Maybe TOO Much of a Good Thing?

I have been reading a few of the posts over at Sew Mama Sew, about people's fabric stashes. I thought this might be fun to participate in, although I am slightly embarrashed but just HOW MUCH fabric I do have. I am excited to say that I have been in my sewing room lately and have been organizing my fabric so that it is easier to use because now I know exactly what I have.

What do you usually sew?
I love to sew boutique clothing for my children and baby gifts. I also like to make quilts. Pretty much if it can be sewn and requires fabric I like to make it.

When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)

I usually buy 1-3 yards of a fabric if I really love it and think that I might make my daughter an outfit, lately if I am wanting fabric for a possible quilt I will just buy a half yard. The good thing is, is that I use cotton fabric for most clothing and quilting so I can use the fabrics for either.

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?

YES! But lately I am trying to just use my stash and not go shopping.

Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it?

I generally put my fabric in the laundry room as soon as bring it home. But if the fabric is for a project that I know will not need washing I like to leave the sizing in and don't wash.

Do you iron it?

If it gets wrinkly.

How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)

My cotton quilting/clothing fabrics I sort by color. I put all my flannels together. And any of my chenilles go together. And then I have all my novelty fabrics together. My nicer clothing fabrics hang up in my sewing room closet.

Do you have any special folding techniques?

I just recently organized all my fabrics and refolded them using this technique by Monica at The Happy Zombie. And I LOVE IT! It takes up far less space and I can see EVERYTHING at a glance.

How do you store your fabric?

I have shelving that I store my fabric that is 1/2 yard and more on. Smaller than a half yard I have sterilite drawer containers. I hang the nice fabric and my scraps I have organized by color in see thru containers and baskets.

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?

I think that you need good variety in the fabrics that you love but not necessarily a ton of fabrics. If you have friends that quilt arrange a swap to help build variety in your stash.( i have never done this but always thought it sounded fun).

When do you say enough is enough?

I think that I am at that point. Because do I really NEED all this fabric?? And do I really LOVE ALL of it!?

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?

Lately I have been making a lot of scrap quilts, which I am totally loving. Right now I am working on a string quilt for my daughter's bed. It is scrappy but I am being picking about the scraps I am using because I want it too look a certain wayI also love the method that Amanda Jean uses over at Crazymomquilts, where for instance you take say your pink fabrics and just keep sewing pieces of fabrics togther until you get a large enough piece and keep doing that until it is big enough for a quilt. Here is an example of one that Amanda Jean has made.

And here is a picture of one that I made.

Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!
I have several favorites.

What’s your definition of the perfect stash?

I feel that I have a pretty great stash.

I feel fortunate that I can pretty much create a quilt from start to finish entirely from my stash.

I look at is as "Fabric Food Storage".

I don't think it really matters how large or small your stash is, the important thing is that you love what you have. And only buy fabrics that really make you happy.