Jeanne S

I just have what will fit in one closet--more than that would overwhelm me. But I don't do much scrappy and tend to by fabric for each specific project so don't rely on a stash very much. I admire those of you who are so organized and have your own LQS in your homes!

cathyvv

Dang! Why couldn't it have been my Goodwill?

Hope you were able to donate some to a local guild that does charity quilts, too.

cathyvv

Prism,

measure gradually. Take 10 - 15 pieces per night, measure by grasping one end of the fabric in one hand, hold it even with your nose, Then loosely grab the rest of the fabric and slide it through your other hand until you can't any further.

That's roughly a yard. Then transfer the fabric from the extended hand to the other hand and repeat as many times as necessary until you reach the other end of the fabric. This method isn't 100% accurate, but it is close enough for storing it. When you actually want to use it, then measure accurately. Luckily, I have been pleasantly surprised at how close to the actual measurement I come!

If you have thin scraps or selvages, tie each measured piece in one of them, then label them. I take two address labels, put them on the tie strip glue side to glue side with the tie strip in between, then write the length and width. I only put width on the label if the fabric is less than 40" wide.

I started out using comic book boards, but they take up more room and cost more. When I have a stack of measured fabric, I put it on a shelf. Between each stack is a comic book board. That keeps the fabrics from sliding from one stack to another.

Bottom line is that this method is far easier than actually measuring each piece of fabric with a ruler. Plus, I can do it while watching TV.

Now it's easy for me to see what's in my stash, audition it for a project and then return the un-selected fabric to the shelf.

Lori S

I agree! Could not have said it better.

leatheflea

For me that would be to much. I wish I had never started my stash. So many newer prettier fabrics that I can't seem to justify buying. Of course who can turn down FREE fabric...NEVER!

scrapinmema

Would go through the fabric and if there is anything that you really don't like donate it to a charity. If you like everything all the better. Just think now you have what can be used in a quilt but may need to purchase a filler and you won't have a lot of $$$'s tied up into a beautiful project. Enjoy and happy sewing.

fayzer

I am at that point of letting some of my stash go. I have fabrics that were given to me that I will never use, so, I understand where you are coming from.

Cybrarian

If it were me, I would sit down in the area where I store the majority of my stash and ask myself ("Now answer honestly self") what prompted my question? Am I beginning to feel overwhelmed? Guilty? Past overwhelmed and on my way to being paralyzed into inaction? Once I determine what is truly behind my question I would make a list of possible solutions, and through that choose what I know is going to solve what prompted me to ask the question in the first place. For each person that's going to look a little different. Introspection, a problem to solve -a chance to have a good conversation with yourself!

ro

while its a nice gesture to donate the fabric to goodwill, salvation army etc., i wouldnt do that. as a quilter and a member of a senior citizen group. i can only speak for my group. we meet at a senior citizen facility run the local town. however, we do not receive one cent from anyone for the quilts we donate. and we donate alot. we give local hospitals, vets, girls homes, anything and everything we can. recently we donated quilts to sandy victims.we depend totaly upon ourselves. now you know how it is living on a fixed income. sometimes the month is a little hard. but we manage to put money into the kitty to buy whatever fabric, batting, backing, rulers, etc. we need. sometimes our family members chip in. goodwill, salvation army, they sell whatever you give them. i'd personally try to donate to your local seniors or a group that makes quilts for charities.

tessagin

After prewashing my fabric and pressing, I measure as I fold. I duct taped a yard stick to a bench I have and it just works. I stick a post it note with a pin with the measurement to the fabric. If I don't use it all, I put an adjusted msrmt on the note. It may go into the scrap bin or back on the comic board.