Quiltingboard Forums - Using up my stash

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dunster (Post 5875816)

Instead of thinking that you won't have that piece anymore, think how special the new quilt will be with that piece in it. You aren't losing the fabric at all. You're just letting it live up to its potential.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunQuilts (Post 5875379)

I think I have a problem. I am planning a quilt (pineapple nine patch) - scrappy - in shades of red. And I have collected reds for years so I have lots. But each time I pull a piece for consideration, my first thought is that if I use that piece, then I won't have it anymore. So back in the stash it goes. Hard to make myself use up my stash - does anyone else do this?

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!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunQuilts (Post 5875876)

Dunster, I like the way you think - living up to its potential!

Ditto from me

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunster (Post 5875816)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by faykilgore (Post 5876129)

I can soooo relate to that! My huge under-the-bed box of cat prints is no longer "stash." Now, it's a collection. They make me happy to look at them, so it's all good.