Hi,

My name is Jessica and I haven't bought fabric in 27 days.

I'm totally in on this commitment this year. I've bought a couple patterns and notions in 2014, but since then I've organized my little studio a bit and those are on the list now too.

I've started a pinterest board to keep track of the projects I finish without making purchases:
http://www.pinterest.com/jessicanbramer/fabric-fast-14/

And if you're super bored, I have a blog, that I sometimes update:
http://purpleturtlequilts.blogspot.com/

Getting back to the QB for a little encouragement and inspiration. =)

[QUOTE=jetnica;6539199] I've bought a couple patterns and notions in 2014, but since then I've organized my little studio a bit and those are on the list now too.

I here you Jessica. I also need to stop buying patterns, books, magazines, etc. Maybe I will add that to my list along with the fabric. My local quilt shop is going to hate me.

coopah did you have to run? lol.. 2.00! wow that is good.

OK here it goes. My partner from quilt for quilters. I show her five sets of blocks that I have started in Christmas. She picks one. This is good news right? ok one set had 18. she didn't pick that one. One other had 10, nope and so on she picks the one with only THREE BLOCKS DONE> crud. that wont decimate my pile much but will help me work through my stash. I was praying she would go for the reds,greens,whites.. ok.. we are going with red and white instead. lots more blocks to make now. best get my tail in gear. I spent yesterday redoing a quilt round I had done on a medallion quilt. It wasn't so simple, took out a row alright in the middle of the quilt. the unfortunate thing was the next round had a round on it and I had to remove the part like a frame within a frame? so I had to put that FRAME back on not in rows but as a frame and it was one of the tougher things I have done. making it all fit again.. argh wont do that willingly again lol heck no. today I cut parts for my medallion quilt and will be sewing my tail off to finish it before the weekend when I am supposed to show my hard work. this wont be a lazy mans week for me!

Oh, Elizabrat, the pain of removing and restitching like you did would be awful! Here's hoping it all goes well for the rest of it. You're going to love the red and white combo. I purchased fabrics (before I started with this group) and am trying to get the UFOs done so I can cut into those luscious reds. No running out of Joanne's...just took my husband!! LOL
Jessica, your intro on post #121 made me laugh! And I agree with Anoka Quilter about buying more patterns and notions. Why is it I think I have to have them all? ROTFL!!!! :D :p :D

So far I haven't bought any material this year. or anything else for sewing. Nothing done either.

Me too! I could probably open my own shop, but I'm greedy!!! :-)

I am also working on finishing up all those UFO's I have lying around. I attend an open sew at one of the local quilt shops in my area on the 3rd Friday of each month and the only thing I work on during that time is my UFO's. I look at a UFO as something I have not worked on in a year or longer. Trust me I have a lot of those longer ones lying around.

As I start working through my stash and completing projects I plan on doing some blogs in the future, with pictures of course. Just not to that point just yet.

I almost made it to the end of the month... I have to stay out of thrift stores! Yesterday, in the fabric area, they had several saris $4. I thought the hand was silk, but only allowed myself 1. Came home, did a burn test. Yep, silk. So now I have 5.5 yards of brilliant turquoise silk with a woven fuchsia border. There's a striped portion, a solid section and a section with woven dots. I'm thinking a small row quilt, with a cotton back so it won't slip around too much, of course I have about 20 quilts do to before I start this one. Sigh. I'm sure it will make friends in my stash.

Almost to the end of the month with no purchases. Hope I can make it. In spite of what the color arbitraters do or don't say I think red and white is making a strong come back. I have been eyeing that segment of my stash, just am resisting starting another project. Feeling pretty good about my stash, I've started several quilt alongs and only used stash.

I'm planning to use up some fabric making a few quilts for my school nurse to use for sick kids. She's new to our school and has been especially kind to me (and the kids).

Well I think when it comes to special items, like R. T's hand-dyes and Saris and such they could be considered exempt. I needed thread yesterday, came out with thread, some snips (99c - total bargain) and two pieces from the remnant box - 1 x purple textured upholstery 1.5 metres and about 1.5 metres of super soft flannel. The upholstery fabric is just the perfect purple I need to make some "quilty" slipcovers for my retro SCargo mini-van - though I need some black and orange to go with it, the flannel will go on the "baby" shelf as I have an oversupply of patterned fabric. I resisted the half-price table and the heavily reduced FQs. Still feel a bit guilty though....so back on the moratorium wagon I go.

Well, went and touched many many extremely gorgeous fabrics today, but only purchased what was needed to finish up my round on this Round Robin. Almost had heart failure seeing that one of the fabrics I needed wasn't there, but found 2 fat quarters JIC.
Felt good to be able to purchase something and even better knowing that I was purchasing for a "need".

Thanks for the links, jetnica.

Getting close to a month and no purchases. Major snowstorm has kept me away from LQS:D

Well, I have read all of the posts here and think I'll join. What I want to accomplish is to have some control over my purchasing of fabric, books and patterns. I have a large stash of everything. One thing I did last year that helped me was to make something (runners,quilts, etc), from my stash before I bought anything. My reward was to allow me to purchase something that I would use immediately in my next project. It worked. I made 12 runners, 6 from new purchases and 6 from my stash. I made 4 quilts, 2 with new fabrics and 2 from my stash. I've made 6 quilt tops, 3 with new fabric and 3 from my stash. I also made some bags, 1 was a kit and 2 were from my stash. If I can at least continue to do this I am way ahead of where I have been. Anyway it's fun to read what you all are doing and how you are doing it.

Rhonda, you were really productive last year. Congrats on that! What's your plan for this year?

I am so in!!!! I did a round robin quilt based on cats and I have not been able to do my quilt top. I found some really freaky colorful cat fabric and want to incorporate it into this zany quilt top. So here I go! I might need some help swapping out for cat fabric.....LOL!!

Wow Rhonda, you were really productive last year. I always have the best intentions to be productive, but my problem is finding the time to just sit down and sew. Working FT and driving 2 hours a day cuts into my sewing time.:(

Are the freaky colorful cats called Zaney Cats. If so, the are so cute.

Technical help needed.....how do you get the quote box arouond a previous message?

Anoka: I used to work full time and all I ever did was collect fabric, my hats off to anyone who manages to actually get some quilting done. Now that I'm retired I can quilt when ever I feel like it, your time will come. Not sure what you mean by quotes but to me it looks like you managed to quote Love2.

I am not sure what the fabric is....I bought it in Lancaster PA and loved it - it has lots of bright colors and has cats fishing people, and a cat menu by the fish dock....I did a row by row quilt with cats and one of the blocks did not go with my theme, so I thought I would get misc fabric and create a funny zany colorful cat quilt

My plan for this year is to finish the unfinished, well, with some limits. I just finished working with scraps, and I mean scraps! Bits and chunks and itty bitty pieces. I have a pattern called fabric fusion from American Patchwork and Quilting, February 2012 issue. The pattern called for assorted fabric for 144, 3 1/2x5" rectangles, 72, 3x3 1/2" rectangles, and 144, 2x 3 1/2" rectangles. They are connected by white sashing strips. I did an extra step and just combined scraps together to make the rectangles. This has been an ongoing project for a couple of years or more. I would just make fabric out of scraps to the size needed. Not a thought in my mind when I was doing this. Just grab something that would fit in the next spot and look ok next the the color already sewn. It has been a great stress reducer for me. OK, that's done and I need sashing, well low and behold I don't have the white fabric at this house it's at our other home. Normally,I would go out and buy new fabric, but because of committing to more controlled spending, I curbed the desire to spend and pulled out my unfinished Orca Bay project. I started the mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter a year ago. (or was it longer). I have several of the steps done and everything cut out. So, Emma, these are 2 of the projects I will be working on for now. And I didn't go to the store....yeah...could this be a break thru?

I am now retired, but after retiring I took care of grandchildren for 2 years and then my mother-in-law for 2 years. I only spend limited time in my sewing studio, but still managed to get a few things done. Now, it is much easier. I also had a 2 hour drive time. It's not easy when you are working. I'd give up sleep in order to do some quilting, but I wouldn't say that's such a smart idea either. Just take a few minutes a day. It's surprising what you can do in 20 minutes a day, if it's consistent. Good luck with your time issues, I know it can be frustrating.

I am in! I have a ton of fabrics so I decided to do log cabins wall hangings, potholders, and aprons for presents this year. That should whittle down my stash.....................so I can buy some more! LOL!

Rhonda: I did the Orca mystery quilt, it too became a UFO. For some reason the pattern never really emerged, a little disappointing so it never got done. It is on my list of Get Her Dones. You have more will power then I do, if I were working on a project I would go ahead and get that white fabric. Love2: Don't want to rain on your parade, but am now finishing the Bonnie Hunter Celtic Solstice. I pieced both the front and the back completely from my stash, used close to 18 yards of fabric, can't even tell any is missing from the stash. That being said, the log cabin pattern has been calling my name. It is such a versatile block with all the different layouts. Maybe this is the year.

My stash is small but I still want to use it up. The stash came from my MIL, garage sales, a lady cleaning out her stash, and my church quilting group. I have fleece that was donated to me for fleece blankets so I will probably only need to buy fleece backings for those.

In the month of January, I cut approximately 20 pieces of my MIL's stash to put into 5 different quilt kits. I tried to get 6 squares cut to 10 inches(divided into 3 kits), 2 French Braid strips and 4 strips that will be bricks of 8 1/2 inches, and some 2 1/2 inch strips cut between 2 and 10 inches. That took lots of time because I needed to iron the fabric first. More material will be cut for several more months before the kits are ready to sew. :)

I also used stash for the backings of 6 baby quilts, the making of 5 tote bags, and one 60 by 63 inch top.

Thank goodness I had extra sewing days to finish these things. No subs are needed of course on 'no school cold days.'

Connie

Emma: I understand how you can use so much fabric and the stash doesn't look at all depleted. I shopped my stash for the Orca Bay. I would like to do the Celtic Solstice too, (I've set aside some stash fabric), I think it's one of Bonnies best patterns. Don't you just love her? I still have some other stuff I want to finish before I begin that one.

Connie: You've been busy! You are doing very well in using your stash.
Love2read: You've given me more ideas on what else to do with my own stash. Thanks.

Rhonda: I think I am tipping over the edge. Took the dimensions of the blocks you have cut and drew them out to see what kind of pattern would emerge. Yes I am very, very sick. Yes, love Bonnie's designs, only person I know that can tell me to go make 160 HST and I would do it. The things I notice about doing one of her mysteries is I hone my piecing skills and she takes me outside my comfort zone by her use of color. Teacher: I think all those years of lesson plan prep are showing.

Welcome to two new fellow moratorium ladies...Rhonda Lee and Love2read. So glad you joined us. Rhonda, wow! you are one amazing person. If I get two of my ufo's done this year, I will be happy. Love2read, we all (especially me) would love to see a picture of your quilt top if it involves cats. That is one reason that I am slow at getting ufo's done this year. I am working on a quilt for my DGD who graduates this May. It is my own design and is really challenging my brain. When I get it done, then I can concentrate on ufo's. I may have to fall off the wagon to just buy enough fabric for a background color for the border of the cat quilt. I plan to outline the center block with cat silhouettes and need a dark background color to tie it all together. I have stash but no 'plain' fabric. AnokaQ...I think you just click on 'reply with quote' and that brings up the previous quote and then you can answer. Emma...you are such an asset to the QB. You always give such nice comments and encouragement to everyone.

Emma: You are not sick. You are a quilter! But I thought the same thing about me when I pulled out the box containing all the pieces to the Orca Bay (puzzle) quilt. My husband just shakes his head.

Sandy: What a really nice thing to say! Truth is, I enjoy this site so much, it's the other way around. Everyone gives me such inspiration, making it easy to stay enthusiastic about my mania.

You ladies crack me up. I like enthusiastic maniacs as I am one of those myself. lol

Maniacs!? Hmmmmm......... Not sure i fall into that category! But I have been very good! And I'm starting the train ride later today, using all stash. How much it takes will help determine what colors i will use. So excited to get started! Found a template and pattern for a modern dwr by el burns and will get that all set up also. Then, tons of other stuff to do too. How soon will i see a reduction in stash size?

Well, friends, this is fun to read. I live in an apartment and my stash is small. Just before Christmas, I gave away some UFOs and blocks. I only buy what I need to advance a project, like Elisabrat's Medallion quiltalong. I hope the Mystery Train
that starts tomorrow can be scrappy. I have one high end LQS but shopping online is a temptation, don't you think?!

It's January 31th. My name is Judy and I'm a fabriholic. How did you do? I bought 2 yards of black for sashing for a batik quilt, but gave my daughter more than two yards of batiks so I have a net lose. I have chopped up yards of red/black rose fabric - I keep changing my mind but I haven't purchased any new so I'm good.

February is a short month. We can do it!!

Sick, maniacs, mystery trains, fabricholic...yep...I'm at the right place. Today I have been sewing little hs triangles together to get 2" squares. Bonnie Hunter really gets on the band wagon about placing the 1/4 seam allowance in the right place. As well she should! I am chain piecing, chain pressing, chain clipping the dog ears and chain trimming the squares. If I had sewn them together correctly I could eliminate the chain trimming. There's only 350 of them and maybe 3 out of 10 don't have to be trimmed. So I'll just do it and be happy that I can. Meanwhile, I think I'll check out that mystery train. I'm glad February is a short month. Thanks for reminding me, Judy, I won't have as long to want something new.

Oh, the wanting never ends! But I am learning a new philosophy-- there is another line of beautiful fabric coming out next week ( tomorrow,, later today, next month, doesn't matter when), and unless I have to use this today, right now, I can pass it by. I have bought fabric i had to have and it is still waiting to be used. But i do understand that there are fabrics i have collected that i probably will never ever cut into! Just like the teapots i had to have that I have never used.

I didn't buy any fabric or thread this month. I did buy a new die for my go cutter so I can cut up my scraps faster.

Well, I was being very, very good then........! Along came an ad from Whittle's, it was like fate. Just a little back story, designed a quilt on the EQ, really like only about one out of every five, well this was the one. Wanted to do it in those pretty swirly vibrant colors, green, blue, golden yellow, lilac, dashes of brown and beige. Those types of fabric usually are $8 @ yd on sale. Innocently clicked on the blender tab. There they were, every single color I needed and for $4 @ yd. Well I ask you Judge and Jury how could I resist such temptation? So 12 yards later, I will have everything I need for this quilt. In my defense I would like to point out that I just used about 18 yds on a quilt and I almost made it to the end of the month. So I throw myself on the mercy of the court.

I didn't do to well this month. Started the month off with 50% off at the local Ben Franklin. Had to go - LOL I had a gift certificate to use, so was able to get twice the fabric with my gc. I did buy 38 yards of fabric, so hopefully I am good for the rest of the year. Have already used some of it, so that makes me feel a little better. I did finish up a table runner kit, a pattern to hold my twister tools, two quilts and a wall hanging, so I guess I didn't do too bad. Like someone said, February is a short month!

Emma, are you going to make the EQ quilt right away? If so, it was a good purchase. If it goes to stash, then????

Now I have to go look at that website. Hopefully the sale is over.