a stash is too big when you can't remember what fabrics you have or you can't see your entire stash laid out on shelves.

When you don't have an appropriate place to put it, then it is too much. I have reached that point myself!! Have made a commitment to use what I have til the Maine Quit show. Can't go to a show and come back empty handed lol.

Mamaw- What a great goal. I went to the Maine quilt show last summer for the first time - what a great show! And I did help out Maine's economy over the few days I was there!

I feel the too much feeling from time to time. Usually when I've not been able to do any sewing due to a busy life. I'm trying to cut back on buying and really trying to increase the using-up. I agree with the comment made about it feels like security to a certain point and I have some security yarn stashed away too.

Well, it's not fattening, or otherwise bad for your health. I have a friend who plays a lot of golf, I spend less a week on fabric than she spends on a round but we're both happy with our expenditures, so who cares...

I am using my stash as much as possible and completing WIP's/UFO's. I don't want to expand outside of my sewing room. I would feel overwhelmed. I want the public rooms of my house to stay easily cleanable without having to move fabric etc. When my kids were still home I had to have my sewing in the living room and it was hard to keep neat. I am not a super great housekeeper but to much chaos depresses me.

Your title when is a stash too big?????? My answer.........NEVER............

Is this bragging, or confessing? :wink:

Jan in VA

I have a very small stash, especially compared to some of the pics I see on the board. I buy for each project, and rarely buy something just because I like it. Or if I just can't resist, then I'll plan a quilt around it, and buy for that. For me, part of the joy of making a quilt is choosing the fabrics. If I had so many that it was a chore to go through them all, I think that would take the joy out of it.
I'm putting together a scrappy that I made from very small pieces that I have held on to for years. Some of them are leftovers from clothing I made years ago. I did it so I could get rid of all of these little pieces and not have to feel bad about throwing them out.
It's kind of scary to think about having as much fabric as your friend does.

This is a hard question to answer. It seems to depend on just where you are in your personal life and your quilt life. I gathered quite a lot of fabric last year at yard sales and thrift stores so decided that I would not buy this year unless necessary to finish an already started project or for backing. It wasn't that I thought I had too much fabric, but that I did have enough for now. So far I have only bought twice some white-on-white for background. But then it is only February. LOL!

My stash was growing too big when it started encroaching on my creativity.

I've stopped buying for now (except on an as needed basis, I've joined the fabric moratorium on this board) and find I'm much happier. It still feels too big, but as I keep making, I'm whittling away at it every so slowly.