Stash Question
 

I love reading the Quilting Board as a new quilter and I always seem to have dozens of questions...sorry. I keep reading about quilters stash, some of which is quite extensive. I have competed 2 quilts since June and have the blocks finished for the third. (Binding Tool Quilt). I do have small amounts of left over fabric from each quilt and I am looking at the best ways to store the fabric. But...I am asking for advice of how to prevent myself from becoming overwhelmed with "stash". So far I have only purchased fabric for the project that I am going to start. Thanks!!!

Anything as large as FQ I keep in plastic flats. See through ones are the best for me. Yardage I keep in 18 gallon tubs. I label what’s in it on an index card. I separate by theme such as civil war, floarals. Separate tub for batiks. I label what color yardage it is. I have a special tubs for donated quilts to be made. I’ve used this system about three years. Has worked for me. Flats and tubs sit on shelves.

The best thing is to designate a specific amount of space and stay within that. Whether it is a single box or an entire basement! There is nothing at all wrong with collecting textiles. I love and covet fabric of all sorts. Other people let the stores "store" it for them. But you quickly find out that if you find a piece of fabric you fall in love with and don't get it, that even if you go back the next day the likelihood is it will all be gone and you will never find it again...

So ask yourself first what/why do you wish to keep your scraps? I have a scrappy style and that is fine for me, but if you don't want to do projects like that why accumulate bits you won't ever really use?? Many of us have a thrifty nature and it bugs us to throw things away, but you can also give them away or even sell them if you must.

When I first started, I threw my scraps into a hamper but that didn't work well for me. It was a horrible mess, everything needed to be ironed all the time, you had to dump the whole thing out and dig through it to find anything. I prefer to use boxes now which are sorted either by color groups or types. So I have boxes for blue, red, brown, etc. as well as "farm", batik, "travel". And in the last couple of years I decided that while yes, I needed a lot of different fabrics for my style of work, I didn't need a lot of yardage or a lot of different sizes of small pieces to take care of, so now I don't keep anything smaller than a 6.5" strip, and I've given away all my smaller pieces. I can always cut a 2" square from a 6.5" strip if I need to and I don't need to deal with the remainders.

As a piece of yardage gets smaller than a fat quarter, a strip is cut off, put in the box, and any usable rest (or if it is too small) goes to a crumb quilter I met here on the boards. I keep a box by my cutting area and send it to her when it is full.

The short form is that you decide how much space you wish to devote to stash, and how big of pieces you wish to keep in that stash. Keep that in mind for when you see fabric that you wish to buy. I rarely buy anything larger than a 3 yard piece, mostly 1/2 yard cuts. I have a friend who rarely buys anything smaller than a 6 yard piece and will happily buy a bolt (typically 8-14 yards) if she loves it.

I'm one of those who only buys for projects. I don't have room for a stash. That said, when I do purchase, I always buy a bit extra. Usually 1/4 to 1/2 yard extra. Gives me comfort if I make a cutting mistake. After my quilt is completely done, I will usually keep some larger pieces of the leftovers but sometimes not. I do like to have a bit of fabric on hand in case I see some cute little project that I want to do in the interim. I'm not a 'scrappy' quilter. I tend to be very traditional in my quilting style. Whatever I do keep I just have in drawers in a dresser in my sewing room. I've become friends with another QB person who is local to me who does much charity sewing. The fabrics I don't want to keep I give to her. Works for both of us.

I've been quilting for a while and have managed to accumulate a lot of stash, but for me, dealing with those smaller pieces leftover has been the biggest challenge!

For larger pieces, I use the folding method described in this video, though I use the 8 1/2" ruler.

Smaller pieces get cut into my "scrap system," more or less based on the Bonnie Hunter method.

I progress through a scrap piece using these sizes:

"Nickles" (5" squares).
4 1/2" strips (I use these for scrappy backs)
2 1/2" strips
2" strips
1 1/2" strips

Uneven ones or smaller pieces go into my string collection.

I love scrappy quilts and have tons of sized piece of fabric from fat quarters up to 1-2 yard pieces. I tend to buy a little extra when buying for a specific project (just in case!), not to mention grabbing whatever catches my eye! It does make it easy to "shop the stash" for certain projects, but yeah, it can get out of hand very easily!

I have an extensive stash of fabric that is over 3000 yards right now.At one time it was twice this size. Several things happened along my quilting career that caused my stash to expand in giant leaps. At first because I was not following any pattern I would guess just how much fabric I thought I was going to need. It seemed I always had more than I needed. Then I would see a fabric on sale that I thought would look good in a quilt one or two ahead of what I was already working on and would buy that. It stayed pretty level until a JAF near me was closing shop as well as a Hancock Fabric. When I was able to get fabrics at 80-90% off I was getting everything in sight and coordinating one quilt on top of another until I was a good 20-30 quilts ahead of my current quilt. Oh my I realized I was becoming a quiltaholic. When we moved into my new home here in Waterford DH built me in the best sewing studio ever with a big cabinet just for my stash. Of course I wanted to fill it but I was still doing well and had empty shelves and only about 1/4 was filled. Then the big day came where I was let in on a llittle secret. A woman had passed away and she literally hoarded fabrics. She had 2 large bedrooms floor to ceiling and rows of shelves and built ins full of fabric. Her daughter sold it to me at $10 a large black garbage bag. I spent $200 on some of the most beautiful fabrics ever. Some was still in coordinating 5 pieces pieces and in the bag from the LQS! By the time I got it all washed and pressed and put away my once lightly filled cabinet was almost full. I try to work from my stash most of the time but found that I would still buy new fabrics on sale a great deal. Then I stopped going to the LQS and JAF unless I needed something important. Now I purchase online and I only do that if I can't find what I need in my stash.
I seperate fabrics by yardage. 1,2,and 3 yard pieces and coordinate by colors and lay in the cupboard as flat folds.
I have a second upper cabinet that is 1/2yd and fq's. I then have 3 seperate bins for scraps.
Last fall I ran into an exceptional sale at JAF that blew me out of the moratorium for a bit when I bought fabrics for 1 penny a yard. I bought 140 yds of fabric for $1.40! Now I have fabrics stacked under a workbench and in boxes. There is also fabric under beds and in cedar chest. I do donate fabrics to charity groups from time to time. My stash will out live me 3x's I'm afraid but I do know it will go to good use in a quilt someday. Friends and family make frequent stash raids and it brings a smile to my face.

The best way to prevent this from happening to you is by doing what you are currently doing. Buy only what you need for a quilt always being sure you buy just a bit more than a pattern calls for just in case of a mistake. Save your scraps for scrappy quilts and don't get started buying extra fabrics. I have put a lot of $$ into my stash over the last 30+ years and have no regrets and I have never put fabric before family or bills even though I know I am a fabricaholic.

I think there are 2 types of quilters. It all depends on how your brain works! One buys fabric for a specific project/pattern. You buy what the pattern says you need. The other one buys fabric they like, often without a pattern/idea in mind. I’ve been quilting for 15 yrs and very seldom use patterns. I start with basic idea and go from there. It allows great creativity in the process which I love! For some, that is stressful. So I have a large stash (some purchased but mostly a relatives huge stash). I seldom buy fabric unless I have a very specific need. I bought bookcases that are less that 12” wide and project boards (Dollar Store). Cut them into 6 pieces (10x10) and wrap my fabric around them. I can now audition fabrics without removing from shelves. I also cut the squares into 5” squares and use for smaller pieces of fabric. I found containers which fit shelves perfecting at IKEA. I gift a crumb quilter with my bits and pieces.
You’re a new quilter. Start stash building slowly. Your fabric choices with change significantly as your skills grow. There is so much to learn about threads, needles, batting etc. Do what comes naturally to you. There are many ways to be a happy quilter! Good luck in your journey!

I have a stash but I'm not fond of scraps as a rule. Everyone is different and I think as you go along you'll find the right balance for you.
I have quite a bit of yardage for backings and some 1-3 yard pieces but the majority of my stash these days is comprised of precuts. I love them!!! So much fun to work with.
I tend to get sick of fabrics over time so I've learned that it's important for me to use what I love when I love it, not in the future when it loses the appeal it had when I bought it.
I almost never buy fabric with a project in mind. As I said- everyone is different.

Sounds to me that you are doing the correct thing to not accumulate a "stash" by buying only for what you intend to make. But do save your scraps from those projects to turn into lovely scrap quilts at a later date.

Last year we had wardrobes fitted in my sewing room (spare bedroom) and I use a single one with shelves for my sewing resources.

Because I don’t have a lot of space I try to just buy what I need for a project. I often buy pre-cuts rather than yardage so there is often something left.

I have storage boxes that fit the wardrobe shelves and have fat quarters in one. When I finish a project I cut what is left into 5 inch squares as I seem to use these the most. These go into another box. I have another box for long strips 2.5 inches wide for scrappy binding.

I know someone, somewhere, might use the bits I don’t want but as I don’t know that person or of any groups or guilds in my area I ‘donate’ them to the bin!

I agree. (and if you don't like leftovers or scraps, share them with others who do.)
My biggest quilting regret is the enormous stash i have.
All the money i spent on fabric - a lot of which i don't even like anymore - would have been better spent fixing up the house, saving for old age or emergencies, etc etc etc.

i still do some impulse buying, but try hard to shop my stash first then only buy what i need for the next specific project.

I accumulated a large stash as well... I don't even want to think about how many times I have moved it with me. A lot of it I don't like either. But all of the quilts I make now are for donation. So someone else will like those fabrics. :)

I do not have a stash, I only buy fabric when I'm starting a new quilt. I have a small list of quilts I want to make. When I'm nearly finished with one I start to look for coupons and sales and buy the fabric I need. I also buy 1/4 to 1/2 yard extra for mistakes. I have purchased some fabrics that I just really liked for tote bags, purses, wallets, zipper bags, etc. I do not keep scraps, I don't like scrappy quilts, just not my thing. I keep a few scraps of my current project to test sew after I clean the bobbin area and change the needle.

If you don't want to build a stash, don't shop sales! I started out doing well, but then the LQS had an "end of bolt" sale where if you bought what was left on the bolt, it was half price.

And then I'd be traveling, and visit shops and places like MSQC and Marshall's Dry Goods - and end up buying for stock just because the prices and select was so much better than I could get locally.

And then I went totally over the edge - one of the two fabric shops in my home town went out of business - at 75% off, I really went to town! I'll admit that I love my stash, even after just moving it to a new home. But that process made me motivated to use up as much as I can before I retire in 9 years and have to move it again!

I have a moderate sized stash, probably between 500 and 600 yards of fabric that is fat quarter sized or larger plus about 200 yards of processed scraps. I consider anything smaller than a 10” square or strip to be a scrap and “process them by cutting into sizes that I typically use. I do a lot of improvisational piecing and like scrappy quilts, so this works for me. I also save strings for string quilting, selvages for selvage projects, crumbs for crumb quilting and pieces too small to sew the traditional way that I use to make new fabric and scarves. I don’t toss any fabric, no matter how small. I manage the size of my stash and scraps by designating specific containers for them and when the containers are getting too full I have to make them into something before starting anything new. My stash and the way I manage it has evolved through time and will probably change again as my quilting journey continues.

what I do at this moment works for me since I enjoy the challenge of working with bit and pieces. I also shop my stash first for all my projects.

Rob

When I started on my quilting journey, I was only buying fabric for the quilt I was working on. As things changed in my life, and the budget was not as tight, I was able to impulse buy on occasion when I saw I fabric I just couldn't live without. I've also had an opportunity once to buy a whole storage unit of quilting items including totes and totes of fabric. After that my stash grew tremendously. I also go to the state quilt show and have been to New Hampshire to a few of the larger shows where there is worldly shopping available and fabric that is not available near me that I have added to the stash.

So the point of my reply is when I started quilting it was for projects only, then things changed in my life to allow me to shop and travel for quilting fabric for the "just in case" quilts. I do however limit my stash to my current storage area in my studio. I use the clear sweater size bins so I can see whats in them, and sort it by theme, ie: batiks, solids, farm, flannel, ect.... I discipline myself and do not allow my fabric storage space to grow beyond my current area, and so far that works for me.

Reading through these post I can relate that we all have a thrifty side to us, and I was saving my small scraps to use into a scrappy type quilts, which I have made several of, but I have recently realized that I prefer not to make scrappy quilts. I still save the scraps, organize them, and cut them into squares or 2.5 inch strips, and save them until I have a gallon zip lock bag pretty full and donate it to the local thrift shop, I know someone will come along and appreciate them.

I'm sure you will find the right balance and what works for you.

I keep scraps in a big container and when it's full I give it to someone that wants it. I may use out of it off and on but never embraced the scrap using much. You can get overwhelmed with scraps over time. I know some that feel guilty not saving scraps and keep bins full of them to look at I guess. You can always make scraps. No need to keep every one.

You are doing well to shop for one project and use it immediately. Your scraps will breed and grow effortlessly. (My theory is that those little colored dots on the selvages are a fabric’s reproductive organs.)

I use clear plastic shoeboxes with lids from the dollar store. Put cute labels on them, sort by color, and try to set scraps in there neatly while they’re still ironed. .

LOL Zozee- that made my day. I'm going to steal that one and the next time someone asks me why I have so much fabric I’m going to pull out my box of selvedges and show them how many reproductive organs there are on a yard of fabric
:D

Rob:sew:

These responses have all been very interesting, from those who have large stashes to those who do not. I really appreciate the comments on organization. For me, a self and family and friends diagnosed OCD person, I will probably always limit stash. I have Christmas fabric from the quilt I made and I will use that for table runners and pot holder gifts. I also have a friend who loves scrappy quilts and I will make sure she gets mine. Now, if tomorrow I just put the computer down and square the blocks for the quilt I am ready to put together. I have watched you tubes, tutorials, and read so I understand what to do. But...Yikes! It is scary. I think it is the worst part even though I think most of the blocks are "close".

I used to have a large fabric stash. Then we had a house fire. Thankfully no one was hurt. All my sewing/crafty stuff had to be thrown into a dumpster. 😩. This time when collecting fabric, etc. I’m going to try to be more fussy about what I buy and try not to go overboard. Same goes for patterns, rulers and notions. Until I run into a good sale.lol. Boy I sure miss my old stuff.

Having a stash is one of the many truly enjoyable parts of quilting. You never really know when you are going to need the small leftover piece of a batik or the extra bit of a backing. As long as you can find it later and have space to store it, I don't think you will be overwhelmed.

Dande413, I’m so sorry about the fire! Take care!

I have a stash but not a large one. I realized when trying to do the Fabric Moratorium either last year or the year before that I had enough. In order to keep my stash under control, I have given myself permission to get rid of scraps at Guild. If I purchase fabric and make the quilt, it has served it's purpose, move it along.

I agree, it is a great feeling when you are happily working on a quilt, find that one of the fabrics you planned to use doesn't work and you can go to your shelves, find a substitute and keep working.

I am not currently dealing with my scraps. They are stuffed into plastic grocery bags and tucked in various corners of the sewing and bedrooms. I am telling myself I will sort through them someday and end my days making scrap quilts. The practical problem for now is that I don't have any space to set up an organized scrap system.

When I bought my sewing machine it came with the woman's stash. 3 garbage bags ....she didn't sew but worked for a LQS where they were encouraged to bring home the end of bolt. Some of it is lovely - but its all 15" wide.

As a new quilter I encourage your journey and it should be YOUR journey. Figure out your style. Dont invest more than you can afford in cash or space.

I don't groove on little scraps but plenty of people do. After only 2 quilts you are still figuring yourself out. You won't know the answer to the stash question for a few more quilts.

I attended a "Gathering of Quilters" event in my area on Saturday and the speaker brought up an interesting idea that had not occured to me. Have not calculated it myself but do regret my stash. I don't have a huge one and have not calculated the total yardage (not sure I want to LOL).
But her talk was on our Stash. She had a friend (who was skilled in this kind of thing) calculate how much her stash (broken down into yards) was worth today versus when she bought it. Taking into account the major price increases over the past years. And if she had invested the money instead of spending it on fabric, how much would she have in the bank?
But it is an intriguing thought when you think of the hundreds or thousands of dollars we have "invested" in not only fabric but all the accompanying "tools and notions" as well.
I had never thought of it that way, I have been blessed and spend without worrying what I could have done with that money instead. I had a good time with every quilting adventure or shopping trip and while I am now trying to use it up before I pass on, all money spent on my "hobby" was mine to spend, and I had enough to save for my future as well.
Murphy

My general practice regarding stash is to buy what I like - colors and patterns that I am drawn too. I steer clear of "other peoples fabric" as it is almost never what I would choose. I don't have the space for fabric that is not my taste, and it ends up just sitting there. Free or estate sale/yard sale fabric for me is not even tempting. I do, however, haunt a few thrift stores for good quality sheets. Those are often my favorite backing fabrics.
I have a good friend who sews at my house a lot, and her taste is very different from mine. You can look at the color stacks on my shelves and know exactly what I bought or what she bought. She uses mine all the time - I rarely use hers.

And if she had invested the money instead of spending it on fabric, how much would she have in the bank?


This applies to most anything you spend money on. Especially kids. LOL

I created my "stash" back when I was working. I did not have time to quilt a lot then; so I just bought fabrics that I liked. Now I am retired and I have more fabric than I will be able to use during my life time, but I still see fabrics that I like. I wish I had not bought so much fabric before I really had time to use it. One of my daughters has gone into my studio and put together coordinating fabrics and tied them with a ribbon so if I want to make a quilt, all I have to do is look for the colors that I want to use and either pick out a pattern or make up one.

So many interesting comments continue about stash. Making quilts is not a cheap hobby and there is always money involved. I am fortunate that I can afford this new hobby at this time. As I thought of the money end of quilting I thought about why I am starting this new hobby. I retired from being an elementary principal a few years ago, and spent the first 6 months sad and not myself. My family was wonderful, but I felt like I had no identity because my career and love of working with children was so important to me. I volunteer at a Children's Hospital now and that has brought great joy as well as leaving retirement and working again in an elementary school. I am about to retire again and knew I needed something I just enjoy doing and quilting has become such a joy to me. I think what I am trying say is that quilting adds joy, relaxation, brain activity, new friends, and so much more, including frustration, and that Yikes, how did I screw this up thoughts. The money spent is really not as important as what hobbies such as quilting bring to us and our physical and mental health.

I am a very scrappy quilter. I have several generous friends who gift me their scraps (and sometimes, what they see as scraps are considerably large pieces).
When I first started quilting, I had a decent income, so anytime fabric was on sale, or "I " jumped out at me, I bought a yard (or 2 or 3) -- this is not a great idea! I am now finding that even though I have a modest stash (I have an 8 cubby bookcase that is filled, plus TONS of scraps) if I am hunting a particular shade of (blue perhaps) I cannot find it. What I have learned, is that each "season" the shades of colors change. (Consider the paint color of the year last year... everything was some shade of grey! How can there be that many shades of grey????)
When I store my stash, I do as others have mentioned. If it is a large piece, I leave it as is. When I am in a mood to cut, I cut the largest piece I can get out of the scrap. I use 10" squares, 6" , 5", 2.5" squares. I cut 1.5", 2.5" and 3" strips. The rest goes into a basket to do "mile a minute" patches.

I hope this helps! BTW... This is the place to ask questions, so !! This group is !!

Reader- I'm glad you found a fun hobby. My sister has been lost since she retired. She can't find anything to do with her days, after working most of her adult life.
She has none of my interests. I tried to help her out but it didn't work. Hopefully she'll find something she enjoys.

I have a decent sized stash, most of it gifted to me. I love to look at the fabric; I have 2 walls of shelves so I can see every piece. I also have multiple small pieces, and shapes which I have leftover after cutting out for my quilts. I personally think they are too small to use - some are about 1 1/2 inch square, some are longer strips. I keep thinking I will make a crumb quilt, or a crazy quilt, but that hasn't happened yet; I keep getting distracted by another pattern that I want to make. I probably should just give up and throw them away, but I just can't bring myself to do that yet.
My whole point is that you should build a stash, only if you are comfortable with scrappy-type quilts. If you are only doing specific quilts, then buy for that one quilt, with a smidge over ( in case of mistakes), but it is very easy to become overwhelmed at how fast you stash can grow. If you like scrappy quilts and have the storage to put it, then go for it. If this is your choice, you can find good deals at estate sales, thrift shops. or no-longer-worn clothes from your closet. Family and friends will often be on the lookout for fabric, as well.
only you can know whether to build a stash, or to only buy fabric for a specific quilt. whichever you choose, happy quilting.

I am overwhelmed with stash!!! If I had to do it all again I think I would be smarter to buy just for a currant project. However I have enough stash and scraps to make 60+ more quilts, but I have given away lots of fabrics to new quilters or those who can't afford fabric. . . .which blesses me to no end!