We are nine months into our fabric moratorium BUT anyone can join at any time :) The official end of the moratorium is 1 November 2011. That’s only 2 months away. Don’t know about you – but I’m getting pretty excited :)

Here’s a quick summary of the guidelines/rules:
• no fabric purchases to start a new quilt top (till 1 November 2011)

“Allowed” purchases include any item required to finish an existing project (either WIP or UFO), including but not limited to:
• batting
• backing or binding fabric
• fabric (if nothing in your stash will work)
• thread or notions
• fabric purchased on a plan prior to 1 December 2010 (e.g. block of the month)

So why are we doing this – the reasons are as varied as there are people involved. Some of those reasons include:
• de-stashing
• focus on finishing WIPs
• financial constraints

Want to bend the guidelines/rules a little? Sure – go for it. Some have chosen to:
• commit for a shorter period of time
• buy fabric if a really good sale comes along
• setting a budget for how much they will spend each month
• use 1 fabric from their stash each month
• purchase new fabric for volunteer projects

Threads that are related to this are:
Original thread: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-79756-1.htm
January’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-86351-1.htm
February’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-95818-1.htm
March’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-103716-1.htm
April’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-112659-1.htm
May’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-119900-1.htm
June’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-127656-1.htm
July’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-134537-1.htm
August’s updates: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-141467-1.htm

So now… it’s update time. What have you been working on? What have you (or have not) purchased?

I have bought very little fabric and/or quilting supplies in the last 6 months. I have finished several WIPs and have made a few small things using farbric from my stash. However, I am getting weaker by day and may not be able to hold off much longer. To much beautiful fabric and not enough will power.

Hello. My name is Sue and I'm a Fabriholic.

(pause for group response of "Hi Sue!")

I hope this isn't a 12 step program because I have ADD and by the time I get to step 5 I'll see something shiny and forget about steps 6 - 12.

Have only been quilting/collecting fabric for about 4 years. During that time I've amassed a decent stash. Within my stash are a myriad of prints, colors, batiks, solids, toners ... I have everything EXCEPT novelty prints and holiday fabrics (any holiday). Neither of these have ever interested me. I am quite happy with my stash. Most of my stuff are fabrics that I purchased just because (just because it was pretty, and just because it was on sale). This includes about 50 yards of various batiks from Hancock's of Paducah when I went to the quilt show. Can you say Nirvana???

So ... I'm going to commit to this. The ONLY fabric I will allow myself to buy for the remainder of 2011 are novelty prints and holiday fabrics!!

I am just finishing a landscape quilt, binding and label only to go. Also in the works is an "Omigosh" that I started last November, but put it aside when the landscape quilt (a wedding gift) became a priority. The "Omigosh" will be the first quilt I make for ME. All my others have been gifts. I have all the fabric I'll need, including backing, binding, and batting.

After that .. I have enough ideas and fabric to keep going well into 2012.

My last fabric purchase was ... last weekend :( I went to town to get bobbin thread to finish the landscape quilt. I buy my thread at a Vac & Sew, they don't sell fabric (but I did Ooooh and Ahhhh the Bernina 830LE). However, directly across the street is my favorite LQS. The good news is that I FINALLY found panels for a fracture that I've been itching to do (the only thing that comes close to what I would consider a "novelty" print in my stash).

While I'm at it, I really need to start dieting as well. I need to look good .... well "good" is a stretch ... I need to look like I don't need to be pushed back into the water when I hit the beach in Jamaica in October.

So here I go on my journey. I'm committed. Or should be.

Sue

6 months! Bravo!! Keep up the good work. You inspire me. I'm just starting this trip down the road of shopping my stash.

yup. Going to look at it that way. I can still go shopping all I want as long as I limit it to my sewing room. I'm sure I'll discover fabrics I've long since forgotten.

I am currently trying to finish all of the quilt kits I bought. I had about 4 that were just sitting around. I now have two all put together and only have two left. Of course they aren't quilted yet. That takes money, either renting the longarm or sending them out. I had to take a break. My mom wants a photo quilt so I had to buy fabric for that. She is really sick right now so I couldn't say no. I am trying to stay focused and at least get the other two quilt tops done. Once they are done then I can figure out what to do with the quilting.

I'm doing good so far! I haven't seen any killer sales so all is well with my no-fabric commitment.

I still have not bought any fabric since joining this Moratorium, but, I think I'm going into severe fabric withdrawl...it's been 6 or 7 months now. I have finished one comissioned quilt and still have one more to go. I am currently working on a quilt for my best friend's 25 anniversary. It is currently on the quilting frame. My stash has been hit hard by the Moratorium and will need replenishing, but, it will have to wait until January, unless, I fall off the wagon (LOL).

I think my husband would agree that I need to go on this moratorium with all of you. However, I hate to start when something is almost over so maybe I can catch up with you all on the next one. In the mean time, I will help all of your withdrawals and continue my stash building until then. Beginning January 1st I believe I better start one and begin those projects I have "purchased" for.

Oh, I wish I had found this site sooner! I have actually TRIED to be very good this year and have worked on deminishing my stash by actually finishing all the UFO's I have tucked away. I'm ashamed to say that I have finished the tops of 12 projects since the summer began! Ashamed to find that I still have more to do! I have done the backings for most of these, put in the batting and have pinned them. They are ready for me to quilt and the rest are ready ot go to the long arm lady!
I did clean out my fabric stash and have a pile of fabric I KNOW I will never use to give to a senior center.
I have avoided going to any shows this spring and summer, and have decided NOT to go to Houston again this fall. (A yearly trip for me. Definately a huge stash builder!!!!)
I DID buy some fabric online and a few more quilt books! I found I don't like the fabric as much as when I saw it online..........and one of the quilt books was a waste!
So, I am definately joining this group but will TRY to go until the end of the year, not just until November!!

I didn't give myself a moratorium, I know I couldn't do it. But- I have purchased small things- fabric to complete projects, fabric here on the board to go with things I have or panels for charity quilts.

I've destashed by helping a friend learning to quilt and organized my stash so I know what I have so I shop first i it, then figure out what I need. I'm staying out of the lqs- this has not been as difficult as I thought!

Decided this winter is "me" time. I bought fabric for 2 quilts for my guest bedrooms and it's time to dig into some difficult projects to see how my skill level has improved.

Finding that my years of purchasing (always sale items to save $$) have now gotten me to where I don't need to buy for projects has helped me to see what I truly need and like and can focus on purging items I won't use. And I love the feel of good lqs fabric!

I am addicted!

I've been IN since the first post. It has been exhilerating, and eye opening. I have made a few needed purchases. I look and feel and ponder but leave without any uneeded fabric.
As the economy continues to fall and so many people are struggling without jobs and our foodbank is as busy as a market, and crimes climb out of desperation I will continue to use what I have in my stash or search the Sal/Army for scraps.
My goal to do a quitl for each member of my family is nearing the end. a few more for toddlers and then I will have succeeded using minimal cash.

This is the path I will be on forever. I love fabric and always will but too much is too much...much to much.
So thanks for starting this venture. kiwi.
O I forgot....My family knows that I will gladly accept fabric, notions, and give my DH Connected threads catalogues to shop for b;days christmas anniversaries... Saves him from searching.

I haven't purchased any fabric since starting my fabric diet last month. I have to avoid fabric stores at all times!!!! This has actually been good for me. I have completed several small projects and a 5 y/o UFO!!!

I do have a question....would purchases for fundraiser count? I will be using donated $$$ for the purchases

Last month I didn't purchase a thing. Waahooo!!!

My work continues on a large hand quilting project. I'm almost half way there. I've finished the center - which was the hardest part as it's a big quilt and really bulky to move around. Would love to be able to finish it this year, but I don't think that is realistic :( Don't want to set myself unachievable goals.

Throughout this moratorium, I think my attitude to my stash has changed a lot. I feel more compelled to finish the WIPs and UFOs. Then focus on down-scaling the stash. The stash isn't huge. I have 2, large plastic containers - they are stored under my work table. The good news is that my scrap bags are getting larger - yippeee scrappy quilts will be in my future :)

Ladies you continue to inspire me. I love hearing about your progress. The wins and the small slips. I think you are all doing an incredible job and I'm really proud of you.

Not long to go.

went to the Joann's sale today. But I was a woman on a mission! Armed with 2 coupons, I found 3 yards of white flannel and 2 yards of Penn State fabric.

weird choices- not when I tell you what I will use them for, the flannel is the backing for "accordion wubbies"- my new designer covers for accordions. Hubby plays and so do many people I have found. I found out many people do not keep then in cases but cover them with a towel or plastic. I am making wubbies (blankets)- like an appliance cover- for them. I have 3 already ordered. I will pull from my stash to make the covers. I love the idea I can use up some of the batting leftovers I have- I keep them separated by size, this makes me happy! The only cost was the flannel!

The Penn State fabric will be for a cousin who is very special to our family. He just turned 50 last month, which is very special because he has Downs and has had health problems. My uncle told me he loves the quilts I make for the reunion fundraiser and every year wants to win it. I told him I would make him one for his bed. He loves Penn State football, so I was on a mission to get 2 yards to make a warm wishes twin size quilt for him. My sisters have offered to help me too.

So I really didn't fall off the bandwagon and now I have to get cracking on these projects!

In a moment of weakness, I drove to JoAnns....they there closed d/t power outage...good Lord helping me out???? I think so!!!!

I fell off the wagon with a soft thud. I placed an order at Fabric.com because they had a good sale. I am an emotional wreck this week BUT I didn't eat any chocolate so I'm good with my healthy eating lifestyle change. I just made one small purchase to make me feel better and I do.

Update. I joined the moratorium 9/2/11. Today I met friends for lunch and then a movie. I got to town 1 hour early and the restaurant is directly across the street from my favorite LQS.

I had to kill some time. So I went in.

I bought ........







ROTARY CUTTING BLADES!!!


NO fabric!!!

I touched it, but that doesn't count :)

I haven't totally followed this but have mostly limited myself to backing or sashing fabric purchases plus the odd remnant (or 2 or 3). Well I have gotten a few things from the classifieds on this board. Those don't count do they? Lol!

Mom-6 they don't count. Really. :) I buy from them all the time, mostly the panels, so I can make charity quilts. So it can't count if its for charity?

I will be in charity quilt mode this week- flooding has receded and people will need quilts. I put the word out to my sisters and we are going to try to get some made this week. They say 500 people lost homes so I'm sure there are a few children in those homes that will need quilts. Must stay off computer and sew!

I have been very good about not adding to my stash most of this year. Life has kept me very busy so my quilting time has been limited. I was not so good this past week though. I was in Seoul, South Korea where there is an amazing selection of cotton fabric available in the wholesale markets.. It didn't seem like a lot each day I shopped but when I was boxing it up, it was almost 80 yds!! The only good news is the average price $3.50 a yard. Good quality cottons fabrics...recognizable names such as LakeHouse, Robert Kaufman and Andover. My mind is spinning with the possibilities! And I love the savings!

I have posted pictures of charity quilt tops I have made in the last 2 months. Fabrics are donated but to fill things out I added from my stash.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-152643-1.htm
Thanks for taking a look.

Periodically I have put myself on "fabric restriction". The diminution of the quality of fabric lately has made this much easier than in years past. Because I fold the backings of my charity quilts to the front for bindings I have always been very fussy about them coordinating with the quilt tops. I'm finding that I am going to have to let that go and use up my extensive stash. The only fabric I have purchased this year are a few pieces for backs and batting using a 60% coupon. I don't even look at the fabric in Joanne's.

I just came across this thread - through another - and decided to join, two more months? I can do this. Informed hubby of my decision & he just rolled his eyes. If that isn't the pill of determination, what is? I can do this, I can. I think I can, I think I can......

Well that would be motivation enough - just to prove him wrong :)

I was told, yesterday, that there is a cotton shortage. They are on a waiting list to get the 'sleeves' we are suppose to wear while working.

Double edge sword here, if it is true. The cost of fabric may be going up (at least not coming down) thus, enabling me to stay on my fab-diet.

October's updates can be found over here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-157041-1.htm