Wow...even the beginning steps are "hard!"
 

...and I haven't even started sewing yet!

What I'm referring to is taking this gorgeous fabric fresh-off-the-bolt and tossing it in the washing machine and dryer...it's KILLING ME!

I am imagining myself hovering over the fabric later with the rotary cutter, and not being able to make that first cut for fear of completely ruining it.

This is ridiculous.

How come I never had this issue when I was making my own clothing in my 20s? Is it because I'm older and I over think everything that I never used to? Am I a perfectionist? (sorta...to a point) I dunno, but it's still ridiculous.

loll I know what you mean. close your eyes and just do it. good luck!

You need the book, "Just Can't Cut It".

I know exactly what you mean. Then while I am piecing the quilt I worry about how I am going to quilt this it is so big and what will I use for the backing. Then you need to label and put binding on. Then I don't want to use it cause it might get ruined or dirty.

Remember it's just fabric and replaceable and quilting is suppose to be fun.

To funny, I can so relate !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teeler...I dub you the Erma Bombeck of quilting. LOL!

For the longest time I would only freely cut into my "scraps" while the good fabric stayed folded on the shelf...waiting for that special project that was worthy of cutting it up! After a while I realized...years had gone by and I never made any quilts out of the "good" fabric. The majority of the quilts that hang around my house and are on display are from scraps! I eventually stopped seeing fabric for it's cost or design but now it's color and it's color value, and it's totally changed the way I approach ANY of my fabric. :)

That's the way to do it. And they make pretty scraps ;-)

I bought 77 yds. at Hancock's last week. They had 80% off Christmas fabric and lots of other fabric, as well. Today I finally took it out of the bags and folded it neatly and put it on my shelves. I think I'll wait a bit to start washing that pile!