Sunday State of the Stash Report 2/27/11

This past week, I went into my sewing area to try to restore some semblance of order. It is almost to the point where I am not extremely embarrassed to provide "before" photos. (I know some of you can relate.)

Well, in the process of consolidating fabrics into common areas, I was aghast at the sheer quantity of fabric I possess. I have known that I have a lot of fabric, but there is nothing like seeing a lot of it in one place to provide a major dose of reality. To say that I am a fabriholic is obviously an understatement. (And don't tell anyone, but I was thinking of going to the quarterly bolt sale this week! But the operative word here is, was.)

So, I began flinging (purging some of my fabric). I liquidated a bit of it in one of my Yahoo groups that is dedicated specifically to quilters being able to get rid of their excess, and to quilters who will buy other quilters' excess. (I still have one sale pending.) So, I can at least add a bit to my "out" yardage this week.

Feb 20 - Feb 26
In: 0 yds
Out: 31 yds

YTD
In: 2 yds
Out: 46
Net: -44 yds

So, one way or another, I am 44 yards of fabric "lighter" than I was at the beginning of the year. Purging that fabric was so freeing; I will have to continue to seriously take stock, and do more of that.

Am I alone? Tell me you have your own fabric issues...

Sunday State of the Stash Report 2/20/11

I've actually got something to report.

(Lousy pictures; sorry.)

I was able to get the quilt and gift sack to their new owner last week. So, added to the fabric in the bright quilt from a couple of days ago...

Jan 9 - Feb 19
In: 2 yds
Out: 13 yds

YTD
In: 2 yds
Out: 15 yds
Net: -13 yds

Were those 2 yds of clearance fabric really worth it? I do think so, honestly.

I should be adding more yardage to the "Out" number this week. (Note: Just because the "Out" number doesn't increase every day or every week, doesn't mean that I am not sewing regularly. Remember, I am not including donated fabric in this count. Also, if it's from my stash and I sew it, even if it's done, I don't count it until it reaches its final destination.)

Green string center quilt

I started off with the intention of speed piecing string blocks for a green string block quilt. However, my calculations were off, and I didn't like the finished blocks for a complete quilt. But I DID like the blocks. So I built a quilt around them.

This quilt is now twin sized, and measures at 67" x 74". (Before washing, it measured at 71" x 79"--and no, I don't prewash my fabrics!) I forgot to take a picture of the back, but I quilted in straight diagonal lines in the center medallion, and the rest was a large meandering quilting stitch.

Here's a close-up of the binding. Love it!

As I type this, it is on its way to the Bronx, to be given to the homeless.

 I truly hope and pray some little boy or girl is blessed by this. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday Stash Snafu

Well, I had the best of intentions when I set out to report on my stash activity every Sunday. But then I ran into a problem.

About the same time I started these Sunday reports, I received, as I often do, a good amount of donated fabric. Technically, I guess I should add that to my "In" count. But it depresses me to do so. Also, I haven't spent money on it, and the monetary savings is at least as big an issue as the quantity of fabric I own, if not a bigger issue. And if I had to MEASURE the donated fabric I am receiving, I think I'd lose my mind. There are lots of small pieces. (This bag in the photo is actually from a gift of a couple of years ago, but this month's donated fabrics that I have received could probably fill the bag up this full, anyway...)

Sigh. What do you think I should do? How do you think I should handle donated fabric?

Rising prices of cotton...and everything else

Photo source: Frugal Cafe Blog Zone

In case you weren't aware, China's flood last year will have a major impact on the various cotton industries in particular, but on practically everything in general. Click here for a great explanation of the issue. In short, China's 2010 flood obviously devastated their crops. One crop, cotton, is a problem for us, because we receive a large percentage of our cotton from China. So, without this crop, we are experiencing a cotton shortage, which means cotton fabric prices increase. Cotton clothing prices increase. Cotton bed, bath, and kitchen linens increase. You understand the trickle-down effect, of course; if less cotton fabric, clothing, etc. is purchased, there will be fewer employees needed (and some smaller shops will close), household incomes will drop, etc. etc. What about hotels? What about hospitals?

But, more importantly, what about the lives lost in China? The food shortages? The homes and livelihoods that have been lost?

I think she won, y'all...

You've heard the saying, "she who dies with the most fabric, wins?"

The woman in this blog post (a portion of her stash is shown above) had more than the woman in the YouTube video, I think...

This definitely gives one pause. What does your stash look like?

Inspiring quilter

Have you seen this?

Do you have a Facebook fan page?

Hey there, fellow quilters!

Do you have a Facebook fan page? If so, why? How has that been beneficial for you? Hubby, who does them for clients, tells me I need one. Please leave me a comment about this. Thanks!

Sunday State of the Stash Report

This year, I am committed to doing some serious stashbusting. So, as a few other quilters do, I will assess my fabric use during the week on the following Sunday. More specifically, I will count the fabric I have used, is in its final state (i.e., finished quilt, not just a quilt top) and at its final destination.

Jan 1 - Jan 8
In: 0
Out: 2 yads

YTD:
In: 0
Out: 2 yds
Net: -2 yds