Does anyone not keep a big fabric stash?
 

I'm new to quilting and hoping to use it mainly as a weekly relaxation session, rather than a super time consuming hobby. I'm planning on working mainly with squares and borders and buying as little fabric as possible. I will have some scraps to save and I like the idea of tupperware boxes organized by color with leftover fabric. On the other hand I love really scrappy quilts so it would be nice to have that level of variety someday.

How unrealistic am I being?

I don't have a stash. I buy what I need to make a quilt and have very little leftover. I save some scraps, but do not have tons. If I want a more scrappy look, I buy lots of small pieces of fabric. It works for me.

i admire people who can stick to getting just what they need when they need it. :thumbup:

as my own stash grew, i was proud of my collection.
now i'm just overwhelmed by all of it.
i am determined to downsize what i have and to buy new only when i absolutely need it for a specific project.

whether it's small or huge, they key is to control the stash - and to not let the stash control you.
do what feels right for you.

I no longer have a stash. I just sold 3 boxes of fabric and donated 2 bags. I found myself overwhelmed and still didn't have what I needed. I had bought a lot of fabric from yard sales and thrift stores. I only kept fabric that I felt I would use. I agree with PatriceJ, control is the key. Don't be in a hurry to build a stash (my mistake).

I purge often. I dont buy for "stash".

Sandy

Another 'non-stasher' here. I buy for projects only with a bit extra for those cutting/sewing mistakes that are bound to happen. Those leftovers are the only stash I have. I'm also not into scrappy. But there are times when I want to try a new technique or check a new block measurement, so having a variety will help with those situations. And then there is the repair factor. Had made a quilt for my niece and their dog ate a hole through the quilt. Good thing I still had those left overs and was able to fix that problem.

Do what works for you. I also simply don't have room to store a bunch of fabric.

I don't have a stash for many reasons. I just buy what I need for a project. I really don't have the room nor the extra money for a stash. Someday things might be different and then I might be tempted.

I don't have much of a stash. I've always been more of a project buyer. I've bought plenty of fabric because it caught my eye, but try to use it. On the other hand, my scraps, after sewing/quilting all of my adult life, were becoming out of control. I recently finished a queen sized scrap quilt & pieced the back from scraps as well. I have a bunch of scrap blocks that I work on from time to time to tame my scraps that will be put together someday QAYG.

I think you are very realistic. That's how I started, buying just a little bit of different fabrics so I could learn how to quilt. I first pieced and quilted placemats, pot holder than.....


Our decisions change with times and I found out about connecting thread and I bought some fabrics from them, than I bought some yardage while on a trip in the U.S (I am from Canada)
For the last 2 to 3 years, I have not bought any fabrics and I am working only from what I have (not much) and having fun (most of the time) trying to make scrappy quilts and I enjoy it very much. I am a part time quilter and I have many other hobbies.
so
You are really realistic in my own opinion. do whatever you enjoy and have fun doing it.


if you want the rest of the story here is the beginning of my adventure in quilting....
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ol-t98259.html

I'm a stasher.........between what I already owned and what I inherited from a dear friend who passed away from a brain tumor, my sewing room looks like a quilt shop. I like the challenge of working from the stash and haven't bought fabric in many months - except for when those two LQs closed and I just couldn't miss paying less than cost for fabric. My room is organized (although not excessively) and it's my happy place. A large part of that is the feeling that I'm still playing with my friend by playing with her fabrics.