This thread is so timely. Last night I was reading Bonnie Hunter's method of using her scraps. Here it is: http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml
I don't want to get rid of my stash as much as I would like to organize it to make it a little easier to search through when I need something. I love scrappy quilts so I like a lot of variety.

This is what I've been doing with my stash lately.....when i sign up for classes at my LQS, I fist go to my stash and try to use as many fabrics from there. I've used up alot by doing this. I'm also going to use up the rest by making pillowcases and small projects. I'm like you and have decided that having a stash of material is just not worth it! I very rarely use it in a quilt project and it just sits there nagging at me to be used!

I read an article that Japan needs 3000 quilts. My heart just sunk. Older ones probably would like asian material and of course the younger cartoons or whatever. Im hoping to get a discount on material. I will have to send some. I cant imagine how sad this is.

Candykisses31061

I know exactly what you mean. It DOES seem like a kind of hoarding, doesn't it? And I love my fabric, but when I go to make a quilt (which seems very infrequent anymore) I don't use what I have, I buy more...now WHY is that?? The gadgets that come out?? I feel I NEED them! Do I finally use them?? not so much! When I look at my stash, I think "oh that would be so nice if I coordinated it with these pieces over here) but do I do it?? Nope!

25 totes!! you have much more than I do. Maybe my destashing won't be so bad after all... :-)

I have a niece who, like her mother, my sister, is not interested in quilting. But the other day, she (my niece) asked if she could have some fabric to make headbands for her sports team. So I let her go through my stash and take what she wanted. It was painful to just let "quilting" fabric go so quickly, but my sister said those 20 or so girls had such a wonderful time enjoying my fabric it was worth it. That's what I always hope a quilt will do! So - new use of my stash I was not expecting! But no, I don't think I'll ever use it all!

Last summer I took a BUNCH of scraps to the a quilt shop here that house "Linus" club. They make quilts for children in hospitals. They are always accepting scraps so long as it is cotton. I had a very large garbage bag that I took.

You could donate your scraps and it would be appreciated and used.

since my house burnt to the ground I have started to build my stash again, I am not to worried about colours as yet as I know that one day I will have just what I want to make what I nead, I have had many offers of help but only 2 followed thru and I must thank them as the fabric they gave me is beatutiful
and I can now remake my mothers lap quilt and my DD & SILs quilt that went up in the fire,
I also thank my LQS store who all got together and gave me a plastic drawer set alost full of fabric fro little bits and peices to larger peices. so thank you all that came to my rescue. I can't imagine selling my stash it is much to pretiouse to sell

I seriously doubt that I will ever be able to use my stash. My wonderful sons have told me they will give it away at my funeral/memorial service! LOL! Actually, I think it is a grand idea.

Mandy

One of the women I took a class from once upon a time, had cut her fabric collection into 2.5 inch strips (before they were popular)--she found the cut pieces easier to move. Maybe that will work for you.

I am open to purchasing "de-stashed" merchandise and unappealing quilt kits. Hint Hint.... I make charity quilts for kids here in Afghanistan so I am always looking for bargains and castoffs. lol.

could make a few dog coats to donate to the shelters. they have blankets but a coat would be nice for those dogs. just a suggestion for your stash.

there are lots of innocent kids here in USA that could use some charity also. Kids don't ask for the poor situations that become a way of life for some of them

I am thinking along the lines of most of you - I am actually going to an alley sale at my LQS this weekend - we can get a table and sell our stuff - I think I should concentrate on a couple of things because I have more than I will ever use and I really want to organize and minimize. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone

An idea i had to use up fabric. Creating rag rugs they eat up lots of stash. 15 yds of fabric for one rug. I used up tons of my stash, when starting an afternoon class for teenagers. what fun they had going thru and using my fabric.

I'm new to quilting so I don't have much of a stash. I am slowly building it but it's like potato chips, once you have a little you want more and more. I can easily see my stash building up to an unruly size. In fact I hope it does!

When I last moved 5yrs ago, I moved fabric I have had for several years. I moved out of that house recenty and still had a stash. I gave most of it away. It was not quilting fabric only, but I finally gave up the hope of ever using it all. I am just getting into quilting, so plan to buy only what I need for each quilt, no stash building. I can see your point and if you sell your stash, keep the money to buy what you need for each quilt you are going to make when you plan to start it.

Every now and again I pick out something I've held onto for years because it just fits the mood or the recipient of the quilt, pillow case, apron, purse or whatever I'm making at the time. I like to make scrappy projects sorted by color value. I don't feel I'll ever use up every single fabric, but I do like to have it on hand when the mood strikes.

Me !!! I can use uglies!!! Poopie greens, mustardly yellows, pathetic paisleys, gawdy stripes, and not so hot dots n spots, horrible hues, anything you deem ugly that would add an interesting twist to my quilt. So if anyone has anything ugly that won't be used I can use it!! I only need 3x7 pieces

I too am deciding the same thing. I have never made anything up until recently that I didn't have to either go out and buy more fabric of the same kind or go out and buy backing. Now that I have decided to buy no more. I find I can make do with what I have, if I don't have enough I don't make it any bigger. So hopefully it will get smaller although I am not sure. I used up quite a few pieces recently and it didn't even make a dent. So go figure. Gee whiz.

I support children's charities in the US too. It is more advantageous cost wise for me to make and donate to the kids locally here and do the same whenever I am in the states or in Europe. I believe that children are children regardless of where they live. The need for warmth and comfort is universal and I feel good knowing that I can do my part to help wherever I serve.

I haven't bought fabric for a long time, I do scappy, so I am able to use my stash. Most of my stash was given to me years ago ( 5 to 8 yrs ).
I just don't like driving to the fabric store & I'm not crazy about buying online (like to touch ). :-)
Maybe some day I will have to buy, but for now I am content with what I have ! :-) Guess I'm a little strange. :-)

I do use mine. I go there first. I admit that I have a few pieces that I wonder what was I thinking... usually large pieces. I think sometimes I buy too much and get tired of it. Those usually go into dog quilts or on the backs of something I think won't matter. Everyone is different though. I'm kind of thankful of my stash since fabric is nudging $10 a yard.

There must be something in the air this week that's viral about this topic! Out of the blue I started cutting strips, triangles and nickel squares out of my scraps! What's up with this?!

Maybe everyone is ready (past ready) for spring to finally arrive? Just a guess. :?

I will use alot in my stash, but probably never all of it. I will be de=stashing some when I get some time. Or I should say MAKE some time.

I try to design a quilt using something in my stash....of course, I may not be able to complete it without buying some fabic....but I think I would panic is my stash gets down too low....if anyone wants to "destash" there are bunches of us who would buy!!!!!

Post pictures when you finish sewing them up okiepastor please

I have alot of that stuff too.... I thought about just "putting" some things together and giving them away...

piece easy things then give away to homeless shelters :thumbup: pm me, my niece just starting out no stash for her mine is limited....

Hi I am reduceing my stash making charity quilts Carmen WA

I will try--just got a digital camera!
Have LOTS of pieces to sew as soon as my "new" singer 15-91 gets here!

I will honestly say I think I am close to being a 'hoarder' when it comes to fabric. Sorry, can't help it..but, I have opened my little sewing room up to my friends that are new to quilting and have not built up a stash. I encourage them to come look to see if there is something on my shelves they could use. t gives us a chance to visit and share ideas.

I have an addiction to fabrics. I love to feel them, look at them...and eventually make something wonderful from them. It's the "eventually" that is dangerous. I also have to watch a tendency to fill an emotional hole with STUFF. I went to Goodwill yesterday and always look in the fabrics. I saw four beautiful (less than a yard) pieces that were wonderful colors for children's quilt but then Ithought..."And when will you finish your current projects, Missy?!" I decided against buying them even though they were a "good deal" (another of my issues) because I'm going to a Stash Sale in a few weeks where I can load up (only taking a specific amount of money). Is that HOPELESS or what???!!!

I save my stash for the day I run out of money to buy new fabric. Then I'll still have something to sew with :-D

Ha Ha Ha!! Good analogy! Except toilet paper isn't nearly as pretty!

I also have o lot of little fabric pices! I started sew these, as seen in the picture. Look this page: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-104270-1.htm
View my step by step:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...00001947565630
Enjoy!

I do not have a huge stash by standards of some. But I do find myself going to my stash to use it for smaller projects. I don't seem to use as much for the bigger projects. But I love the idea of fabric swaps and have done a couple. I also swap at my guild too.