2013 Fabric Moratorium
 

Here are the general guidelines:
* Pull fabric from your stash. No fabric purchases to start a new quilt top from Jan 1 until November 1
What you can buy (fabric wise) is this:
* Yardage for backing, border or binding, to tie together fabric from your stash to start a new project or complete a UFO
* Special Request fabric, eg: for little Susie's wedding quilt who's favorite color is puce, which for some reason you don't have in your stash...

As the year progresses, post your updates here. We can support and encourage each other, post tips on how you use your stash, and any planned new projects where you shopped your stash!

As stated these are guidelines, there are no Moratorium police! Just start using all that gorgeous fabric in your stash, after all, that's what you bought it for!

As I said before, I'm in! Currently using up fabric that was put together by a friend who died December 2011. She willed me her stash and I found a collection of fabrics put together along with a prototype block (Hunter's Star). There weren't big enough pieces to make a full Hunter's Star quilt so I'm adapting......

Because of this inherited fabric - I really need to stick to this moratorium. She was a fabric hoarder - worked in a quilt shop and brought home all the scraps and left over pieces that she could. So I'm going to be a prolific scrap quilter this year. Wish me luck!

Ok, I'll start. I actually ordered fabric last night:p in anticipation of the "cut off" . My plan for January is to fold and organize my stash because you can't use it if you don't know you have it! I started this morning and have already found some lost treasures. Lots of Christmas fabric, I think I'll make a few small Christmas runners while I'm still in the spirit.

I'm doing the Scrappy train ride - sewing together fabrics that have no business being together. Problem is, I'm not making a dent in my charms purchased online when I first started quilting. Shall we say I learned my lesson. My other project is a baby quilt. Of 8 or so fabrics, I only purchased a 1/4 yard piece and a 1/2 yard piece - no baby prints here. The others are from my stash. Woohoo!

I did order some great priced blenders from Marshall Dry Goods last week. My first order from them - I hope I like the quality.

ok, I'm in - i have enought to a few years

I'm in, haven't purchased any fabric other than backing for the last 5 years. I enjoy the challenge of coming up with quilts using my stash.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...870-385239.jpg

http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...870-385238.jpg

Oh My, LadyDelux, can I shop in your stash????? Also, can you come over and sort my stash so neatly??? I just got 17 yards of mostly blenders delivered from Hancocks.com, after swearing I was NOT going to buy more fabric!! I just can't pass up a good sale!! I am REALLY going to try and have marked the calendar with the date I last bought fabric (does the date I ordered on line count or the date I received it??) so I can see how long I last. I am on such a tight budget, I really can't afford more until I sell more purses, and/or have another stash sale here! Lets just say, I'm in!!

Ok gonna do this too! So far have done 5 quilt tops for Quilts for Valor using my stash...backings are scrappy but using up even more fab.

After finishing this last top...will make quilts for Quilts for Kidsl Those go really fast cuz they are smaller. Unfortunately have a 10.00 gift cd for JAs...think I'll just buy thread when it goes on sale again. Have batting...wait better check before I buy thread.!

I am in my stash looks very much like yours ladydeluxe just not as organized :thumbup: I am doing Judy's mini stashbuster and no need to go anywhere but the sewing room to make this one will be working from my stash this year!

Oh, Ladydeluxe - I would sit all day and just look at the beautiful stash - but never get anything done! I would be afraid of messing it up!

I have spent the majority of the day cleaning and re-organizing my sewing room. I had put it all in order in July when I started my fabric diet. I have not been very good about putting things away when I am done with them and not putting fabrics back on the shelves when I am done auditioning them for use. I am sorting out fabrics that will go to Goodwill and some for a PIF here on the board. I have done well since July of not impulse buying fabrics and I really want to continue this practice. I am dedicated to getting some projects started and finished this year. I am going to knock things off my bucket list. I have too many different quilt blocks and techniques that I want to try. I've decided that I don't have to make a quilt or even a wallhanging. I am going to play with making one of each of the blocks or techniques that I want to try and that will help me decide if I will even enjoy making a complete project using those blocks or techniques. I just want this to be a year of finishing things. I hate to have things just hanging out, waiting to be finished. I am determined that this is the year that I will be making a quilt for myself. I have the fabrics and the pattern; have had them for almost 2 years. I think it is my turn!!!

I'm in too. I have a 1930's repro quilt top that is all ready. I have the batting and just received in the mail last week the backing fabric.

Plus I am in the process of cutting up all the left over Civil War repro fabrics from my Dear Jane Quilt. I found a "Bear Paw" quilt in a recent publication that will be perfect. I plan to hand stitch that whole thing so I can be working on it in my living room while I watch my 4yr. old Grandson.

Those are two projects from my stash to start me off for the new year!!

I have a quilt ready to sandwich and hand quilt..hopefully it will keep my mind off shopping! Of course packing my stash for a move is making me realize how much fabric I DO have,.even for backs! THe hard part will be when I am settled in the new house, with a room for my sewing and only half a mile from Hancocks!!
Are there 12 steps for this?

PS- spent most of the day cutting and sorting scraps for scrappy quilts...more with no cost involved!

I'm in!!

I did *stumble* today. My LQS was having a sale. I went there specifically for a minky backing for a baby quilt and 3 specific solids that I need to complete a project. I got the minky, they only had one of the solids so I'll just order all three online (which was my original source). But while I was waiting in the LOOOOOONG line to have my ONE piece of fabric cut, I saw so many other scrumptious fabrics being cut!! After they were cut, I simply asked "pass me that bolt please". Hee hee ... all the other ladies were walking around carrying 10-15 bolts of fabrics (most with husbands trailing behind - you couldn't see their faces bolts were stacked so high), but I just sauntered up to the cutting table and people brought the stuff right to me! hee hee ... shop the cutting table!!

But honest ... I didn't mean to stumble, and I didn't buy a lot. And I knew I was going to join the moratorium AFTER the LQS sale. It was special ... my LQS doesn't have sales very often, not on fabric.

Planned for this year ... from stash ... a sampler quilt made in part from my boomerang blocks (this will be a quilt that I FINALLY get to KEEP!!), finish the 30" challenge project I'm working on (the one I needed solids for), after that ... who knows but I've got enough stash to shop from to try just about anything!! Oh ... almost forgot ... finish my Omigosh!!

The other big thing on my list is to ORGANIZE my stash. I want to empty the closet in the spare bedroom, build shelves inside for my stash on the boards, and move my whole sewing room into that room. My sewing room will then become the spare bedroom.

1) Just say no.
2) Say h-e-double-hockey-sticks NO
3) Reroute all of your driving routes so you don't pass a fabric store
4) Go play with your stash
5) Sort/cut your scraps
6) Make a scrappy quilt from your scraps
7) Say no again and go eat a pint of ice cream
8) Say NO louder and grab a bottle of wine
9) Make a spreadsheet of all your stash
10) Say NO really loud and grab a bottle of vodka
11) Shay no and por shom Bim Jeam
12) It's December .... GO SHOPPING!

Love it, but where's the chocolate. Don't take away my fabric purchasing and chocolate at the time.

This is sooo funny! I Love #11
I spent part of the day starting to organize my stash. I am embarrased to say that I found a couple of bags of fabric that I had never opened, and I also found 3 separate 1 yard cuts of the same fabric, obviously purchased on different days. I wonder what I'll find tomorrow...

LOL! You loved that fabric enough to buy it three times... must be really neat :)

I spent part of yesterday and today sorting scraps someone had given me, pressing them, and cutting in squares and strips. Hubby asked me earlier this morning to spend some time with him. He missed just sitting with me..... :-) Well, I never expected that comment and when I said that I'd be happy to spend time with him.... He said he would immediately stop what he was doing and join me!!! This new year is off to a great start. :-)

It's not just fabric that I should not buy impulsively, it's books, too. I took photos of the books on the shelves in the living room that I decided to keep. I think I should have the photos printed and put up on my resolve board......

Piecefully yours,
Kay

I'm in. I have most of my scraps sorted and cut along with the pattern that I will be using for each quilt. I make lots of scrap quilts but I have lots of fabrics that I have bought when on sale to make a quilt from my wish list. So far I've got two done and six more planned.

I am in, I have too many projects started that I need to finish. Plus way too much scrap fabric in different bins that I need to go through and get organized.

I haven't bought fabric like I have in the past. My last purchase was the beginning of December. I am a batik fan and there is a batik only store close to me and I have been avoiding it. I will spend way too much money in there.

I am all in. no purchases unless fabric is needed to complete a project.

Love this idea - I think I'm going to attempt it - have lots of things to catch up on and this is a great challenge - at least make it halfway through!:o

I'm in. I was in last year too and stuck pretty much to the rules. Did buy one jelly roll and a couple of charm packs but no yardage at all. Made a bunch of quilt tops and now I need to get busy with getting some finished. I still have plenty of fabric to choose from.

Well, I'm in :)

I had already planned on a decluttering of my sewing room starting this week. Just this morning, I pulled out all my batting and Pellon fusibles, including all the scraps of batting that I save for small stitcheries and wall hangings. I have had it stored in 2 different places, but now, it's covering my dining room table for organizing and perhaps eliminating (gasp!) some.

I'm in :)

I have enough fabrics with pattern (kits) stored and will be pulling them out and listing them in my project notebook These are projects not yet started.

I'm in :)

I have on and near my sewing machine tables - 4 different project in various stages.

I don't have to reorganize my fabrics - most of them are already in marked see thru small plastic boxes by yardage.

Thank you, Paperprincess for posting this !!

I'M IN !! Jennie
OH - I'm from Michigan - Rochester Hills - north of Detroit - where do you live? This yankee is stuck in Florida :/ I know, I know - who wouldn't like Florida? This yankee misses the change of seasons !!

ladydeluxe I need you to come to my place. You have always wanted to visit Nova Scotia right:) This is my year to finish some of the things I have started and some of the kits I have. I am not buying more fabric well it I keep saying that it will come true right. I have a hard time passing up fabric.

Think I will start with a black and white quilt for my daughter for xmas should not have to buy anything except backing.

Count me in! I have reached " critical mass" in terms of storage, although my 93 year old MIL said I could start putting it under her bed!LOL! My family thinks they should take photos of the stuff,organize it in files; they have no idea..

I've been bitten by the scrappy bug. Last month I pieced two tops from my big stash and a good quilting friend sent me some fabric and patterns to play with, knowing what my colors choices and intentions were . At first I was overwhelmed by trying to narrow down my fabric choices. Once done, was on my way and I had a great time with both tops. Only thing I had to purchase was wide muslin for the backs and some wide boarder fabric. Another friend knew I had made a scrappy quilt and bought me the latest McCalls Scrappy Magazine for Christmas. There must be at l east four quilts I'd like to make from that. I put in my last fabric order to CT a couple of days ago and I'm going to stand strong against buying something just to add to the stash. Count me in.

I have been thinking about this and deciding if I could really commit to it. That might be really hard. I love fabric! After looking at what I have, and considering the consequences of this challenge, and knowing that this is for the next 10 months, with thoughts about how much fabric I go through, and knowing that new stuff is going to come out, and looking at the batting and backings I have...

I am in! I should only need to purchase thread and possibly an embroidery pattern or two.

I may need to come back here for support when tempted... I don't even need to go scrappy and finishing is so freaking cool. Then when my stash is reduced I can go shopping! ha! love it!!

I'm in. Just unsubscribed to my fabric shop emails. I organized all but flannel ydage & should be good except for the backings. I also made a list of projects already on the shelves that need to be worked on--that should hold me til Dec 1st. If not I have 5 ufo's to finish! :)

I passed through both my LQSs today. At the first one, I bought the half yard of Moda Marbles Swirls I need for sashing on a wallhanging. Sadly, full price. At the second one, I bought just enough of a bright clearance fabric for the back of my baby quilt. At $4 and $5 a yard, the others were tempting, but I did well buying what I went in for.:D

Now, that's an idea! I need to unsubscribe to all the on-line shops that tempt me with sales!! I have somewhat managed to stay away from JoAnns for the past couple months (at least, not buying fabric), but Annie's, Hancocks, and Connecting Threads are a problem!!!!! I wonder if I can hit that "unsubscribe" button!!

LadyDelux;
What a great stash! Can you come help me organize mine, I am sure it would look like that if it wasn't falling apart in the sewing room.

This yankee headed south about 24 years ago, and never looked back!! I love Florida!! We have seasons here too....summer, love bug season, summer, pre-season baseball season, summer, and so on....I will be happy if I never see snow again!!

Well, Here is another Michigander who not only needs to use her stash, but loves to rediscover the abundance of fabric already under her roof. I am working on a Farmer's Wife quilt with my guild and went wandering through my stash about six weeks ago and I know that I have plenty of fabric to complete the project. So, henceforth this year of 2013 I shall search the depths of my stash and keep the 50 and 60% off coupons for batting and thread!

Thanks for the thread and sew on quilting friends!

Well, this is an easy one for me. I lost everything in Hurricane Sandy (including the house). I tried pulling some out of the muck to wash, but it just didn't work ... BUT ... my friends on QB and the Quiltsy Group at Etsy have been so kind and generous that my little apartment is bursting at the seams.

Just wanted to wave Hi to Jill-I lived in El Cajon for almost 20 years. I peeked at your totes, all very nice. I too have been on a self imposed no buy/use what you have program. I biggest down fall is that Joann's flyer you get in the mail every week. Lately i don't even look, its hard but I just toss them instead of letting them sit around. I found if they were sitting around before the week was up I convinced myself I needed to go shop.
I should have taken a before pic of the pile I made for 8 baby quilts in Oct. I am now proud to say I am down to 1 and going to start that one today.
Good luck Everyone.

Krystyna, I am so very sorry you had to endure that awful hurricane. As I watched in horror people losing everything they owned my heart ached. I am happy to hear of members being so generous, that's just what us quilters do. Please, please pm I have a question for you, if you wouldn't mind.

Great advise on the unsubscribe from the on line stores-most of the time I can refrain due to the shipping.But Oh please I can't even open the e-mails from Missouri Quilt Co. or Connecting Threads or I am in big trouble-lol My motto w/ the on line stuff is " if you don't see u won't think u need it"

Hmmmmmmmmmm....would really be interested in this except we are in the process of redoing my bedroom, my son's room , the living room and kitchen and none of my fabric stash fits the bill.....maybe next year?