You know, I took a break from quilting for about 8 years while I worked and the kids grew up..When I started back up again, I thought about all that fabric left from before but there were so many pretty ones on the LQS shelves that I could bother going through my tubs and hoping I had just the right match. Then one day I decided to make a raffle quilt and wanted to go cheap, so I said to myself "use your stash!" figuring there HAD to be something decent there..And I was surprised to find enough fabric to make a gorgeous quilt that I don't want to give away!!! And I have planned several more from my stash....but in the meantime I have started several projects with all new stuff.
I say hobbies are all about what you can afford and have space for. They are only an obsession if you are putting off paying bills because you have bought so much fabric, or you become a hoarder like on the tv shows and you can't live in your house anymore:)
And just because we have to eat off paper plates in the living room sometimes because I am sewing and there is no room for people amongst the stash in the dining room, well, it doesn't mean I am obsessed!

When you have to start hiding it from DH, hate seeing your bank statement, you and DH argue over your expenditures, have no idea what you really have as far as colors and designs; buy fabric instead of pay bills, buy groceries, pay your tithe, are buying more than using, and you have that feeling in your gut you really don't need the fabric but just want it, you have too much fabric.

I'm at a point where I can actually NOT buy fabric. Yesterday I went to Joann because I needed some embroidery floss and needles. Pat laughed because my bill was under $5. That is unheard of. It is getting harder to find what I am looking for - and the cupboards are full. SO I have to stop my own insanity and be reasonable when it comes to adding stash.

Right now I'm getting ready to work on my IRR center and it looks like my pieces (applique) will come from my scrap bin.

Only if it bothers you.
I give myself a fabric allowance every month ... a set amount of money goes into the envelope ...when its gone its gone... if there is leftover it stays in the allowance envelope to be added to the next months allowance.
It sounds like dealing with a 5 year old but when it comes to fabric , that is about the amount of self control that I have.
Call it a fabric diet!!

You have a lot more self control than I do :oops: Though today I went into my lqs for batting and enough specific fabric for a carpenters wheel block and that is all I got. (OUCH, I just twisted my arm patting myself on the back :roll: ))

I think I have reached the point that I need to stop buying fabric for awhile(could be years) and just sew up what I have at home. My sewing room is full, the closet in sewing room is full and I have the parlor with way too much fabric in it. I like pretty fabric and see and think I can get it made up and there it sits. Going to a mini retreat this weekend and will finish a few things and then need to organize what I have and get started on only things I have already purchased and stop buying more fabric.

yes - or at least too much to use in one lifetime

I have tote upon tote upon tote of fabric, 26 totes stuffed full to be exact. I have so much and it isn't arranged in any certain order so if I want to find something I have to go thru all the totes to find something . Most times it is just easier to go buy what I need for a new project then take the time to go thru the stash. I'm not sure that I think that I have too much, but I definetly have enough for quite a few quilts. I also am quilty of having many quilt tops folded and stuffed in a tote. Quilting them isn't my strong suit, but I do love peicing them, and I also bought a lot of them off ebay. I don't think I can quit buying but I sure do need to cut way down.

Ha Ha, I too seem to have alot of fabric so, because I am saving to go to Australia next year to visit my daughter I am only using fabric in my stash, its amazing what I've found! ( of course did have to go and buy some for her wedding quilt - but hey that is very special), but its working and its odd how fabric just seems to blend together the only other thing I will have to buy is wadding - but then that is a 'need' rather than a 'want' so the answer is find something very expensive to save for then you won't be so tempted (not sure how long its gonna last though!!!! lol

I sent you a PM