Thursday, February 5, 2009

My Stash


Here's what I've been working on since January 1. I'm still not finished. There are four more shelving units to the right of these. It takes a serious amount of time to get organized. I sure hope it will be worth it. My friend, Peg, has been helping me fold and stack fabric whenever she has time. Without her, this wouldn't be this far along. I guess this explains why I haven't been sewing much lately.
I just found out that Sew Mama Sew was asking about stashes. Here are my answers to her questions:

What do you usually sew?
Quilts, all sizes

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?
Usually at least two yards. If I love it I'll get the rest of the bolt. I don't need a project in mind.

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?
Usually think I'll only buy what I need and always end up buying fabric for something I think I'll make in the future.

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?
Yes, I prewash everything as soon as it comes in the house. I serge the top and bottom of my fabric to keep it from fraying and causing a mess in my washing machine and my septic system

Do you iron it?
I partially dry my fabric and then iron it dry.

How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)
I sort by color then by project

Do you have any special folding techniques?
I use a method I found on the internet. I can't remember where

How do you store your fabric?
On metal shelving units in my basement

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?
Just buy what you like

When do you say enough is enough?
I said enough on January 1 when I started folding and sorting my messed up stash

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?
If I had any, my stash would not be out of control.

Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!
They are all favorites it would be liking picking a favorite child

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!)
When I can go to my stash at 11pm and find exactly what I need.

7 comments:

Deb said...

Wow Joyce thats truly impressive.

Terri S said...

I am utterly in awe!! Seriously. I'm not a stash kind of girl. If I have it, I have to make something from it!!

Terry said...

OMG...I want your stash!! I need to come to your house to go shopping instead of going to the fabric store! LOL

Anonymous said...

Beautiful stash.
And so organized.
I have a goal to get my stash taken care of... but...

BitnByAQuiltingBug said...

I've got "stash envy" just looking at that pic! I think it's beautiful! A lot of work, but it will be worth it!

Lynn E said...

I envy your stash. That is a lot of work to get organized.

Leah Spencer said...

*drool* That's so beautiful!! I sure wouldn't mind playing in your stash. ;)