1Nanoo

I created my "stash" back when I was working. I did not have time to quilt a lot then; so I just bought fabrics that I liked. Now I am retired and I have more fabric than I will be able to use during my life time, but I still see fabrics that I like. I wish I had not bought so much fabric before I really had time to use it. One of my daughters has gone into my studio and put together coordinating fabrics and tied them with a ribbon so if I want to make a quilt, all I have to do is look for the colors that I want to use and either pick out a pattern or make up one.

Reader1

So many interesting comments continue about stash. Making quilts is not a cheap hobby and there is always money involved. I am fortunate that I can afford this new hobby at this time. As I thought of the money end of quilting I thought about why I am starting this new hobby. I retired from being an elementary principal a few years ago, and spent the first 6 months sad and not myself. My family was wonderful, but I felt like I had no identity because my career and love of working with children was so important to me. I volunteer at a Children's Hospital now and that has brought great joy as well as leaving retirement and working again in an elementary school. I am about to retire again and knew I needed something I just enjoy doing and quilting has become such a joy to me. I think what I am trying say is that quilting adds joy, relaxation, brain activity, new friends, and so much more, including frustration, and that Yikes, how did I screw this up thoughts. The money spent is really not as important as what hobbies such as quilting bring to us and our physical and mental health.

scrappingfaye58

I am a very scrappy quilter. I have several generous friends who gift me their scraps (and sometimes, what they see as scraps are considerably large pieces).
When I first started quilting, I had a decent income, so anytime fabric was on sale, or "I " jumped out at me, I bought a yard (or 2 or 3) -- this is not a great idea! I am now finding that even though I have a modest stash (I have an 8 cubby bookcase that is filled, plus TONS of scraps) if I am hunting a particular shade of (blue perhaps) I cannot find it. What I have learned, is that each "season" the shades of colors change. (Consider the paint color of the year last year... everything was some shade of grey! How can there be that many shades of grey????)
When I store my stash, I do as others have mentioned. If it is a large piece, I leave it as is. When I am in a mood to cut, I cut the largest piece I can get out of the scrap. I use 10" squares, 6" , 5", 2.5" squares. I cut 1.5", 2.5" and 3" strips. The rest goes into a basket to do "mile a minute" patches.

I hope this helps! BTW... This is the place to ask questions, so !! This group is !!

SusieQOH

Reader- I'm glad you found a fun hobby. My sister has been lost since she retired. She can't find anything to do with her days, after working most of her adult life.
She has none of my interests. I tried to help her out but it didn't work. Hopefully she'll find something she enjoys.

nanac

I have a decent sized stash, most of it gifted to me. I love to look at the fabric; I have 2 walls of shelves so I can see every piece. I also have multiple small pieces, and shapes which I have leftover after cutting out for my quilts. I personally think they are too small to use - some are about 1 1/2 inch square, some are longer strips. I keep thinking I will make a crumb quilt, or a crazy quilt, but that hasn't happened yet; I keep getting distracted by another pattern that I want to make. I probably should just give up and throw them away, but I just can't bring myself to do that yet.
My whole point is that you should build a stash, only if you are comfortable with scrappy-type quilts. If you are only doing specific quilts, then buy for that one quilt, with a smidge over ( in case of mistakes), but it is very easy to become overwhelmed at how fast you stash can grow. If you like scrappy quilts and have the storage to put it, then go for it. If this is your choice, you can find good deals at estate sales, thrift shops. or no-longer-worn clothes from your closet. Family and friends will often be on the lookout for fabric, as well.
only you can know whether to build a stash, or to only buy fabric for a specific quilt. whichever you choose, happy quilting.

Tiggersmom

I am overwhelmed with stash!!! If I had to do it all again I think I would be smarter to buy just for a currant project. However I have enough stash and scraps to make 60+ more quilts, but I have given away lots of fabrics to new quilters or those who can't afford fabric. . . .which blesses me to no end!