How many years did you spend stocking up on fabric before retirement?
09-04-2012, 11:11 AM
#61
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
I did not start quilting until several years into retirement, but my mom and I had both been garment sewers for our whole lives and that and denim blue jeans and old clothes was what I started quilting with. I still am not a dedicated LQS fabric quilter. I buy wool garment and cotton prints at thrift stores, for instance. I'm not sure it is a good idea to 'stock up' on fabric unless it is very generic. I have found my sense of color has changed a lot over the years. You would not believe how much mauve floral fabric I have! Yuck! You might want to start buying the staples of quilting before retirement - rulers, mats, rotary cutters, etc. because they are so expensive.
09-04-2012, 02:51 PM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 906
I am not one to "stock up" as I love to shop for all the new fabrics! I have some fabric I have had for 3 years that I absolutely love, but I wouldn't want a whole lot more that is that old. My quilting friends and I love to check out the new fabric and different LQS's. I have a stash from leftovers mostly. It's not like you can't go shopping when you retire!! 
You will figure out what works for you. Enjoy!
You will figure out what works for you. Enjoy!
09-04-2012, 06:32 PM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: WISCONSIN
Posts: 402
What a wonderful thread reading all the different ways people collect their fabrics and when they started planning for retirement. I started quilting in the early 80's with a pair of scissors, a pencil, a cardboard template and a used sewing machine. I made a queen size quilt like my grandmother did. And I never sewed. I have collected fabric since then but only small pieces so now I can make great scrap quilts. I still love to sort through it and look at it and love finally having my own sewing room after so many years. I practice new things on fabric that was bought years ago. I call them my practice quilts. Smart idea to buy a good sewing machine and batting before retirement. I think I will do that! And of course stash cash!
09-05-2012, 03:50 AM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 727
I have read on here several times about how many of you have written that you are stocking up on fabric for retirement. When will or did you retire and for how long did you stock up? I am asking because I am now under five years for retirement eligibility and want to know if it is time to really start to stock up. 
As opposed to the 1000 or so yards I have purchased in the last three years while I perfected the shopping part of quilting, lol.
As opposed to the 1000 or so yards I have purchased in the last three years while I perfected the shopping part of quilting, lol.Happy retirement
09-05-2012, 03:56 AM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 727
I don't understand why people do this yrs. ahead & planning to use it in retirement. Our tastes chg. so much. Fabrics become out of style. Newer & better things come along.
Unless you're retiring in the next yr. or two, I don't understand the need to stock up for the future.
I used to make my kids clothes so when I come across fabric I didn't use, it's is the type that requires heavy ironing. The new stuff is so much nicer & I don't use any of the old stuff. Just something to think about.
Unless you're retiring in the next yr. or two, I don't understand the need to stock up for the future.
I used to make my kids clothes so when I come across fabric I didn't use, it's is the type that requires heavy ironing. The new stuff is so much nicer & I don't use any of the old stuff. Just something to think about.
09-05-2012, 03:59 AM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 796
I've just started my LARGE collection and I'm not retiring for several years! What exactly does "retirement" mean? Living on a farm, so much to do inside and outside, I don't see the word "retirement" in any sentence for my future! My great-grandmother warned me, when one stops working or moving, one starts to fall apart..so I think I will avoid "retirement" until I have no choice at all! I will collect material as long as I can see it - still thread a needle - and handle scissors safely!
09-05-2012, 05:14 AM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 900
I buy only for each project. I slightly overbuy so I have some room for error. Leftovers are accumulated until I have enough for a scrappy quilt. Then it is all cleared out again. Easier that way. So many people overbuy and end up selling or tossing fabric or are overwhelmed by what is in their quilt rooms. I have just what I need. Also, if I move away from quilting for a while, it doesn't bother me. I don't feel obligated to constantly quilt because I am drowning in expensive fabric.
09-05-2012, 05:31 AM
#70
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
I have not intentionally built my stash for retirement.. as I have no plans or see retirement in the next decade. I have collected enough stash to accupy my time if I retired tommorrow. What can I say but "stash happens".
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