Save a little square off the end, or a segment of the strip LOL

I have a collection of pastel batiks that I have been hoarding for a special project. Nothing in particular, just something special. I had a really hard time forcing myself to cut them for a quilt for my new grandson. If that isn't a special project I'm not sure what is. I have several fabrics I can't cut. My goal for this year is to make things out of my stash. I totally understand you problem.

You have to just get to a point where you have to use the stash because you cannot buy any more fabric. I reached that point about a year ago and seldom if ever buy fabric.

Oh thank goodness! I really thought there was something wrong with me. I have such a hard time using my stash. I mean that is what it is supposed to be for - TO USE. But I look at the great colors and wonder if I should save it for something else. I have pushed myself not to buy another piece of material until I put a dent in what I have. That may be tough as I have 27 large totes, 6 smaller totes of FQ, 3 totes of scraps, and quite a few (15+) of material on bolts!

Look at it this way...each time you see it in your quilt, you still have it....

Make a miniature! It doesn't take much fabric to make one. I am currently addicted to making doll quilts. I plan on showing some and selling some in my Guilds quilt show this fall.

I do it a lot!! I look at my fabric and think, no, I don't want to use that all up! It's a terrible disease!! I have my fabric on comic book boards and it just looks so pretty on the shelves! LOL

Wow - had no idea so many other folks share my problem. And it isn't even as if a particular piece of fabric is so beautiful/meaningful/unique, etc. I just hate using it up and leaving a hole in my stash - even though I know I will fill it up again very quickly. Quilters are a strange bunch -not that there is anything wrong with that, as someone once said. Glad I am in such good company.

Jan, this is what I did too. So my advice is if you like it, use it now so it doesn't go to waste later.

The last 4 quilts I've started have been all from my stash. Still doesn't seem to make a dent.

What a beautiful way to think of your fabric! I too have pieces that I just love that it's hard to imagine cutting into.

Boy I do this all the time. I could be on the show my strange addiction.

I had some of those thoughts this week--"Oh no, if I take it out of the box and use it, then I won't have it anymore!" Then I realized how silly that mentality was--of course I have it in order to use it! and probably more will find its way to the box to fill in the empty spots. :) So, no, you aren't alone!

In fact, I used up a lot of my collected valentine's fabric making a quilt top that I made last fall. This year, when I decorated for a Valentine's Banquet that we had, I didn't have much to put on the tables. I'll admit, that in the past, I just pulled out some of my yardage to put on the table, then washed it after the banquet and put it back in the box. :) Sigh. Now, I have only one large piece. But I do have one gorgeous Valentine's quilt top which I love.

May we see a picture of your Valentine's quilt top? Maybe that will help motivate me to start cutting!

Ditto from me

Yeap, that's the idea, just depends how you look at it - is the glass half empty or half full....??? :)

I did for a while, then I realized our stash seems to grow all by itself. When we use the strips they just multiply when we aren't looking. Kind of like rabbits!!

What's the saying "just do it". Years ago I found a darling pattern for a black and white calf well I had mor problems finding black prints back then so when I did i did not want to use them for fear of not having them. Look at today's prints black and white are everyday I wish I had made many more calf blocks they were darling I only made one. Just do it there will be plenty more to take their place.

Use your imagination and think of your cherished pieces of fabric as having lives and personalities. Would they be happier stuck forever in an unused stash out of sight, wasting away and bored? Or would they start getting excited when they realize they get to move into a beautiful quilt and placed where they can be part of the decor and gain admiration? Look at things from the fabrics' perspective, however weird that may be...:rolleyes: Find ways to use them and make them happy!

I collect frog fabric. I have a big box and I just can't get myself to use it, but like you it makes me happy to go thru the box and look at it.

Here's how I look at it when I get stuck on cutting up something. If I make a beautiful quilt out of it, I'll be able to see that wonderful piece of fabric every time the quilt it on my bed. How much more enjoyment is there than that!