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QBeth 01-10-2011 06:15 AM


Originally Posted by sewTinker
My daughter is visiting me and just last night finished re-folding and organizing most of my fabric (the 1/2-yard & fat quarter case). It's amazing how much I have. Not three walls worth (lol...) but more than I am comfortable with. I get nervous with too much fabric and it becomes worrisome for me.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who worried about having too much fabric! Worse yet, I'm not entirely sure why I'm worried. What's up with that?!

justwannaquilt 01-10-2011 06:22 AM

I spent 7 dollars on fabric last month (a receiving blanket for my sister and interfacing for a diaper bag). That was the first time I had bought fabric in four months. I haven't been sewing much and when I have been I've been working on the same quilt. I guess I just don't have a problem! I don't really want the problem. I would rather go to the store buy what I need use it and move on. I don't want a bunch of crap laying around that I will lose taste in. Its wasted money. Even though we have the money to waste. Whats the point?

natalieg 01-10-2011 06:24 AM

Well, I am getting ready to have DH help me put up another shelf if that is any indication! I go through spurts....kind of like living to your means. My DH only works PT for a low amount (but the payoffs are the discounts and he likes to BS about guns and hunting). He also takes on contract work from time to time. When he does this, I tend to spend more. His paycheck usually goes back into the store, so he doesn't mind me spending at all. We have VA disability income and I am a caregiver for MIL-so we use that to pay the bills! Works out great!

beachlady 01-10-2011 06:41 AM

I buy way too much, but I do pay cash each time. Being retired gives me way too much time to shop!! I go to my LQS once a week for "free" get togethers and I usually end up buying something!!!

Wine Woman 01-10-2011 07:04 AM


Originally Posted by jodimarie

Originally Posted by PatriceJ
i don't dare calculate the monthly average of my stash spending. i'm sure it would put me into a shock-induced coma. :shock:

when i look at my stash - which literally lines 3 walls, floor to nearly-ceiling, i'm not proud of it. i wish i had the cash invested in just those fabrics i like but will never live long enough to use. if i'd spent more wisely, i could have retired a few years ago. :lol:

it would be a huge mistake to pace your purchasing based on the habits of others. there's no such thing as a standard "right size" for a stash.

let your own needs and financial health be your guides. ;-)

*****************
DITTO....word for word, exactly how i feel when I look at my ''collection'' but on the other hand, we could be ''collecting'' other things that are not going to be used/made into wonderful works of art , beautiful gifts or just plain everyday useable quilts!!

jodi in leavenworth


I totally agree-also some collect and some purchase to use. I have a friend that won't use some of her fabric because it's too pretty! I personally don't like a lot of things around and besides how often do we find ourselves going back to the store because we need a color to add or we don't have enough of something. Whatever you have it still won't be enough or right for the project! Craaaazzzzyyyyy!

You will find your comfort zone but remember to leave room so you can add to it when you find something you just have to have!

littlehud 01-10-2011 07:30 AM

Some months I don't buy any fabric and others I shop a lot. It depends on if I find something that calls to me.

amma 01-10-2011 09:34 AM

I don't buy just to build stash necessarily. I do buy blenders, batiks when I come across a good sale, but as to the rest it has to be for a specific project or because I fell in love with it

If you don't find fabrics you love? Put the money aside for the next month, when you find some that you do :D:D:D

BellaBoo 01-10-2011 09:50 AM

Some months I may spend a few hundred on fabric and other quilting supplies. Some months I may spend nothing. DH pays my credit card off every month in full and so far he hasn't had a !!!! moment over any charges to quilt shops.

leaha 01-10-2011 09:53 AM

I bought one bolt of black, Kona cotton, and one bolt of white on white, 109 wide, in the past year. The last time I got any other fabric was at the Paducah quilt show. ( around $100 worth)I have and keep a rather small stash, (I gave away 4 big huge bags of fabric I had but no longer liked.) This told me keep it small and only fabrics you really like. I feel no need to try to keep up with others and have a huge stash. If I am working on a project and need a certain color I do not have on hand, I either dye what I need or paint it. This works for me.
Last month I did spend over $1400 on more sewing machines LOL But so worth every penny to me!

haylillan 01-10-2011 10:09 AM

i've been buying for 4 yrs one of my coworkers & i go on shops hops we call them to s mo east to miss. river west to mo river this spring we're going n. mo. to mo. quilt co. always had to work when there were real ones have met some very nice quilters


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