Busting My Stash in 2009

Oooh! That sounds like it's gonna hurt!

Judy at Patchwork Times has challenged her blog readers to another year of busting their fabric stash. What does this mean? Well, it means using fabrics that you have on hand first. Then if you need a particular fabric and nothing you have will work, you can go out and buy fabric to finish your project.

This doesn't mean we can't buy fabric; it just means we have to think about it first. I don't know about you, but I have lots of spur of the moment purchases sitting on the shelves in my sewing room. You wouldn't believe the kits or bundles of fat quarters I have from visiting quilt shops or going quilt shows. I always have good intentions, but new ideas come along and the other projects get pushed to the side. I'm such a sidetracked person!

I joined the stash busting efforts last year, and I did a great job at finishing up some projects. I plan to do that, again, this year.

The other day I needed 1400, 2 1/2" squares for a class I was taking at my Quilt Guild's workshop. I used 6 1/2" squares that we exchange every month, 2 1/2" strips that I exchanged with some friends, 2 1/2" squares that I exchanged with people in 2000 to make a millennium quilt (that I never even started), and I used fabrics in UFO boxes that I know I will never complete! I was able to empty several UFO boxes and make a dent in my scraps to make a quilt that I really want!

Part of the challenge is to post every Sunday our stash busting efforts for the week. I don't have a photo, and right now I'm looking at blocks laid out in rows on my living room floor for a queen size quilt. Izzie, my cat, didn't like my arrangement and rearranged them himself. It doesn't look too pretty right now, to say the least, so I'll save the photo for when the top gets completed.

For my friends that own quilt shops, write quilting books, design patterns, and design fabrics: I'll always support you. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have this wonderful hobby that gives me such joy. I appreciate everything you do.

Amanda♥