Purely out of curiosity, I decided to review a few years worth of stash reports.
2012 so far:
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 188.75 yards
Added this Week: 23 yards
Added Year to Date: 71.75 yards
Net Used for 2012: 117.00 yards
2011
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 281.25 yards
Added this Week: 3.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 28.5 yards
Net Used for 2011: 252.75 yards
2010
Used this Week: 8.50 yards
Used year to Date: 572.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 195 yards
Net Used for 2010: 377.5 yards
2009
Used this Week: 8 yards
Used year to Date: 464.50 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 457 yards
Net Used for 2009: 7.50 yards
In 2012 I changed the way I count the used stash. I’m counting the yardage for the top when I finish the top and counting the yardage for the back when the top is quilted and then counting the binding yardage when it’s made and set aside. In previous years, I counted the yardage as out of the stash when I pulled it for a quilt and started that quilt. My thinking was that it as no longer available to use for other projects but then I switched to the new “accounting” method in 2012 and I like it better.
My fabric used numbers in previous years were higher somewhat because of the accounting change but also because there were a couple of those years where quilts were being made for books and I was teaching and doing lots of sewing in hotels and making class samples.
Look at the fabric added in 2009 and 2010. Those were years when I went wild in Paducah at Hancock’s and at the quilt show.
This year I really haven’t done as much quilting as in previous years. There were three quilts where the fabric, including the backing fabric, was provided and didn’t count in my yardage numbers so that’s about 45 more yards that were used than what’s in the accounting. There are a lot of quilts started and not finished – the Christmas Town Sampler, the Stars & Stripes Sampler, two quilts for Nicole and probably at least that many more. Plus, anything finished in 2012 that was counted in previous years when the fabric was pulled . . that cannot be counted again.
My plan, which is probably the exact same plan I’ve had every year, is to get lots more done in 2013. I want to get the “used” numbers way up and the number of finished quilts way up. The garden area is established and will require less work in 2013. The sewing room is complete so I don’t have to deal with that in 2013. Even though Vince could transfer any time after May 1, 2013, I really don’t think we’ll ever move again so, on so many fronts, I hope there’s not a move in our future for 2013. I want 2013 to be a year of accomplishing a lot — a lot of quilts and a lot of socks!
Carol says
I also seem to remember a “few” yards that your purchased at Lolly’s when we were on retreat. 🙂
Carol says
That was in 2010 and that is one reason your numbers were high but I know you have probably used at least half of the fabric you purchased.
Dar in MO says
Good progress no matter what your accounting system is. BTW is there not a linky this week?
Becky G. says
Dar, Look back two posts. There’s a linky there.
Becky G. says
Judy… this is very helpful for me as I hope to join in the stash reports in 2013. I like your system of counting fabric as out of stash as each major step is completed: flimsy, back, binding. (I’m an accountant so, I like to think about ways to most accurately describe information in numbers for the most relevant data.)
I”m going to go back in your posts to see if I can pick up more tips. Since I do not work off of bolts and every little seam includes about 0.5 inches of fabric (I know this because try as I might, I am not always consistent with cutting, sewing, pressing… one gets off!) I’ll have to come up with ways to estimate yardage in pieced tops and backs. I’ll certainly not fret over it, nor do I expect precision. Looking forward to tracking my buying/using on a weekly basis. They say, the best way to really affect a behavior one wants to change is to write it down and check often. Thanks for a fun vehicle to help us. Happy Holidays! B
pdudgeon says
I’m also hoping that my useage numbers go up next year.
not having a designated quilter for such a long time really slowed my production, but thankfully that problem has now been resolved. I’m really determined to watch my purchases next year even more than this year. one delima i’ll have to solve will be the question of the ‘left-overs”. Do i want to continue to save them to be used eventually, or should i just cut my losses and go on to make other quilts?
how many ‘savers’ vs ‘tossers’ we have here would be interesting to find out.
Helen Koenig1 says
I have been posting whenever I have a flimsy completed – and posting again when the backing is also completed (and binding – IF my talented daughter is doing that also!) but now I’m learning to do the quilting AND binding (which considering my skills is NOT the best!) so will be showing that as well! (ie – I had previously posted my threadhead mini-sampler flimsy, recently again I posted the backing on the threadhead quilt – but now I am doing some applique on there (eventually – amount is negligible) but will post when I have the binding done as well. 3 stages – and probably WIPs in all 3!!! LOL (I REALLY need to make a point of a quilting weekend, a binding weekend – maybe – or maybe not)
Helen Koenig1 says
oh yeah – FWIW – I’m a fabric saver – so far have made 2 log cabins (one LARGE queen and 1 crib size) out of strips that were otherwise scraps. I also have 3 other WIPs at the least STARTED from scraps as well. Additionally – I have 2 WIPs and am starting ANOTHER quilt (probably will end as a WIP for a spell) out of smaller scraps that are maybe 2″ square – or even 1.5 inches square – up to 3.5 inches square! LOTS of those kind of scraps (don’t ask how many are actually processed into the neatly designated bins and I won’t lie to you!))
Debbie Harmon says
I don’t do stash reports. I use mainly scraps or small pieces of fabric such as fat quarters. I think it would be nice if you included in your stash reports the number of quilts finished each week or each month or even each year. Debbie in WV
Nann says
“My plan is to get lots more done in 2013.” That sounds good to me!
Mary in VA says
You should start a yarn stash report as well! I like your stash report and may do something similar next year for myself. If nothing else, it will remind me not to keep buying fabric….