I havent been quilting long and was tied up in the same project for awhile but give it time my stash is starting to grow. :)

Let me address this, as for the last three years I have been under the poverty level. My fabric comes from estate sales, thrift stores, sometimes e-bay or Walmart. I combine with the quilt shop fabric I have left from better times, and with affordable fabric on sale. I never buy fat quarters, except for swaps, because I can generally get at least half yard for the same price. I have no problems dyeing fabric that may not be a color I need, but adaptable and inexpensive. One local e-bay seller I picked up from gave me yards of extra when I told him I was a quilter - his mom quilts, too.

If I see a great bargain, it will come out of the grocery money, and I will eat just macaroni or rice for a week. I also noticed an ad on Craigslist where a woman offerred to swap fabrics. It may be a way for me to upgrade. The classified section here is also a great resource.

I do have a large stash from better times, but if I were starting out, I would definately look for options to grow my collection. There are swaps here monthly - maybe if you get a bargain on something, you can trade strips or charms for other colors. I am proof positive you can increase your stash frugally. You just can't increase your stash on an austerity budget AND be a fabric snob!

I've heard there are people like that.LOL Not me though.

You know I am happy for all the folks that can buy as they please,I think you are fortunate. I do as Moonpi(,except for the eating part,DH and DM would probably hang me up to dry.) :shock: :lol: :lol: when I can. Everyone in this hectic,dont know if you will have a job today or not in this world of ours, just isn't able to do a lot of actual buying form Hancocks or whatever. I have a lot of Quilting Goodies gotten before I retired. Because I knew I would not be able to get them Now. Believe me unless you are prepared like a lot of savings,pentions have your house paid for, money is scarce. circumstances of a persons life is just that. If you can't buy you can't buy. I don't get to buy the material I want,I usually have to adjust to what I have. When I do have a special quilt to make I buy that material. Always buy more than what i need. But Yes I only buy when I make a quilt. Reason,I have to plan ahead for the money.
But most of my material is gotten at fleamarkets,yardsales ETC. I know there are a lot of quilters like myself but I also know there are some that cannot even do that. Praise the Lord that they even have food and a roof. I have reread what I keyed to see if I sounded hurt,angery,I dont think I do because I am not either one.This is a wonderful board to vent,ask for help material and spirit wise and I hope that never changes.
BillsBonBon

Here I am!!:)That is exactly what I do!LOL Here's the facts of why...I am too cheap! The only time I buy fabric that is not for a project is an occassional fat quarter. That is it. I buy from a list for a specific project(s)...and, sometimes that will continue for awhile depending on the project. I stack my boxes and baskets w/a tag hanging off the fron't of them to tell me what project it is for and if there is still a need to fill on the inside of that:). Sometimes we are in a mood to applique, sometimes something crazy and then other times a sampler...any which way-I am ready or almost:)I'd love to go to a fabric store and just buy 3yrds of this or 3yrds of that...but, even if you gave me a $100 to do that....I'd never be able to decide. I'd stand there for days trying to debate if it was fabric I actually could use, if it is just cute at the moment....and will it be outdated before I'd get to it...then the practical side kicks in w/'you have plenty to do at home'....which works unless I find something I have to make now...which causes me to buy for just that project:)I wish I could just stack fabrics! Maybe someone needs to hold my hand and pull me thru the process to the register!LOL Skeat

Hey Teri
I know you are moving back to the states next year, even with the military all that stash can be burdensome to pack and ship, so if you want to start early to lighten your load a bit I still have room downstairs!! Now how can you beat an offer like that?!!
Muriel
Ak. Angel

Come on over, Skeat! I'll take a hand in your 'training' :D !


K x

Wow, my sister is like that, but she gave up quilting about 6 months ago and is giving me her fabric to make a couple of quilts for her grand kids. Who can complain about that. I buy fabric if it calls to me and some if I need it. Who am I kidding most of it calls to me. Tee Hee.

I suppose I also belong to the Fabricoholic club (a sub-category of the quilting hobby to some, an OCD sickness to others, lol) My fabric purchases turn into projects, unless I find a project and (oh darn) don't have to buy the perfect fabric. :D

I buy what ever is on sale that calls my name, seek out going out of business sales altho this past week I stayed away from a 75 % off sale because the economy in Michigan may once again cause me to loose my job so I have a small stash I can quilt from adding only a piece or two to match up.