mighty

I really agree, what ever works for you is the best!!! There are truly no rules!!!!

ziegamomma

As for the "she who dies with the most fabric wins" idea....well, she's already won. I was at the Houston show several years ago and one booth had a quilt shop literally full of material ALL of it from one estate. It was hard to believe that all that material came from one house, and it was yardage, not pieces.
No, you don't have to have a stash, but the slot is open for the next stasher.

Skratchie

It's a matter of personal choice, I think. I have a fairly modest stash, but I use things there frequently. Most of the time, I buy fabrics I see that I love - things that would be the focal point of a quilt, but that I don't have a specific use or reason for at the time. I learned a long time ago that for me, at least, it's best to buy those fabrics that grab your attention when you find them, because when you decide you want it in the future, it is unlikely to still be available. My mother, on the other hand, buys fabric for each project, but nothing for a "stash" per se.

Neither way is wrong. It's all a matter of what works for your specific situation, financial constraint, or creative process.

Wardy74

It is all about personal preference. I am lucky to have about five tubs of fabric and a large bag of scraps that I am in the process of cutting into squares , strips etc. I have however put myself on a fabric buying ban. I have enough fabric to keep me going for a good few years. On monday I cut up a huge box of jeans to make two good size denim quilts. I have a big pile of shirts that I have cut apart and they need cutting into squares , strips etc. I have started making kits up for the quilts I want to make from my stash. It is more satisfying than going to the shop to buy more fabric.

omaluvs2quilt

I know everyone is different, and I don't have a ridiculous amount of stash, but I am beginning to be overwhelmed by it. I found that in the last 4 years of quilting, my tastes have changed and I no longer care for some of the ones I really liked before. On the other hand, I have a couple of lines that I still REALLY love and I'm so glad I snapped them up while I could. I have been trying to use up what I have so that I have a little less to think about.

Sierra

Personally, I think it is nuts to think you have to buy fabric and have a stash. Most of us have left over fabrics, particularly those who make their own designs. I suppose if you only use patterns you can buy EXACTLY what you need, but that has drawbacks also. I have two plastic drawer sets with smaller fabric pieces sorted by color and I use them all the time for accents or medium or small design elements (no way would I cut them into squares... I need them in too many shapes)! My one cupboard 8'x4'x20" is a little more than half full of yards of fabric. Sometimes I buy fabric that is sooo beautiful and know I'll find a use for it. Often I buy more than enough for a single quilt so that I can use the fabric pieces in another quilt also. I do a lot of applique and that uses up a lot of my stash. I never have gone out and bought fabric just so I can have a stash. Stash happens; if you have to shop for it you are going to end up with too much and the wrong colors.

If you are new to quilting, don't buy to have it on hand; buy because the fabric calls to you, reminds you of your brother or grandchild, or..... because you absolutely love it. A quilting friend gave me some panels of a fabric which is the most beautiful that I've ever seen. I immediately used it and then realized it would also be perfect for another friend who is a part of our extended family, so I bought several yards before it became hard to get.

Having rows and rows of shelves with fabrics is something I couldn't handle. I've only been quilting for 10 years and there are some fabrics that I bought for kiddie quilts (I have 13 grandchildren) and other fabrics that I don't really like anymore, and have very little use for now and find myself doing church drive quilts for children and older people. Tastes evolve. Stash happens. Don't work at it, let it evolve and try to keep some control over your buying impulses.

sewnut

I don'thave a stash either, just small pieces. I also have a limited bugjet and only buy what I need. but some day hope to start building maybe a tiny stash.

Annaquilts

I am with this one.
Right now I have the space for stash and I have some. I buy a lot from other quilters selling off scraps or stash. It is the only way I can afford to quilt right now so I am grateful for the stash.
If it cramps your house, makes you unhappy or you do not have the money for it then it is not the right thing. Else enjoy!

cricket_iscute

I do have a big stash and sometimes stash management can become a problem. About eight years ago, I stopped buying fabric "on speculation", buying fabric only to finish a quilt. However, I got forced into an early retirement three years ago and my husband lost his job this week. Even buying thread is hard now. I would not be able to quilt if I did not already have that stash. The way I figure it, I probably have at least another twenty years to sew and by then, the stash should be all used up.

I do quilt a lot; I have finished four charity adult size quilts in the past week or so, and have two more that probably will be finished this week. Then I make my own quilts! My first pattern is all ready to go.

lots2do

I'm sorry to hear about your DH, cricket. It must be very scary for you both.