I would barely even count that, especially if it is fabric you like a lot. Though I have to admit, given fabrics that aren’t really to my taste are some of the stash fabrics that I’ve had longest, because I never feel like using those colors/prints.

Thanks for the encouragement! I have better organized my stash so I shouldn’t be overbuying as much. I’m having a hard time with the knowing what I like thing, though . Not in a bad way, just some of my tastes have changed over the years since I started quilting, and I find myself wanting to buy fabrics that definitely wouldn’t have gotten used a few years ago. I’m working on a small wall quilt in pastels , it’s like invasion of the body snatchers. Almost all of the fabrics in it aren’t fabrics I bought (and those I did buy were for projects that were for other people) but that I inherited or were given to me ,except a blue that is amazing, and I’m going to use almost all of it up and then be sad.. Blue is always a safe bet, though. I have so many blues.

In the never-ending quest to reduce the stash at my house, it seems to drop to a certain level then Bam! I get gifted with scraps again and somehow the scraps work their way into quilts. It's time for me to contribute to the supply of compassion quilts handed out by church.

That is heartbreaking, Lena - so glad they found a loving home with you. Thank you for sharing your experience. :-)

So great to hear of stash acquisitions being used up for great causes. I know some of us are still in the "planning to use that" phase with some of our stash but if we keep chipping away at it and keep hearing about great project ideas, the stash will continue to shrink and get out in the world where it can make a difference! :-)

And a plug for another thread: If you notice you've got a lot of "bits" of a few coordinating colours, you might like to check out the "Lupine and Laughter" Mystery Quilt thread (Bonnie Hunter's annual winter mystery) - while I haven't made one yet, I've followed the threads for the last several years and these quilts look like a great way to use up some of those less-than-yardage scraps we all have!

BHMQ Lupine and Laughter

I am a wee bit early posting my November fabric totals but tomorrow is really busy as is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc. A week from today all will be settled down to a rest until Christmas Eve. This past month, November, I sent out 36 yards of fabric. Yes, I am shocked too! I spent most of November finishing up multiple UFOs from previous years and WIPS from this year, donating Christmas scraps, and donating fabric for breast cancer patient pillows. My biggest finish was my version of the Harrisonburg Quilt that was a big 10.75 yards of fabric out of my sewing room. It is a Christmas gift for a niece and that just needs it's label. (By the way I do not count fabric quilt used until a quilt is finished.) The other plus is I only picked up 1.25 yards to finish two quilts.

One more month to reach my goal, but I really and truly don't think I will reach it for 2025. I just don't have time to finish 2 or 3 more quilts in the month of December.

WMU - 36 yards of fabric in one month? That's amazing!!! Don't worry about what you didn't get done - you've chipped steadily away at your stash all year so celebrate what you have accomplished! I do like your thinking around not counting fabric used until a quilt is completely finished - it does make it harder to get to that "check it off the list" stage, but is certainly a more honest approach than my tendency to make a quilt top and then kit it up with backing/binding and tuck it all in a box until I can get the energy to quilt it! Not exactly "out of the stash," is it? :-D

In the last couple of months I have used up a few little bits in some more placemats, a couple of which still need to be quilted. Small steps. I do feel good about being able to use up batting leftovers as well. Because I haven't been sewing as much this year, I haven't really reduced my stash by huge amounts, but I have managed to actively avoid acquiring more on a couple of occasions and hope to head into 2026 with some energy and ideas for stashbusting in the new year.

Speaking of the new year, I'm happy to continue hosting this thread, but if someone would like to take over (and perhaps be a better role model), I would also be fine with that. Just let me know. :-)

Like WMU, I don’t count mine until the quilt is complete. But what a feeling to be able to add it to the list! I really believe the UFO thread keeps me on target and motivated to get more done. I finished at least 10 of the 12 items on my list. The Fabric Moratorium thread has kept me checking stash before running off to buy something. Both threads have been a huge help to me. I’ve removed about 50 yards of fabric this year alone! Subtract the 7 yards I purchased this year and I still come out ahead. Thanks to everyone for the support and encouragement. I’m looking forward to seeing how much more I can accomplish in 2026.

Hear hear, Lena! I have been enjoying the blend of the moratorium and UFO threads for a number of years. For me, they make a difference in what I purchase and the amount of finishes I have made. For a long time I was caught in a personal trap of making quilt tops but not bringing them too the finish line. I was thrilled with the process of taking little bits and pieces and turning them into blocks and then blocks into tops. Fun, oh, so much fun but very few finishes. Somewhere along the way a switch was flipped and I saw how much fabric was being "wasted" by not finishing what I had started to make. After reaching that moment, I started in earnest to take on the UFOs and it is surprising how much can be accomplished by putting simple quilting techniques to use and just getting the quilt of the list, out of the bin and out the door. Yup, some months I have to scurry to get a UFO finished by making use of what is in my stash AND not allowing myself to start new projects until I have finished, completely finished even including the label, a current project. I have chosen not to participate in some group projects unless I loved the project AND I had the needed fabric at hand. But by being productive with my UFOs and using what was on hand I got a wonderful feel good boost each month.

Now I am not saying this works for everyone or that I never shop. It works for me and I seldom shop except for what I need rather that for what I want. I am sure I will be here with you next year, still shopping from my stash and still making quilts to give someone warm hugs. "Quilt On" my friends and find the way that pushes you to use what is already at your finger tip to not only reduce your stash but to joyfully use what you already loved enough to purchase.

(After some pondering, I think my switch was "flipped on" during COVID when I could not go out shopping. ;))

Haha, WMU, There have been a couple of moths when I was scrambling to finish something on my UFO list by then end of the month! But it did get finished - whew just in the nick of time. Like you, I was great at making tops but not so good at finishing them. Many of them as now being added to my UFO list and are finally being completed.

Working at a quilt shop with then owner who has similar tastes in fabrics made for some, ok a lot, of fabric purchases added to my stash. I’m not sure what triggered my decision to use what I have. Maybe it had something to do with no room to put more? Seriously, my studio was full and fabrics were being stored upstairs in my house. Granted my studio is on 12’ x 20’ with one 12’ section of shelving but that’s still a lot of fabric!

At guild I am being very careful to only join a class that I really like, have plans for, or know I can finish in a short time frame. Loads of the quilts I am making these days are donated. I get the pleasure of making the quilt and thinking it will brighten someone else’s day. I’ve already got my list for the UFO group and I’m ready for 2026 so I can get started.