.

I have a wall hanging that says it all "There is no such thing as too much fabric."

That's what I did. At first DH was shaking his head and rolling his eyes at each new fabric splurge BUT he finally went into a fabric store with me and he spent more than I ever had at that point. He had an eye for color combo's and sales. I ended up disabled and retired at 50 and I've enough fabric to last the next 50 and still be able to will ton's to some one to carry on the tradition of Quilting

You can never be too rich ,too thin or if you have a lot of space have too much fabric Diane c

What is the meaning of this word "enough" that you speak of?????

when I buy for a project I usually will purchase about an 1/4 yd more--just "in case"--shrinkage, mistakes, etc. Overtime you end up with lots of extras! Plus if I see a gorgeous, must have fabric I usually will buy 3 yrd. All that, added to those saved cutting scraps soon builds a stash.

She Who Dies with the most Fabric Wins ......I intent to win, never enough , as I have told
my husband at least it is fabric and not husbands , he just laughed reckons no other husband could afford me .

we revamped my quilt room a while back and I purged some fabrics...so now when it gets overwhelming I just weed out some fabrics....give them to charity or a friend that I know would like it...happy quilting !!!!!!!!!!!

It is an addiction. But, for me it has gotten me through some rough times. Quilting is something I watched my grandmother do, who is now gone and I have wonderful memories of her from all the quilts she used make. I will try not to buy for awhile and work on finishing UFO's. Then I stack them up again. Therapy!!! Have fun and give the ones away you will never use.

I like what you said��

hehe. now that is funny. my hubby could relate to that.

I too started collecting carnival glass. went to auctions and enjoyed. I got my first singer 15 for $20 years ago and still have it. I guess it is easier to store fabric than more glassware. 😊

I am in the "saving up for retirement" catagory LOL! Currently at Shipshewana for the quilt show and the temptation is HUGE as there are many, many places to shop in this area.