I made a plan today. I would clear out colors I never use and take them over to our charity quilt people (and have space to store more fabric). So, I head for the big box of peach color, lights to darks, all peach. I got these mostly at a garage sales for next to nothing but I NEVER use that color. I tried and I tried but I can't bring myself to put it in the giveaway box. Same with the blues and extra greens. I tried, honest.

What's wrong with me? Maybe if I cut a small piece of each to fondle I can let the rest go? This is crazy! I think I'll go have a glass of wine and think about getting therapy!

Look into your heart--can't you spare a bit of peach fabric?

Can't do much with the peaches though...

Now more to the point, I thought I timed my fabric purchase so it would be delivered the week DH worked. But it came today, 3 boxes. He just shook his head. I haven't opened them yet. He doesn't know how tightly they can be packed.

beverly

Over the past couple years I have weened out fabrics I will never sew, poly cottons and other odd ball stuff. I couldn't do it in one shot, just kept going through stashes and took out a bit each time. I am down to strictly cotton quilting fabrics.

I came across Bonnie Hunter's site and the Heartstring site and now I better utilize my scraps and now I am also addicted to scrap quilts so the stash takes even longer to use. I now keep track of what I use and what I add..the guilt of adding MORE than what I use help me keep some self control.

Each year I set a goal to donate 12 quilts...the most I have done in 1 year is 9 and this year I am at 5...but it is all better than none. I send mine to a children/adult cancer treatment center.
Jeane

The other day I was "shopping" in my stash for a child's quilt and picked out a blue that worked with the other colors. I had inherited it from someone, can't recall who.

When I took it to the ironing board it was so thin I could see through it. The selvedge said cotton but it was like an ancient handkerchief washed nearly to death.

I folded it back up but stood there arguing with myself for a good 5 minutes whether or not I would EVER consider using it in a project, any project. It's such a great blue (but it's see-through), it's such a large piece (but it's see-through). You understand my point.

I ended up tossing it but thought about it all day long with pains of regret.

I feel your pain, toolgranny!

I love to "shop" my stash to make a quilt. In fact, I'm quite put out if I have to go buy other fabrics to make up the mix. Now, finally, we have Hobby Lobby that does at least have a fabric department.

Good idea about the will, Rita! I need to make a codicil for my machines to help my boys when my time is up.

Teresa

Linda, I double dawg dare ya to make a light to dark peach quilt...that, my dear, is your challenge for 2010! LOLOLOL

Sharon

Reading this thread has lightened my Sat afternoon! You've all made some great points. Going thro my stash, caressing it, remembering the fun times had when I bought it (often on shopping binge with quilting friends) & planning the next quilt - what an upper! To me THAT is therapy!
I'm with you, Sharon, I don't want to be 'cured' of my addiction. Maybe I'm justifying, but I figure this addiction is 1-my creative outlet, 2-a good thing because it's being used, 3-harmless (until the tower of cottons comes down on my head), 4-legal, & 5-keeps me out of the bars! LOL! And what other addiction, other than knitting/crocheting, results in a beautiful item to warm the body & spirit?? I say Stashers - be proud! Hold your heads high! because we belong to the Sisterhood of Quilters, & that's pretty darn cool!!

~Cindy

Toolgranny - I love peach! (Our first daughter was nicknamed Peaches the moment my husband saw her peachy little face) If you'd like to trade some for another color that you like, let me know!

beverly

I'm not sick, I'm just inspired! Fortunately my daughter quilts so it will all be hers some day.

I did this earlier this year, and got rid of about 12 yards of ugly fabrics. Many were the lone fat quarter I didn't like in a bundle of fat quarters, some were yardages given to me several years ago, and some were left-over fairly large pieces, and some were from gifted "scrap bags" from quilty friends. (There's a reason I don't buy "scrap bag bundles", LOL.

I offered them up on our neighborhood email first, and a young girl wanting to learn to quilt took all of it. She was going to spend the summer at her grandmother's house specifically to learn how to piece a quilt top.

I was both relieved and pleased - my excess of stuff I really did not want to use went to someone who wanted to learn.

beverly

Rebecca

I'm not doing much sewing,quilting etc as much anymore as the breast cancer and the removal of lymph nodes has left my arm messed up and in pain too much.

I worked in a quilt store for 10 years and had a fabric addiction,LOL that's my excuse and i'm sticking to it.
Kathi

I think I'll make a new rule, if I don't use it for any project for two years, out it goes. And, I'll also be more careful about what I bring home.