How about using them in Potato Chip Blocks? Or cut down to 2.5 or use as HST combined with other contrasting fabric that you have on hand. A photo might help us imagine what you are using and what is left over.

Hi Rff, that sounds like interesting fabric, but WMU is right - having a picture, or even a basic colourway and size of print motif would help us visualize ideas. :-)

So things have been reasonably quiet here on the Fabric Moratorium wagon... I hope that means that everyone is eye-deep in their stashes finding treasures to use up!

I've not been doing too much sewing, but on the bright side, I've not been doing any shopping either! In terms of projects underway, I do have one to talk about. :-) I have almost entirely decided to participate in my guild's challenge quilt (wall hanging size) for the upcoming show in May. It's way out of my skill set and comfort level but I gave myself personal goals of trying something new, using what I have and having fun with it. I hope I feel happy enough with the final product to actually submit it to the show!

So far I've really enjoyed the process of learning about and trying out new techniques. It's also been a lot of fun to juggle fabric scraps and look at what I have and come up with ideas that I couldn't possibly execute and then look again and come up with a totally different idea that is (so far) looking pretty good!

I'm not ready to share any pictures but I have been taking some for when it's done. Looking forward to hearing more about what you are doing with your stashes, too! Happy first of the month!

Recenetly did a major tidy up in the sewing room. Needs a little more work but I am rewarding myself for working so hard by making strip quilts. Have a partial roll of exam table paper, cut into 6" squares. Found an interesting container of fabric and cutting those pieces into 2, 1.5, and 1.75 strips. Strip blocks alternate with whilte squares so I get a really colorful, cheery quilt for Project Linus. This is the second one this month and plan to get 4 tops done for our PL quilter to finish.

I also have noticed the silence too but have been too busy "busting the stash" to contribute. Like GEMM, I have lots in progress. Two quilts finished in February, baby quilts all stash. Two quilts layered and ready for quilting. One all stash the second needed to have a purchased back. The third was finished in January but I need to find or purchase a back. So for February I have purchased less than 5 yards of fabric and finished with a total of 15 yards our the door. I have not calculated the donation fabric that left me in February.

Then there are several BOM and quilt club/group sew-a-long and a beautiful beast of a quilt I volunteered to finish for someone else cluttering up my sewing space. Nearly all from stash except the "Beautiful Beast" of course. Congrats to me! I was at an event yesterday and walked away with less than two yards of fabric from the give away table. I have a very limited stash of juvenile/baby prints and I found one that is soft colored tumbling bears. It does not lean to pink or blue and will fill the bill for a last minute unexpected quilt for a little one.

Time to go sew and create a "finish" this weekend. Picture early next week, fingers crossed. .

I've been having various machine problems and am not up to daily sewing yet... I have been good about not buying except for what I already said I'd be buying. Have faced lots of temptation but have stayed strong!

I have just finished my scrap border units for my Christmas string quilt project, but I haven't taken off the paper or put the borders on yet. Am at the same place on my Bonnie Hunter top, or at least that the borders are not on yet.

I do need to prioritize some shelving purchases for the closets I had built so I can put my existing fabric away and so other things can go where they belong but have fabric totes in that location. We are going out today to pick up some free range farm chicken and duck eggs -- think we can maybe at least go look at some storage solutions while we are out and about.

I wish I could say that I've been busy sewing, and just not posting, but sewing has taken a back seat at the moment. I am gearing up for a week-long bicycling excursion next month, so I've been spending up to three hours at a time on a bike trainer. But today is a rest day, so if I have time after I clean the house and walk the dogs, there may be a bit of sewing going on. We are in the process of purchasing a new bed and are changing around our extra bedrooms to allow better sleeping arrangements for when our kids come to visit. That resulted in several extra pillow shams that are not going to be used. They are still in good shape, so I think I'll make them into small quilts. Our guild will then pair the small quilt up with a stuffed animal and donate them to the local EMS units. Win-win. If I ever get back to my sewing machine, I'll post some photos.

Back home from my vacation and been doing some sewing. Did a little EPP while away from home. Just sent my Jewel Box Star to my quilter and using the Stashbusters method to calculate yardage out - I now have taken 5.75 yards out of my stash. I can also take away 3 yards from my backings.

Way to go sync!
I was spending way too much time on fabric websites and was so, so tempted. I closed them all out and now I'm here to keep me grounded. I picked fabric from stash yesterday to start a new project. I' m just waiting for the project to tell me if it wants to be a Lone Star quilt or Cathedral Windows. Let's hope the feeling of fabric shopping passes quickly. ​​​

Made a promise out loud to myself not to buy any fab in 2024. Unfortunately my husband and son heard me...:(. Now if I need neutral for secondary blocks, I'm checking backs of ugly fab to see if it will work. So far so good. HOWEVER, as a reward for using stash, I do allow myself to get my monthly free yard at the quilt shop.

well, stalled out on stitching for now. But on a bright note...no new fabric so far this year!

My problem is that I buy new fabric for a new quilt idea then experienced quilting friends talk me out of doing the quilt OR I decide the quilt is not what I want to make. So now I have a heap of new 2024 unusable fabric.

So very annoying.

Paddington, fabric is never unusable.;) It only changes purpose. I know I have posted this comment before, but here I go again. If you want to get rid of your fabric make something out of it! Go for the simple remembering that simple to one quilter is not the same for everyone.

You mentioned friends who are changing your mind. If they think your idea to use the fabric is not the best choice, ask them for what would be better, take one idea and run with it. I hope to see you showing off a beautiful quilt "all from stash" soon.

Bear I have bought fab in the past and then forgot which pattern I wanted to make! So the fab ages until a new idea pops into my head.

Confession time . I dropped off finished quilts to Project Linus day before the meeting. I knew no one would be there.I need more neutrals for backgrounds. Went to the storage closet and LOW AND BEHOLD WHAT DID I SEE BUT WHITE AND BIGHE FAB LOOKING BACK AT ME!!!:shock::shock::shock:There were 4 large garbage bags filled with folded fab.Fab is quilt shop quality and it looks like she bought full bolts! I now have miles of fab. It's a huge donation that must have come in after the last meeting. Most of the fab was civil war colors. Not my style so left it. Do I feel guilty about bring it home? No! I average 4-5 quilts per month and If our cordinator had been there I know she would have given it to me. Last month turned in 8. Only 2 were on the small size. I normally make at least 42*54" quilts to fit a teen's body in the hospital bed.( Read my signature quote...lol.) Bye for now.Have to start cutting for next project.

@WMUTeach Thank you for your encouragement. I had the idea of a fade in fade out quilt. I got all the fabric and (foolishly) cut it into 2 inch squares. My fabric isn't the same as the quilt I was looking at making and I find it really difficult to make my fabric fit the fade in fade out. I'm so frustrated with it that I've given up. I think I can use a fair bit of the fabric in a "tiny tiles" quilt for my DIL instead. But I need to discuss the qhite fabrics to go with it with DH before I can start that project.

I bought some lovely new linen fabric in various colours (thankfully on 50% sale) for a table runner and placemats that I liked but my friends say it is too busy for my house. So I've abandoned that.

I am now looking at doing a very small wall hanging with bright colours - only 2 of which are in my stash so I'm off to the shop again! Luckily we have a good fabric shop I can buy 4 inch strip of fabric.

I think it is my procrastination and indecision that is the problem. Oh and - there's another bright shiny thing!

Oh, Paddington you make me giggle, "there's another bright shiny thing".. Have fun with your little 2 inch squares and show us your clever repurposing of your squares.

I am sorry, but I'd never let my friends, no matter how good, tell me what I can and cannot make for my home! If I like it, that is all that matters, since I have to live with it. If you specifically asked for their input, that might be different, but we are all free to make what we like and what suits our tastes. Did your friends offer to pay for the supplies or make the runner and mats? If not, then they have no say in the matter. If your hubby doesn't like it, that might cause you to change a project.

Stayed strong on not buying fabric last week. Instead i bought several patterns with stash fabric in mind. The fabric I pulled from stash last week will be for a cathedral windows quilt. I made two last year using Missouri Star tutorial. I found another method I want to try.
Sure hope the business of life slows down so I can do some sewing. I find I get cranky if too much time goes by without some serious time sewing. My quilt room also needs some cleaning but at this rate who knows when that will be.
While I got through last week's temptation, I have to pick up a machine from repairs and have to walk through rows and rows of lovely fabric to do it!

I went on a Shop Hop with a quilting friend today and Yes, I purchased fabric. One piece for a backing of a finished quilt that has been lurking in my sewing room since January. The second piece was a creamy neutral to replace all that I have used from my stash. I am nearly out of TOT whiles and creams. There does come a time when one needs to purchase was is needed so quilts and be made or finished. That is what I did! I ignored all of the other beauties that tried to jump into my bag. Another 10 or 15 scrap quilts from stash and I should be ready to shop again, just a little. Tee-Hee-Hee.

WMUTeach -- I was also just about out of the ToTs,(especially white on white) and white neutrals for the recent Bonnie Hunter project. Next year I am planing on using cream-tan as my neutrals even if I have to change her colors.

With my time off sewing, moving and lately machine problems, I'm finding it hard to get back to daily sewing. I did get a shelving unit so I can put the fabric in the closet and hope that motivates me -- or at least be able to find the totes I want to use. I still have the borders to put on both the Christmas String and Bonnie Hunter projects. I'm hoping to do the string project today at sewing group but I got about zero sleep last night and not sure if I'll go.

Oh, Julienm1 and WMU - your comments really resonated with me! I have been quite vocal about wanting to use only stash and really restrict my purchases to what is absolutely necessary, and I have also been heard! A local fabric chain store is closing one of their locations and have had a 70% off sale for the last few weeks. My quilty neighbour nicely told me the other day that she went and had a big shopping spree there and "was going" to invite me but she knew I was trying not to add to my stash so she didn't. I have also mentioned in her (and others') hearing that neutrals are on my "allowed" list, so I'm still not sure if she was kind or cruel (although I do appreciate her support)!

And Paddingtonbear, I'm sorry - while I'm sure they mean well, it sounds like your friends aren't really being helpful to your quilting journey. I have had similar experiences where people have shared their opinions and it has changed my feelings about a particular project. I'm glad you can find joy in shopping for a new project (if it breaks a negative emotional cycle I'd call it a necessary purchase) and I agree with what some others have said here - do what YOU love/enjoy, let things go (temporarily or permanently) if they aren't working for you and keep thinking creatively. I'm sure the right project will come up for your little squares, even if it takes a while. :-)

@Gemm;864 and @SueZQ from MN
No, I didn't mean to sound unappreciative. My friends were being kind and helpful and they were right! I need interior decorating advice. And colour advice. My diningroom/living room is too busy as it is and a busy table runner and placemats would have added to the confusion. Plain white (which I have already) works well.

I will definitely use the linen fabric for something else as I love the colours but just not for a table runner.

Got the borders on my Christmas String quilt. This was an all stash except for a planned buy on the white-on-white Holly print.

Now I need to decide my next project... I have a few things kitted up (if I can find them) or maybe inspiration will strike. Before I left the Seattle area, I asked my quilt group to make house blocks for me, I also have a set from closer to Y2K and an internet group I was in -- I think about (12) 12" blocks. Most of the blocks are embellished and they will need some trimming/borders put on to make them correct to size. I'm thinking of sashing them with bars of colors from dark underground to dirt brown, to green with florals and animals, to blue sky and birds. Still have a lot of light blues out from the Bonnie Hunter project.

I also have a bunch of slippery mostly poly hawaiian blends, some with textures that aren't as heavy as bark cloth. Was thinking of making large L shapes of (3) 2" wide logs for a wild and mod couch quilt. It is hard to deal with the slippery polys after so many years of cotton but it should be fun, fast and easy.

And then who knows what might inspire me as I poke around and if I do find my kits.

PS: boo to people who with stray comments harsh our enjoyment for whatever the hobby or reason...

Congrats, Ice. Lovely finish and it will be quilted for Christmas 2024, right! Much holiday snuggling shall be had at your home this year, I am sure.

Well I'm hoping to have it done this year. I'm having machine issues that means probably not going to happen. I do still have my vintage machine and the light weight machine I bought for my traveling machine. My main machine, Cranky Bernie, died for the last time recently and I am in search of a new primary machine and a long arm. Spent some time yesterday looking at used long arms on line. It was part of the deal when we moved that I would have room and budget for a long arm, as always wish my budget was higher especially now that a primary machine needs to come out of it.

Well it looks like the next project decision has been made for me -- I found the fabrics and it turns out I already cut the strips and am ready to go (or will be once I figure out what I have). Will be a tropical "need sunglasses" many bright fabrics variation on this:
https://passwordquilt.wordpress.com/...bin-variation/

Still need to find the backing fabric to determine the overall size. I know I bought a monster sized piece -- like 8-9 yards? at an estate sale. It will be a much calmer blue/green.

I also found a package of for another Hawaiian themed trip around the world. Some of it were precut rayon squares, others I cut myself. Had forgotten about that project.

And I found one of the projects I'd been looking for! Some late 1970s cross-stitch blocks from the Goodwill. That I know I can do the quilting on my vintage machine. Have the plan, just need to do it :) Well, and probably I need to find a good back.

Love the Password block. I see that it was mentioned in the comments on the block site that a photo of a finished quilt would be nice. I also would like to see a finished quilt, but none the less, I like the block. Bookmarked and thinking about a test block or two. Thanks for the rabbit trail to distract me from what I should be doing. :)

Success. Today, quilting group went on shopping trip. Bought planned purchase,ONLY. Took pair of pants that have been difficult to pair with shirt.

Good going, Petthefabric!

WMUTeach -- I've been looking for some pictures of the Password block finished quilts and so far haven't found any -- which really surprises me. I've looked under log cabin variations as well for other names. I probably planned this about 10 years ago? Maybe it was something to do with jellyrolls. When you do it in two distinctive colors (like black and white) it can give a very optical illusion sort of effect. When you do it in multiple colors, I think it still works best to use just two from each block, but you don't have to -- you can have two different sets in each block so long as you maintain the dark/light sort of scheme. If you turn the little squares to the outside edges, you get a more pronounced X shape...

I will take some process and playing around pictures as I go. It is my sort of pattern, "quick and easy and effective" suitable for different piles of scraps...

Have no other quilt projects but my goal this year is to put together lap size quilts or not quite that big and donate to Santa's Helpers. I add a stuffed animal and a book with it. Hopefully my piles will go down.

Nipped into Joannes on a road trip to use their bathroom and two pieces from the clearance rack came home with me. One went into a backing for a PL quilt (already done) and another piece is going to be a whole cloth with fleece backing. $8 for both. So...sorry not sorry.

I just love visiting Quilt shops and looking at all the quilts, etc. so the only way I can de-stash my fabric is to stay away from quilt shops and that hurts.

Decided it was time to tdidy up the fab on shelves. What Imess I have created. Found fab I didn'd know I had. Got a lidded plastiic tdub and started filling it up. ( may need another tub) Will bring it to Project Llnus meeting for the gals to Grab N Go! If I haven't use this stuff buy now, I probably won't.
Rules I'm following:

• Handle it once,
• Hold for only10 seconds.
• It's too late to use it for a future project.

When I went to retrieve my machine, I spent more time looking at the quilts than anything yet I still came away with 4 yards of purple fabric. Back on the wagon again.
Currently working on two projects. A disappearing four patch and a cathedral windows so I'm back to using rather than buying fabric.😁

Good for you, elly66. Back on the wagon, snuggled in among friends all stitching away from our stashes. Show us how you use that beautiful purple fabric. :)

I jumped off too the end of March, but the total purchase was for a baby quilt for a special family baby arriving in May. I think I have enough fabric for at least two quilts from that purchase and perhaps three if I add a little extra from my stash. Oh, and part of the purchase is for a backing. All is well, without any guilt. Keep stitching and shopping from your stash!

I've been doing good on my fabric buying, still getting a monthly "small" amount of Civil War colors I need for a variety of projects. I admitting to doing this early in the year. Thinking maybe this year's Bonnie Hunter may also use these fabrics. There is a fabric store I love about an hour away and it has a really great deal if you buy $15 worth a month for 10 months you get a $30 credit. The prices are low as they are and sale items count in the month totals. Her backs sell for 12-14-16/yard for current fabrics and I am planning on using the credit for a back. I am further justifying my purchases that I am sharing with another person on the boards....

However, looks like I have locked in on a used Long Arm for sale that dwarfs my fabric budget :p

Otherwise I am still working away on my current project which I am calling "Tropical Eclipse: Eye Protection Necessary" it is one of the fun projects I am doing for me from Hawaiian prints I got at the thrift stores etc. The fabrics are nice sturdy clothing weight bark cloth (mostly cotton) and some textured but slippery poly/blends. While I am not enjoying the slippery blends, I am enjoying this block a lot and am writing up some directions/measurements. Is perfect for jellyroll sized WoF ctus. Should have some pictures of my happy but glaring blocks and a set of less distracting mockups for the directions next week.

Hi everyone!

I know I've been unforgivably quiet on this thread for the last month and am still not quite ready to share anything exciting but wanted to pop in and say thanks for all of the stories and celebrations and slip-ups and recoveries and pictures and ideas! Even when I've been away from the board for a while, this thread feels like home. :-)

I also do have a bit of a confession to make - while I've been quite good about not actually buying any fabric, I have slipped up a couple of times at the guild's free table. I don't know why I even walk over there because I have so many projects and things on the go right now (in quilting and other areas - it is garden season, after all) that I know I don't plan on starting anything soon with what I pick up. I blame the little voice in my head that says, "Maybe someone has dropped off some neutrals..." The silver linings to this are that picking up these little bags of scraps (I rarely take anything big and these are often clearly leftovers and offcuts from bigger projects) makes me think that it's helping to keep them out of the garbage and it allows me to avoid the guilt that comes from actually purchasing fabric I don't need.

So I'm going to picture myself as a loyal carriage dog, running along beside (or under) the wagon - still keeping up with the group but not quite a member in good standing at present! Woof! :-)

Gemm. Jump right back on. We do the best we can. It could be worse.

At retreat there was door prize and 6.5” squares for games. Yea for me! They never made it to stash shelves. Flimsy’s done and donated. Pics on phone.

Wow, Pet - that's impressive! Looking forward to seeing the pictures! :-)

On and off the wagon all week while trying to find the "right" fabric to finish a baby quilt for a special great niece or nephew. I think I have it all in hand now. Picture of flimsy by Sunday evening, fingers crossed. Then I will be working on the back. Mostly what to do to creatively stretch a 43" wide fabric to be the back of a 53" top. The silly thing just kept growing. Lots of thinking to be done this weekend.

The really good part is I will be using most of the fabric, so will not have leftovers to bury in my stash. Maybe enough for a 36 - 40 Inch square baby quilt for someone else. I will think about that another time. ;)