Judith1005

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Julienm1

I haven't bought fab for a long time but my problems is the free table/closet at Project Llnus.Coordinator loves to taunt me with new donations or she will say Julie, look...these go so well together and then drops everything by my sewing machine! I've made kits, lots of kits, with donation fab. I'm using it but "take home fab" is winning the battle against "already here" fab.

Gemm

So much positive energy, goal-setting, and great ideas already!

Rryder - Something to consider for those fabrics is reach out to a local amateur dramatic society or high school - I used to do costuming for shows at our school and some of those decorator/upholstery fabrics work really well for period or imaginative costumes where a bit more heft or structure could be helpful.

Sync - thank you for this picture! I struggle with defining "neutral" and tend to put anything that has even a hint of colour in it in my colour bins. Seeing what you've got has made me think that perhaps I could broaden my definition a bit and move some fabric into new categories that might see it used up more quickly.

Belfrybat - I'm glad I'm not the only one who carries fabric around with her wondering where to hide it! Also glad to have company in making baby steps in stash-reduction. I finished the double-sided blue gift bag today - the HSTs were part of a thrift store find (I have a box full of a variety of little units like this) and I have been trying to use them up in these little projects. This is one of the "helping to use up someone else's stash" moments. :-D As you can see, there are a few units left, but I just don't see them going anywhere but a crumb bag at this point. I can't claim to be reducing the amount of yardage in my stash, but "inch-age" still counts in my books!

Julie - this issue is part of the reason why I haven't joined a guild... I understand such tables can be found there, too, and I fear my willpower could not stand up to the pressure!

Thanks for all of the shares/comments - you've got me fired up at the beginning of 2023!

Gemm

Okay - I spent some time today (not very much, I'll be honest, but it was a start) looking at my stash and thinking I really would like to pull some of the fabrics out of the various boxes and start putting them together for planned projects. I know a lot of people talk about making "kits" and I think this is what they mean and I know there are some great ways of doing it that don't involve leaving piles of fabric lying around on the bedroom floor!

So... I'd really like to know how you "kit up" fabric to make it easier to plan and get going on future stash-busting projects. Any and all ideas are welcome!

Julienm1

I sew for Project Linus so most of my qults are for teens. I start my quilts by grabbing yardage for a focus fab and then grab at least two accent fabrics, some times three if I think they may "play" well together. I have acquired panels and they are really easy to kit. One fab to make it 'large enough' and more for a really cool border. Into zip log bag and then into their special container. When I want to sew something quick and easy, to the bin I go. If I'm using a pattern, I either stick the pattern in the bag or a note what my plan for the kit is.

I don't agonize about color choices. If choices don't screem UGLY, it's a done deal. Quilt is not going to the fair to be judged, but to a kid to be loved.

joe'smom

I'm in once again; the Moratorium threads have gradually helped change my attitude about buying fabric. I'll still keep up with the 'What's New' tab on Fat Quarter Shop, and put things in my Wish List. I go through the list regularly and eventually remove things; I find it very therapeutic, and it demonstrates to me that if I wait long enough, a particular fabric loses that 'can't live without it' mystique.

Last year I succeeded in organizing my stash, and I finished my prepping project, which gives me a huge number of leader/ender projects ready at hand. This year I want to tackle the scraps, which I have just let pile up for 'someday.' This thread is great inspiration!

Belfrybat

Good idea about kitting up fabric for future quilts. Since I've committed myself to 25+ charity quilts this year (3 a month through Sept), I think I'll use that method. With them bagged separately, I'll also get the satisfaction of seeing the pile decrease. About half the quilts will involve panels or large prints used as panels, so they will be easy to assemble. The others will be either strip quilts or big block ones.

ETA I almost forgot. I spent several hours yesterday and today sewing quilt backs. I have 8 backs sewn and ready to use. That used up a passel of "unloved" fabric.

ibex94

I admire you all so much! I was all proud of the fact that I am trying to wrap up one of my BOM kits that I thought I would have time to do last year, but didn't. I love a mere hour on the machine but you folks are able to knock more than that out! Sew on!! I'll catch up to you one day. In the meantime, today is Jan 4 and I have resisted all the sales!!! No new fabric purchases so far this year!!

I do get the Fat Quarter Shop sampler box monthly. I probably should cancel that but I love the notions and fabric that they send. Let's see if I can use up whatever they send me each month.

One yard out so far.... my niece came over and made a pillowcase from my stash!!!

WMUTeach

For me, a kit is the pattern, the fabric needed along with thread put into a single bin or small box or even in a clear plastic bag. I can then just open the box/bin/bag and get started. All that pre-planning is done. I have read over the pattern and know if I really want to take it on. I many have too much or too little of a specific fabric, but I al least have made the choices for that pattern and set them aside so I don't use them for another project. All from stash except perhaps the backing. I have used most of my backing fabrics during the pandemic quilting spree. . At this time, I have 6 "kits" set in a pile. Each has a month written on it. Will each take a month? OH, Yeah and some longer, but I will have made a start on purposefully diminishing my stash and making use of the pattern I am curious to try.

It has worked for me this past year, so I am giving it a try again. At the very least, when my retreat comes along in April, I will have something all set to go with me.

Gemm

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