I'm so proud of myself. I put together a Warm Wishes quilt from my stash and pieced the backing to get it done. FMQ on my domestic machine. Last stitch in the binding this afternoon.[ATTACH=CONFIG]478371[/ATTACH]

Oksewglad, that is so pretty! Very nice use of stash! I was in C-town yesterday visiting my parents(dad's 85th b'day - I gave him the quilt of barns that I made for him) and had to check out the quilt store after their move - it is very nice!

As you should be, what a lovely quilt! I really like the pattern, it always amazes me that two different blocks can make such an amazing pattern. Congrats.

Thanks Sherry and Emma--it's Thimbleberries fabric from the Sunwashed Prints that's almost 10 years old!

Happy Birthday to you dad, Sherry! Yes love her new location--she seems so tickled to be there, too.

Way to go laynak! The want and need runs pretty close sometimes. But your Birthday and a quilt retreat and a quilt expo? All at one time? Well I must say, you are with very understanding folks here. Have fun.

No purchases for me lately but in May, a good friend gave me two huge sacks of scraps plus several UFO's that she did not want to finish. Last week, at my local Guild meeting, the ladies (including myself) divided up the large stash from one of our members who passed away 18 months ago. Her husband felt he could finally clean out her sewing room and knew that her wishes were to share with the Guild. So amidst some tears and quavery voices, we each took turns at choosing fabrics and FQ's. Took us about 90 minutes to get is all shared but each of us probably came home with a large box (think apple box size) of fabric, magazines, tools and patterns. I have enough 'stuff' now that I think I can stay busy for years and not buy anything else. P.S. You all know that isn't going to happen!

Sandy: No demerits there. All of the fun without any of the guilt. Hope someday in the distant future I can make my fellow quilters stash happy.

Darn, I stuck with using my stash for a quilt that featured really cute cat fabric. But, my stash coordinating fabrics were limited and making up a pattern for the cat fabric was difficult. I made 'something' that's 24 x 56 and directional for the cat blocks. But, what is it? I'm disappointed the colors of coordinating fabrics overwhelm the feature fabric of cats.
It's a going away gift for a friend & no time to do something else. I'm not finished with the binding but when I am, I'll post a picture. Perhaps someone can give me an idea for it's potential use.
Anyone else been a bit disappointed with a quilt outcome from 'applied stash'?

That Warm Wishes quilt sure is pretty. I've been working with the stash I got in Livermore a few months ago. Used up most of each FQ in the pack. All the blocks are done and most of them are prepped for rows (doing it in blocks of 3 as it is getting rather large). Then I used all the little strips last night and sewed them together. Now I am going to make a strip-pieced quilt from those left-overs.

Thanks Martina :-). Can't wait to see your "stash" quilt.

YES! I am reorganizing my sewing room and am wondering what I will do with the fabrics I bought. Some were purchased while on trips and others just because I liked them. The "scrap" and "stash" quilts I see here on QB seem to really go together, and I'm wondering how to do that with all my wacky combinations. Ah well, inspiration will strike one day. Maybe.

Lay: Yes, I almost always go through periods, working on a quilt, that I feel like I made some serious design mistakes. Making a project for a specific person always makes it worse, which is why I prefer to make the project then find someone to gift it to. I am very sure your gift will be loved.

coopah, I know what you mean as for a while I bought fabric because I liked it. Sometimes it's just a FQ, maybe a yard and then sometimes a 2-3 yard chunk--especially if it was on sale. Maybe you need to find a unifying color to those odds and ends. Use that color to "hold" the differing fabrics together. Take note of patterns you like to utilize your fabrics.

And if there are some fabrics that just don't play well with others. Use them to make purses or piece together with neutrals for backings.

Coopah: Don't know if this will help, but when I organized my sewing room with my fabrics in color groups displayed on book shelves it became a lot easier to visualize possible quilts. I piece both the back and the front now so I am not as concerned about the "perfect" quilt. I find that the choices come without so much wringing of hands and I am having a lot more fun. Only problem is, this process has really increased the number of my UFOs.

Thanks for the input, Oksewglad and Emma S. The idea of colors working together instead of pattern is good. Emma, I'm just putting things in clear bins...this will be my third day, and I didn't think I had much stash! ACK! One day I'll get them on shelves, but right now there's only time for bins. MSQC has the "Falling Charms" pattern that might work well with all the disparity of patterns. Three UFOs still to finish, so don't need more. What is it that gives you more UFOs, Emma? The pretty fabrics being more visible or do you not like the finishing? If you don't mind me asking. I'm a quilt top maker...not so much the sandwiching & quilting part, but bindings are okay.

Oh the Falling Charms pattern would be great for all those fabrics! The Warm Wishes pattern would work well too using charms for the 6 inch squares. For the 82 x 93 size you need a yard of each of the "framing" fabrics and 1 1/4 yd for the center strip.

Here's the PDF

http://www.quiltmaker.com/content_do...DoubleSize.pdf

Warm Wishes looks good...I seem to have a lot of 1 yard lengths. Thanks, Oksewglad! Another option is always good. off to check out the rest of the Board, then hope to finish the sewing room today. What a lot of stuff!

Coopah: More UFOs? It's because I can sit at the computer, where I see so many beautiful quilts, and look at my stash. You would be amazed at how many quilts I have started by thinking, "Wonder what that block would look like in these fabrics and colors or I would really like to try that technique." I am not complaining by any means, just saying that for me, it is a pitfall.

I'm doing excellent at not buying fabric. I did finish buying a BOM this year but that's it. Not a single other fabric, book or gadget purchase!!

Way to go Scissors Queen!

Oh, Emma, I totally get what you're saying. I have a stash of fabrics and patterns. Never will get it all done in my lifetime. But it's all organized now, so that will help.
ScissorQueen...you are something else to not have bought "stuff" this year. You have stamina!

Good going, ladies. Since I fell off the wagon so fiercely, I am actually working on some stash. Not quite ready for pics yet, but the 11 rows of 9 are already sewn. Now I have to press and sew the rows together. I have the backing in my stash AND I picked out the quilting pattern too. This one stands a chance of getting FINISHED! yeah

There were small strips of all the main fabrics left over, so I sub-cut them into varying width and sewed them together into a long piece. (2) 57" x 10" When I have time I am going to cut that length into narrower strips and alternate those with a solid for a strip quilt. Have been jonesing to make one of those for a while since I took the class on craftsy.

Congratulations Sissors Queen.

I too have been good at no fabric purchase. I did pick up three of the cutest panels at the Minnesota quilt show, but one was a gift for a friend and the others are to keep in my stash for the SP swap.

Now we need a patter Moratorium because I bought plenty of those at the quilt show.

ok off the wagon. I gave up trying. I buy fabric to make me happy.... I don't shop for anything else but food and necessities. It is my downfall :) in a good way. I always gift all my items usually its the only gift I have. but it is home made, with love for people I love. Maybe a moritoruim works but not for me :( I have get this a three foot long bookshelf with three shelves. that is all the fabric I own. the top shelf is just small pieces. so maybe just maybe I am not doing too horrible? I hope so. last year I was very good at not shopping maybe 8 yrds? but this year I need backing and I need top stuff and argh not enough for the projects I need to complete. so.. love seeing the ufo's done love seeing others use their supplies not letting them grow old.. but me? I cant do it. simple pleasures for a simple girl.

What a perfect weekend....broke all rules with LQS shopping, quilt expo shopping, and on to a wonderful quilt retreat for 3 days in the mountains at a beautiful home, great teacher for 8 students, incredible food, and lots of fun being off-the-wall creative. I'm so glad I bought extra fabric because I USED it! I would've been short with what I 'thought' I'd need if I hadn't added to my supplies. Of course, my machine auto-threader quit and the rotary blade that was supposed to be 'new' was even older than the one I took off, but I managed with a little help from my friends. Nothing like poor eyesight and a top thread that kept needing to be re-threaded. But, I sure hope to make this an annual retreat! Perfect weather too!

Laynak: Sounds like heaven! I did not do well this weekend, can be summed up in two words, "Garage Sales". Saw this coming, sales have always been my biggest downfall.

As far as I can tell your purchases fit within the guidelines of the thread. You really didn't fall off the wagon at all. You are simply accounting for the additions you NEEDED. And I can tell that you really really needed them.

I am reading all Post from Beginning to end so I can play catch up. I love that I am not the only person who has OCD when organizing. All of mine are in color in there own designated space. So excited to see what you come up with.

I really love the challenge of not buying and using what we already have and finishing projects that have been around a while.

Here is one of my favorites only took me about 3 years but she is finally done. The other one was a work in process for about a year now and I have to admit I loved how it turned out and the recipients will love them too.[ATTACH=CONFIG]479791[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]479790[/ATTACH]

Oh Yes and from here on out I will try to swear to not buy any "unneccesary Fabric" So help me or else! And will promise to finish ones I have started and only use what I have. These are some tuff words to live by.

Brave words spoken like a true fabricoholic. lol I wish you well with your good intention and should you fall off the wagon, just come here and we will help.

What a great idea!! My DH will be in heaven. :)

I thought I was doing really well about not buying sewing related things - - -

and then I went through some of my receipts - :eek:

I joined a group that makes totes/bags and backpacks for kids - and then I just HAD to get thread and interfacing and velcro and cord locks and . . . .

She's still alive!
 

For those who have wondered, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. The last few months have been pretty rough physically though. The only 2 things I've sewn since I was here last are 2 sets of flannel pillowcases and a matching travel mousepad for a friend. I still have projects everywhere in my sewing room, including a swap I must finish for Mom-6, who probably thinks I've completely abandoned her by now.

After 6 months of Humira, they've changed me to Enbrel. I won't bore you with the details. It's helping the arthritis, but I am having injection site reactions they say aren't "normal" and I'm hoping we can work it out so I can stay on it. I have an Enbrel partners nurse contacting me regularly and reporting the reactions to the manufacturer.

Now I just have to get motivated again! I won't be joining any swaps until I can see daylight and am confident I can complete them without leaving anyone hanging. I went on my first real outing on Father's day, and it went well, though I did pay for it for a few days after. I'm getting there, I promise!

Just get yourself back to a good space, Dustysmomma. It's not fun to deal with a debilitating chronic issue. Wishing you well. The good news is that your stash will patiently wait for you....and so will we.

I second what Martina said!

Oh I'm not sure about that! I was in the closet the other day and the Rubbermaid drawers I have my stash in are caving in from the weight. I've had them less than a year. I'm going to have to do something different. Oh, also, I found out that the panel where you change the battery in the alarm system is behind that stack of drawers. The man said I have too much fabric. Oops!

Thank you for the support ladies!

DustysMama, hang in and keep working at the injection difficulties. Sure hope you find a decent solution so you can get back to sewing and use up all that fabric!
So, I'm on vacation and purchases don't count, right? I've visited shops in the Spokane area and two in Idaho. I found Seahawk fleece (for a snuggly blanket) and fabric (for grocery bags) yesterday!! These will go to DS and DDIL for birthday/Christmas items. Then I did buy some other fabric to make into placemats. There was some tempting fabric to buy "just because," but I didn't. That is success to me. :D Good thing I don't live around here. I'd have to go back to work to afford fabric. :p :p Of course, having a man cave or a spouse lounge inside the shop is smart marketing, so I think I did well with only these purchases. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! Those of you staying completely out of the shops:keep up the good work. :thumbup:

Well, much as I hate to admit it...I fell off again. I really have more than enough fabric to make 10 quilts but one thing I did not have any of is flannel. I saw a flannel quit kit in one of the catalogs but it was out of stock. So...I got to thinking ..."Hmmm...I could make that without their kit" Then got an email from another company offering 20% off total order today only so I ordered flannel. And it must have been meant to be as the flannel was on sale for $2.99/yd. I ordered 5 yds of black and a yard each of bright colors like red, green,. blue, purple, orange, pink and white. This should allow me to make at least two flannel quilts that I plan to give to son and his wife...hopefully for Christmas 2015! Nothing like planning ahead. Oh well, I'm climbing back on again. Anyone want to help me up, please.

Dusty's mom: Have missed your posts, sorry to hear you've had medical problems. Sandy: Here take my hand. Welcome back. I sure do understand that kind of temptation. As a matter of fact if you substituted my details I could be the writer of your post. However I did use the escape clause, most of the fabric is from my stash, had to buy four yards of the background fabric.