Sunday, December 30, 2012

Stash Report - Goodbye to 2012

It was a good year for stash enhancement, not so good for using fabric.  Looking back at this year, as well as the previous two years, the big difference was not finishing as many quilts.  That means fewer backs were required and it's those quilt backings that really boost the "out" totals.  Though I didn't meet my stash goals for this year, I did learn a few things about my stash habits:

1.  Start more projects.  Even if they get put aside at some point, a pipeline of started projects yields more finishes per year, which in turn means you use more fabric.

2.  There are still a few holes in my stash in terms of color (no teal, burgundy, or gray). 

3.  Need to buy a few 5 to 6 yard cuts for larger projects.  Though I have a lot of fabric, outside of white, beige and black there aren't many larger cuts of fabric in the stash.  My default purchase pattern seems to be to buy 1 or 2 yards, maybe 3 yards if I really like it. 

So how does the report look for this last week of the year?  As has been typical for me this year, light on the out and a bit heavy on the in.  I couldn't resist the post Christmas sales. 

Used last week:  0.40 yards
Added last week:  34.5 yards

Used for 2012:  38.79 yards
Added for 2012:  413.39 yards

Net stashed for 2012: 374.59 yards 

I think 2013 is definitely going to need to be a stash diet year.  So what came home this week?  I did my part to help the local quilt shop clear out their Christmas fabrics;


as well as some of their sale fabrics.


The blue and white stripe will be the backing for the Coffee Cup quilt, the other two were just because.  And finally, I couldn't resist all of the sales over at the Fat Quarter Shop.  I have a whole collection of cardinal fabric, so I couldn't resist Moda's Winter Elegance when it was offered for 50% off at The Fat Quarter Shop.


Hopefully 2013 will be the year of finishes in my sewing room so I can start to make a dent in that stash of mine.  What are your stash plans for 2013? 

Check out all the other end of year stash reports over at Patchwork Times

11 comments:

WyoPat said...

Beautiful fabric acquisitions--I absolutely love Christmas fabric!

Barbara said...

Bautiful fabrics. Your Christmas fabrics are gorgeous.

Kate said...

Gee, thanks for mentioning the Winter Elegance sale. Click, click, click. ;)
You did a great job stashing this year! And it's good to evaluate your stash and make sure it's nice and balanced (and full!)

Dar said...

I like your deductive reasoning of your stash building/using style. I agree with all of them. Geez I may have to stop reading these posts because my fingers want to go over to Fat Qtr.Shop and check on the sales and that is not the trend I want to start for 2013! I love what you acquired though. You are all set for 2013 now.

DeeDee said...

You found some beautiful sale fabrics. Looking forward to seeing what quilts you make with them.

Hope your New Year is full of finished quilts.

Shay said...

As I recall , 2011 was a brilliant year for using fabric and you didn't stash all that much.

A year or so ago I started buying enough for a quilt back every time I bought enough fabric for a front. That way even if I dont make a quilt out of that fabric for years I'll have something that matches and wont have to go looking for the perfect backing!

Marg said...

I love Shay's idea. I need to think of that in the future. Love your latest fabric acquisitions.

Lynne said...

My default is to buy half a metre!

Perhaps 2013 will work better for you in terms of stash usage!

Helsie said...

I feel deprived as I don't really have a "stash" but just buy for specific projects and there's not much left over.
I'll work on that next year !!!
Happy New Year.

Lori said...

I like your reasoning! Even though it seems our stash is HUGE--there are "holes" in it. (I have no lavender! or much of any purple)

Denise :) said...

Kate, your realizations from the past year were very interesting. I rarely buy yardage ... I feel like a one yard cut is BIG! LOL! I mostly buy fat quarters and occasionally a half yard. You've made me realize I need to rethink that, especially when I find a fabric I really love! On the other hand, I'm pretty sure there are no holes in my fq stash. :)