I never buy for a specific purpose, OTHER than in the most general terms...I buy to fill out my palette so that i have a shade and tone i need when i need it...i live an hour from walmart and 3 hours from joanns and michaels... i need my fabrics now when i'm in the mood... having said that, i try to be efficient about it... when choosing fabrics for a new project, i shop in the stash...then i try to see what's missing... then i get out my paint chips and match for shade and tone to each of the stash fabrics... i use the chips to decide what i need to fill in and then take all the chips shopping with me...i look ONLY at what i need...and i am looking for color and texture, not the specific of the print... that will fit in if the color is right...

PS...all my fabric and my sewing and knitting machines are in my will. My sons know where everything is to go and it is written down, officially.... i'm not giving up my quilting now to make it easy for the grown men i took care of ... payback time!!!! lol!!!!

My LQS just closes the doors with the final sale at 65% off....two yard minimum...I just added to my stash!

I only buy fabric on sale, and in minimum 1 yd cuts. Since my favorite LQS (Hayloft) closed in November, I don't think I will be doing anything but buying online. I just can't see spending those exorbitant prices at other quilt shops that rarely have sales. I have been buying a lot of pre-cuts to use in charity quilts that I will make throughout the year. I also watch for sales on quilt backings, and will try to refill my stash of them.

I know what you mean. LOL I'm determined that I'm only going to buy fabric or other quilt related items, if I have to have it for a certain project. To make more room and give me some spending money, I'm also planning on trying to sell some upholstery/tapestry type fabrics that I've bought with the intention of making purses and totes, but have realized that I'm not going to live long enough to make them all up. LOL So, I've measured and written a short description, and taken pictures of the 56 pieces of fabrics, hopefully I'll be able to sell all or most of it. I' still have another 2 totes full to measure. LOL

Since hubby was forced into early retirement, I'm on an NO BUY diet. lol

I am seeing sticker shock at my LQS, even online fabric, $10.85 a yard for new lines of fabric. So I am buying when they have a sale. Ericas is having a great sale January 1, a lot of fabric 40%-50% 0ff. I use my stash when I can, but if I don't add to it, evenually I will run out of fabric. So it really does make sence to buy 'on sale' fabric. I always try
to have several patterns on my 'to do' list so when I find fabric on sale I can choose fabric for one of these patterns.
I'm also looking for backing fabric for a couple quilts I have recently finished.

I am trying real hard to use stash. I first pick out a project and then go through my stash which is organized by amount of fabric and find what I can there for the project. If it is impossible to find all the fabric I will then buy just one or two pieces to finish out the project. I look at fabric a lot but I am trying to resist the urge to just buy more because it always seems to be wrong when I get to the project.

I consider my stash to be extensive - but not compared with some I've seen in pictures here on the Board. However, saying that, if I see a fabric I love, I do buy it. I'm currently making a couple of scrappy quilts with my scraps and regular cotton stash (my batiks are for special occasions :o). Finishing up the Scrappy Maple Leaf and working on Bonny Hunt's Orca Bay mystery quilt. I have a friend who runs a Local Quilt Shop, but I can't resist Hancock's of Paducah (not part of Hancock Fabrics). I buy there when they have their batiks on sale and Free Shipping. Their online prices are way better than the in-store prices (I went there last April) You can sign up for e-mails telling when the batiks are newly added to web sale and when they have free shipping.

When I pass, my daughter is not going to know what to do with my stash so I guess I'd better put it in my will or in a letter to her.

I am really enjoying this board.

I'm going to try the fabric moratorium for this year. I'm awful. I already have so much fabric in my stash that goes with nothing else. Extremely annoying. (I'm very frustrated with myself.) So, I'm going to try to use up what I have by using lots of black, white, or dark blue to mix in with all the odd prints that go with nothing else.(scrappy) That being said...I will make my last purchase today. But, with a specific quilt in mind. And come January I'm really going to try to be creative with what I have. I'm only going to buy fabric if I absolutely have to, to finish the project at hand. No bulk buying. I already stocked up on batting. Which will last for a little while. So, I may very well need some of that. But, NOT until later in the year, depending on how fast I get WIP's finished.(I will piece as many backings as I can). (I'm a terrible compulsive collector. I fight with myself constantly. But, truly I hate clutter. I have one and only one Double size closet (not a walk in) dedicated to fabric and all quilting supplies. I do not allow it anywhere else which helps control the compulsion problem.)

So, my suggestion is to buy as needed for each project and have a couple projects on hand to work with and replenish as needed. And, I'm going to take my own advice. Good LucK! Happy Shopping! Happy Quilting!! :)

I have a small stash I got mostly from my cousin. I plan on going through it and buy blenders which I never thought of. Thanks for the tip. I also buy on line and sales.

I mostly buy online and always sale fabric. I have to take into account the cost of shipping to Canada. I have been trying to buy neutrals in several yards for backing fabric. As well batting is much less expensive online than in Canada. I would like to start stocking up on solids in colors that I use a lot of such as black, brown, white, and cream. Now I just need to find somewhere to but it all!

My LQS offers a discount half your age during the 10 days around your birthday. I stock up then and am glad when my discount goes up every year!

I do not have a very big stash as such. Mine is mostly scraps, not quarter or half yards. I tend to not buy fabric unless I have a specific quilt in mind. I don't have room for storing fabrics.

I think I have enough to get me through the year, I do not have a lot of fabric but I do have enough to get me through more than a enough quilts and a few other projects I have in mind. The only thing I will be buying is a few backings when the time comes.
Its hard to resist the temptation when looking online and seeing all the beautiful fabrics- Sigh my vice was shoes now its fabric........

I have been shopping like crazy, taking advantage of the year end sales and inventory clearance. I've only been quilting 3 years, so I don't have a huge stash, but it's getting there. I have several quilting sets stored away in containers for this next year to work on, so I'm not really buying tons of stuff. I saw a log cabin quilt somewhere; may have been here, don't remember...anyway...that was all made from homespun and wovens. So, that's what I've been working on. I'm ordering 1/2 yard cuts of as many different colored plaids and checks as I can find on clearance.
Last night, I found another site that had the solid wovens on clearance, so I added in a few of those too. Can't wait to get started on this one. I thought it was a really pretty quilt!!

I'm planning a day trip to Marshall's Dry Goods fabric warehouse next week with a couple of friends. I stock up on solids and blenders. I buy several bolts of fabric that will be backing fabrics for future quilts. This way of buying, I can buy fat quarter bundles, layer cakes and 1/2 cuts for focus fabrics at regular price and still save money. Quilt in a Day is having a great sale now as well as Connecting Threads. I am blessed to not have to have a quilting budget but I'm frugal when it comes to spending my money.

I am using from my stash right now. Not only because of the prices but also as a personal challenge to use what I once "had to have."

oooo, that hits home to me madquilter. I'm going to keep telling myself that to stay on track.

I got about 22 yds of all cotton fabric for quilting on a trip to Hawaii 2 weeks ago. It was my first visit to this fabric store. All that I got was only $ 4.99 a yd. What a deal. My DDIL told me she'll get me more when I need it. How lucky am I?

I just bought thread from CT yesterday. I think it was at least 30% off. I would avoid their fabric, I've been unhappy with the quality, though I have not used any of their batiks.

Unfortunately my favorite part of quilting is "the hunt". Love to spend time in shops looking at the fabric and thinking of the possibilities. I seldom buy anything that isn't on sale unless it's a special yard to complete a gift. Fabric shopping and lunch out with my best friend - there's no better estrogen therapy. What I find interesting is the yard of fabric you just had to have, you come home and put it with your stash. When you go back to that stash, vowing you won't buy even a fat quarter to complete the project, you still don't have exactly what you want/need. When it comes right down to it, I probably have more fabric than I'll ever use in a lifetime. On 3/30/12, I'm taking early retirement at age 59. I hope to make a decent dent in my stash. Fabricholics unit! Happy New Year folks!

I will never, ever pay $12-15 / yard for fabric. Never! Right now I have so much fabric that it will be a miracle if I am able to use it all before I die. And that's with sharing with my future DIL! With the exception of special fabric that I bought online for a quilt for my son at $7.99/yd, I never pay more than $3.99/yard - and cheaper than that is better.

I shop at Joann especially the Red Dot section when it's 50% off. I've gotten lots of quality Debbie Mumm, batiks and other designers and the quality has been top notch - which I can't say about the pricier stuff I've purchased online. I also shop at Walmart but I will admit you have to check the designs to be sure there isn't a logo mixed in with the designs. My very best bargains have been at estate sales of quilters. At one I filled my car until there wasn't an inch left and paid $120. That one was at a destashing sale of a fabric and project designer who was quite alive. At another I got tons of batiks and other goodies enough to fill my trunk and part of the back seat for $50. There is a wholesale fabric place near us, but the prices aren't that low and the fabric is very thin so I stay away except for some laces that I use for my veil making business.

I'm like you I sit for the longest time going through page after page of online fabric only to delete the order at the "submit" button. Sometimes I print out the order before I delete and then give myself some time to think it over. I love the sites that you can "save your cart" use that all the time. Oh the life of a fabric junkie!

I've been quilting for 4 short years and in that time I fillled that "cart" with all sorts of sale fabrics...I now find myself with a cupboard full of fabric...no two look good together. My new mantra...only buy blenders until I get my stash down.

I have worked hard at using my stash this year, and done pretty well. I bought quite a bit of sale fabric this week, and I try not to pay full price if I can avoid it. Sometimes I need something specific and I buy it then. The deals are too good to pass up. When the end of year sales end, I'll be back to being frugal.

Fortunately, I love scrap quilts - Bonnie Hunter's (quiltville.com) are my favorite patterns. Over the years, I've collected a decent, but not frightening, stash. Now I can make quilts mainly using that fabric, with a few new fat quarters or half yard cuts thrown in if I want. A good friend used to shake her head when we went shopping; she only bought exactly what she needed for a given project, where I was buying b/c I loved something.

My shopping habits have changed... Rarely do I buy more than 1/2 yard cuts (again, b/c I love the scrappy look). And I'm always looking for a sale - whether @ LQS or on line. Plus, I do look at this as a bit of an investment for the days when I am not able to shop as much - whether it is due to economics or having DH w/ me every minute! (Sorry, couldn't resist - we are on vacation and I can't seem to get a second alone. He even has to go to the grocery store with me. What will retirement bring??)

I have soooo much fabric, that if i lived 3 or 4 life times it would not be used, but i just keep buying, now i am trying to buy my favorite color, which is red, because i don't have very much reds except Christmas, I would like to make me a Log Cabin quilt, and a scrappy for my bed. Reds are hard to find, i like the smaller prints, so when i find something i like i buy 7 or eight yards, so i have enough for a backing and a lot to choose from. Guess I better get busy or i will never get to make those quilts. I like to buy online also, but only at places that are having a sale, that fab shop hop is fun, you get to see a lot of quilt shops and sales. So I pay attention when i am hopping, i have won a lot of gift certificates and one time i won fabric and they sent white muslin with differant small prints on them, that was nice. I do try to pay attention to sales. Also i am running out of room. LOL

I am a scrappy quilter and I also run a swap, so when we do a particular color I buy one yard pieces, cut my strips and have 1/2 yard for myself and my smaller strips. I love the pillowcases and buy 2 yds for them online. I can't pay retail unless it knocks me off my feet. The places like thousands of bolts and hancocks paducah have such good prices. There's free shipping at hancocks if you buy over $200 so I've made a few of those recently. I absolutely have loads of fabric, but I use it. I figure each buy equates to one appointment at the shrinks!! lol It really is theurapuedic (sp?) for me. I don't smoke or go to bars. I just buy fabric.

I have been looking at the Benartex Flora and Fauna: Check out "Which Way Quilting" online. They have this line on sale right now for $6 something a yard.

I have a stash that I will never be able to use before I pass. I still buy more and probably should join qa (not AA). When I do buy a fabric that I like I buy maybe 3 yards so that I have enough for any quilt I want to make

I just posted a thread about Missouri Star Quilt company and the daily deals that I can't seem to resist. Sometimes I'll put things in my car at CT or Thousands of Bolts and not continue. I guess I get a rush just putting them in my cart. I really need nothing.

I'm like a lot of you! I used from my stash this year, only buying the one piece I needed to finish the project, and it truly was only one piece! This year I am going to do the same until some of this ridiculous amount of fabric is gone! Winter is when I really quilt the most, so hopefully I will be able to see a dent by the end of June. The rise in prices may be right in line with inflation, but it's tooooooo expensive for me!

Happy New Year!

I really need a long arm. I have three tops that need to be quilted but I refuse to pay 100 or more.

Interesting question - what is the age of the oldest quilter out there? I am 72 and have been experiencing what I believe to be arthritis in my hands and wrists. There are so many quilts I want to do while I am still able.

I am trying to use my stash and economise, but the urge is always there to keep buying fabric.

When I first decided to take up quilting I bought up bits and pieces without having the faintest idea what they would grow up to be. Many of them are still folded neatly (by color) in my plastic drawer files, but once in a while the oddest one will be just what is needed. I tend to be motivated by pictures of quilts I want to emulate, and often make them up in not-dissimilar colors to the photo -- I'm not an "original" person, methinks. What I spent too much money on was quilting books! So long as you don't spend a lot per fabric piece it seems like a pretty harmless thing to me...

I was so good this past year and hope to continue next year. Oh, that's right. I ordered from Missioui Quilt this morning. Never mind. Sometimes I put sale fabric in my cart on line then go to check out and when I see the shipping, I empty my cart. Happy New Year to all my quilting family out there.

For me this is the year of DE STASH until I see something I absolutely cannot live without. If I need a fabric to fill in on the ones already planned, I will purchase it, otherwise I plan to use up what I have. Unfortunately Uncle Sam thinks my cost of living only rose 3% which of course many things skyrocketed, so I will be watching my expenditures very closely this year. Hopefull if we have a change of Political Parties in this year things might get better, they cant get much worse!! Happy New Year to All.:)

I usually buy fabric for a specific project but I always seem to buy too much. Always afraid I'll cut and/or measure something wrong and won't have enough to finish. I'm wanting to do a scrappy string quilt so I've been cruising around on Ebay and buying a yard or two of really bright fabric to go along with what I have. I have to buy everything online since our closest fabric store is 80 miles away.