When I began quilting in 1991, I had already been sewing for many years and was determined not to buy a large stash of quilting cotton. Then I attended a lecture where the speaker showed quilts she could not have done without her stash. She explained that manufacturers put out a color, say blue, only once every seven years and that this year's blues, which might be shaded (black added), won't be the same next time. Next time they might be toned (grey added). Looking around for lime fabric back then, I could see that it was just about impossible to get (and now it's easy). I could see she was right. This began my stash building. Sigh! I do have a nice stash, but it also takes up a lot of space plus time to maintain its organization and to access it. But if I did not have this stash, there are many quilts I could not make and I would have far fewer choices as to color. Color is a favorite thing of mine.

What makes you think it is being wasted, or that there is no reason to use it?

Personally, I love having a stash. When money is tight, I can still quilt. I recently joined a swap but don't have to worry about finding the right fabrics for it - they're right in front of me. Who needs a pattern - there are many, many beautiful scrap quilts that are possible to make with my stash.

This is sooooo true. I have been on the hunt for the right shades of purple and sage for at least 3 years now, and so far, haven't found them.

I agree that Ghostrider says it all.

When I started pulling back on buying fabric (just because it was beautiful, or....) DH would insist I get it (he even scouts around and finds fabrics he likes). I told him I will die before I'll use up all this (and my stash is all in one cupboard) and he said, "Then it won't matter, will it." None of my daughters sew (one used to and maybe she will again when she retires). Gee, it may go to my quilting group of 5 or to a charity that does quilts. Wouldn't that be awful. In the meantime, I can dig around and come up with the perfect quilts called for because my cousin's grandchildren suddenly don't have a mama any more, or an adoption finally went through, or...... We're not weathly (we live in the top of a barn for very little $$) but we do what we want. Quilting is what I want to do, and DH is my helper (especially when quilting on my DSM) as well as doing his own thing (he sings with groups).

I have a friend who keeps no scraps and does not have a stash. She works on 1 item at a time and then gives the scraps away. Always starts with a clean slate.

I have been enjoying reading this thread. I love love love fabric always have. I know it is not possiable but I would if I could be happy to receive any and all your fabrics you do not want. LOL I make quilts for charity and for this year I have said I will not purchase any more fabric starting the first of Febuary ( I knew I would not be able to resist all the big fabric sales in January). If your not sending it to me Donate your fabric check if you have a habitate for humanity group in your area that has a quilting guilt ( the welcome home quilters - habitat in northern California) donations is how we make a quilt for each child that moves into one of our houses. Also in my area the girl scouts of america may be intrested for some of their fabrics.

Happy quilting yippie

( I do not know how to attach things this in in response to the may be I should reconsider statment with the 'click me' so I clicked) LOL now was that really a nice thing to do to a fabric a holic HAHA if you do not want a stash do not have one My self I just love fabric. O I said that in my post before. HEHE yippie

I have a small stash compared to many on this board. Don't know how it happened. But I just finished making 113 foundation pieced strip blocks with scraps from my West of Baltimore BOM from Keepsake Quilting. I'll use plain muslin squares to finish putting it together. I still have a pile of strips left to use on another quilt. I'm not very creative but I can certainly make string quilts which are a no brainer.