I love this idea...lol
:thumbup:

When does stash become clutter, i get overwhelmed when I have the disorganization of stuff around me and it is paralyzing - I am trying to finish some things and have projects in boxes so I know where everything is- I would love to have an organizer come in but can't afford to do that - I admire people who actually get things done - I tend to impulse buy and then not get things finished and I really think we each need to do it our own way - It would be a dull world if we were all exactly alike.

I have a large stash. Probably enough to make up for at least one person who does not have a stash. Last night my friend said one of these days I would have to show her my stash. I wouldn't dare show her my stash because she is one that does not have more that she is working on at the present time and her scraps. She would probably think I was really a nut case. Sometimes I feel really guilty about my stash but other times I am grateful to have it. You never know when times will get really hard and you won't be able to buy fabric.

Eeeek! I have WAY too much stash but I love every scrap of it. Last week I went through all my bins in the garage and wrote a detailed inventory of the stuff. My bins (14 of them) are numbered so when I want something I just have to look on my inventory sheet(s) and locate it right away. Then I organized the stash in my sewing room to make it easier to see and get at.

I don't really have a stash either. What I get thru with or don't like I give to my friend who also quilts and also tell her if she can't use it take it to good will store where she works

if that is her diagnosis, then I must have the opposite condition- a severe case of "stash-obsessive/compulsive disorder" where the disease, the treatment and the cure all seem to be found in the same place: the fabric store!

also, I consider a "stash" to be much more than left-overs-it's my palette and inspiration. I have shelves of fabric arranged by color and print; not just scraps (though I have tubs of those that I use for linus and other projects)...

I can't imagine being that focused. Guess its what works for you. My stash is fairly organized but there's quite a bit. If I see something I like I buy at least a yard and more its a good sale!

When my friend and I started making charity quilts, I was thrilled to have a large stash to pull fabrics and make quilts. Now we have been gifted from friends with more fabric to keep going.Organized and in plastic on sheleves in our garage and ready to go. Plus my personal stash for me and this keeps quilting for pleasure. Each to their own!!

I also agree, to each his/her own. However, I also find it difficult to imagine quilting without having leftovers. It is also inconceivable to me to "throw" away scraps, as with everything else, the cost of fabric is going through the roof. I usually check the board for someone looking for leftover scraps and or blocks, and ask them to PM their address to me so I can add them to my list of people to mail out my extras. To me, I would much rather give things away to someone who I know will use it and appreciate it than to throw it away. So, for those of you that do Crumb and Scrap quilts, or are looking for blocks of any type, always put it on the board. I am always clearing....lol

I have a friend like that. She doesn't save her scraps either, she gives them to a lady who makes charity quilts. She is one of those people who has a place for everything and everything in its place (wish I was a little more like that). I have a small stash usually pieces I really liked with at least an idea which quilt or pattern I'd use it in. I've forced myself to do this for a few reasons; first, I have a very small house and my sewing area is in the loft and storage is an issue; second, the more stuff I have the more anxious I get about completing my projects. For me it is just better to not have too much stuff.

I think it's better to have a stash to some degree... my mom's got out of control there for a little bit. We're talking two, oversize rolling bins for EACH major color. I stopped buying fabric for quilts until I went to visit her and check out what she had :) It was usually better than the store! I have two bins currently -- one for cottons leftover from other quilts, and one for apparel fabrics that have some potential for doll clothes for my daughter. I don't like clutter, but I don't consider a stash clutter. It's great to have on hand...

I think for some people, not having a stash to use expands their creativity.

They are free to plan a project and not have a stash holding them back, because they can purchase just what they want for the project.

I personally do not thrive on making lots of identical blocks for a quilt. I work in a more scrappy fashion and I'm pushing myself to trust my design sense and work more intuitively.

I took a quilting class from a national award winner who said she had given away her entire stash.

I think for some it means leaving the old and the past behind and giving yourself the permission to start fresh with nothing stiffeling or limiting, well maybe just your budget.

I don't have a large stash. I usually buy when I have something in mind. I do however keep the scraps and will eventually make something from them. I do buy fabrics that I just can't resist but I usually only buy a yard. I just don't have the room to keep them. My sewing room/office is rather small and it is also a guest room. My family doesn't appreciate the mess when they stay.

Do you realize I have made over 20 quilt tops for Linus Connection just using "scraps" and Ihave only been quilting about 3 1/2 yrs and that is not the only thing that I do. I'd love to have her scraps!!! (lol)

I don't, I just buy for projects, I have enough material for 3 quilts, 2 wall hangings ,and 2 bags, all fits in one tub, but no stash, can't afford it. I think its more common than one might think

I don't have the stash I used to have. I simply don't have room for it, nor the desire to collect large amounts of fabrics just to sit on a shelf waiting for time and inspiration to make a great quilt. However, I am finding that I'm buying again and I must stop. I do have a large stash, but am trying to downsize. I say good for her and I'm sorry that she doesn't send the scraps our way!

I believe I would be more productive if I were more like this. I LOVE fabric so when it is on sale I cannot resist it, then I am never really sure what to do with it. I will be getting help in this area soon, tho. Wish me luck as I try to de-stash!!!

Personally, I wish I was as disciplined and tidy as this gal obviously is. My stash is growing, and threatening to take over my sewing room. :D

Er, I'm one of those quilters with virtually no stash. All I have fits into one dresser drawer. I just don't have the budget to buy fabric just cause I like it. I buy as I need.

I have "scraps" and I have several "started, but didn't work out -- I'll do something else with it someday" stash, but I don't have the wonderful extra bolts of fabric I've seen some people do have.

I think some people really know their "stuff" and collect wonderful fabrics for future use.

I try to keep a neat sewing room, and my "projects" are all stuffed in totes and drawers, lol!

The thought of that boggles my mind.

She can't be human - must besome kind of robot or something like that. Even if you buy just what you need for a project there is always some left over.

We're about to close on a house (Tuesday)it's a sad little house in desperate need of a lot of love and renovation. It's going to be taking up most of our money for a few years to come. I was lucky enough that when we started looking for a house I knew I wanted one with a sewing room and I had NO fabric. There are some projects/techniques that I'm dying to try and I went on the board and asked if anyone had some scraps they wanted to get rid of so I could get a large enough assortment of scraps to do a scrap project. Quite a few very generous people were kind enough to send me what they consider scraps, usually just for the price of the postage, some didn't even want that.
God Bless them, because now I have enough that I can sit down and not worry about where the fabric is going to come from and I can start up quilting again. I'm thrilled that I'll be able to work with a nice assortment of colors and designs that I would never be able to afford if I had to go out and purchase them. I'm sticking strictly to sale fabrics and yard sale purchases and buying boxes of scraps on here. I have to admit I'd rather have a batch of tiny pieces to play with than a huge single piece that would give no variety.

I have a stash and proud of it. I love to be able to, at whatever hour I can, go in there and pull fabric out and make something. My DH is the one who, when I showed him something I just made, asked about the fabric, I said that I had it in my stash, his reply was, "then it was free."
So, with my stash, I can make enough free projects to last a lifetime.
But, I still need more fabric. You never know when you are shopping and think you purchased the perfect fabric for something and low and behold when you get it home, you think, I really don't care for that, you go to the stash and find the just right fabric. Love it!

My hubby thinks I should "stash" tools. He is a mechanic and has more tools than he'll ever need, so he always thinks I need every little thing, lol! If I mention any kind of gadget, he's like "you should get it!"

I don't know if fabric counts, but he seems to think I should get a lot of that too, "just in case"

You can send me some scraps. I just started quilting and I thought the idea was to get a stash.

I have a sewing room/office too! It used to be an office, but now seems more like a sewing room, lol. The PC and office desk is still there, but the PC plays background music while I sew.

My stash is plentiful! I started collecting tee shirts when I traveled, the started collecting Christmas ornaments, and now I collect fabrics! This gives me a big variety. I also inherited SEVERAL yard of fabric from my aunt's stash when she died. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I enter a fabric shop.

When does one consider the material on hand a "stash"?

I can't say I have no stash. I have scraps of fabric left over from projects (less than a half yard at most) and a few larger pieces that I purcahsed and forgot what I had gotten them for. Everything I have quilting wise can fit into a laundray basket.

But really, I don't have a stash.

I don't have "material on hand" unless I buy it for a project.

I feel the same way!!

Angie

I'll take your scraps, gladly!!

I asked for "scraps" at last ASG group, since I was piecing a quilt that often had small pieces.

The thing is, they were stinky! So I put em in a lingerie bag and washed them on delicate cycle.

I think my point is, sometimes you can gain stash, but sometimes it stinks so bad you might not want it!

Not me, I have lots and lots.

I knew someone like that, she had hers in a shoe box. I kid you not!!! When she was finished she "threw away" the left overs because she didn't think she would have a use for it. Well, we quilt friends changed her mind right away after we sat there and got into an argument about who would receive her left overs. Got her to thinking, maybe there was some value in those leftovers after all. She now has a pretty good stash, but still doesn't buy extra large pieces for future use, like theme fabric or backings. Just shaking my head at this!!! Jan

:lol: :lol: :lol: You are so funny :lol: :lol: :lol:

I had a friend who threw out all her scraps from making clothes. "what can you do with them?" she asked. When I convinced her to give them to me, I made so many things for my children -- I just passed on a few things to my daughter for her daughter -- all made from "scraps." Hard to imagine isn't it!

I had a friend who threw out all her scraps from making clothes. "what can you do with them?" she asked. When I convinced her to give them to me, I made so many things for my children -- I just passed on a few things to my daughter for her daughter -- all made from "scraps." Hard to imagine isn't it!

a friend of mine quilts all the time and gives me her "scraps '' i love it , its like christmas every time she shares ,