michelleoc

I have to say that I admire anyone that doesn't have a stash. My reasoning? I have quite a large stash, and yet any time that I get ready to start a new project, I have to go buy more fabric, because there isn't anything "just right" in my stash. Then, when I get to the store to buy what I need for a specific project, I always find something I just have to have, but it goes into my stash because I don't have a project in mind for it. A vicious cycle. I have a couple of friends that shop from my stash and I'm always happy for them to take stuff.

Snooze2978

I find I love to look and touch fabric. The vibrant colors are're coming out with are so beautiful. Even my sister loves to look at all my fabrics and she doesn't even sew anymore. As I have few fabric stores nearby and with the way this winter has been I can't just go out and pick up fabric for every project so I try to keep a good supply around to choose from. Just got my latest shipment from Connecting Threads the other day and found I'd run out of my comic book boards so ordered more of the two sizes I use. I went ahead and folded what I had up using the ruler method which I find I do like except that they won't stand up on their own this way. Have another smaller shipment coming this week with some fabric I needed to finish a baby quilt I'm working on as I found the fabric I chose wouldn't work now. Then afterwards I came up with an alternative border idea which I'm using instead so the fabric I purchased will go in my stash for something else.................someday.

Friday1961

I now have a stash but very small compared to many quilters. But way before I began quilting I bought fabric I saw and loved, knowing I'd make something (clothes) out of it sooner or later, and sometimes my clothes making stash got pretty large. Quilting fabric is just an extension of that love of fabric which results in "collecting".

sewbizgirl

Do whatever works best for you... I do stash fabric, mainly because I buy when I find it on sale, clearance, and any other really good deals. I could not afford to just walk into a shop to buy for a project, paying full price-- so I stash it when it's cheap and then "shop my stash" to make my quilts. I also stash nice 100% cotton shirts for quilting.... lots of good fabric there for $.50 to $1.00 per shirt!

tessagin

Sometimes I just see a fabric like and think wow that is so cute or gorgeous or stunning and I usually have my fabric coupons with me. Wednesdays I can go to Hancocks and get a 15% discount (sr. citizen). I try to limit my purchase limit at $20.00. They have a table with huge discounts on also up to 90%. I have 8 quilts planned and working on all of them. A little at a time.

crafty pat

I love fabric and I just can't stop buying it. My stash is huge and I have several orders coming in this week. Right now I am setting here dreading that I have to go iron all the new fabric I have finished washing. I don't just buy fabric for quilting but for garment sewing also. Love making things for my three year old DGD.

Skratchie

I think you gotta do what works for you. I am a stasher - if I see something I really like and I have the money, I buy a couple yards of it. A lot of times, I will flash vision a quilt with some fabric I see in the store, so often I have an idea of where I want to go with it, but sometimes I buy fabric just for the pleasure of having a piece I really like. Some of my best quilts have come from my stash - sometimes I have to buy fabric to go with what I have, and sometimes I can cobble something together without leaving the house or ordering anything.

I have a quilting budget that I set side because I went for many years feeling like I couldn't spend money on the things I really wanted. I don't spend all the money each month, but I probably get pretty close because I'm trying to build up my stash. I got so depressed when I felt like I couldn't buy any fabric that my creativity just dried up, primarily because I didn't have a decent stash to pull from - lots of focal fabrics, not a lot of blenders. Now I try to split my funds between the two a little more evenly. I seem to have a Kona cotton fetish I can't shake lately; I'm buying it by the bolt!

linkd

When I was working I bought for 'stash' since I never got anything sewn with it. I jokingly referred to it as my 401S (for stash). Now I'm retired, I still prefer shopping to sewing... hard habit to break!!! Luckily I stashed money in the 401K.

trennag

I don't have a stash. I do have some scraps left over from projects and about 10, one yard cuts that I bought at a buy one get one free sale but that's it. I find it hard to decide on fabrics if I'm not shopping all at once so I buy what I need for each project and save anything that I can make a 2.5 inch strip or 5 x 5 square and will hopefully make a scrappy quilt with it one day. My taste change often. Also I usually have a pattern then go shopping and the fabrics jump out at me.

JoyceHoopes

Like so many others, I live with my stash rather than the other way around. When I worked, I bought fabric just because I liked it - usually 3-5 yard pieces. Now I'm not working and have more fabric and patterns and books than I could use if I live to be 500 yrs old. Do I regret it? No, I don't regret it. But, there's no longer even the space available to sort out what I have (last year I did donate a 55 gallon drum of fabric, so that's some gone). My main goal now is to deal with my UFO's and let the rest multiply in the closets... If you can keep this hobby in check, you will have a great time with it. Or like some of us you will live in your own private fabric shop. Joyce in DE