True it may, although I have to say, I would LOVE to give my little money I have to a personal shopper that knows my taste and have them buy for me. Because I have no problem loving fabric that is coordinated for me, or bought for me, or given to me, I just have a tough time picking it myself. I love hitting yard sales and finding a little stash of fabric to buy because there are no choices there. That may be why I love getting scraps from other people too, because they have picked it out. I have no problem diving in the scrap bin at my LQS, I will buy almost everything in there. I really think it's because there are too many choices in a whole store and I really want it all and my small amount of spending money seems to buy so little, so I feel like I must get the absolute perfect thing, which then brings on the fear. I guess I just need to stick to what I am comfortable with, so I will stick with OPS (other people's scraps :) :)), specific projects, and blenders for now. :)

Sorry to get all heavy on you guys!!!! But I am so glad to be able to figure this thing out because it has really been bugging me, but maybe now that I can recognize it and know what I am comfortable with, I can not be so scared. LOL .... goes off to find a yummy scrap bin to dive in

I agreee

I have been trying to use what I have, but every time I start a new project....well, I can't find anything that I like together. Then again, I've passed something up that I really wanted then get home and have to kick myself.

Always buy a piece if I like it - it may not be there the next time I'm in the shop! So if I don't have a project in mind, it's just fun to look at in my stash.

Oh Dear!! I have such a LOVE for fabric that I want ALL of it. Sometimes (most) time, I am sure my DH wishes I was more like you. lol

If you don't LOVE the fabric and can't live without it, then I would say stick to your current plan. I have a stash that is almost overpowering and wish I had the discipline to keep it maintained. No - not crazy (well, not about the fabric thing for sure) lol

This is me! But once I get started I don't stop until it's done. :lol:

I wouldn't call it a fear but I definitely know that I have an addiction when it comes to buying fabrics. I buy fabric cuz I love it, with no idea what I am going to use it for or when. My stash is large enough and I don't want to spend my money foolishly, as I have done in the past....which is why my stash is what it is.

I am more of a fabric collector than a quilter, altho I always have the best intentions of getting those quilts done.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Im different, I guess. I dont love fabric....I love the finished product. To me, the finished product has the value, chunks of fabric, no matter how pretty, have little value. I do have a small stash of mostly blenders and left overs. IMHO that's why they make stores so they can pay the carrying cost of the inventory. If you are selling products then I can see buying a stash. But to have enough stash that you never will use it all up is collecting something that has no appreciating value.

I must watch too much Dave Ramsey.

I use to buy every fabric I saw that I liked. At least a yard. Then my finances when in the dumpster. So I use something from my stash now and only buy what I need to finish the quilt. Unless of course it something I REALLY love or something that can be used with a lot of different fabrics. My biggest problem is picking fabric. I have just so much money and I don't know what to buy. Sometimes I just walk out with nothing because there are just too many I like and I can't choose. lol

Rachel, you are probably the only rational quilter on this board. After years of pinching pennies when our kids were growing up, I can understand your position. Initially, when I started quilting I only bought fabric for a specific project and that was all. I have to admit, though, that I still drooled and fondled all the fabric in the store..........

Now, if I see a sale (particularly online at thousandsofbolts.com) I will buy random fabric that speaks to me and do have a stash------But, understand, my children are grown and we are retired and money isn't so tight.

(and I have to admit---don't throw pies at me---that I do wonder if I will use all that is in my stash-----ever........)

I don't think you can go wrong with tone on tone fabrics or something that reads as a solid. It will go with most of your prints. I wish I had your willpower, lol.

You just need to learn to trust yourself. A little practice and you will probably be fine. It is all part of a learning process. We are fortunate, or unfortunate to have so many choices. It can be overwhelming. I have had to leap outside my comfort box, but it really was not as painful as I anticipated -- it was actually a lot of fun.

I'm crazy for fabric, and love having my stash. I have many themes going, and always seem to have what I need no matter what project I am working on. I also trade fabrics with other quilters, and if my friend is looking for a specific fabric she doesn't have, she checks mine. We have lots of fun. When I purchase a pattern or get one free on line, I usually have the fabric I want to use, with maybe having to purchase a filler. I then put it together for a later time. I love looking at my fabrics stacked up on my shelves and it is almost like artwork!!!! It also helps me be more creative.

I also love books, but I don't just buy a book that I intend to read. I have various tastes and it depends on my mood what I read. Same with my fabric. I have a large library with books that might not all get read, but I love having them, and I know they will be read eventually by someone.

I think whatever fits your personality, and comfort level. When I first started sewing, I was apprehensive about how to choose fabrics. I had lots of help from my LQS's and my quilting friends. It also helps to take classes, and get to know the teachers. I have learned so much about fabric and color from just listening and watching. Taking pictures also help with color schemes. There is no right or wrong way whether you build up a stash, or be more conservative and only buy what you need.

no your not crazy. I bet most of us would like to be able to control ourselves and not buy so much when we enter a store, but on the flip side it is nice when you want to make something and you just have to look through your stash and find a nice variety you can use instead of going to the store.

The OLD "fabric talks to me" reasoning. Well, mine have a running commentary when they see me come into a fabric shop. I do have a great stash and I try to keep it kept up and folded, etc. My grown kids were telling me that they were serious thinking about having a fabric intervention for me. Then they realized.. whoops, there goes the quilts mom was going to make us... grin. But since I am mostly housebound it feels so good to be able to get a thought or a pattern and then start pulling fabrics from my stash and actually finished it without having to go out and find a couple of extra pieces. I do replenish and I just enjoy knowing it's here and it will be used, sent, donated, etc. to a worth while cause and that pleases me.

I am a fabric fondler!

If it speaks to me, I must have it. Even if I have no idea what I will do with it. My DH works in fabrics (curtains) so he loves to fondle fabric also.

Mind you - with the price of fabric here I only by in FQs. I also have plenty of blenders to make my special pieces go further.

I actually buy anything I like even if I have nothing currently to go with it, especially because it is on sale. I know I will find something to go with it at a later time as I am now really trying to get my sash up. At 52 I only hope I will be around to use it, but if not my granddaughter at 15 is trying to learn to sew and will be helping me put things together. I will cut out and send it to her thru the mail and let her sew the peices together and then she will return so I can put together and finish. This way she will get some sewing time in and when she is ready I will let her try to complete. This will have to do until I am able to get with her to show her how to use patterns because she wants to sew her own clothes.

If I like it I usually buy it, saying to myself I'll use it eventually.

I will be in Gettysburg the end of August - you can "purge" it right into the trunk of my car!!! Although I must admit, I should get rid of some myself!

I have no problem buying more fabric, if I have the money. But I am trying very hard to use what is in my stash so I can justify new fabric. I started out like you, I only bought for specific projects. Not any more. I buy because I love it and I will find something to go with it!

NO you're not crazy ... people come in ALL different types and you are just a PRACTICAL thinking quilter

I used to be very deliberate in purchases years ago, when I had to watch every penny. It was easier then too, fabrics were limited. When I started quilting it was CALICO, FLORAL OR SOLIDS !! Now the sky's the limit for fabrics & ITS SO GREAT !!!
I have a dear quilt buddy who NEVER buys fabric except for each planned project. She doesn't want fabric "lying around" and doesn't like scraps or scrap quilts. She is a very pragmatic, controlled type of quilter. She also finishes every quilt before starting a new one ! WEIRD ... !
She is content with her approach ... but you sound like you are not ? So start small, no pressure, buy just 1 yd of several coord. fabrics YOU REALLY LIKE. You'll be on your way to fear-less fabric buying ! :)

Fabric doesn't call to me. It yells from clear across the fabric store. And if I try to ignore it DGD tells me "Grandma, that big floral print wants you to buy it." She is not help at all. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have never had that problem. I cannot shell out the money fast enough. In fact if I had more money, my sewing room would be clogged with fabric.

Rachel, I know what you mean, except I haven't hyperventilated yet! I go into quilt stores and see tons of great stuff and I walk out without buying anything. I can't make up my mind, because there are just so many great choices. I like buying fat quarters cause I can get great fabric and not spend a lot.

How about choosing a color and then go to a store and pick our 1 yard of whatever color you've predetermined. Maybe you get overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made such as which fabric, how many yards, etc.

For example, pick a '30's repro with green (example only). Then, you'll actually have a goal!!! Just a suggestion.....

Good Luck!

That is a great suggestion. I think it is because I have too many decisions, I used to be that way when I went to the Flea Market too. I found if I went with say "Halloween decorations" in mind I didn't get overwhelmed and actually found things to buy. I will try that next time!! Thanks!

Rachel

You're welcome. My suggestion can help people not be so overwhelmed with everything. It works for me....sometimes! Good luck to you and choose your own color/style to "focus" on. I hope you have success!

If I see a fabric that I like, I can usually mentally visualize half a dozen different ways it could be used. Then I have to determine which other fabrics would I want to go with it. Most times I only find one or two at a time for any given set of mental pictures, so I get those and keep in mind the others I'm still looking for. So any given fabric shopping trip will most likely involve several different projects still in the planning and procurement stages. Because I go about it this way, it may take a number of months (or years) to find all the fabrics for any given idea...and the final result may be vastly different from the initial idea. But when it all clicks the results can be very satisfying.

My thoughts exactly. You can see that in my drawers and storage bins!

When I read your post, I wished I had that problem!!So does my DH!! I have stuffed stuffed everywhere!!! and always seem to find one more piece I can't pass up.... I would think that being that focus and planned is actually a good thing! :D

LOL No you aren't crazy. Just more frugal than some of the rest of us. I wished I was more like you when it comes to buying fabric.I buy constantly & have no idea what I'm going to do with it. ( Like alot of us quilters do )I always get in on the sales though & never pay top dollar unless it is something I just can't do without. I love farbic & I love to sew. If I want to make something I just go to my store in my sewing room & start a project. Don't have to drive to the LQS or wait for it to come in the mail. By the looks of alot of quilters sewing rooms, I'm not alone in my thinking! Or should I say my obsession! LOL

I can't walk into a quilt store and not buy anything! I have to stay out. But I am most afraid of what my DH will say when he gets the bill! LOL! I used to just get a half yard, but there have been so many times that I did that, used it in a quilt and wished I had more of it because it was such a great color. I am still in mournig over a purple batik I called "Patty Purple" because it was the color of a secret formula of pottery glaze made by Patty. She was a friend of my best friends dad who was a local celeb in the pottery field. Wow. There I go again! Rambling on and on.

I don't think your crazy, I think it might be overwhelming with so many choices. But if I had money, I would be buying so much fabric, my hubby and son would have to sleep in the garage. God bless. Penny