Lol...joe’smom! Been there done that.... I’m probably going to get kicked out of the moratorium but when something calls to me at this level, the project is meant to be. I’m not much help in offering encouragement ...lol.. It’s a stunning quilt...

Joe'smom, I'd have to review the rules... but...

Just as I do plan to actually complete Aunt Debbie's top, that is an allowable purchase. It gets problematic the longer it goes un-done, but the actual purchase can be excused. By me anyway. How you doing with a birthday exemption??

Sometime the heart wants what the heart wants.

My name is Iceblossom -- and I am a fabric enabler.

Speaking of the heart wanting -- this is what I ordered for the feathered star back.
https://www.equilter.com/product/274...-quilt-backing
All I can say in my defense is heart/stimulus money! Cheap me is still choking. Fabric collector is laughing gleefully.

I can see why it made it into your shopping basket.

There's a travel exemption, right. I'll need to go to the bank before I leave, No Charge Allowed.

I finally get to see son Ben in person on Saturday- it’s been a couple years. We are excited. I’m packing him up a package- weeding out books, rulers, he always needs black fabric- so clearing out more stash. He’s now interested in learning some appliqué so that gives me more things to send him.
here’s his latest creations

Ben is doing beautifully. He is very creative...that star quilt is so cool.... so happy for you that you’ll be seeing him soon...

Nice Colors

Iceblossom- that’s beautiful- definitely qualifies for the stimulus exemption.

Joe’s mom and petthefabric- have y’all used your Covid exemptions yet, I hear there’s one allowed for each month of lockdown...

ckcowl- Love the designs Ben comes up with.

Rob

Oh my! Didn't know about the Covid exemptions. So I've not stumbled at all this year. Going to Florida; covid, travel, birthday. I'm in for a treat. Need more money from savings!

😄 Rob, the great enabler! I'm so glad there is someone keeping track of all these exemptions and loopholes. ;)

I'm still working on finishing UFOs and using up stash to the greatest extent possible.... but like iceblossom said, sometimes the heart just wants what it wants.

ckcowl: Beautiful work by your son. Enjoy your visit.

Quiltenbee: Welcome! We look forward to pictures.

I finished another top for my church group. It’s the second top that I used the Bert, Ernie, and Big Bird donated squares. I finished the blocks last year so just added the sashing, etc. I think that’s the last of those squares. 🤞. 60” by 80”

Fun stuff Connie! I have a collection of Peanuts fabrics that I keep thinking of how to use/maybe I should send on to someone else, I think something like that might be the solution! Think it would especially help de-holiday the many holiday themes.

So for today's installment of As the Feathered Star Turns -- the family is feeling really tired and discouraged and are planning to have professionals come in. Everything (deaths/life changes) too fast and too hard and too long distance. Poor things.

On the other hand, yesterday was absolutely beautiful and the Tuesday Quilt Group had pizza party day! From back before the hubby and I changed our eating habits we had a lot of pizza points that were due to expire... two free large specialty pizza's worth of points. We are still meeting outside and had the pizza delivered to the yard :)

When I bought the auction of thread, one of the things that came with it was basically a completed lap top (needs small seam repair) with a camper theme. Is terribly cute and I said to myself "that has Quilt Lady Andy all over it" (just like the Judy Niemeyer was tossed to me). Andy's been busy and we don't get to see her every week, her husband passed last year and she and her daughter found the perfect property at the worst time that they are making wheelchair accessible for the daughter -- anyway, turns one of her dear camper friends just started chemo and this will be perfect for that. So I got that project reduced out of my stash, for someone who needs an easy project to make a comfort quilt for a cancer patient. Score all around!

And, from a private discussion based on the influxes of fabric in my life -- I sent out a flat rate box of assorted fabrics. It wasn't the plan or goal, but it was an easy box to fill and weight wise at least, I'm currently at neutral in terms of fabric in/out!

I don't think I'm on the edge of another purge cycle, but I am actively asking myself "are you really going to use that in the next 5 years??" as I go through my boxes looking for stuff. Some stuff/me is admitting that it isn't going to happen...

Late Starter
 

OK, Now that half the year is over, I want in on the challenge!! Is it too lat?

It is never too late acheela....welcome to this thread and the board!

It's never too late! Glad to have you :) I've basically been gone all this year and just recently came back.

Some of us are doing wonderful things reducing both their spending habits and their stashes. Some of us more prone to temptation. Me? Not so much productivity but trying to both get back into the sewing groove and resist retail therapy at the same time (as well as making house progress this year).

I try to set achievable goals -- today after being distracted by the Judy Niemeyer project. I need to get back to Aunt Debbie's quilt. Need to verify how much more yellow I need to order and whether or not I need any more blue. Dash on-line to order just those two fabrics and not add anything else to the cart that's not justified.

I will not even look at any expensive backs today even though the digital print hummingbird is singing to me... no -- no more backing temptations! At least that is what I say now surrounded by my fellow moratoriumers.

HAHAHA!!! I laughingly call the fabric shop my crack dealer. The grandkids try to help Nana stay away with varying degrees of success. I have a great pile of stash and scrap fabric, and I have been doing good so far. I am even doing a pieced backing on the quilt I'm working on now so I don't go back to the crack dealer. It is going to be a reversible quilt I suppose. LOL!

Dieting! Fabric or food. Does it happen together?

HaHa, that means I work for a crack dealer in a crack shop!

Lmao! You’re my bestie then!!

acheela: Welcome! Please share your projects.

My LQS is moving. I stopped in yesterday for a bobbin holder and saw some sale signs. I didn’t have time to look but I will be going back before closing on Saturday to get my part (was in stock at one of their other locations) and look for any good deals. They won’t be much farther than they are now from me but it’s on my way home from church quilting day. Oh well. I will just need to turn the other way out of the church parking lot. Lol!

Everything I have made this year is from my stash!

Well done, Suz! I challenged myself to make something with some of my precut stash. I have oodles of jelly rolls and layer cakes, but most of the quilts I've been making come from fat quarters. Sometimes it's hard to picture using precuts for something other than the pattern you purchased them to make. Now I'm starting to look at each and think...why not? Even if it's not the perfect pairing of fabric and pattern, it's better than sitting in the closet, being nothing.

Good work Sewingsuz!

welcome to QB’s fabric moratorium Unicorn Quilts!

Rob

I believe RetiredTeacher already knows but for the newer members, historically there has always been a store closing exemption. Likewise, I think it is only reasonable for some of us to help reduce their load in moving...

I've done a tiny bit of organizational stuff mostly in the sewing room but also other general house stuff. In the living room the "moving" (temporary) fabric has been cleared and put away in preparation for different fabric coming out today! In my house if something stays still long enough, it collects fabric. It's like moss on the trees, part of a natural process.

In the sewing room it wasn't much but I grabbed up lots of loose fabric (including some of those movers) and now have a couple more "unsorted boxes" but the sorted boxes were all turned around so I could read their front labels and side labels were added to the others. (I use cardboard for light protection so can't see what is in the boxes) Far from ideal but better than it was and nicely stacked boxes better than towering stacks of fabric like something out of a Dr Seuss book.

Today the quilt lady is coming over again, last time I overwhelmed her with fabric -- turned out it wasn't so much fabric options she needed as the concept of one each light/medium/dark that all contrast to each other. Now that we are on the same page, I have one set of fabrics to work with, mostly skies and some 30s repo or true vintage because it goes with the others/the recipient.

Friday we meet up with one of the other ladies (total of 4 out of 6), she is having some medical tests today :( main reason of the visit is really to check in on her, but I will be ready to discuss layout options.

I still haven't ordered the yellow but I have the yardage figured out. I have not looked at extra wide backs for at least 24 hours.

One day at a time!

I hate it when I have to buy any fabrics for any reason. With all the fabric here you would think I could do anything. Twice this year, as I have already mentioned, I have had to buy fabric. It looks like I will have to buy a 3rd time soon. I am going to put it off as long as I can, but just knowing that is coming is driving me nuts. I might be able to put it off a couple months if I set this quilt aside for a bit. Does anyone else do this or am I just trying to fool myself? Should I just buy what I need and succumb to the temptation. I will try to only purchase what I need and not break the bank.

juliasb, would you consider putting it off because you don't like buying fabric, or because you are afraid you would buy more than what you need because you really do like buying fabric?

Julia, will you use the fabric with 30 days? If so, buy it. Fabric prices are going up very soon, so we need to buy what we will use before that happens. My daughter has requested a quilt for an online auction for the women's shelter. I found fabric for the front, but am having trouble finding a backing in my stash.
I dislike paying shipping, but is it any different than paying for gas for a 100 mile round trip?

sewingsuz: Way to go with using your stash! Please share pictures with us.

Unicorn Quilts: I agree with better used than sitting.

Iceblossom: I agree it is our responsibility to help lessen their moving load. ❤️ I’m glad you are getting your stash put in usable and stackable boxes. I, also, love the way you share your knowledge with others along with some fabric.

juliasb: If you buy the fabric and finish the quilt, it won’t go to UFO land somewhere down the line. 🤷‍♀️

Irishrose2: Good question about shipping vs mileage. My son always mentions time spent too. I ordered quilt batting from a place in the northern part of the state. I really didn’t like the shipping cost but it’s a 5 hour drive one way so shipping won out for now.

Well, I actually made 2 stops at my LQS today. When I went to pick up my bobbin holder, I noticed clearance signs. I asked about the clearance fabric and that was a mistake. 🙂. 11.49 - 11.99 dollars per yard fabric was $5 per yard unless I purchased everything on the bolt which reduced all of it to $3 a yard. I didn’t have much time but I picked 2 bolts which was a total of 10 yards. Then I stopped on my way home from visiting my son and 14 month old grandson and bought 15 yards more. 🤷‍♀️ So 25 yards for $75 was a great deal. I do have plans for some of it already.

I told the employee at least you won’t need to move the 5 bolts and she said she probably sold 5 more bolts after I left this morning. 🙂

Oh such great cute fabrics, retiredT.....what fun to play with!

Connie, looks like you used marvelous restraint and spent your budget well.

Welcome Unicorn! What I've been telling myself about jellyroll and other precut projects is that if you pick a quilt design you like, the fabrics in a jellyroll or layer cake are designed to go together and they will, even if you go from something that is designed soft and pale and floral and turn it bold and bright or vice versa. And then, if they don't go together well -- blame the designer!

LOL, I'm debating with myself if I'm going to do the Bonnie Hunter mystery this year or not. It depends on if I get done with Aunt Debbie's quilt. Right now, I'm thinking I am going to do it and I'm going to use some of my small bits of solid fabrics -- I have an entire box of solids that isn't going anywhere. All solids, just color sorted. Theoretically, it should work and if it doesn't -- I blame Bonnie!

retiredteacher, that was a great sale to take advantage of!

I was looking for my applique book, and pulled 29 books that I will now try to give away. The remaining books are now somewhat organized.

Bought some fabric to freshen up the mask collection. Need some more spring-summer fashion. Blue background with little rosebuds. Otherwise I've been pretty good. Just working off my stash.

I wish I could say I didn't buy during the past year... I am now back on the wagon looking through UFOs to back with excess. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.

Went to 30% off sale yesterday. Didn't see anything I wanted. Friend strongly encouraged me to buy something on sale so I picked up a Grunge bolt. Had to wait in line, decided I didn't want it that bad, especially since tired and leg hurt. Left without buying! Yeh for me!

I decided to do a “stained glass”quilt to use up scraps. I think this will be an ongoing project while I’m working on other stuff. I had someone call and ask me to make 2 baby quilts for them for $$, so I did buy panels for those, and probably will have to go get fabric... but this is an exemption right?

The concept is to shop your stash first and if you need something for a project you really are going to do, then is ok to buy. Sometimes you just need that one more thing, or just gotta do what you gotta do!

For an actual business transaction, I don't see any need for any exemptions at all. The problem some of us get into is the potential of the fabric and the desire to acquire. Oh sure, "some of us" is me :p

As someone who was once in the running for "she with most fabric", I still maintain there is nothing wrong in collecting fabric but I have decided to reduce my fabric load. I have to stop bringing fabric in (but i have a terrible lack of self control at $1/yard) and I have to either use the remainders or find people who will. I have greatly reduced my stash by giving and now am mostly in the using mode.

Still haven't ordered my yellow. The box of fabric I sent arrived very quickly! Expecting my dragonfly back to show up Monday, hoping to bring it to show the ladies on Tuesday. We (the Tuesday group) are progressing on the comfort quilt project, I need to get off the computer and back to the cutting table. But in my defense, I have provided and prewashed fabric from my stash -- one piece for the sashing was dated on the selvedge as 1993 -- and I remember buying it! Terrible thing my memory. The other piece I found at the Goodwill a couple of years ago is a perfect border. And -- I get to take the back out of my stash too!

As to reducing the load: one lady took a bag of scraps. Another took most of my flannel. 2 bags out of my studio!

Rff1010: Enjoy those new masks.

AUQuilter: We love pictures!

petthefabric: Wahoo to you for not buying something you weren’t thrilled about in the first place. Nice way to reduce the load.

acheela: A stained glass quilt sounds interesting. Buying fabric for a specific project to finish it is an exemption especially since it’s for $$.

I finished another top. It is Strip Joint by GEDesigns. It is 59.75” by 80” and will be finished by my church quilting group. The best part is it is all from stash which was either my DMIL’s or donated to my church quilting group or directly to me. A tiny bit may have been from my stash.. Blessed to honor other quilter’s by using their stash.

Connie- that looks great and used from several different stashes. Good job!

acheela- welcome, no need for an exemption since you purchased the panels for a specific project that has been commissioned.

petthefabric- congratulations on not buying and on reducing your stash as well!

I am now a full two weeks past my second covid vaccine and am planning a celebratory visit to my LQS. Because DH is super high risk and I am high risk, I haven't been inside a retail establishment since The first week of March 2020. I’ll be looking mainly at their remnants and sale fabrics for blenders and WOW since I am very low on both, especially light values of blenders. Will try to stay strong, but may end up needing to use an exemption if something fabulous jumps into my basket.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

Rob

These pics are before I put on the binding, and showing what I did to the back to make my backing fit.

The stained glass one is just to try to use up scraps, I was commissioned to make 2 baby blankets that I bought the panels for. I’m going to try to bake the borders, batting and backing for the baby quilts from my stash as well.