dunster

I would join - should join - but I have a trip planned to M&L Fabrics in January, just before going to ROAD2CA. I'm going with a friend who has never been to M&L. I'll try to find joy in putting fabrics in her cart instead of mine, but we all know how successful that will be. Maybe I'll see you all in February.

ElaineCovid

I've been informally trying to do this for the past year or two. This year I am getting more serious, after having to help clear out stash for two other quilters who had to give up their stash - such a heartbreak...
I'm getting better of "that's nice, I like it, but I don't need it" passing by on things, whether by keeping my wallet or my carry bag closed.
I've been getting better at shopping my stash when starting a project.

What I really need help with is clearing out those scraps of 2 1/2" squares, strips/small pieces of fabric.

I'm not overly fond of the totally scrappy look but lack the extensive stash of scraps to do a more colour coordinated scrappy quilt or throw (that's a good thing, right????)

I also have a large, long list of projects I want to do vs having started, and I think I'm going to make a list of those projects and start working on them, maybe incorporating my stash???

I'll be following this thread for sure!

WMUTeach

Of course I am IN, again. The "shop from your stash first" plan works. I've been at this since pre-COVID and my stash is significantly smaller. Remember that this group does not forbid shopping! I forget this from time to time. It does encourage us to not shop just because we like the fabric or might use it "someday". Stash first, always stash first.

I am to the point that I will need to shop backing regularly because I have very few larger cuts of fabric. Just as encouragement I chose to gift some dear quilting friends with charm packs for Christmas this year. And I am in the process of making a donation quilt for a hospice site with two other charm packs and scraps from my stash. It is an easy way to see my stash of unused treasured put to use rather than gathering dust in the cupboard.

Hint that works for me. I track my fabric in/fabric out. in a small notebook month by month. I am motivated by numbers so for me it works. Each year I shoot to reach a goal of 100 yards out. I count finished quilts, donated quilts, gifts of fabric, donations to other quilters or just anything that gets fabric out of my hands and into the hands of someone who will use it. I haven't totaled my fabric out yet for this year, but I am close to the 100 yard mark. Yay,that makes two years in a row.

Hint for decluttering a sewing space. I start with the floor. It makes the room look so much better when I can walk in and not stumble on unfinished projects or planned projects or patterns or my overflowing UFO basket and on and on.

See you all in this thread and others to check progress and share the joy of reducing our abundance.

QuiltMom2

Count me in! I do not need any more fabric but when I sew with fabric I like that I've used before. it feels" new" to me. Happy New year and good luck on the moratorium.

Lena1952

I’m in as well. I just retired from working at a quilt shop for 16 years so it will be easier for me now. I did buy about 20 yards of fabric before I left to use as backings. I make lots of Comfort quilts to be donated and some for me to keep. I like scrappy quilts and have quite the stash available to keep me busy making tops.

MWB53

My goal this year along with not adding fabric--I have an "up north" stash and "winter" stash (how did this happen!)is to use as many of my 2.5 inch squares and strips as possible and not just keep adding to them. Thank you for everyone's inspiration and understanding when I fall off the wagon.

WMUTeach

Take a look at the 2023 and 2024 birthday swap postings. So many ideas for ways to use those little treasures. The 2025 gruop is just getting started and already has a couple of ideas posted.

AUQuilter

I'm in for 2025. I haven't participated in years but I have kept track of fabric going out. Not much coming in but it will be limited to finishes, if needed. I happen to love scrappy quilts, controlled and total random. So I am looking forward to this challenge.

mizkyp

I'm in, but after tomorrow. I need to get backing for 2 quilts and local quilt shop is having a 30% off sale. Hopefully I'll only buy what I need. I can't make any promises.

Gemm

Happy New Year, one and all! I'm delighted to have so many people joining us on this journey. I look forward to hearing lots of stories, both successes and slip-ups! They happen!

I was away from QB browsing for a couple of days and in my catch-up reading had the following thoughts:

Of course this is fine, Dunster! Do tell us about your shopping spree - we all love a good browse and/or spend at a fabric store, and I'm sure we will enjoy hearing about your time at M&L as well as your plans to incorporate any new purchases into stash-using projects. :-).

I'm very much looking forward to seeing some of your stash-busting projects, WMU. I have a question for you with regards to your tracking system. How do you measure the fabric you've used in quilts? Do you just work with a rounded number based on the size of the finished quilt or do you factor in all of the seam allowances as well? I know you work a lot with candies and those seam allowances can add up...

Here's to a great stash-busting 2025!