Stash Mystery
 

So I organized my stash and found some fabric that I dont remember buying, cant figure out what I was going to do with it and I am so perplexed. Anyone else do this? Please say yes. Lol

All the time -- I have some 20 year old peces that just now I have found a use for -- and a lot that I put on the "free table" at our quilt group. A lot of it gets used in the charity quilts the group makes for shelters and homes

Oh absolutely, but that just means a trip to the LQS to get coordinates to go with it.....:D

A yes from me. I have gotten in the habit of either putting the pattern in the bag or box or writing the name of the pattern on a piece of paper and putting it in with the fabric. I even went so far as to making a sampler quilt blocks quilt and then couldn't remember what pattern I was using. Oh yes, I wasn't smart enough to print the pattern I was using. I just decided to put together what I had made & not worry about it.

Somewhere I saw a template for each quilt. At the bottom were some squares for stapling snippet samples of the fabrics used. Name of pattern, size attempted, where purchased from. I've got to keep better records of what I do and were I bought something. The older I get the harder it is to remember. Maybe a plastic protector to actually include the pattern.

I certainly have done that! Then I always wonder "what was I thinking"???!!!

If something is for a specific pattern, I fold the fabric(s) except the largest piece using the ruler-fold method, lay the pattern on top, then wrap the largest piece around the outside edges so they are together in bundle. I can still see the fabrics on the sides, so if I am desperate for a particular color, or want to know what that bundle is for, I can easily see it.

I had a pattern that I'd ripped from a magazine that was in CW's, which I love. It was shown using a striped fabric for the sashing, with a note that a similar stripe really made the pattern look more complex than it is. At some point on a shopping trip with friends, I found what I thought - think - will be a good choice for that. I'm telling you, for years (which I would put in caps for emphasis, lol), I'd see the pattern and not be able to find the fabric. Or I'd have the fabric in my hand and wonder where in heck I'd put that pattern. This went back and forth. Within the last year, I've been able to put them together! Woot!! Not starting it, though, as I have to finish at least 3 large Bonnie Hunter quilts - most at finished block stage - and bind two others before I start anything. Really. ;)

Oh, yes! Big time! I have a very disorganize mess of fabric stuck in boxes, bins, totes, closets... piles on floor, etc. I am trying frantically to use it up... and, yes, I have taken the pledge on the Moratorium thread here not to buy anything more until I use it all! What you stated is an almost daily event for me!

that is why I don't plan quilts ahead. By the time I would get to them I'm sure I'd no longer be interested :) Or hate the fabrics!

I recently found twenty completed blocks. Oh yes. I have found a number of things I forgot I had.

Yes! Absolutely! I'm attracted to "shiny objects!" That's what I refer to my "I love this fabric I have to have it" syndrome. I used to buy tons of fabric, thinking I would find the perfect pattern. Now I can look through my stash and find pieces that I truly stare at and think where did that come from? I have no recollection of buying it. Only have a couple fabrics that fit the "what was I thinking" category.

I keep telling my husband I believe that someone sneaks into my sewing room late at night and adds mystery fabric to my large stash for me to find at a later date and in exchange takes patterns, rulers and other fabrics with them that I can't seem to find later when I need them. That's the only logical explanation for the "why would I buy that?!" fabric that I have. Right?? haha

Absolutely! I love finding a surprise. I often love it but if not it is donated. Over time I have expanded quilt styles I want to make. I used to make only 30’s but have now gotten into civil war as well. Needless to say, my fabric collection has grown considerably.

Yup...and my issue is by the time I get bk to that fabric or kits...I wonder why I bought it to begin with because my taste has totally changed. I went from loving traditional, so stacked up tons of those fabrics, then Civil War and went thru buying Reproduction fabrics, wool applique, yup expensive wool, Oh lets not forget Crazy Quilts and all diff types of textured fabrics...I'm now totally into Landscape art quilts and yes my stash has expanded yet again.
Now the only thing is I have tons of stash that no longer interest me, not to mention Books.. I sell allot on ebay including tops I did and totally lost interest in completing.
My friend has a great idea...don't buy unless you have a specific project in mind to do right then and there. Where was that advise 12yrs ago! But it's an addiction as we all find out.

Another yes!
I rarely buy fabric with a specific project in mind. I just buy what I love. It works out fine for me.

I go through my fabrics often enough to know what I have. I am slowly using most of them up. Some I use for backs others I work into a pattern. I donate most of my quilts.

I have the next 3 quilts planned out and each one put in it's own a Sterilite container with the pattern and thread. Left over scraps are cut into 1 1/2" strips for my "someday" super scrappy quilt that I also keep in Sterilite drawers. If I run across a fabric that makes me think "what the heck was I thinking?" I sell it on Facebook. Still, I have too much stuff!

About 60% of my stash fits this category.

All the time! I get the ideas as I’m buying the fabric, but if I don’t write it down or pair it up as soon as I get home, I’m doomed.