When I first heard of the Fabriholics Anonymous fabric fast for 2014, I was challenged. Now, I am far from having a big stash.
This is pretty much all of it other than a pile of random fat quarters of solids and small precuts on the bookshelf on my sewing table. Note my little Kate Spain, erm, shrine in front of it all! On the right are shelves of my blenders and yardage below. To the left is the random collection of novelty prints, with my shop stock on top. The drawers hold scraps down the bottom and layer cakes on top, with many more scraps in the plastic tubs at the front.
As you can see, my stash is not large when compared to many I have seen online. Not that it’s a competition! I have been consciously stocking up on blenders this year, filling up those stacks a bit more. If I’m buying something specific, I’ll pad out that expensive international envelope a bit more with a few more sale blenders. But I’ve now reached the stage where I’m comfortable with what I have. I have all the fabric I need for the amount of sewing time I have NOW. And next year, that time will be changing with an almost-definite part-time job beginning once Isabelle starts preschool.
So, I have decided to have a fabric fast for the first six months of 2014. To finish the UFOs sitting around; finally use the fabric that I’ve bought with a project in mind but have been left languishing in my cupboard – scarves, tops, quilts, bags; save my pattern and blog money instead of spending it on more fabric.
There are some exceptions, both recommended/allowed by Rebecca and Jess and a *few I’m allowing myself for my own specific situation:
– Backing: Thankfully this is allowed, because I don’t keep much backing yardage on hand “just in case”. In fact, I can only think of two prints I’ve stashed just in case!
– Notions, books, magazines: I rarely buy quilting books because I am aware of the fact that these will need to be “moved” back to Australia and space will be at a premium, so I’m not sure how many I will be buying anyway. Magazines are something I like to indulge in and then destash (usually via Instagram), especially Japanese quilting magazines. I can’t read them, but the pictures sure are beautiful! Australian guests also know to bring me an Australian Quilter’s Companion, and I’m always interested in Japanese magazine swapping for the quality, modern quilting magazines from the UK and USA! And notions are always important – gotta keep my Aurifil thread in stock.
– Needs for publications: Well, you just never know! Although I will definitely be shopping my stash as a big first priority.
– *Solids: I don’t keep bolts of solids. I have a random pile of solid colour scraps that I won last year, and 5m of white. I only buy as needed for bees or big quilt projects because I don’t have the space, nor are they something I use a lot of other than white. In 2014, this will be changing a little with a new bee I am involved in where the members are allowed to specify a specific solid (or print) to be used. I will need to buy those, as well as re-stock other basic solids as I go.
– *Current subscriptions: I am currently subscribed to the Sew Lux monthly colour bundles, and the Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery BOM (which I’m not actually making… Oops). These will be still continuing into 2014.
– *Kate Spain: Sorry, but no fabric fast will keep me from collecting! Daydream and Solstice will be coming out in the first half of 2014, and I expect to buy a fat quarter bundle of each. If it helps, I already have a plan for Solstice for next year!
– *Bonnie & Camille: I collect 2.5″ mini charm packs of each of their lines for a future project, and I will continue to do so next year too. Thankfully these are only $4.95 investments.
I am actually really excited about this. I need to sit down and make a big list of all the UFOs and “future fabric projects” to work on next year, but I’m excited at the motivation and not to mention the money I will be saving!
Amy says
I’ve been considering a fabric fast for next year too. I like the idea of having exceptions to the fast though. I might set myself some guidelines.
kara says
Ooof. I ought to do this. As most other quilters, I collect fabric faster than I can use it, and that seems to have gotten worse lately. However, it would only last a few days, and my really bad willpower would fail me.
DeborahGun says
I am doing this too 🙂 I am actually looking forward to making all the things I bought fabric for, instead of browsing fabric shops and wanting more. And with so many other quilters joining in I think it will definitely make life easier!
Carrie @Gotcha Covered Quilting says
What a great idea. I think I might just give this a try too. I’ve been hoarding fabric far too much lately. I have plenty to keep me sewing all year. I sell fabric online for goodness sakes, and yet I still go to my LQS and buy more. It’s a sickness for sure! Thanks for the motivation!
Pam Arbour says
I went on about a 10 year fabric fast. Only recently have I bought fabric and I ONLY buy quality fabric when it is on sale. This year I hope to quilt my 25+ quilt tops and that should take a lot of my stash to make the backings. I too hope to keep my stash at a minimum. It is my goal to sew up all my fabric before I die! LOL
Pattie C says
I commend you for this, I am also trying to fast this year. My stash is large, some would say massive, but I’m sticking with large for now. I haven’t seen too many collections lately that really make me salivate at the keyboard so I think I’ll be OK. But don’t kid yourself, it is a competition when it comes to fabric hoarding, it’s just one you don’t want to win.
Soma says
I did that earlier this year, didn’t buy any fabric for six months. I got into the habit of looking at what I have first before buying more. Most of the time, I only buy when I have a certain idea and color in mind and no fabric to match it. It really feels wonderful. You can do it 🙂
-Soma
Amy in UK says
Oh yes… I need to join in and bust my stash.
AmandaK@whatthebobbin says
It’s going to be a long 6 months!
Susie says
I should, but I couldn’t. Good luck.
Tiffany says
It looks like you have a great stash right now! And I TOTALLY understand about Kate Spain and Bonnie and Camille. Totally.
nita says
not hard for me…with the price of fabric here, I have to bite my cheeks every time I buy some.
Jane says
Okay, I’m in too…. it’s a bit scary but I’m excited to challenge myself this coming year!
Patty says
I am going to join this fabric fast too. I have a huge stash that really needs to be whittled down. The only fabric I will really need is some solids, probably black, for backgrounds for 2 batik quilts I want to make. Then I need to stay out of the fabric stores because I have very little will power!
Beth says
I too have joined in too. It should be interesting to say the least! I do like some of your exceptions! I put an additional one in too! Good luck!
Cassandra says
I too want to finish all of my UFOs! I don’t think I can do so without buying new fabric, though, as I have a VERY small stash. I’m impressed by yours! 😉