I have tried to stop buying fabric and start finishing those UFOs in my room. I still buy on occasion but I'm doing better.

My buying is pretty much done for awhile as well. Most everything I have was bought at bargain prices rather than full price. Each time a store was closing, I would buy up a bunch. Now that I'm on disability retirement, I won't be buying alot. I've been in a position before where I could not afford fabric. Now I have enough to keep me busy for quite a while. I'll be making hubby new denim shirts before long. Also, some of my fabric I bought to make him a Santa suit for this next Christmas. So, lots of projects to be done.

I was almost feeling guilty for a while there, (but then my sanity returned) lol...

I am doing the same, I also wrote notes to myself and put them around, "If you feel the need to buy more fabric, first, look around this room, then go into the next room, then the downstairs, and finally in the basement." When I look at catalogs, I earmark the pages of stuff I think I want, then put the catalog away. I say outloud, "I have enough, and I want to be a good steward of what I buy from now on and I want to use what I already have." At one time in my life, I know I was buying to fill a void, now I ask myself what's going on in my world. I do have some oc/d tendencies, so when I find a project, like the bow tucks tote bag, I want to make it in every color. I'm really trying to use my stash. It's amazing to look in a bin and find new treasures that have been tucked away for awhile.

Chris good for you! I applaude your decision.

I did something fairly similar in November last year. A friend of mine mentioned that she made a commitment with another friend that they would not buy any new fabric for 1 year. They would allow themselves to only buy batting and thread. When she told me I thought "are you completely insane!!!!". However, after thinking about it for 6 weeks I thought - you know - it's really not such a bad idea.

So I made my own commitment, and shared it with my craft groups (they hold me accountable). No new purchases EXCEPT, for thread, batting, and fabric to FINISH tops.

I think I've done very well. I gave myself a day off, giving myself permission to purchase when a local quilt show was in town (we have only 1 big show a year - where "outside" vendors can sell their fabrics, etc). Even then - I only bought 1 fat quarter, and 1 jelly roll. Quite restrained (well I thought so).

Other than that I've been "good" for 5 months now.

I'm trying to focus on those WIPs. No real reason to buy new fabric when there are so many projects on the go. The only exclusion I've had was/is for my mothers quilt (which I'll write about soon).

Anyway, I wish you well - I know you can do it.

AMEN SISTAH!!!!! LOLOL

Ditto..i also try to stay away from the shops..i have missed a few "field trips" with my quilty friends..because i did not need anymore fabric.

In my quilting group I was known as the quilt kit queen. I was always buying kits. In December 2008 I made the announcement that I was not buying a kit for the entire next year, 2009. Guess what, here it is April 2010 and I still have not purchased a kit not even fabric to make my own kit. Also I have purchased very little fabric over the last 16 months.

Applause!

:thumbup:

I,too, like stashing. ALmost a hoarder. I am one of those with three walls in my sewing room full of shelving and fabric. I have decided not to buy any fabric for at least 6 months to start. And I have some guild friends and we are going to share. So..I also let ladies who quilt for chrities come over and pick out fabric to donate to them. Later them "Pass it forward" when they come across a good sale and share. I have a Will for my craft room. My hubby will call Project Linus and let them come and take it all. Wish he would learn to quilt. He'd rather be outside piddling. I also make up fat qtrs, etc and use for door prizes. The guild loves it. Glad I share this habit with more ladies.

I am one that when I visit a quilt shop, I feel the need to contribute to their store. SO many smaller ones are closing and I don't like that idea. I live int he ocuntry and appreciate the stores around here. So, new idea, I am making quilt kits for myself...now they are UFO;s.lol

What a wonderful idea! I do not NEED any more fabric, but......
Will have to learn to use the phone for the purpose of curbing my addiction. Now to finishing all those Q-tips!

Amen. Although I usually get sidetracked if I am shopping for, say, roman shade lining and just happen to wonder into the quilt fabric section.............

Sounds like a sponsor in a 12 step program......it's a big step for you - good luck!

I can SO relate to you. I went through my stash the other day, granted I got alot of it from Freecyle....but I don't fabric I purchased to make acouple quilts, and then SEVERAL bags from Hancock and Joann with the reciept still in them....I was like...WOW I forgot I bought that. I thought it was great fabric at the time, but did I REALLY need it....probably not.

I'm kinda getting that way about tools as well...so I REALLY need those new Gingher sissors....my old ones works fine....but I WANT them...:)

No one told me this hobby would be so heavy on the old bank account. :)

I know when I can't get more I am out of money to do it with.
That is when I get on here an just read all the post. I ck. on here off an on all day long.

I love it! Now, if she can help you be energized to finish any UFO's and use your stash you'll be set.

enjoy the friendship.

Hi Chris,

Good for you!! :thumbup: It is quite amazing to me how easy it has been to get sucked into the buying frenzy in the quilting world, and I am on a limited budget. I applaud your efforts, and your commitment to your accountability partner.

I think for many of us, we want to learn more about this hobby, so surely... the more books, patterns, tools, classes and even fabric we buy... the better quilter we'll become, right? :lol: :roll:

I knew this moment was coming for me soon too, but it was a comment that DH made that really got me to thinking. He said, should I "go before he does", he did NOT want to have the hassle of going through my things and dispersing them. Please understand that he is also disabled, and this would've been a very difficult thing for him to do. As well, we have no other quilters nor sewists in the family, so it would've been a tough matter for him.

Anyway, for the last few months, I've been selling off many of my books, patterns, fabric and a few tools to other members here who haven't reached this point yet. I cannot possibly read them all, use them all, etc. in my lifetime. Why not share with others than can get some use from them? Many of them were brand new or in near new shape. It was a very time consuming job for me to do this, and a bit painful too, as it reminded me of how careless I had become in my decision making in this area. With the sales proceeds I bought a new microwave and saved money to have my son's wedding quilt done by a LA'er. These are items that can be used right away, and hopefully enjoyed for a good many years.

I'm really glad you posted this topic and shared your thoughts with all of us. Much appreciated. Maybe some others will recognize that they too, may need to tighten their reins as well.

Hang in there, it does get easier. We just need to break the cycle! :wink:

I satisfy my urge to buy fabric without adding to my stash by buying fabric for our guild charity quilt group. 7 women meet twice a month to cut up fabric into kits with instructions. We either sew them up ourselves, or pass the kits out at guild meeting. The finished tops are matched with backing and batting and given to volunteers to quilt on domestic or long arms. When they are quilted, we cut bindings and group members bind them at home in the evenings. We make and distribute almost 200 quilts each year. Size is usually 40" by 52", or 36" by 48". The bigger ones go to foster children's camps, shelters, children's hospital. The small ones are for wheelchairs and go to the Veteran's hospital or senior citizens. We buy queen size bats and cut them into 4 pieces for the larger quilts, or use 10 yard roles of 48" batting from JoAnn. I get to go shopping, donate most of my purchases, get reimbursed for some. Satisfies my need to find bright colors at a bargain price!

Chris,
Congratulations on making a stand and getting support. I certainly understand the feeling of being out of control. Recently I have been pretty good about not buying fabric at random just because I like it. Money has been a little short lately and I have lots of things to work on.

Good luck on your venture! :thumbup:

I agree. About a year ago I made the decision to not buy more fabric, and I only have 3 rubbermaid tubs of fab and one smaller one of batting. Some fabrics I love I bought when dd was born and she is now 23!

I love fabric and think I bought it because it was so pretty, but then I would wash it and fold it and store it and buy more. I wondered if it was the fabric I wanted or actually buying the fabric was a substitute for something else. Anyway, I have only bought a few yards of fabric since then and couldn't be happier. I feel more in control now than before. It's much easier to give in than say no, but the easy thing is usually not the best character builder.

unless I am buying additional fabric for my project, I still roam the shops. I have cut down a lot. If I don't NEED anything I will search for remnants I like or buy a quarter yard of something I love. I rearrange my stashes a lot. Get get bigger boxes. group them, sort them. must be getting olDER.

I need a friend like that.

I don't feel guilty. I just think of all the money I am saving if because I don't drink alcohol or soda pop and I don't smoke or gamble. And I'm always willing to share when my friends are searching for a fabric. I just let them shop in my closet because I know they will allow me the same when I am in need of something.

I live in AL and my friend lives in IL. She asked me to pray for her to stay out of fabric stores. We visited in IL a few weeks later and I went to Hobby Lobby - guess who I ran into in the fabric department :-)

I have purchased only fabrics for my two stepdaughter's quilts in the last year. I have enough stash I've been able to do all else I wanted to do. I started to begin a new project not too long ago and had to literally put it down and tell myself I will NOT begin somtehing new until all my UFO's are done - EXCEPT now I'll HAVE to go shopping for that new baby on the way!! ;)

i know how you feel when you think you just have to go and get your fabric fix!!! you know what i do ? i jump in the car and go to the fabric store and get my fix!!! i figured i dont have any other bad habits to break so why break the only one i have

I've made myself a promise not to buy any more fabric until I have my UFOs pretty well caught up...especially the quilt I'm making for a nephew. I have the FQ's ironed and ready to cut, but haven't picked up my rotary cutter yet. Another reason why I'm not shopping for more fabric is because I own't be able to get around my cutting table very well for a few weeks as I'm having a total hip replacement done. (After I'm back to walking fairly well again, my SIL told me she'll take me for 'therapy'...like mall walking..and who knows what we'll find!)

Hi Chris, I soo understand what you are talking about, when I had so much money and nobody needed help at the time, I use to by lots of craft supplies, and not just one of the item, but three or four. When we lost our house in Oct, most of it went to good will because we did not have room in this small 4 plex we now live in. that is great you have a partner now, that will help you out a great deal, and after you make a couple quilts, reward yourself with the purchase of some fabric. Penny

I am with you.Penny :lol: :lol:

you are so funny, thank you for the laugh. It was much needed. Penny

I have not been buying fabric for a while, but the other day I succombed to shopping..... I feel so stressed out now though. I spent a fortune on braids, ribbons and haberdashery because it was on sale. I really feel so fed up with myself as I knew I would not have the time to do much with all I have bought. And on top of that I even spent a fortune on fabrics for quilts. The fabrics cost a fortune over here, but I just had to have them...

BUT I reasoned with myself that since my daughter is a Sunday school teacher, she may be able to use the ribbons etc...

I may as well come out and tell you all that I just put all the stuff in my sewing room and then locked it and I have not been in there for a day..... I know I should not have spent the money but I did... I don't know what came over me...

Sad part is that one of sayings is" Do you need it? or do you want it?" this time I thought I needed it...... :O(

What a sad story. I am quite ashamed of what I have just written.... but I shall just press "send" and voila all my troubles will be solved!!! :O)

Oh I have always wanted to weave!!! I bought a small kids loom and it still sits here ... It will make a 14 inch piece of whatever but sheese real looms??? where are your photos?

I think you took the first step to realize you don't need any more!

I am not buying fabric either unless it is needed for borders or binding.

Kyia

Maybe we need a topic for 'fabric anomynous' discussions :-) .... I broke down and bought some fabric online this week just because it was a supergood sale and I had a coupon :( .. I am sure it will sit for a long time waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. Sad is that I have a credit card bill to pay off - I think I will commit to not purchase anything unless it's needed to finish a quilt until that bill is paid ... does my confession help you feel not so alone in your fabric indulgence? I think since you've not purchased for a while, it's ok that you got out. Maybe next time limit your spending??

:mrgreen:

I have been working on this also. I decided that if I wanted to make something I had to look at home first. My problem is when I started quilting I just shopped and picked up materials. Now I either don't have enough or nothing matches. I really have tried to stop "just buying". I've decided now if I have a project in mind all material has to be bought at the same time. NO looking from shop to shop....you know what will happen. LOL

You and your senior center know how to take your 'addiction' and turn it to something much needed. Good for you!

I have lost some setting blocks for a Relay for Life quilt that I am making for the church. In my quest to find the missing blocks, I completely went through my quilt room. I could not believe how much fabric I really have! So....I have decided that I will only buy fabrics for borders, bindings and backings.

However, after reading some of these posts, I think maybe some pieced backs might help me bust my stash!

[quote=yolanda]Maybe we need a topic for 'fabric anomynous' discussions :-) .... I broke down and bought some fabric online s

Hi Yolanda, it feels so good to know that there is someone else out there feeling the same as I do.... I am really feeling bad. I just don't know what overcame over me. I am usually so good.
I just don't know how to express what I am really feeling about all the purchases.... but it will get better once I have a good sleep and I shall be raring to go tomorrow.... ciao

Ok, I have a solution for you all.

I am just starting out, and have NO stash at all. PM me and I'll give you my address. That way, I'll get a stash started, you you all won't feel guilting about buying more fabric! WIN - WIN....hehehe

Carol B

Ditto here too. I think it is always good to have accountability and it I hope it helps in your fabric buying.