Petthefabric hope it's healing well. I know I was told the itching is a sign of that but it can drive you bonkers not to scratch that itch. Probably an old wives tale anyways.
I haven't really been keeping track of what I'm using either Rob. The pillowcases were easy enough to know and the fabric made wonderfully soft cases.

I'm feeling mentally better. At the last minute, realized I had a committment. Got working on it. This am got a call that the project had been reassigned. What I (with major help from DH) had completed was delivered to Carla & she took it from there. What a great group of people.

Then I felt like some fresh air. Spent 2 hours watering the garden. Took a nap. Woke with muscle cramps....Time to get some exercise.

Yes, I'm recovering.

Love this challenge.

It's confession time.

I have never officially joined this thread, but did start off the year with the goal of limiting my fabric purchases. I had not folded and put away most of what I bought in the last year or more. DD had come to visit at Christmas time and I just dumped it all in several large totes to deal with later.

Finally got around to dealing with it in March and was shocked at all I'd bought and could hardly find room to put it away. That was when I decided I needed to stop purchasing more unless I needed it for a project.

And I was really good, for about one month! then I found out the local Fabric Warehouse store was going out of business. They had lower prices than the LQS to start with, and had 25% off everything. I went in and spent about $$$ over several trips getting some of the blenders that I loved and some others that caught my eye. At least this time I washed, folded and put away - no more piles on the floor.

But it didn't stop there, three weeks later they went to 30% off - at $7 a yard it's hard to say no. I've been in twice more, and washed and folded but have run out of shelf room. This weekend I was looking in my stash fabric on a shelf and tripped over a pile of fabric on the floor. I may have gotten hurt, but I landed on another pile of fabric on the floor.

Well glad you had a soft landing, Cathy! Welcome to our group. With the sale price purchases you probably have fabric to complement what is already in your stash and do you think you will have nice pieces for backings as well. Then it's a win win. You have a commitment to use your fabric; you bought it because you liked it. Shop the stash first as you are planning your projects. Don't worry about a fall, we are very forgiving.

Oh sorry folks, I fell off a bit...bought some sale fabric for a project, but only 3 1/2 yd cuts of the extra regular priced fabrics to go with it. and 3 FQ's at another shop. So that's 4 1/4 yds in the plus column...better get to sewing and getting something done to work on my negative fabric usage balance!

Since I can't quilt d/t surgery on right hand, I'm avoiding quilt stores and plant nurseries. So far I can't drive so it's pretty easy. Thursday, off goes the cast, then I drive. Then I must keep remembering...do I REALLY need this?

Oh Macybaby, this will not do! You have to develop some defenses against those bargains. We'll have to send you to FA (fabric anon.) for treatment. :)

You are a Silly Susan. Fabric anon. for treatment!!!!!

I blew it this past weekend.....was out of town...stopped at my favorite quilt store in that town. Went to the 50% off section looking for Quilts of Valor fabric. Found some.....bought it along with other fabric that was regularly priced $6.99/yard - Moda and red....so I bought it all. Oh well.....I made it all the way until May 12th.......that's pretty good I guess. Now, back on the wagon.....no more fabric this year. Yeah, right!

I’m wondering if this counts as a fabric purchase... My riding group had a silly auction of ‘gently used’ riding gear & equipment, with a max of $10/bid. I acted as auctioneer & the last item was a pair of buttery soft leather riding pants. The size said 2X, but it must have been Asian sizing because they didn’t fit even the slimmest of our group. I went ahead & bid $2 & won them. My plan is to make some riding purses from them. I have 1 cut out already. They’re lined with a slick fabric which I’ll use as the purse lining. I did go into Joann’s over the weekend, but only bought hardware for the one purse. There’s plenty left for another. I plan to resell these at our next silly auction. Proceeds from these auctions go to pay for the room we use for our big gatherings. So, do these pants count? If so, I fell off a bit, but I’m using it right away.

Conchalea...you have a plan...no problem. But how creative to use this beautiful fabric (if leather is a fabric?) to further your fundraising efforts! A definite PIF project!

Welcome Macybaby. Glad you didn't get hurt with your fall.
I would give you a pass Conchalea.
Looks like I had some good company as I took a tumble as well. Oops:o Back on the wagon.

OH, goodness, people! We've made a muck of it in May. Still, the purchases sound like there are plans for our projects and bargains too smart to pass up. I may be enabling but, whatever. Except for my "travel excemption", I've been good the last couple of months. Only buying for current projects. I am going to LQS tomorrow for another yard of teal I need for my SBS. The applique stems need to be cut on the bias and I don't have enough fabric to cut it that way so....*holding up my right hand"...I vow to buy only one yard of teal. I will shut my eyes of the new collections she just received. Ugh! (Praying that there are no new polka dots)

Welcome, Cathy! If I know you, you'll have 30'yards of fabric used by end of month. Lol!

Can I join on May 16th - even if I didn't follow the rules from January Through May 15? I started a block style bargello this past weekend. It required 17 fabrics. I easily selected all the fabrics for a queen size -including borders. However, I usually do not have 5-6 yards for backing in a coordinating color and purchase my backings after the top is done. Occasionally I have decided to make a scrap background but often then find I like it too much and want it as a separate quilt top. I am going to try to utilize all those extra scraps for table toppers and placemats for my son to sell in his tea shop.

You can join whenever, Olivia. We'd love to have you yack with us and share your ideas of your use of your stash. You do not violate the challenge by buying fabric to finish projects. There's really no violations....this challenge is personal for each and is meant for you to just shop your own stash first and, perhaps, use up some stuff that's been laying around for years. We are, at least for me, just trying to be more mindful of our purchases and more disciplined in our personal hoarding...lol!! This thread give us just another level of accountability and is not meant to suck out the joy of our craft, which includes possessing beautiful fabrics.

Olivia Jane: we're here when you're ready. Welcome

Welcome, Olivia Jane.

Well, I made a short hop off of the wagon today. I bought 2 yards each of 4 different flannels. I plan to make 4 baby burp cloths and 2 receiving blankets for a 'grandma' baby shower. I didn't stop to calculate how much fabric I needed so my plan is to use the remaining flannel to make burp cloths for a baby charity. I will probably cut the rest into strips to use in scrap quilts.

Oh, alas, all these people falling, sliding, and hopping off the wagon! I think we shouldn't go the FA (Fabric Anon.) meeting. The FA should come and get us!

I have to admit that I was sorely tempted yesterday. A friend called and told me that our favorite little thrift shop had a roll of very nice cream colored fabric on sale for $10. She suggested that I should race right down and get it. I thought seriously of dashing off after it, but I restrained myself. I did go this morning and it was gone. That was really close, but, thankfully, I'm still sitting upright on the wagon. :)

Spring fever? I 'needed' to order fabric for my outdoor chairs from Hancock's of P. A yard of batik fell into my cart. I needed 1/4 yd of it, but minimum was a yard so I just added 3/4 yard to my stash. I have some blenders coming from Quilting Twins, too, for the quilt on the design wall. A throw became a large queen, so I needed a king size batt, too. Grr. It's over. Now back on the wagon.

In Teen’s post #613, she mentioned the travel exemption. Well I had forgotten about that, so I claim it for those leather pants! We were about 250 miles from my home so it qualifies. The leather in those pants feels wonderful. It’s soft & easy to cut. I have the purse piece cut out but I’ve been using my 1949 15-30 to piece 2 quilt tops & it’s the one I use to sew leather. The old girl chugs right through the stuff, which my newer machine can’t do. I’ll wait until I’m through with my quilt tops before I switch the needle & my mental set to sew the purse. I don’t plan to keep the leather in my stash, either. I’ll make things from it until I use it all. I’m interested to see what I can make from the former pants.

I was noodling around and found you. I have been kind of doing this starting this year. I moved from one home to another state and I just decided to get rid of fabric that didn’t inspire me or projects I knew I didn’t want to finish. However, I still moved a boatload of fabric.

Then during move at new home, the LQS had a 30% off all fabric sale on the day I went to check them out and I bought some lovely fabric. It was snowing. I was in my new home alone. However, I have not bought any fabric since then. I am working on projects to go through stash. I signed up for a Boom exchange and will use fabric in my stash.

I am totally wanting to only shop my own stash for the next several years except for backings etc. I don’t get to buy fabric just because it is pretty. It has to be able to do something that fabric I currently own can not do. Also, it has to be for a current project. It can’t be for a wished for future project.

I have realized there will always be pretty fabric. It will not happen that when I get my stash whittled down and I actually have room to store new fabric will only ugly fabric be left to purchase. I also want to use up the fabric I have before it gets too dated. Some of the fabric I gave up had been gifted to me and was starting to look a little old. Some fabric ages better than others.

Anyway, I hope to keep to my goal this year. No new fabric unless for a border/backing/binding for a COMPLETED flimsy I am ready to quilt.

Welcome, Darcyshannon! This thread helps us avoid purchasing “just because” fabric because we feel accountable for those impulse buys. Fabric that sits in hiring does no good & is a sizable investment. And as you said, if it goes unused we don’t enjoy it when we first get it, it can look dated rather than fresh & exciting. Also, I don’t want to leave behind huge amounts of “stuff” for my daughters to go through. Last night, I gifted 2 bags of yarn to people in my knitting group-that stash is getting out of control now.

Welome Darcyshannon:) I think you hit the nail on the head when you said, "there will always be pretty fabric"! Of course...ugly fabric doesn't sell! So let's get that pretty fabric out and sew it up!

After my foray into quilt heaven and splurging heavenly, I am back on the wagon. Last night, I took a bag of prepped squares for a rag quilt to the guild. Out of sight - out of mind. No more guilt trip over a project that will never get finished by me. YAY! More out than in in May so far.

Welcome Olivia Jane and Darcyshannon!

I have to fess up, I went out to buy thread today for an on-going quilting project and of course, the only place that carries the thread I need in the color I need happened to also have batiks at 5.99 yd. and also a lovely light neutral end of bolt for 3.99. So, in addition to three cones of Isacord thread, I walked out of there with 4 and 1/2 yards of fabric. First fabric purchase since early January. Oops...at least the light neutral is something that my stash was running low on, and the one batik is a lovely dark blue which is a color I was also running low on. However, the 2 1/2 yd. funky batik/hand dye fabric was a just because...

Rob

Oh, Rob. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

All from stash with some scraps. A prayer quilt for my church. This is only the top. I took it to church to sandwich it and put the ties in. As usual, the colors are much more intense. I think I see an inexpensive camera in my future. That would cost less than a new phone. I love how it turned out. I can see it all sorts of fabrics.[ATTACH=CONFIG]594516[/ATTACH]

I don't think neutrals count, Rob. We ALWAYS need neutrals. I give you a pass. :)

Really like that design Irishrose2. Another for my bucket list.

Cathy, as fast as you make quilts, you can go through it in no time.

Rob—neutrals don’t count. You always need neutrals. Same with black, white, and WOW.

Welcome, Darcyshannon!

Pretty quilt top, Irishrose2!

I used some of the flannel that I bought yesterday. I decided to make 2 burp cloths and 1 receiving blanket instead of 4 burp cloths and 2 receiving blankets so I have more left over fabric than I thought I would have left even with making a snuggle sack. Now I need to decide if I will put the rest in my stash to wait for another baby shower or make items for a baby charity like I had originally planned from the leftovers. :)

The bonus part of these projects is that I used some remnants of cotton batting for the burp cloths and I am also putting some of the batting in a book that will be part of the baby gift.

I went to my church quilting group yesterday and came home with a plastic shopping bag of fabric. I forgot to grab it out of my car to sort through it. Hopefully, most of it will go to a baby charity.

The temptation has begun as I work on projects. I am in a new home and sewing again. I am participating in a 9 patch fabric swap. I plan on making two large cuddle quilts for downstairs because it is always cooler. I thought I had what I wanted as background fabric and now I am not sure. However, I will experiment with what I have and see.

Also, I am starting my first Boom swap. You use your fabric along with the fabric sent to you to make a block. I am hoping I will have an adequate supply to make the exchange blocks.

I will wait and continue to sort through my stash so I can know what I do have.

Rob, I can see how it will be hard to pass up that fabric that sings to you while getting fabric for known projects. Enjoy it. I am sure it is beautiful.

Retired teacher 09 I think it is great to make such lovely baby gifts.

Do polka dots count, too? Lol!! I was a bad girl today. Not really really really bad...just kinda... Really bad. I did buy my 1yd of teal but......1yd of the most awesomeness of polka dot fabric ever to be made on the whole planet...maybe the universe....and.....when Kona solid is on sale at 5.99/yard and its navy blue and, you know how I always make QOV stuff, and it's Kona solids and its so pretty...did I say it was Kona solid and on sale and I bought 2/yds, right? ....and a FQ. (don't pay any attention to the FQ I snuck I there)..... See? Bad girl.

Oh.....forgot to welcome Darcyshannon!! Hey, girl!

irishrose.....beautiful quilt. I love Lattice patterns...I need to make more of them.

Teen, I think the navy Kona doesn't count but the polka dots are a hard one to find justification for. Let me give it a think. lol At least you would get one pass. right?

Teen, do you use your polka dots, or just collect them? I have some I need inspiration for.

Thanks for reminding me that neutrals don't count! Whew! That was close LOL!

Rob

Madquilter.....thank you for the pass on the Kona......I guess I'll take the hit on the polka dots....lol!

Irishrose2..... I have a couple of ideas but no patterns for polka dots. One idea is a PP block (like a Mariners star or a less complicated star) and may go with that. Not sure if you lurked or participated in Mystery 18 but one gal made hers with polka dots and it was amazing. Super easy and fun mystery. The other idea I have is to make different sized framed boxes and do some applique in the larger framed boxes. Likely floral and using smaller print polka dots for applique. The other day I saw a picture on net that used bright colors and HST and I saved picture but not Ste address so I can't post here. It looked super easy and I though the polka dot fabric would look awesome. If you want the picture (you really don't need the patter), PM your email and I'll send to you the picture. Really, I have so much I could make each one of you a quilt.

Teen, I’ll pm you my address so you can send it when you finish!
I stalled out on sewing yesterday-too busy setting up my new cutting/pressing table in my craft room. I emptied one weird shelf unit & took it to the curb, found new places for the fabric I had there, have a table & chair to my daughter, repositioned one sewing machine cabinet & a desk to clear a space in the room’s center, & set up the table there. I wanted to be able to move all around it for easier cutting. It’s my old 1980’s era island top, which I replaced in 2012 with turquoise quartz countertops. I saved the island top because I visualized making a table from it. It’s taken me 5 1/2 years, but I now have it. The top sits on 2 6-cubby units that are the same width & height as the island the top originally sat on. So it’s a good height for cutting/pressing without making me stoop. Maybe I’ll sew today & finish up some tops & a pieced backing. This will be from stash on hand so I won’t ‘have’ to shop for more fabric!

I need to adjust my moratorium to include anything quilt-related! In the past month, I've fallen off the fabric moratorium (but I'm back on the wagon). I've now fallen into the gadgets, notions and "things to make things better" category. I went to a quilt show and purchased the Martelli machine binding system (yesterday), I ordered in-line the TrueSharp2 power rotary blade sharpener and the back-brace thingie from Nancy's Notions. I have spent not only my 2017 Christmas money, but also my anticipated 2018 Christmas money!

I do many charity quilts and they want machine binding. I've been so dissatisfied with how my machine binding looks after I've spent so much time and effort piecing and quilting......so I have been frustrated with my binding. I have looked around and am impressed with the Martelli system. So.....I will make it work and it will be better than I can do...but it appears to be time-consuming and tedious. But, it's worth it to me if they come out better.

The rotary cutter sharpener is to save my sanity and my meager attempt to make those blades last longer by continuing to cut when they are dull. If I can get a little more use out of them, this will be worth it to me.

Lastly, I need to be constantly reminded (by myself) to sit up straight, shoulders back, suck in stomach, etc. So.....I've been looking at that back brace thing for years. It's on its way and I'll will wear it.....

So, now that I've put all the justifications....I still feel pretty bad about all this spending. But, that's it for the year......no additional fabric.....no additional notions.......and I'm focusing on the spirit of gratitude for all I have by sewing up a storm!

Thanks for letting me confess......hopefully I'm not the only one who's over-spent a bit!