Moratorium on Fabric Spending
 

Way back in January I decided to have a moratorium on fabric purchases after rearranging my stash. I just couldn't believe I had so much fabric. Well, here it is the end of July, 7 months have gone by, and I have successfully kept to my decision. I was just wondering if anyone else had made the same decision and if so, were you successful in that decision so far.

Yep... BUT, not completely. :D
Generally the only fabric I buy is to finish up a project. It's way more fun to work from the stash.

I promised my son 6 months abstinence a couple of years ago; and I did it.
Unfortunately, the next day I spent a fortune.
Never would try it again - somehow deprivation sends me over the edge.

I too have joined this band wagon!! The prices are now outragious!!! I refuse to pay! Anyway, I have way toooo much of a stash. So am using my stash to make star blocks for oldest GS graduating in 3 yrs. Hope it's a big enough start, cause the next yr his brother & my oldest GD will be graduating. I have only spent $ for sashing at very little $. Sooo, I'm thinking when I pass, what in the world will my son & daughter do with it all?!

Congratulations Blackberry! I have certainly slowed down but have not abstained. The other day I was in a craft store and about fell over when I read the $17/yard tag on the flannel they were carrying. It was beautiful flannel with a real nice feel BUT, that is too much!

I'm not sure when I started my moratorium. Maybe around the same time. But I was similarly inspired-- both by the amount my stash had grown when I organized it several months ago and by the credit card statements that were filled with "small" charges to a dozen or more online quilting companies, adding up to too much each month. I wasn't going to make progress against my goal to be credit-card debt-free this way. Has required using the DELETE key on all those email announcements of sales. I have only purchased fabric to finish a project.

I'm not one to buy a lot of large yardages, but have quite a stash of smaller pieces. The other day I was in a LQS that is going out of business and chatting with the lady working there. She told me that they are hearing that by fall the new cottons will be 15.00 per yd. and I get to worrying that I'll not be able to enjoy my hobby with prices going up! And should I buy up sale fabrics now? Also, cotton clothing and underwear is supposedly going to really go up in price. Hard to figure the future out, isn't it?

[QUOTE=. I was just wondering if anyone else had made the same decision and if so, were you successful in that decision so far.[/QUOTE]
I went through a long period of buying fabric on sale, more than I can probably use in a lifetime. I have already donated at least half of it, but am still sewing from that stash. I really fight the impulse to purchase some of the lovely fabrics out there, but to be honest, the prices have gone up so much that it helps me resist.
Serita

I really need to organize my stash and scraps!! I have spent WAY too much on fabric,, but it seems the grandkids want quilts themed in fabrics I do not have. It is so hard to pass by fabric on a good sale, or bought with a coupon!! Help me!! I need a 12 step program!! Maybe I need to do a partial moratorium..purchase only to complete the kids quilts if needed..this way they all get to choose their fabrics...other than that use stash~!!

What about having the grandkids choose one new fabric and the rest from stash?

I have just started quilting and do not yet have a stash. But as a garment sewer for over 20 years I have a huge stash of fabric and when the kids wanted something new, they had to choose from the stash first, especially for costumes, swim suits and t-shirts.

So far this year the only fabrics I bought were Thomas the Train and some other kid's fabrics for gift pillowcases for great nieces and nephews. Bought Moda cream muslin, 120' wide at about $7.50per yard, that's 3 yds of regular sized fabric per 120" yard. This is for quilt for DGD and her fiance as rest of the fabric for this quilt is from my stash. Also 3 yards of a nice blue for GGS's I Spy quilt - I have the I Spy fabrics in my stash but needed sashing, border and binding fabric.

I'm co-chair of my guild's Project Pillowcases and I satisfy my fabric buying urgers by buying fabrics for pillowcases using our budget money.

PS: I was at a retreat a few weeks ago that was held in a quilt shop workroom, the owner had some great fabrics on sale for $4 per yard and I resisted buying any as I really didn't need any more added to my stash.

I have only bought fabric twice this year. One 2 yard piece to finish a quilt I had started and to take advantage of a sale that connecting threads was having...$2.50/yard for their quilter's candy fabric which I love.

I am in the "already have too much fabric" category. I was trying to rearrange the stash this past weekend, and came to the conclusion that I can't possibly use up all of this fabric before I die. And right now I am in a quilting slump and really don't want to even look at the machine.

I reorganized my stash and put it on foam core boards at the end of June. I too was amazed at how much fabric I have. I have 3 five shelf book cases full and 3 large tubs that wouldn't fit on the shelves. I put myself on a fabric diet that week. I have been to my favorite LQS only once and that was to buy some muslin that I needed for my Biscuit quilt. I delete emails that come from fabric enablers before they are even read. I still browse the sales here on QB but I have been a very good girl!! I know it has only been a month but I am proud of myself!

Alas, my will power will be tempted tomorrow though. My friend from Florida is coming to stay for a couple of days. I taught him how to sew and quilt a couple of years ago and haven't seen him for that long. I want to take him to my LQS as he has never been to it. He too is afflicted with the fabric buying disease. I will do my best to remain strong!!

No, I crashed and burned around March. Find I do better when I allow myself just a little shopping, like a charm pack every now and then. That keeps me happy with something to look forward to without much expense or adding a lot to the already too big stash.

I put myself on "fabric restriction" last Nov. I have a huge stash, a bad heart, advancing years, and a daughter who doesn't want to deal with it all after I go. I have only purchased 3 fabrics for backings and an assortment of Aurifil thread. This has been easier to accomplish than I thought because the Joanns that was 2 miles from me closed and the Hobby Lobby that is 25 miles away is just a shadow of it's former self. Both of their fabrics have definately diminished from the quality of the fabrics in my stash which were purchased several years ago.

Wish I had your stamina!! You could bottle it and sell it. Whatta you say? LOL

Well I am on the opposite end - I am making up for your "non-purchases" - what is funny is - I cleaned up my sewing room - organized my fabric and wrapped it in the foam core boards - my husband saw the room when I was finished - here is what he said, "You don't have enough fabric, you need to replinish your stash" Who am I to argue with him....:)

I am in the midst of re-oraganizing my stash. Started it several months ago but had to stop to finish quilts for my 3 year old twin niece & nephew. My favorite quilts are the "I Spy", Halloween and Christmas. So when I get near fabric that is what i gravitate to and there is no way to stop me when they have something new. Just found out today I have 12 different fabrics with turkeys on them. Can't wait to count the pumpkin fabrics, there is so much more.

It must be an addiction! I was able to quick smoking over 25 years ago, but all my control goes out the window with certain types of fabric? Do you think they lace it with something?

Unless I need it to finish a project or it's a really good sale, the regular price $15 a metre for fabric in Canada definitely curbs the impulse to buy and add to the stash. I did buy a lot though when the sewing room contents of one of our guild members was sold at her estate sale. At $2-$5 a metre, I stocked up on browns and tans which were really lacking in my collections. I also had to buy a little red, yellow and green.

Proud to report that I am going on THREE years without buying fabric unless I need it for a commission and then, I get reimbursed. My stash is still tremendous but I can notice that it is, indeed, smaller. I think I've made about 40 quilts in this time though a few of those are scrap quilts. I save anything larger than 2-1/2" square or any strips longer than 6-1/2" and at least 1" wide. I am so torn between reducing my scrap pile and reducing my stash. Such a problem, eh?

Perhaps you could have your friend shop the "LQS" that is your stash first! ;-)
:eek:

Good for you!!! It is so hard to get out of the habit of buying fabric. I plan to go on a moratorium for 2 years starting Nov 1. The only purchases will be for binding, background and finishing. I decided to even give a rest on my quilt shop's guild for a year - too much temptation. The hardest part, actually, will be avoiding swaps. I love swaps, but I rarely have the required fabric for it. My reasons aren't just stash reduction - I have plenty of projects that I bought fabric for already, and simply have to get to work on them. I have 6 BOMs that I haven't finished. Fabric for at least 6 oriental fabric quilts.

IamCatOwned, if I told you how many projects I have fabric for, you'd fall over. I gave up swaps several years back because I never found time to make them into quilts. I just pulled one block I received about 10 years ago out, added triangles all around it to enlarge it and set it on point, and am using it on a small project. Now, what to do about the other umpteen blocks...

I went on the fabric wagon in October 2001. It was all part of doing FlyLady, and a huge wake up call about how much I was mindlessly spending. Our future actually, not to put too fine a point on it.

In the beginning when I needed to go in a quilt shop for spray baste or a ruler the smell of the fabric was overwhelming, the need to fondle and buy showed me what an addiction it was.

One thing I read in Mary Hunt's book Debt Proof Living really stuck with me and it applies to dish soap, books, fabric, everything. "You haven't bought something on sale unless you put what you actually saved in your savings account on the way home. Otherwise, you've simply spent money." Truer words were never spoken...

Families don't have a clue what to do with stash when it comes to an estate. They will give it away or sell it in a garage sale for .50 cents a pound.

fortunately I've always loved what I bought so using my stash is a pleasure. It is also a growth experience because once you decide to make your fabric work your quilts get a Whole lot more interesting. For my backs I use fairly simple patterns but they are all pieced too. Makes double sided quilts, 2 for the price of 1, and with the simpler backs the quilting is featured when that side is up.

Keep up the good work!

Gave up that crazy notion years ago when I went to the fabric store on Jan 2nd to buy thread..... then walked into a thrift store where some quilter had just brought in some of her stash. I left the store with a huge bag full of FQ's for $12.00 .... I need an intervention...

Carole

I make the moratorium promise every time I buy. Just went to anniversary sale at LQS only to get backing for newly finished quilt top That fabric only cost $21.98 for 6 yards of Bernatex However I spent over $130.00 while I was there. The only bonus to that is when I tallied up all the cost of what I got it came to over $500.00 worth of fabric and patterns!!!!! I had buyers remorse for about.......30 minutes until I got home and stashed everything before DH got home!!!!LOL

I was going to write, smugly, that I only buy fabric when it is on sale...but then I read KalamaQuilts thought-provoking post and realized I need to rethink my strategy. Thanks for the reality check! I have been lucky enough to get commissions (quilts and other odds and ends) to pay for my habit over the years, but I think I definitely need to step away from the online stores and head to my closet!

*goes off muttering to stare at her stash*

Alison

PS Is there a QB contest/challenge for quilts only made from stash fabric? Or with some set maximum amount of fabric that can be purchased? I'm thinking that would be an excellent way to encourage each other...

I put myself on a moratorium on July 11, a mere 20 days ago. It is so very hard to do. I shifted focus to a goal of making 150 miniature blocks of varied designs, all from my stash. This way, I am touching and coordinating all kinds of fabric and making something out of it, even just a 4.5" block.

I am also working from my stash, I buy only if I must to finish something but it really is a small purchase. The only big item this year was batting. I was totally out

I've jumped on the "buy no fabric" bandwagon and fell off so many times and have just finally said it is what it is. I have way too much fabric, but I love it. I love to look at it and pet it and envision what it will (hopefully) become one day. I will say that I would really, really have to LOVE a piece of fabric to pay over $7.00 a yard anymore. I buy what is on sale mostly. I did make up a list to buy from an online store last week...all on sale. Totaled right at $100 without the shipping. Thought about it long and hard and even though the fabric was on sale and I really wanted it, I tore the list up. Yay for me!! When I told my hubby about it, he said, "Why didn't you order it?" He is an enabler.
I figure, if push comes to shove, I can always use my stash for insulation if we have a severely cold winter!
So, here's to all of us fabric addicts....gotta love us!

Well, our Walmart closed down over a year ago and now is opening up a new fabric department this week.
I will be buying my fabric at the place which has the cheapest prices with the best fabric.
Da da-- da da da--- da da da-- da da da-- da da da-- da da da da, boom boom, honk honk, clang clang.

I've cut back severely on fabric buying. When I moved everything to my shed, I ruler folded all my fabric. I was so surprised to see all the fabric I had! I've been quilting from my stash (that I can now SEE!) since about March. However, I bought an embroidery machine.....and thread.....and stabilizer.....and embroidery scissors...and etc. So I'm not sure I've saved anything. But I'm really having fun! I did hit a garage sale last month and bought a bunch of fabric, but I've already used some of it and it really was a good buy. I'm trying........

I am still buying fabric and I am a hoarder of it. I have one room that is full of fabric. It is all organized and I love it but I know that I need to really limit what I buy. I will not purchase material that costs that much. I will use a coupon or buy on sale if it gets that high. Ninety percent of the quilts that I make are donated and this will force me into not making as much to give away. I love making quilts to donate and although I never get to see the people who get them I still love doing it. Guess I will have to be careful in the future.

I've not stopped buying fabric, but really slowed down. And when I see it on sale, I really check it out now to be sure I get a good quality to the feel fabric. No matter how much I like it, if it isn't decent, I don't buy it.

I haven't bought fabric from last December until our last local shop hop in April. I bought only what I needed to finish or add to planned projects and only on sale. This month I bought fabric to start on Christmas projects. Mostly I bought the focus and added from my stash. I did buy fabric for Bow Tucks for my DD and DGDs for Christmas only because they wanted something specific. So my spending has slowed way down. I plan to use my stash and only purchase what I don't have to add to something. No impulse buying.

You & me both. I can't count how many New Years I've made the resolutionto just buy what I need to finish up a project (like border fabric) & then about week 2, I'm off the wagon. And it's not because I actually need any fabric. I have enough to supply all of us here for about 10 years. I can't help it... I'm an addict! I have been trying to be better about waiting till stuff is on sale (except at Connecting Threads since their stuff is so well-priced to begin with), but I still fall off that wagon, too.

My sewing room is so full of material, all sizes, shapes, colors, even put up a few book cases to organize it all. And then we hit yet another auction and I came home with another truck load of material. Not once, but twice! I have so much material, I've begged my DH to stop taking me to these auctions! I have no more room - and I'm a neat freak - so hopefully he won't drag me along for a few months! I saw this comic in the newspaper, where 7 women sat in a circle, introduced theirselves and one said "Hi, my name is anne, and I haven't purchased fabric for a whole week." Others clapped. Guess it's an more of an addiction than I realized.

Guess I belong with you. I have only bought one piece in the last 5 months because I needed the color to work in an applique quilt. I have been using my scraps to make give-away quilts so that drawer is looking better. I have enough fabric to last me till I die and then it will just be given away so I am happily sewing it away! Surprising what you can maike with what you have, you liked it when you bought it so use it!

I tried to stop buying a few times.. but when I fall of the wagon... I fall off hard.