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Member since 9/3/06
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Posted on: 2/26/14 9:43 AM ET
I'm tired of going through projects and finding that I don't have the colors or prints that I want to use in my stash. As a retired person, I have a limited income and I'm hoping to do a better job than I did on my apparel fabrics....Right now, I have a bit of extra $$ to spend on fabrics (thanx IRS!) and am somewhat paralyzed on what to spend it on.

What have you found to be most useful...brights, solids, binding fabrics, backgrounds, low volume, etc? Any suggestions on how to go about this??
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2009-113.25 yds
2010-115.5
2011-80.25+30+donated
2012 86.3 yds..
2013 21.0
Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987

  
Member since 8/13/06
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Posted on: 2/26/14 9:53 AM ET
In reply to jannw
I wish I could help, but I can't seem to plan that far ahead. I have bought a couple of quilt fabric kits when I knew for sure that I wanted to make that particular quilt. Otherwise, I never know ahead of time what quilt project will appeal to me next. It's always a surprise.
  
Member since 12/15/02
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Posted on: 2/26/14 10:13 AM ET
In reply to jannw
I find tonals, batiks etc. to be useful in a variety of popular colors and by popular maybe matching ones in your stash or ones you personally like. I think every quilter has said, but I only need that one fabric to tie it all together. I don't really stash anymore, knowing I will probably have this issue. I usually plan 2 or 3 projects and if I see something while I'm out I might get something. But as on a budget also, try and buy what I really think I'll use, unless it something very special. And make use of Joann coupons you can save a bundle. Tons of bargins online also. Also if I allowed myself and had the extra $$$ I would have to buy a house just for fabric.
-- Edited on 2/26/14 10:14 AM --
  
Member since 4/15/07
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Posted on: 2/26/14 10:35 AM ET
In reply to jannw
When I started working on my stash, I did it by color. Each time I purchased fabric I tried to get a range of colors in the color wheel and generally purchased in 1/2 yard cuts. I also tried to look at scale of print and always purchased more than I needed of basics like back grounds, neutral colors... browns, blue, grey and black. When I purchased fabric for a specific project I always got more of my most favored fabric so it was in my stash. When I think about border fabrics I go for large scale prints and border fabrics like stripes. I usually get at least 2-3 yard cuts of those. I almost never keep backings on hand except now I have some wide back in tan and get 3 yard cuts of those. I also go for hard to find colors... cheddar used to be hard to find so I was always on the search for those odd shades.

I tend to stay away from pre-cuts because they are not economical but they do offer a wide range of fabrics so that is they only thing they offer. I like to buy off the bolt and select the things I want if I am purchasing in a particular fabric line.

Even though I have a good hord of fabric I find that I always need to get something I don't have. You are not alone in that department. For example, when I started my Jane quilt I told myself I would only shop the stash but as I study Jane's quilt I find that she uses a lot of tan or medium browns... my brown stash is plenty but it is mostly dark shades of brown so I have been on the hunt for lighter shades.

I hope this is helpful...
-- Edited on 2/26/14 10:37 AM --
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Janome MC6700 Bernina Q16Plus Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1
  
Member since 9/3/06
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Posted on: 2/26/14 10:41 AM ET
In reply to quiltingwolf
Quote:
Also if I allowed myself and had the extra $$$ I would have to buy a house just for fabric


I hear you there....I have a one bedroom apartment and have thought about turning the bedroom into my sewing room and buying a sleeper sofa as my machines have been on the kitchen table for about 14 years now!!

What company's do you recommend for the best online deals? I've had really good luck with Pink Chalk Fabrics scrap bundles. They seem to match their bundles by colors.
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2009-113.25 yds
2010-115.5
2011-80.25+30+donated
2012 86.3 yds..
2013 21.0
Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987

  
Member since 7/19/03
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Posted on: 2/26/14 11:00 AM ET
I'd advise just putting the money aside and using it as you need it for the next project. There'll always be something more you'll 'need'....

Right now I'm rather short on what Bonnie Hunter calls "Neutrals" -- the light ones. For a while I was buying every yellow I could find. Before that it was that clear Chinese blue...
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
  
Member since 6/1/09
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Posted on: 2/26/14 11:16 AM ET
In reply to jannw
Quote: jannw
I'm tired of going through projects and finding that I don't have the colors or prints that I want to use in my stash. As a retired person, I have a limited income and I'm hoping to do a better job than I did on my apparel fabrics....Right now, I have a bit of extra $$ to spend on fabrics (thanx IRS!) and am somewhat paralyzed on what to spend it on.



What have you found to be most useful...brights, solids, binding fabrics, backgrounds, low volume, etc? Any suggestions on how to go about this??

Honestly, if I had to do it over again, I would NOT have a Stash. I would only buy what I needed for EACH project, and nothing more.
I've been quilting for over 15 yrs. now, and when I first started I was heavily influenced by friends that were quilters and they encouraged me to buy, buy, buy ---fabric! They insisted I needed a Stash!
I have found with experience that I don't really need all this fabric as I usually end up at the fabric store or online shopping for what I really need as my stash does not fulfill all my needs, not matter how hard I try to make it all work for a specific project.
At the moment I am totally remodeling my sewing space. The contractor is coming March 6th to start with tearing down a wall to enlarge the space, then there is new sheetrock, texture and painting. New flooring, and etc.
Today I start moving everything out of the sewing room(s). I dread knowing how much fabric I will be moving out, along with thread, rulers, patterns, batting, machines, etc. etc.
I do know one thing! It's not all going back into the new space. I will be very much destashing! I am determined to NOT get caught in the trap again of thinking I NEED a "Stash". Just my personal opinion, and I know it goes against what most quilters will tell you---
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Angie Rose
Quilter & Machine Embroiderer
2020 Pfaff Performance Icon & 2015 Brother Dream Machine 2
2017 Pfaff Passport 3.0
2019 Accuquilt GO Big
Brother Scan n Cut DX225
2009 Prodigy 24" long arm
  
Member since 12/15/02
Posts: 8690
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Posted on: 2/26/14 11:29 AM ET
In reply to jannw
If I know what I'm looking for I try searching here

Quiltshops

You can search like 100 or more quilt shops at one time. And also at any given them on the home page have what stores are having sales. I generally don't like pre-cuts as in the end the fabric is more. But a lot of online shops now it's a yard minimum.

Another neat place is Thousands of Bolts. They are really good price wise.
  
Member since 2/17/06
Posts: 5558
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Posted on: 2/26/14 11:41 AM ET
For me, I found that stocking up on solids and neutrals helps the most.

When I see prints that I absolutely must have, I buy them, knowing I have sashing and neutrals to compliment them already.

When I have a specific project, I buy for that.
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Cathryn
  
Member since 4/12/05
Posts: 22369
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Posted on: 2/26/14 12:21 PM ET
In reply to jannw
Well, what colors attract you?
Do you like tone on tones in certain color families?
How about greens? Blue green or yellow green?
Pinks and purples?
Lights to darks in any color family? Light blue to dark blue, for example.
Bright colors or soft colors?
Do you like black and white together?
Do you like a certain print period, such as Civil War?
Prints or solids?

Choices, choices, choices!! It is enough to make a person crazy...

You know what you like, even though you might not realize what draws you. Some colors will always call you and you can barely resist them. Once you realize what is attracting your attention, you can fine tune things.

What kind of prints attract you? Small scale or large scale?
Geometrics, animal prints, flowers or something else?

Did this help or make things worse?
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Currently working on a boys quilt. Sized 40 x 40 inches. It has chickens, chicken eggs, cows, fish, sea life, afield with water, Dachshunds, mini sailboats, and many colorful other fabrics. The blocks are a 4 x 4 finished size, so many of them are needed.
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.

Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L

Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
  
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