Good to hear, Gemm. I like the idea of making kits too. I sort of do that with my UFOs also. That way I can reach in my basket and have all of the pieces, additional fabric, backing and pattern all in one place bundled together and ready to go. Over time and lots of bargain hunting, I have gathered about a doezen project boxes. I use those for the kits/projects/UFOs that are on my agenda to finish. It helps me to visually see them waiting in line. Otherwise, I simply forget what is there or what was such a stunningly clever idea that popped into my head or that I found on the internet. Putting it all in a box, helps me. I then don't use that "special fabric" for another pop up project. I have a very LARGE basket that I empty each January first or second and then re assess what is left over and add unfinished projects. It was stacked about 18 inches over the top this year but is now down to even with the rim of the basket. So, that means about 6 or 7 UFOs/WIPs finished and about that many more are waiting for my attention plus the boxes. Just where do all of these grand plans come from? Tee-Hee-Hee.;)

My UFOs are generally flimsies waiting to be quilted, but I always try to make the binding and tuck that in with them so that, like you said, I don't use the fabric for some other project. I don't have separate project boxes but do have a single large tote for UFOs so I always know where they are. Of course, the tote is one of the largest I have so it's always at the bottom of a stack! LOL! I don't think I can claim quite the same level of success as you had in getting things done, but I did manage to finish up four of the quilts that were hiding in there over the last 10 months or so, in addition to the stash-busting projects I took on, so I'm feeling pretty good about things. :-)

I have committed to going on a FART (Fabric Acquisition Road Trip) with some of the ladies in my sewing group this Friday. Our youngest member wants to go to every shop on the Illinois Shop Hop list and has a a plan of attack drawn up, complete with spreadsheets, driving directions, lunch/meal suggestions, time points... lol it is nice for me to NOT be the planner :) She still works and it is even more impressive that she has the energy and can afford/make both the time and money to do this.
https://allillinoisshophop.com/

I had mentioned weeks ago that I would be willing to go on some of these adventures, including maybe an overnight, but that I was mostly interested in the southern half of the state because I haven't been there yet. Friday I am to be ready to go at her house at 6:00 am and expect to be back by 7-7:30 pm. Impressive but easy for me in the back seat.

There is nothing I really want right now, but I will think of a few things to look for/at and give myself a reasonable budget. My main goal is to be a pleasant traveling companion and to go for a ride. If I do end up going crazy, I will set up a fabric acquisition thread :)

PS -- A top is a finished project, it's just not quite a quilt yet... :p

Enjoy your trip, Iceblossom!

I went with my sister and 3 of her friends to 4 stores on the Minnesota Quilt shop hop yesterday. We had fun. I did get 3 yards total of fabric with a grant gift card. It will be given to one of the church quilters to make children quilts as the fabric is planets.

Tomorrow, I will stop at another store and that will finish the section. I chose not to go on Monday with my sister and 2 of her friends because I knew I would be exhausted after 2 days.

Iceblossom, your FART sounds fun. Especially having another person plan and drive. As the person that always does the driving, for some reason, I would appreciate being the passenger!

I've been following this thread for a while, thinking I'll get motivated to stop buying.....hasn't worked yet. ;) but I had to weigh in about the state shop hops. Our Ohio shop hop starts tomorrow and I will be participating for the 3rd year in a row, I found out that I need to have a plan or else I'll be grabbing stuff off the shelves like a 3 year old on a sugar high! I have learned to shop for fabric to complete planned projects or for a specific pattern I want to make. No more grabbing stuff all willy-nilly!

I was just given a bolt of a blue dress fabric plus 3 smaller pieces in black and white enough to make a top out of each plus a heavy blue fabric with pinstripes enough to maybe make a jacket. Didn't buy it but they were given to me plus they're not for quilts so does this count since it's dress fabrics and surely can't be used for quilts?

I haven't purchased any fabric this year so far! I have been completing quilts that need to be bound. Learned how to machine bind and so far I have finished up two quilts for charity. Clearing out scraps and most anything less than a half yard and sharing with two quilty friends who love variety.

I'm still working on my latest "from stash" quilt - planning on mitering my borders and I'm taking my time to make sure I don't mess up my cutting as I have a very limited supply of one of the border fabrics and it's taken me ages to finally commit to my final plan. Of course, that sort of quilting task is stressful so this morning I took a bit of a break and went stash shopping and have found a little pile of fabrics that seem like they want to play together. Haven't done much with them yet - they're just getting acquainted - but I'm hoping there will be enough there to build into another stash-only quilt. :-D

Glad to see the thread so busy, too!

Buckeye quilter - breaking a long time habit of buying when you "feel like it" is a tough go, but having a plan for your shopping is a good start. Having a good "shop" through your stash before you head out on your hop is even better, and who knows? You may end up not feeling the need to buy as much if you have a good idea of what you already have. Good luck! :-)

Snooze2978 - unexpected windfalls still take up storage space, last I checked! ;-) If these are fabrics you are likely and able to use, then enjoy the gift and deck yourself out in some new clothes - and don't forget to share some pictures on the thread. While most of us are dealing with quilt fabric stashes, we are very happy to celebrate any sort of "clearing out" here! And if you're not going to use them, maybe there is a home ec class or 4H/Girl Scout group who would enjoy working with them as they hone their sewing skills? There have been a lot of good suggestions on the thread lately of other places that might appreciate fabric donations, too. :-)

AUQuilter - what a great success story! I've also turned to machine binding when time is tight or I just want to get a project out the door although it's still not my favourite binding method. It's so nice you have friends who are willing to help you clear out your stash, too. :-) Way to go!

We had a lovely day of traveling. Got to 4 of the planned 5 stops, road construction/delays and a super long (not planned that way...) lunch meant we didn't get to the last before closing, but indeed I got to her house at 6:00 am, and then got back there again at 7:30 pm. They are going out again today, even longer day today probably not back until closer to 10:00! The ladies were excellent company. I will be going out again this coming Saturday, and there will be other chances to go as well in the next two months.

I did not go fabric crazy, and the t-shirt and seam ripper shouldn't count against me. But I did get some fat quarters in grays/black, I did get some fantasy themed fabric from Quilting Treasures, a dragon "baby patches" panel I loved at an early shop, and then the last shop had a big foot in the same line/style, where I got that and some big feet setting fabric.
https://qtfabrics.com/fabrics/search...lectionID=1675

https://qtfabrics.com/fabrics/search...ionID=1677&t=w
There we go, bigfoot! Third link/edit was the charm :)