I read many posts here that are griping, complaining, arguing, or shaking their virtual heads in disbelief over the price of fabrics. This is exactly why I am building my stash bigger than ever right now. I figure that if I have more than enough fabric than I could possibly need in a lifetime to quilt all the quilts I want to quilt then when fabric becomes $20/yard someday, I will know I paid far less and always had choices from fabrics that initially attracted me.

I would also like to suggest at this time to really feel out all your quilt store options even many miles from home that you normally would not trek to. I recently spent the last 6 months exploring every quilt shop in a 70 mile radius and have gotten to every one but one of them. I have really spent a lot of time comparing their prices. One gal with a fantastic selection of many older designs has far better prices. I usually never pay over 8.50/ yard for new designs but have begun stocking up on lots of her $6.99/yard fabric that I know i will use.

I agree, tho due to space issues, I am also trying to use what I have now. But it ain't gonna get cheaper, even if cotton eventually goes back down, prices will tend to stay high. Look at coffee, it never retreated from the last time they had a hiccup.

So true, space is always an issue. To overcome space issues with everything in my home, my new method is to take something out before something comes in. I have been CListing many things I no longer use, donated items to local charities and have even done a little trading with a neighbor with things we don't need with things we do. We share eggs, food, farm supplies, tools and other things. it also cuts down on bringing new things in that you need but don't want to rebuy what someone already has.

I got rid of lots of most FQs and less than yard cuts several weeks ago...like about 3 banker boxes full when it was all over and I mean packed full. I have been in my LQS at least twice a week since. Now buying 3+ yards of things I love and collections. Lots of backing. Then I get Jinny Beyer Studio email yesterday with collection called Shaded Spring and this pink crocus floral...I just need to delete it but keep looking at it...lol

I know what will happen if you don't delete Jinny Beyer's email! Just don't ask me how I know!

Come on.. tell us.. we are dying to know... HOw do you know???? Tell us GF

I hear you, Grugirl, but I'm increasingly convinced that the fabric manufacturers and retailers of the world make most of their money on the fabrics we buy for our stashes.

Once I figured that out, I resolved never to buy fabric unless I needed it for a specific project. Of course, I do have a small stash of leftover fabric, but nothing those who buy fabric without a specific plan.

In the long run, I'm convinced I spend less, even when prices are rising.

The other part of that stash bit is that when you are looking for specific colors or designs to go together you cannot always find them. I have run into that a few times in the early days of quilting. I now love that I start with fabrics from my stash and then go buy something else I may need for it which a lot of times is NOT the case. Many times I have what I need for an entire quilt top. 3x this year this has worked for me and I have only made 3 quilts this year. It also helps because I live out in farmland and have to drive long distances for fabric usually.

Oh nooooooooooo!!
Jinny has a new line?????
Why did you have to tell me???? hahahahah :D

I'm with you Gru - both the stash building and seeking new alternatives. I confess that until recently I hadn't paid much attention to the prices. I would notice if something was on the sale rack - but not the prices (reg or sale). If I liked it, I bought it - the price was the price.

Now I'm paying closer attention to which stores have the best prices. I got a "We'd Rather be Quilting" book that has dozens of shops in my area and I've been to more than a few, and I'm looking at some of the online stores more (just placed an order tonight with Connecting Threads for some trial fabric and thread).

I'm also buying in yardage now - 2-3 yards min as opposed to collecting FQ's which is what most of my stash is.

Where do you find fabric at $6.99 a yard. Have you been to the fabric store in Eatonville? They have some nice fabrics there. They are about $8.99 a yard.

I know I cannot believe the prices. To top it all off there is not many places here in southern Indiana to even buy fabric. So for those who are just getting into quilting it makes it hard to even start a stash.

Many of the quilt shops here around me in Texas have a mark down room with really nice things and I like to go see what's there first. I have gotten some really nice bargans for $4.99 to $6.00 a yard from those mark downs. The shop I like best and that is closest to my house has even started to mark down kits and I love that so watch those mark down shelfs.

My DH has encouraged me to buy up some extra fabric before it gets out of reach. I don't want to just go buy it without a plan for how to use it. We are pouring over patterns and making a list of fabric needed for each pattern we pick. Of course, by the time I get around to any one of the quilts, the whole plan may change. The design I pick today may not interest me at a later date! Know what I mean? Any way, I think he's special to be helping me pick design and fabric. He loves fabric shops and quilt shops.

We've been traveling in our RV for the past 3 months. I've visited quilt shops all over the southwest and written about them on my blog. I've been purchasing fabric all the way, and haven't noticed an increase in prices. We'll be home in about ten days. I figure I'll go on a fabric diet then--but I'll do it fat and happy with my new stash items.

I agree with you about buying now. Cotton prices are going up and fabric prices are going to rise too. Even though I'm a beginner quilter, I prefer working from my own stash. (Actually I enjoy touching and arranging more than I should admit.) The light in my home and the items I wish the quilts to go with are all right there for me to work around. (The light in the stores is usually awful and there are too many competing fabrics.) Fortunately or unfortunately my tastes in fabrics has not changed much in the last 30 years. If I may a big mistake with a purchase I can always give it to Goodwill and make another person very happy.

My sister promised me to send all her fabric earlyer this year as she is not quilting anymore but when she found out how much it would cost to send it all she decided not to ship to me. She is coming to Minnesota this fall with the fabric and to visit for a week.

I haven't been to a local quilt shop lately. So not real sure what the prices are in the shops here now. I usually go to JoAnn's for the fleece I buy to make baby blankets for sale. Don't buy much in the quilting fabrics dept. at JoAnn's. I have a pretty big stash anyway, since I worked for a fabric store and also a quilt shop back a few years ago. But when I do want a nice quality piece of quilting cotton I go to the internet. I have gotten some really nice name-brand fabrics from company's like Fabrics.com, Thousands of Bolts, Fabric Shack(?). Fabrics.com has free shipping on orders over $35.00 (I think that is right) and the Fabric Shack (seems like that is not the right name) has half price shipping all the time now! And I have found that the fabric I get looks pretty much just like what they show on the internet.

Some people collect Depression glass, old china, antique furniture--any number of things. Why not collect fabric and enjoy it, trade it, even display it--all with a clear conscience. There are no fabric police that require you to actually use it. Right?

I am picking up basic material i need for backing and such while they are on sale. You are right about prices not coming back down after they have been raised. Grocery stores are a good example. Raise the prices of groceries when gas was $4. a gallon because the cost of fuel. Now they are raising it again because the price of gas has gone up again. Go figure.

If I didn't have 20 projects already waiting to be started, plus 5 more that need to be finished by June 1,.....well, I might be buying more fabric for stash, but right now only buying what I have to to fill in with stuff from my stash!!!

Stash building???? Remember SAK658 is helping Dovie sell her home store fabrics and most are 50% and lots are 2.00 a yard. I have ordered and they are QLS quality and better. Oh gee, did I just enable some people. ROFL. I am not buying fabric for a while. Well, only from the board members. Can't resist.

I'm thinking there will always be discount stores and clearance sales to buy fabric at so I'm not rushing out to buy more. Besides, I want to clean up after myself before I die because I really don't want someone else to have to do it for me. I've seen how that works with others and it wasn't pretty. I'm still cleaning out a 4 bedroom house (with a well stocked sewing and crafts room) that I moved out of in 1993 and I'm wanting to seriously reduce possessions including fabric and crafts stuff. Hopefully, I'll get to be a regular here soon so my quilting board friends can have a chance to purchase some of it. Now don't think for even a moment that I won't still find ways to indulge my quilting addiction or that I won't still have a well-stocking sewing room!

I have small stash when I compare it to others. LOL!! I am steadily working on building it up. I buy what I can afford each month. And I try to get 2 or 3 yards for future quilts.

Oh how I agree with you Grugirl....the constant griping, complaining, arguing and sheer astonishment amazes me. It is what it is...and none of the venting changes that. There are still places that sell high quality quilt fabrics for fair prices and then there are the sales. One must be proactive about everything right now and if you're not....it's on you and you have no reason to gripe!

This is one reason I miss the selling the way it was...so many members selling lovely quilt shop quality fabrics wanting to reduce their stashes at great prices. I understand the rules but sure do miss the way it was. Course I miss a lot of the "way it was" as in the way our world used to be......

I can tell you, Been there and done it.

She'll buy it. haha

Sassy granny

Hope Not ... or we're in the Jail house now ... :(

I had signed up for the fabric moratorium, but with the prices going the way they are I think I will do some stash building as well.

you just might be right!!!!

Oh, yes! Jinny's emails will erode my resolve to be frugal every time! I am thinking that it might be a good idea to shop for backing material before prices gets too high. I have plenty of jelly rolls, fat quarters and squares, but no stash of multiple yardage. I like color on the back of my quilts, so think I will get organized and go shop!! It is always good to have a valid ?? excuse to shop, right?? :thumbup:

I don't think I buy as much fabric as I once did. I am really trying to use up some of my stash. I didn't think I liked Kaffe Fassett (and the like) but after about a year of looking at them, I am now in LOVE with the bright and bold colors. So, I have tons of CW and 30s repro fabrics, which I still love, but am adding pieces of Kaffe's too.
No end to fabric collecting.

I am doing the same thing. I have added about 25 yards this week using Joann coupons at two different stores. When I run out of room in my 12 room, built in 1860 house, I might quit buying more fabric :-)

I live about 20 min from Fabric Shack (you were right with your spelling) and they also have some sale fabrics in the store. Fabric Shack is a great store with wide selections, I would recommend to anyone who comes through Ohio. We had another local quilt shop close recently (owner was relocating out of state) which had a great selection of Jo Morton fabrics.

I am just getting "into" quilting. So have been buying material. From members on the board is how I got started getting some stash. Then I found ebay material, so far I have been pleased with what I have purchased from there. I really need to go on a fabric diet from there!!!

But it's weird. I have some patterns/blocks that I want to do and when I get the material I think wow I can use it for such and such pattern/block.

I have enough stash I could make a lot of quilts with just adding a little fabric. I'm going to Amarillo next week and will check out the shops there. Wish we had a real quilt shop in El Paso

Ruby the Quilter

When i start a new project I try to use just one fabric from my stash.

There are some colors that I can not make work. It seems greens really change. for example, a green I purchased in the 80's will not match what I am doing now. Someday!

Fabrics at quilt shops have gone over $11 a yard this season. If i really like it, I find it online at a better price even after I pay shipping.

I know I should support the quilt shops but I do in other ways. I need to make my dollar go farther. Its like groceries, yikes~ do not get me started.

I don't want to sound cheap but I won't pay more that $2.99 a yard. I go to a discount fabric store every other week and find odds and ends. They also have batiks for $2.99. And just recently they had 8 fat quarters for $5.99 pre packaged.

My dh is also encouraging me to buy some extra before the cotton prices raise 150% as they are suposed to do. I bought a bolt of Kona in white at JA the other day and used my 50% off coupon, making the cost about $25. Not bad for 8 yards. I will be buy more whites and neutrals soon.