I have decided I have a small problem! I am a fabric shop-aholic bordering on a hoarder! I have more fabric than I can ever sew up! Ugh! What am I going to do with all this fabric? Any suggestions?

If there's a guild or group in your area that does charity projects, donate it to them. I belong to two guilds which have both been the victims -- uh, recipients -- of some of my less than wise purchases. One guild also has a bee that does charitable quilts for the womens shelter. The Sewing guild in our area also does charity projects.

Then there's the 1 million pillowcase challenge, Project Linus. I'm sure it won't be hard to find someone to take it off your hands.

Well, my Mom was the queen of fabric, when she passed away she had enough of everything fabric, notions, books, machines to start a fabric store, Rubbie's Rags. She loved to collect and sort and pet her fabric. That's what some of us do. Me I love to sew and when I get going I amaze myself at how much fabric I can go through, I do more than just quilt however, I sew garments, accessories, hats, items for craft fairs, items for homeless shelters, samples for classes, projects for youth (kits for them to sew up) I donate or give away far more than I keep or sell but the joy I give just keeps giving. My suggestion is don't let your stash take over your life, (right, mine is all over my house right now as my sewing room gets redone, grandson still can't decide how I got all of that in one room!) I sort mine in to projects I am planning, projects in progress, then some for impromptu things... backgrounds, lights, mediums and darks... of course I can't forget my stash of Batiks, and vintage fabrics. But anything else goes to the guild, 4-H, or friends. That way I always have room and can keep adding. When the urge hits or I see the perfect piece I just have to have! My fabrics are folded and on shelves so I can see, in tote bags or containers for projects, and in old suitcases that can easily be moved on their wheels and opened to see just what is available in them. Amazing how you can fold the fabric and put in a suite case so it is not necessary to dig but open and look at the array of things to select from. When I finish my sewing room I will post pictures of it here, till then pet some fabric for me today ;)

I'm in the exact same boat. There are lots of easy patterns and lots of charities. Kids love quilts with loads of different fabrics, especially children in hospitals. Hospital stays are like prison terms for kids--they bore easily. Looking at loads of different fabrics can really cheer them up.

I have begun giving friends permission to shop in my stash for specific projects. I have plenty. And I like to see what they pick too!

You can always post some for sale here on the board-I have had a great time building up my stash by buying from those who post here on the board. I am new to quilting and have no stash at all and I literally check this board several times a day looking for new fabric sales posted-I look forward to seeing them and have never been dissapointed with any of the fabric I have bought from board members.

I have alot of fabric too, but my problem is that I don't want to cut it up! It is just sitting there on the shelf but I just can't bring myself to put a scissors to it! --- I have one problem!!

Stitchinwitch....I agree with you.....I don't want to cut a lot of my fabric it is so pretty.

Donate or sell some, BUT then you'd have more money to buy more fabric, lol!

stitchinwitch & crafter005 ~ both of you need to cut learn to cut into that pretty fabric. Because when you do, you turn it into a GORGEOUS quilt. Be brave, you can do it!

I WOULD be willing to pay for some of your stash or atleast postage if youare donating, I can pay via paypal anytime.

Just let me know okay?
Thanks.

LaQuita

for a second there I thought that your name was that hotel. hehe sorry if this offends you. I have bad eye sight, dyslexia, and problems spelling.hehe I just thought that was funny. now i have the laqinta song in my head. oh well.


I would love to see pics of your stash. I know that there are many on here who would love to be blessed or are willing to pay for your fabric. Especially to keep the moths and silver fish from having lunch. (not saying your home has these just making joke).

There's a PAYING IT FORWARD thread on here that you could pick some other person to send a small box or squishy to that doesn't have ANY stash and CAN'T even think about owning a stash due to the economy, health issues or some other reason. It feels so good to give!

I love the Pay it Forward Idea!!!

Me too, esp. when the person has a real need. :) I know ppl on the board that do and ppl that I quilt with that do. And I will give accordingly. Nice to make ppl happy!

The pay it forward thread is in the sale, swap area and that's what I would do. Seems a waste to that all that fabric sitting there when in your heart you know you will never use it. Let somebodyelse use it to make a pretty quilt. IMHO, fabric was made to be used to make something not to sit on a shelf. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do.

I don't think I could give away my stash. It would take me forever to choose which one I could part with.
However, I don't have a problem giving the finished item.
Usually I am willing to give away about anything. I also have no problem giving away scraps.
Does it make sense to say the stash is like unbirthed quilts (quilt babies)?
I know, I'm nutty.

But what if you knew you were NEVER going to give birth to that child and sombodyelse could?

How about after I die :D You make a very good point, though.
I do make a lot of charity quilts to give away.
Do you know somebody in need of fabric? Private PM

Yes please pay it forward. I have two friends whose MIL's passed. In both cases my friends hired dumpsters and tossed everything. They lived in different towns from their MIL's and didn't have the time from their jobs to do anything else.