Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Stash Question... >
  • Stash Question...

  • Stash Question...

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 11-02-2009, 02:00 AM
      #11  
    Senior Member
     
    adriansmom's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Location: Council Bluffs, IA
    Posts: 349
    Default

    My only advice to you is if you do buy a stash, buy at least 1yd cuts and make sure you also get some coordinating fabric. My mom is my best example. She is the kind of person that buys any fabric that catches her fancy. It just calls to her. needless to say she has a huge amount of fabric. her problem was that when she wanted to use it, she never seemed to have a coordinating fabric to use in her project. Of course that meant a trip to the quilt shop (she didn't mind that) but it could get expensive in the long run and if you don't have a lot of rooom, storage becomes an issue. I myself usually only buy what I need when I need it, but that is because I have no room. I have been known to buy just for the heck of it though! I hope that helps. I am sure you will get some great advice on here.
    adriansmom is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 03:17 AM
      #12  
    Super Member
     
    eparys's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2008
    Location: New England, USA
    Posts: 2,969
    Default

    I have only been working on a stash for a couple of years. I have a mix of yardage and FQs. Here is what I have done and so far is working for me.

    Neutrals and Holidays fabric - I purchase 1-3 yards of stuff I like or that I think I would use such as white on white. beige, soft tonals and prints that "call" my name.

    I also have bought some FQs - but did that when the local shop had their FQ frenzy. I now have a small stash. I am using my FQs for applique right now but even at that I have had to go out and purchase specific fabric for items on the most recent project.

    Another way to get a neat assortment is to participate in a FQ exchange. When I do this, I purchase yardage and cut my own FQs - then I hold on to at least 1/2 to 1 yard of something that I might use as a background, staple or focus fabric and send off the rest.

    eparys is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 05:38 AM
      #13  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2007
    Location: Alturas, CA
    Posts: 9,393
    Default

    I always buy yardage, very occasionally a fat quarter, no jelly rolls, layer cakes, etc., for me.LOL
    pocoellie is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 05:43 AM
      #14  
    Power Poster
     
    BellaBoo's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Front row
    Posts: 14,646
    Default

    I buy lots of fat quarters and layer cakes for focus fabric. When I find a fabric that will be a great background fabric I buy at least 3 yards. For backing I buy at least 7 yards.
    BellaBoo is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 05:49 AM
      #15  
    Super Member
     
    thismomquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: here! :)
    Posts: 1,485
    Default

    I agree with just about all the comments here so far. Be very, very careful - it CAN be addicitive. It is rare that I leave a quilt store without purchasing something - even though I have gotten MUCH better - three times recently - no purchase!! :). Fat quarters are nice to have as fillers. 1 - 1 1/2 yards should be the minimum when the fabric just HAS to be purchased - there will be those times. I have had so much fabric donated to me and purchased that I was able to make four quilts without purchasing an inch of fabric - and I could probably do that again two more times at least - may be a bit sad... Now that I am not working I plan on asking for gift certificates for quilt stores/JoAnn's for any and all occassions. Why not? It will keep me from spending other times and still have a nice gift.
    thismomquilts is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 06:00 AM
      #16  
    Super Member
     
    omak's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Location: Central Washington State
    Posts: 5,997
    Default

    Let me try this again <g>
    I have a huge stash, some of it has been donated, some has been given from estate leftovers ... and most of it has come from my "checking out" what was new in the Local Quilt Store ...
    One of my friends says that when she goes out of town, as in shop hops, she buys the sales fabrics that are in the neutral range.
    Personally, the background fabric is the last thing I have ever thought of, consequently, my "stash" (which is more like a second fabric store - - I am NOT bragging - - I am admitting to be out of control!)
    my stash lacks two things - - neutrals and solids!
    Perhaps if I had had that one tip ... buy a coordinating fabric ... my stash would be more useful.
    On the other hand <g> my scrap quilts most definitely reflect my frenetic buying habits ...
    I want you to enjoy quilting, and buying fabrics is part of the fun ... gets the creative joices flowing, but you are wise to have a plan as you start or you will have lots of fabric and STILL have need for more, as others have mentioned.
    The idea of joining swaps of either fabric or block swaps or any of the many swaps on this site will further grow your stash ... simply because the swaps give you a target to buy toward.
    And, don't forget that you have a quilting personality ... there are just some blocks or styles to which are you drawn ... there may be a holiday or celebration you participate in (mine is Fourth of July and Christmas) ... with those criteria in mind, you would purchase toward that color way.
    omak is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 06:10 AM
      #17  
    Senior Member
     
    MNQuilter's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2009
    Location: Minnesota
    Posts: 688
    Default

    I am like you in that I only buy fabric for a specific project at this point. I am really not good at calculating how much fabric I will need so I end up buying a lot more than I probably need and voila! stash! I think if I lived further from shops, I might be more likely to buy just because I like it but there are like 3 LQS, a Joanns, 2 Walmarts and a fabric outlet all within 10 miles of me. If one doesn't have something, one of the others will.
    MNQuilter is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 07:21 AM
      #18  
    Super Member
     
    Scissor Queen's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2009
    Location: Southwest Kansas
    Posts: 4,820
    Default

    Originally Posted by bearisgray
    I would recommend only buying what you need when you need it.

    In the long run, you will probably save yourself a LOT of money - even if you pay "full price" for whatever you want at the time.
    Actually I think you're a lot more likely to save money buying for stash. If you buy just for your current project what you need isn't likely to be on sale. If you're buying stash you can buy sale fabrics.

    It's a lot like buying a wardrobe, you want to get things that go with the things you already have. If you find a great floral on sale then look for the blenders and zingers on sale the next time you're shopping. Pretty soon you have enough fabric to make nearly any quilt from mostly sale fabric.

    Scissor Queen is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 07:25 AM
      #19  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Luv2Kreate's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Location: League City, Texas (Houston Area)
    Posts: 137
    Default

    Thanks for the replies. I think they are all great answers. I will take them all into consideration :) I don't plan on creating a HUGE over the top stash, but there are time I see fabrics that I just LOVE and don't buy at the time (thinking I will come back when I have a project to do with them) only to come back and find that the fabric is gone...Those are the fabrics I would like to buy for my stash. I think the answers here have given me a pretty good idea how to do it...THANKS!
    Luv2Kreate is offline  
    Old 11-02-2009, 07:48 AM
      #20  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,643
    Default

    Some fabrics seem to have very limited runs - Alexander Henry and Michael Miller are two lines that come to mind.

    If you see one of them that you really love, by all means get it while it's available.

    You may or may not ever see it anywhere again.

    The suggestion to get a coordinating fabric with the one that's bewitching you is an excellent one.

    Fabrics "on sale" are my downfall. Full price LQS fabrics - I have LOTS of self control with them.

    bearisgray is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    QuiltE
    Main
    19
    05-16-2024 12:46 PM
    SimpleCook29
    Main
    52
    05-17-2011 10:27 PM
    Colbaltjars62
    Links and Resources
    0
    08-30-2010 06:26 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter