For me, my stash is almost all 100% cotton fabrics that I can use for quilting and know that they will be of similar quality and weight. I usually buy half a metre of basics for my stash, although sometimes I buy more of things I really love. (Last week I went back and bought more of this lovely cherry fabric because I love it!)Most quilters I know have a stash – a fabric stash, that is. Haven’t you heard? “She who dies with the largest stash, wins!” and “Behind every quilter is a huge pile of fabric”.
So why build a stash? Here’s a couple of reasons:
- To have a supply of fabrics on hand when the creative urge strikes.
- To have some good basics ready to mix with your other fabrics.
- To get all of a range or “story” of fabrics before they all get sold.
- To have fabric to use if you run out of the fabric in a project.
- To get fabric when it is at a good price.
I think there are a few good “types” of fabrics to have in your stash. I tend to pick these ones up when I come across them, knowing that they will always be useful.
- stripes – especially colours on a white or black background. Always great for binding.
- spots or dots – again any colours on a white background can be useful with lots of other fabrics. A variety of sizes are good too.
- primary colours – I like rainbows and bright quilts for kids so I know I will often use basic reds, yellows and blues, especially navy.
- neutrals – I also like white backgrounds in quilts so I collect “white-on-white” fabrics. You might also use other neutral colours as backgrounds like bone, cream, black, chocolate, grey or beige.
- small scale prints – these have a very small all over print that is often geometric.
- gingham or checks – I especially love gingham but it’s not always easy to find.
The other type of fabric that I often buy for my stash is fabric that I absolutely love. I’ve learnt over time that if I don’t buy it, I will want it later and it will be gone. Fabric that is “very you” or fits your particular style is always a good investment. In fact, all of your stash should be fabric you like because, let’s face it, you won’t want to sew with it if you don’t like it.
Stay tuned tomorrow for some stash building suggestions as I build my “virtual stash” from the Fat Quarter Shop.
Edit: Click here to see my virtual stash post with lots of fabric I’d love to buy.
What do you think? Do you have a fabric stash? What kind of fabrics do you stash? Any tips to add?
So very, very true. I don’t know a quilter who doesn’t have a stash of fabric. I usually collect spots and geometric designs – I find them so irresistable.
Oh, me too! But then I find lots of fabrics irresistible ;o)
My fabric stash is very small – a pile of scraps, some bright children’s flannels, 6 x half metres coordinating prints and solids I got when I bought my machine, and ten coordinating fat quarters I bought because the choice was one for $3.50 or ten for $25!
SABLE = Stash Above and Beyond Life Expectancy! (Sounds like my yarn stash – I have been knitting nearly all my life!)
Oh, I like SABLE. I think I have one of those now!
WHat is the brand or designer of this owl line, love the leaf print too. I am into owls right now.Thanks
Hi Kimela. The owls are a range called Night Owls by Sugar and Spice Textiles. I got them at Spotlight.
When I lived in NYC I once walked past a vacant shop that was hosting an annual wool sale. They were selling bags of 10-12 skeins of wool for $5 or $6 dollars. I could not resists. The colours! The textures! And so cheap! This was the start of my wool stash. But now with the strong Aus dollar I have well and truly started my fabric stash. It’s addictive. My dream is to be left on my own for two weeks to turn the stash into something….
That would be great! Two weeks to sew! Imagine what I could get finished!
And while I’m dreaming, I’d also need someone to cook and clean for me while I’m sewing.
Hi!
I was wondering where I can get my hands on these 3 different fabrics?! I am doing an owl theme in my girls room and absolutely LOVE these materials!!!! Please – Where can I find them???????
THANKS!!
Lara
Hi Lara, I bought these fabrics at Spotlight. It was a while ago now but you might get lucky. Good luck!