As 2014 is close to winding down, it’s time to think about 2015 here at Patchwork Times. I’m going to continue to track my stash usage/additions in 2015 and anyone who wants to join in is welcome. When I started doing stash reports quite a few years ago, my feeling was that I was holding myself accountable to the readers here. Not that anyone cared, but I knew I had a stash problem (could NOT stop buying fabric!) and I knew that I needed some incentive to use what I had instead of buying more fabric. I would say . . my stash reports have been successful. I have learned to use what I have before searching for new fabric. This year, I bought nothing! I didn’t use a whole lot, but there is a whole lot here to use.
There’s no harm in adding! When I first started the stash reports, I swore I was buying no more fabric, but for several years, I continued to add. I’ve done the same thing with yarn but I think I’m on the road to recovery there too. Old habits die hard and it took some time but I’m good now. I’ve always said that if I need fabric, I’m going to buy fabric. If I want to make a blue and green quilt and don’t have the right blue or green fabric, I’m going to buy it. If I see a fabric I can’t live without, I’m going to buy it. I’m not going to feel bad or guilty if I buy fabric. But, my goal is to use what I have if it will work, before I buy, and that’s a good goal to have with so many things in life.
Here’s how the stash reports work, for anyone who isn’t familiar with these weekly reports.
- There’s no need to know how much stash you currently have! We don’t report anything about that. We only report what we’ve used and what we’ve added each week.
- You can do it weekly, monthly, whenever you think about it . . doesn’t matter to me.
- You simply make a report, including whatever info you would like to share, and then link up in the link box below.
Pretty simple and it’s definitely helped me. There’s no harm in not doing a stash report – no one is expected to do it
So here’s my report and I’m so happy that with three weeks left to report, I have added nothing this year. Oh, how I hope I can say that about yarn some day.
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 74 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 0 yards
Net: 74 yards used
Kate says
I’m glad you are going to continue the stash reports, not that I’ve been able to stop my buying habit. But they do help me focus on the other side of that equation, to start using more.
Jeanne says
I’ve been tracking my stash for several years thanks to your system, even though I don’t usually link up here. I did pretty well this year, but do continue to buy when I feel the urge 🙂 I plan to keep stash records again next year.
kwiltnkats says
I’m also happy that you will continue with these posts in 2015. It has made me go to my stash and feel really good when everything comes from it for a project I take on. It is always refreshing to bring something new home occasionally! Sandi
Linda in NE says
I don’t post to the Stash Report, but reading it makes me more aware of what I have and that I really don’t need to buy much. Most of what I buy seems to be neutrals, reds, blues and backings. Sometimes though when I’m looking at online stores I go a little crazy. This year I bought way to much fabric, but the good thing is I shouldn’t need much in the coming year. I’ll try to remember that I just wrote this. 🙂
Jan O says
Judy, thanks for running the Stash Report. Because of the stash report, I’ve been much more disciplined and mindful about my fabric purchases. I’m glad to hear you’re planning to continue the stash report next year. Thanks!
Nancy says
I have a question about your stash report. When you started did you measure everything you already had? Or did you just measure what you used and what you added?
I have to tell you – I am not sure i could measure all that I have.