Like you, I'm a newbie quilter so I had no stash of "quiltish" fabrics. I've been bitten by the Fat Quarter Bug and have been accumulating them left and right lately (15 today.) I've vowed now to slow down on just buying random FQ's and to begin organizing the fabrics, colors and patterns I've collected into projects I'd like to do.

I come from a garment sewing background but in a really big way - medieval and Renaissance era costuming. This means that my existing stash is comprised of HUGE cuts of cloth. 10 yards of 60" slate gray cotton velveteen, 30 yards of cotton poplin, 7 yards of an exquisite sapphire blue silk ... you get the picture. I should have quilt backs enough for the next 47 years! I uncovered yet another hoarding spot of fabrics yesterday. It's all being dragged into the living room and stacked up in front of the fireplace for "review and disposition."

So don't do what I've done. Try to stay reasonable about what you buy and how much of it you buy. Fabric is an obsession that can easily take over your world. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it IS a thing you should be aware of and might want to try to control. Be smart about your collecting.

My .02 cents,

Sue

Wow ladies, lol I might buy a yard from one of you once in awhile, maybe more seldom lol. I never buy in stores unless I need it.... well, can't really afford it either. When I do shop, I may buy 1/2 yard extra of iten on sale. I am building stash little by little and a couple of angels send me gift packages. (smile) So now I am having extra fun.

Welcome from Alaska!!
My stash grew slowly. I did like you do, buy as needed. But then I wanted to make some smaller projects and had no fabric. So I started buying fat quarters. But then I ran out of pieces I liked very fast. So now I get between 1 and 3 yards, dependin on how much I like the fabric. Good luck with your hunt!!

. This means that my existing stash is comprised of HUGE cuts of cloth. 10 yards of 60" slate gray cotton velveteen, 30 yards of cotton poplin, 7 yards of an exquisite sapphire blue silk ...


Sue[/quote]

Sue, these fabrics sound like they would make a great crazy quilt!!

Anytime this question is asked, I say stock up on basics first. When you can get these on sale stock up. I usually buy bolts of Kona white and natural muslin at least 108" wide, I have found I always need white and beige in something and its also good for a backing also. If you find a fabric you can't live without, absolutely HAVE to have can vision in quilt and borders 3-4, if just in quilt 2 and if you find something that you like, don't have any idea what you're going to do with it 1-2 yrds.

I also love shopping the remanant bins! Great way to stock up on stash fabrics for scrappys.

I agree....buy what you fall in love with in at least 1 yard pieces. Tone on tones, blenders and solids.....the ones you find you use the most in almost all quilts, 2 to 3 yards. Fabric that might go on a backing ( good stuff but with a great sale price!! ) 6 to 9 yards will do for the largest quilt but it will be pieced if only 42 inches wide......3 yards if you find the w-i-d-e stuff!! FQ are great for a lot of color....think scrappy style quilts. Oh yea, if you find you ''run out'' of a color ( red for example ), that is the time to substitue a few other reds from your stash and enjoy the savings because you pulled from YOUR stash....like our Great great Grandmas would do!!

For stash building, I prefer to buy only solids and blenders (like marbles). That way, when you are out shopping and run across a fabulous print, you have a good chance of having fabrics to compliment it at home.

I use to buy in 3 yard increments, but now I buy by the bolt... but only solids and marbles :)

I agree with what the others are saying. It depends on what type of quilting you like to do. I am trying to use up some of my stash by making charity quilts, so I have been picking up blenders (marbles, tone on tone, bright colors for kids) when I find them at a good price. If it is something I would use for a backing I would get a multiple of 2 yards. I rarely buy less than 2 yards, and never buy fat quarters anymore, as I find I like a full width of fabric for most of what I do. And the only time I ever pay full price for a piece of fabric is if I need something very specific to finish a quilt. Sometimes you will find surprise packages of fabric; really fun to see what is in them. However you do it, just have fun! Enjoy :lol:

Love the kitty! I'm slowly building my stash...and I just buy what ever catches my eye. If I see a FQ somewhere and I love it, I'll grab 3-5 of them. Yardage, anywhere from 1-4...

I am trying to build a small stash. NOTHING like what you see on here, but I want to have about a yard of different colors so when I have a block to make for someone else, I can make it without running to the store. I've been buying fabrics that are on sale. I have a color wheel and am trying to have 1 yard of each color.