WMUTeach

Pet, on the other hand I have been to JoAnn's about once a week to pick up staples to my quilting. I use a lot of white on white as background, or cream/cream, and have already used some of it. It is also be really nice to reach into my "white bin" knowing I saved 30% or 40%. I did walk away from other JA products that I do not have a plan for. We all "justify" our shopping in different ways. I have much less in my stash than 8 years ago but I still want to leave my sewing life, many years from now I hope, with a small manageable stash for my children to dispose of. Keep watching for quilt finishes with white on white backgrounds!

retiredteacher09

So much inspiration on this thread! If only I sewed faster. 😏

Gemm: A great quilt! I like the monochromatic blocks. I sort my scraps by color and like making crumb blocks in only one color way. I will be adding your quilt design to my batik file as I have many strips of batiks.

Gemm

Thanks for the sweet comments, everyone. I really did enjoy making this one and am pleased with how well it turned out.

Pet - what you said about mental health really resonated and this quilt was certainly a good one for that. Like Retiredteacher09, I don't generally get my quilts done quickly and this is a great example of how that can be a good thing. It took a long time to put together but it was such a nice project to have to be able to just go and sew a few seams when I had a minute to spare or needed to step away from a scary world for a bit. Part of my therapy package! I also hear you on the need to physically resist temptation. Right now I'm doing well with keeping my "retail therapy" limited to the guild free table. I honestly don't know how well I'd hold out if I walked into a clearance sale... I think WMU and Quiltmom2 have the right approach - knowing the fabric will be used and valued goes a long way in helping with those feelings of guilt. Still takes a lot of willpower, though!

dunster

Gemm, I really really REALLY like that string quilt.

aashley333

Love your string quilt! I also prefer that size quilt. It is easy to use and fold quickly. I have been purposefully shopping for fabric. I mean that I haven't added to the "pretty" section, just specific for next pixel quilt kit. Otherwise, I have been abstaining from collecting more fabric. My stash is not huge, but it is pretty. What I usually need is blenders.
Yesterday, since I needed more Steam a Seam2, I ran by the Singer store after the grocery store. They were exceptional! I told them that I had ice cream in the car (DD requested Cookies and Cream), and I needed 3 yards of Steam a Seam2. One clerk cut it while another rang me up.--Then I spotted the best blue beachy type fabric. Had to repeat: ice cream in truck! ice cream in truck!

Lena1952

In my defense there was a really good estate sale with premium fabrics. I bought 19 yards of fabric but I also restrained myself to yardage for backings. I make a lot of comfort quilts for the community and at $5 a yard for good fabric, I couldn’t pass up the chance. I could have bought way more if I’d let myself.

Iceblossom

One the good side of things, I have been further organizing/purging my stash and have a full large tote (that is, larger than what I use to store my collections in) full designated as "good to go". I've started a second but am having a temporary break. I've sent out several flat rate packages of various sizes to various people/collector requests. I'd like to have my sewing group come over and shop my stash, sort of a house warming for me, but first I need to get the long arm frame up. I'm getting closer to getting it done and really it isn't that complex but the hubby and I do not always work well together... but he wants to help and I need his help. Plus probably the neighbor next door, this frame is heavy/solid/welded with the hydraulic lifts for height. Anyway, once the long arm is up, we can use it to sort fabrics!

On the ok side of things, I have purchased fabrics for a specific project -- a very wild version of the Labyrinth Walk. I already confessed to the main inspiration/temptation and now I have fabric to go with. At least in my mind, this is going to be one of my "taste specific" projects. I did control myself very well in terms of not buying more fabric because I was already paying for postage anyway... And all my fabrics were on sale. I did buy some additional yardage of the black solid I use but I typically allow myself 3 yards at a time of the white and black.

And in the "my how I have changed", hubby and I go on little road trips to different little towns in a different little directions. Anyway, cutting out a lot of the story but the BBQ joint we were going to sold out of meat the day before and would be opening several hours later. We ended up at an Asian buffet right next to a Joann and I didn't even go in! I am amazed at my ability to withstand temptation, haven't gotten anything from the Joann closing.

Lena1952

Good job on the temptation Iceblossom! At least you have a real plan for the things you purchased for your Labyrinth Walk quilt. We have to give ourselves a pat on the back for resisting temptation any chance we find. Sorry you missed the BBQ, it’s sounds yummy.

WMUTeach

I did a quick calculation of my March Fabric In: 11 yards (4 yards for a planned quilt and the rest just basics I know I will use from JoAnns). Fabric Out: 22.5 yards in projects and donations. So that is a net total of 11.5 yards out of my stash for the month of March. Better than last month and I am looking forward to April's finishes. I have four quilts ready to quilt and bind. That should kick up the total!

I keep finding UFOs that need to be assembled and then sandwiched. Silly me to keep making the patchwork part of a quilt then put it aside and start another. I hope by the end of year I will have an empty spot in my stash closet.

retiredteacher09

Good job of yardage out, WMUTeach!

I’m behind on reporting my yardage out. 🙂. I designated January and February as ‘flannel’ months. I used approximately 50 yards. I made some backings, adult quilts with flannel as batting and/or backing, and toddler quilts. I did keep some yardage from purchases I made with a grant but didn’t record them.

4 baby quilts finished-roughly 39” by 47”
3 quilts finished- varying widths from 55” to 59” and length 77”-80”. Had flannel as batting and/or as backing
plus 4 backings donated to my church group

The majority of the flannel came from donations to my church group. Some larger pieces but most less than 6” in width.

I could only upload 2 of the baby quilts. 🙂