After all the excitement of school ending, I took a week off from blogging to regroup (I did have some scheduled posts ready to go). So if you commented in the last week, I promise to get back to you! It was nice to detach from the computer and spend sometime with friends and family. Now I feel refreshed and ready to take the summer on! Plus I missed my blogging buddies :)
Mid-year health check is a tisk, tisk! I will admit that I wasn't 100% good on this fabric fast. I "had" to reorder some low volume fabric, and "had" to buy backing (sometimes too much so I would have a half yard to add to my stash!). At one point, some FQs that were on sale also got added, oops.
Mid-year health check is a tisk, tisk! I will admit that I wasn't 100% good on this fabric fast. I "had" to reorder some low volume fabric, and "had" to buy backing (sometimes too much so I would have a half yard to add to my stash!). At one point, some FQs that were on sale also got added, oops.
All in all, I actually did pretty well. This experience has gave me an opportunity to assess what is/isn't necessary and realize that I have more fabric than what is reasonable. Even with my little stash. I did de-stash fabrics that I will never use, and got a grip on my scraps (3 quilts!), so that was a bonus. This year more fabric has been quilted than purchased. Although, I would still like to get my stash down a bit more!
My conclusion is ... I will never need more than this cart of fabric. For my sewing needs, this will be considered my "healthy" amount. It provides a good variety, and isn't overwhelming. My new rule is simple, once fabric doesn't fit, it's time to stop buying and start sewing. Hopefully, this will keep my obsession with fabric in check.
Sew long for now,
Patch & Chels
That seems that a good rule. I have been pretty good as well with using more than I buy but I still have way too much and have sewn a lot of scrap quilts in the last couple of years. I am going through and donating more old fabric I am not in love with any more. I love how pretty your fabric looks in that cart too!
ReplyDeleteI think the de-stashing fabric you'll never use is key. Once I finish organizing, I should remember that step.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely stash and a great idea but I assume his doesn't include any collections you have set aside for a particular project?
ReplyDeleteI agree about the importance of de-stashing items you don't think you will use if your storage space is tight. I am pretty lucky and have room and just used up a fabric I got in 2010 that was not what I expected (what I thought were swirls were in fact fancy script "coffee" text repeated over and over... oops!). Never thought I would use it, but it just fit a recent project. I admire your tidiness and self-control, and your stash is very beautifully organized!
ReplyDeleteI love your cart of fabric! Are those fqs or 1/2 yd? I'm new to quilting and initially bought a bunch fqs, but not sure if that's the best way to build a stash (great way to build scraps tho!
ReplyDeleteYour stash is so much prettier and organized than mine! My fabric lives all jumbled up in an old steamer trunk so I have to go rooting through it to find anything. One of these days I will get more organized...maybe!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabrics!
ReplyDeleteI remember when we finally filled out home. My new rule was if something comes in something has to go out. If the kids bought clothes, they had to give some away. I'm impressed that you've quilted more than you've purchased! Love the colors in our stash.
ReplyDeleteI also love the little cart! May we ask where you purchased it? mburnette912@bellsouth.net
ReplyDeleteFabulous! A healthy balance is what I strive for also. Have not made it yet, however, I am getting closer. Well done!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on keeping your stash under control. I have found this year that stash busting has been great to keep my stash purchases to a minimum. My whole quilting budget has gone toward batting, thread, and other supplies.
ReplyDeletesuch a lovely cart of fabric - perfectly organised. My own stash is in a couple of boxes under a table in my kitchen (you have never seen a 4(ahem) year old move so fast when my husband had a kitchen spillage!)
ReplyDeleteI am putting a similar standard in at my house but I have more room than that for fabric. I am electing to continue to fast/diet for another couple of months while I work on some custom orders and projects I want to work on. Your stash is beautiful in that little cart.
ReplyDeleteI wish I were that good. I tend to buy whole projects at a time, and I can't seem to stop even though I have a ton to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but I think that cart is unhealthily skinny for a stash! :)
ReplyDeleteYour fabrics look so organised in the pretty aqua trolley - I have mine stored in labelled plastic tubs which I find helps me find it quickly.
ReplyDeleteMy fabric fast is officially over! However, like you, I still want to use what I have. Paring down scraps by making quilts feels like such an accomplishment. Well done, you!!
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty fabric pictures! That seems like a good goal, I wish you luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI have about the same amount of room for fabric, and have come to the same conclusion! I'm trying to use what I've got because my storage is starting to overflow, and I just don't want to be overwhelmed or never use some fabric. I just have to remind myself that I'm a quilter, not a hoarder!
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I've never committed to the fabric diet is because I know I would cheat. Oh I only need 3 yards for the backing? Better buy 4 yards just in case!
ReplyDeleteI'm wanting to try and learn to wait for sales. Some places, Fat Quarter Shop specifically, have major sales that occur every year round the same time (eg, Black Friday, Shipping Sale and the notions of the month seem to cycle through eventually). So my plan is to maybe stock up on fabrics every few months rather than every single month. I check out the coming soon pages a lot, and I know most of the fabrics I actually want aren't released until throughout August-October. Doubtful that they'd sell out of everything prior to November, considering fabrics by the same designers that were released a couple of months ago are still available now. I did a destash this week, so have some money in paypal. I'm tempted to buy things now just because I have the money but then that makes no sense because there's nothing I really want at the moment and I won't have money for the lines I do want!
I love your fabric cart! I've been cleaning up my sewing room this week and after 2 years of quilting I feel like I finally have a stash. Not enough to want to go on a diet yet, but I still need a better way to organize everything.
ReplyDeleteI have started a secret fabric fast (shh, don't tell anyone), inspired by you and Jess of Stitched in Thyme. Let's see how I go between now and New Year. I have given myself a 'holiday clause' so I can buy something small when I am in Japan in a few months.
ReplyDeleteThe cart is a good guide. I use a similar rule in my wardrobe - if it won't fit in the closet, I cannot have it unless I part with something else.
What a good measurement of how much fabric to have on hand. And, can I say that I'm jealous of how organized you keep your stash?
ReplyDeleteSeems like a good rule. I have no discipline and get distracted from rules by pretty fabric things! Ah well, I remember a time when I couldn't afford fabric so I'll buy it now whilst I can. I think I need to schedule some scrap quilts soon, to get control of all the pretty scraps I've kept.
ReplyDelete