Tell us about your stash!

We have lots of interviews to share throughout Fat Quarter Month. As we planned for February, all of the fat quarter talk led us to think about our own fabric collections (how we purchase, store and use fabric…). We asked many of our favorite sewists to tell us about their fabric stash and we’ll share their interviews and pictures in upcoming weeks. We want to hear from you too!

We started a new Fabric Stash & Storage group on Flickr. You can also answer any or all of the questions below on your blog. Once you post, come back and add the link in the box below for easy browsing (we’re trying something new!) add your link to the comments.

• What do you usually sew?
• 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?)
• Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?
• 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?
• Do you iron it?
• How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)
• Do you have any special folding techniques?
• How do you store your fabric?
• What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?
• When do you say enough is enough?
• What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?
• Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!
• What’s your definition of the perfect stash? (Consider sharing a picture or two of your stash & storage, or direct us to a pic on Flickr!)

We’re excited to hear what you have to say!

Edited 2/5/09:  We were having troubles with Mr. Linky and the rest of the posts, so we’ve disabled it.  If you already commented, your link is in this list.  I apologize for losing your comments, but rest assured that you are entered into the drawing for the fat quarter packs.  If your link isn’t on this list and you’ve answered the stash questions on your blog, please leave a comment below.

1. http://amyalamode.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/my-stash/
2. http://abxkris.blogspot.com/
3. http://hazelnutgirl.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-all-about-stash-at-moment.html
4. http://quiltedpig.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-stash.html
5. http://llamalass.blogspot.com/
6. http://www.kevindhendricks.com/abby/2009/02/04/sewing-stash/
7. http://mothers-of-invention.blogspot.com/2009/02/sew-mama-sew-challenge.html
8. http://www.frostedtreats.blogspot.com/
9. http://sewholly.blogspot.com/
10. http://richellenutshell.blogspot.com/2009/02/about-my-stash.html
11. http://jennadesigns.blogspot.com/
12. http://craftismytherapy.blogspot.com/
13. http://www.trashaloucan.blogspot.com/
14. http://jdebreuilsartandquilts.blogspot.com/
15. http://somethingrhetorical.com/talking/2009/02/my-stash/
16. http://2undertoo.blogspot.com/
17. http://spiralowlcreations.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/all-about-my-fabric-stash/
18. http://jakoblaylaruby.blogspot.com/
19. http://bettyanne.wordpress.com/
20. http://betchashesews.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash-talk.html
21. http://sewgoodsewfar.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/show-me-the-stash/
22. http://asewingwewillgo.blogspot.com/
23. http://craftbugjen.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-fabric-stash.html
24. http://longwindedlolajo.blogspot.com/
25. http://greeneyedsilversmith.blogspot.com/
26. http://sparklejars.blogspot.com/
27. http://www.filminthefridge.com/

71 Responses to “Tell us about your stash!”

1. Rachel responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 10:38 am →

   These are some great posts guys!! I have loved doing some blog hopping and reading all about your stash!!

   Rachel

2. Nichole responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 12:17 pm →

   Interesting to see how everyone handles the stash different;ly. Thanks for this unique read!

3. jenn -It'sSewSweet responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 12:40 pm →

   All about my “stash!” http://itssewsweet.blogspot.com/2009/02/creative-minds-are-rarely-tidy.html

4. Leigh responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 1:24 pm →

   Ok, I wrote about my stash, and I’m sneaking peeks at everyone else’s posts through my workday. Naughty me!

5. Kim responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm →

   How fun to peek into everyone’s stashes! Here’s my fabric stash post: http://retro-mama.blogspot.com/2009/02/talking-stash.html

6. Beth responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 1:58 pm →

   Here are answers to your questions about my stash. Thanks!

   http://quiltersnook.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-stash.html#links

7. Sabra responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pm →

   I NEED a stash. Gosh, the pictures I’ve seen of some cupboards full of beauty are unbelievable.

8. julie responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 2:28 pm →

   Too Much of a good thing at http://www.fireflylane.blogspot.com

9. Kat responds:
   Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 2:40 pm →

   I love looking at other people’s stashes. It never fails to inspire me. Take a look here for my baby stash!! http://rippingoutseams.blogspot.com/2009/02/stashing-dark-secret-under-my-bed.html

10. Diane Branish responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 2:50 pm →

    I left a comment this morning but it did not show up. My recently refreshed stash is on my blog: http://sewdivadiane.blogspot.com/2008/09/sewing-roomafter.html

11. call me crazy responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 3:43 pm →

    I really enjoyed reading about everyone’s stash! Mine isn’t ready for viewing yet.

12. shaina responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pm →

    I’m still a beginner, so I don’t have much of a stash yet. But I love looking at other people’s!!

13. Set Carré responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm →

    Hey! I answered the stash questions, was number 20 this morning but i’m not in the list anymore!

14. Set Carré responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 4:11 pm →

    here is the link: http://setcarre.blogspot.com/2009/02/about-my-stash.html

15. Joyce responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 5:06 pm →

    I posted on my blog this morning about my stash, then this afternoon, I found your thread on the same thing. I reposted your questions and answered them on my blog. I’ve enjoyed going to the other blogs that are blogging about their stashes. Thanks

16. Karla responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 6:36 pm →

    I love this post! It’s fun to see everyone’s stash, and check out new blogs!

17. Jacqui responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm →

    This has been such an interesting exercise for me – not so much climbing up into the attic to find fabric to take photos of (so much fun laying it all out by colour), but just thinking about my stash in a different way! To me it’s always been a source of vague embarrassment that I have all this fabric up there that isn’t being used. I fully intend to of course, but in reality? not so much. However, the idea that I could actually _plan_ a stash so that it is a useful resource instead of a collection of odds ‘n sods is totally new to me and really quite exciting! Thanks to everyone else who shared their stash thoughts and photos. I’ve been blown away by the beauty of some of them and while I like mine a lot too, it’s great to think about it in a different way

18. kathy h. responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 6:56 pm →

    Love this post. Don’t have a blog but the last couple of years, I find my best fabrics while on vacation and at garage sales. Currently, there is only 100% cotton quilt fabrics in the stores – but in Hawaii? Barkcloth and other heavier weight fabrics and way more Japanese fabrics.
    Garage sales yield older fabrics that have a different feel to them.
    I try not to pre-wash anymore unless I am sewing clothes and not always then.

19. Katie responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 7:04 pm →

    I wrote about my stash here: http://withalittlebitoflove.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-stash.html

20. bec responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm →

    http://microbesofunusualsizes.blogspot.com/2009/02/fabric-stash-and-storage.html

21. nicole responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm →

    i am alsmost embarrassed about my stash, for the state that it is in, but it is just a question of time – until I get to organize the WHOLE garage or we move again to find actual space for crafting, sewinf & supplies.

    http://fingerprintsleftbehind.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-am-working-on-it-seriously.html

22. Sandi responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm →

    Whoops! Looks like my original comment and link are missing, so here’s my stash post. I’ll take any opportunity to talk about my stash – there’s a lot of it!
    http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/stash-this/

23. Lisa responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 8:59 pm →

    I got inspired and organized my stash for the first time – today! It was great to have a goal and fun questions to answer. Here’s my link:
    http://encouragingcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-housecleaning-and-progress.html

24. Jennifer responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 9:40 pm →

    This was a great idea! I love looking at everyone’s fabrics. They are all so beautiful! I posted about my stash here: http://jenniferworthen.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-stash.html.

25. Lorene responds:
    Posted: February 5th, 2009 at 11:42 pm →

    Here’s mine!
    http://boogaboobabies.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-stash.html

26. Christina responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 12:45 am →

    Oh, why not…http://sometimescrafter.blogspot.com/2009/02/about-my-stash.html

27. Gaby responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 4:46 am →

    Thanks to everyone who has written about their stash, I am enjoying going through and looking at everyone’s stashes

28. Debbi Pinckney responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 5:59 am →

    This was great! Can’t figure out how to take part and answer the questions – the main guestions that I woule answer — Sorted by project ie grandchildren clothing, my clothing and ??? — always but 3 yars or more !!! 6 granddaughters!! This is my second time aroud building a stash – in the 1980′ for myself and daughters ( still have some of the linen and raw silk ) and again in the last 2 years for self and grandchildren. Love theis site just found it today. Debbi Pinckney (fairlady3rd@gmail.com)

29. britt responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 6:15 am →

    posted about my baby stash of fabric, too. i guess i missed the deadline though. sorry. i loved this exercise though. i need to do it with my knitting too.

30. Kay responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 7:53 am →

    I only own about 12 fat quarters as I am a newbie to this so it’s so fun to read about other’s stashes!

31. Jane responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am →

    Boohoo… don’t have a blog, but have had fun reading from them. My over all impression from looking at the flickr photos and reading the blog entries is… my stash is bigger than yours! And I don’t mean that in a wicked way… I’m truly embarrassed by it’s size. I have seen photos of stashes that are as big as a bedroom, so I know that I’m not that bad. I’m a quilter (mostly) and it’s just way too hard to resist some of the fabulous prints they keep bringing to market. My stashbusting tip… keep making those quilts and use the stash for the backing.. DO NOT buy fabric for the back!

32. B responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 8:57 am →

    It doesn’t look like mine made it onto the list. I participated though.
    http://simply-b.blogspot.com/2009/02/confessional.html

33. Rita responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am →

    I have just answered the questions!
    http://ritacor.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/tell-us-about-your-stash/

34. Marissa responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 1:55 pm →

    All about my stash here: http://whiteplumsews.blogspot.com/ This was a fun post; I like seeing other stashes.

35. Cheryl responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 3:11 pm →

    http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash-report.html

    This was a great exercise to get my thinking about my stash, and what it really does for me – inspires, fulfills, frustrates, and bankrupts!

36. Elizabeth responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 4:36 pm →

    I just finished the questions myself.
    I’m at http://emadethis.wordpress.com/?p=584

37. JenniMac responds:
    Posted: February 6th, 2009 at 5:56 pm →

    my stash is so small and tiny. i’m really counting on you guys to help me beef it up.

38. Anya T. responds:
    Posted: February 7th, 2009 at 5:17 am →

    Check this link for my post about my stash. Thanks.
    http://hillscreekquilter.blogspot.com/2009/02/fabric-stash-favorite-topic.html

39. Ronit responds:
    Posted: February 7th, 2009 at 10:47 am →

    Here’s mine: http://2hippos.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash.html

40. Mary responds:
    Posted: February 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm →

    Here is my first post, before organization.
    http://lifeon19th.blogspot.com/2009/02/fabric-stash-and-storage.html
    And here is my update, after I was inspired to organize my stash.
    http://lifeon19th.blogspot.com/2009/02/fabric-storage-update.html

41. Annmarie responds:
    Posted: February 9th, 2009 at 8:57 am →

    I am so late posting this but here is my interview

    http://sewzenmama.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash-interview.html

42. Concha responds:
    Posted: February 9th, 2009 at 10:36 am →

    I’ve answered as well! Here it is:
    http://saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com/2009/02/sew-mama-sew-tell-us-about-your-stash.html

    This was fun!

43. Laurie Wisbrun responds:
    Posted: February 9th, 2009 at 8:58 pm →

    That was fun! I’ve posted about my stash on my blog, Scarlet Fig. Thanks!
    http://lauriewis.blogspot.com/

44. Jackie responds:
    Posted: February 10th, 2009 at 5:05 am →

    Better late than never – I’ve posted my stash confessional today over on my blog.

45. Ethan Watters responds:
    Posted: February 11th, 2009 at 2:28 am →

    Done it! Finally! LOL

    Here’s the link:
    http://ethanwatters.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/my-stash-questionnaire/

46. Kristin responds:
    Posted: February 11th, 2009 at 9:47 am →

    I blogged this
    http://seemommysew.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/fabric-love/

47. Amy responds:
    Posted: February 11th, 2009 at 2:30 pm →

    I just blogged about mine!
    http://vintagefern.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-current-stash.html

48. shannon responds:
    Posted: February 11th, 2009 at 3:28 pm →

    Here’s my stash post http://homepage.mac.com/eliezersilver/iblog/B828340566/

49. Deb responds:
    Posted: February 11th, 2009 at 10:39 pm →

    Here’s a picture (of my very pitiful fabric basket stash!) and the interview questions I answered.
    http://girottifamily.typepad.com/mountain_musings/2009/02/my-fabric-stash.html

50. stitchstitch responds:
    Posted: February 12th, 2009 at 5:31 am →

    Better late than never, here’s my post: http://sewwrong.blogspot.com/2009/02/flash-your-stash.html

51. beki responds:
    Posted: February 13th, 2009 at 8:01 am →

    I’m a little late to the party, but here are my answers: http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/artsycrafty_babe/2009/02/stash.html

52. craftytammie responds:
    Posted: February 13th, 2009 at 10:03 am →

    i’m playing along too! http://craftytammie.blogspot.com!

53. Elizabeth responds:
    Posted: February 14th, 2009 at 2:48 pm →

    Here’s mine!
    http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/02/my-fabric-closet.html

54. Jennifer responds:
    Posted: February 15th, 2009 at 2:38 am →

    Took me a while, but I’ve tidied (some) and photo’d to share!

    http://whimsynwonder.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash-sharing.html

    Enjoy, Jennifer

55. Meredith responds:
    Posted: February 15th, 2009 at 8:20 am →

    I gave it a try! My blog is http://quiltthreads.blogspot.com.

56. StoodoKef responds:
    Posted: February 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pm →

    sewmamasew.com – great domain name for blog like this)))
    ————————
    ad: http://philhutd.lised.ru/

57. Adrienne responds:
    Posted: February 15th, 2009 at 4:54 pm →

    I updated my blog with photos of my sewing area as well as answered your questions. This has been so much fun seeing everyone’s storage solutions and sewing areas. Great idea!

58. Britt responds:
    Posted: February 16th, 2009 at 11:47 am →

    I have a tiny stash so not much to say, but I posted here: http://pigbook1.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-other-hobby.html

59. Sam Davis responds:
    Posted: February 16th, 2009 at 2:39 pm →

    Here’s my wee little stash:
    http://crafterwithoutacat.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-stash.html

60. Doris responds:
    Posted: February 17th, 2009 at 8:28 am →

    I blogged about this today…

    http://threadsofconversation.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash-stats.html

61. Nancey responds:
    Posted: February 17th, 2009 at 10:24 am →

    Here’s mine: http://mykindofanonymousblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/stash-questions.html

    Thanks, that was fun for me!

62. Shauna responds:
    Posted: February 17th, 2009 at 5:57 pm →

    Here is mine –

    http://shaunas-world.blogspot.com/2009/02/sew-mama-sew-stash-questions.html

63. wendy responds:
    Posted: February 18th, 2009 at 1:31 pm →

    I have uploaded my stash just now! I am showing off lots of designer fabric and one cute baby. Check it out~!
    Wendy

64. wendy responds:
    Posted: February 18th, 2009 at 1:31 pm →

    Oops, guess i’m supposed to put my link, here it is:
    ilovebabyquilts.blogspot.com

    wendy

65. Jodie responds:
    Posted: February 20th, 2009 at 7:35 am →

    I played along! Here it is: http://sewing-chick.blogspot.com/2009/02/interview-from-sew-mama-sew.html

66. Heidi responds:
    Posted: February 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 am →

    I finally did this!
    http://craftyheidi.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/my-sewing-stash/

67. Chara Michele responds:
    Posted: February 23rd, 2009 at 11:13 pm →

    I shared my stash…
    http://charamichele.com/blog/2009/02/my-fabric-stash.html
    Thanks for hosting this

68. domoshar responds:
    Posted: February 26th, 2009 at 7:26 am →

    Here is my stash building: http://domoshar.com/archives/1681

69. Amanda Elizabeth responds:
    Posted: March 5th, 2009 at 4:13 pm →

    I’m totally late, but I’ve added mine! Yay for new shelves!!!!

70. Mary Jane Salopek responds:
    Posted: March 11th, 2009 at 10:04 am →

    I hope it’s not too late to post this, I just found this site yesterday. I can see by your photos that I’m totally disorganized, but what else is new? I’ve enjoyed this thread immensely, and need to come back everyday for a while to look at everyone’s stash.
    Here’s my link.
    http://quiltingcrusader.blogspot.com/

71. Sophia Aster responds:
    Posted: June 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 am →

    Four months late! Here is my fabrics stash: http://sophiaaster.com/blog/?p=280. This was fun!