Even if you don’t care how much you buy or how much you use, I find it interesting to keep a somewhat accurate record of the fabric I’m adding and using. Here are my end of the year figures for a few years.
Some years I used a lot and bought a little, some years it was vice versa. By the end of 2013, I’m guessing my net will be about 200 yards used. So far, I’ve used 173 yards, I should finish at least one top and if I quilt one or two, that will get me to 200 yards. In 2010 and 2011, I was working on a book, making samples for teaching and sewing a whole lot more than I have been lately.
Seeing my stash reports through the years and seeing how much fabric I used to buy gives me hope that I can curb my yarn purchases in 2013.
2008
Net: 198 yards added
2009
Net: 7.50 yards used
2010
Net: 377.50 yards used
2011
Net: 252.75 yards used
2012
Net: 60 yards used
The stash reports will continue in 2014. If you want to join us, you do not need to know how much fabric is already in your stash. All we count is what we add and what we use and as long as we’re using more than we’re adding, I consider that a good thing!
Meloney says
I’m wondering what formula you use for your calculations. I’ve now seen a number of them and just trying to figure out how accurate each are.
JudyL says
My formula is pretty simple. Most all of the quilts I make are from EQ so I know the yardage used. When I buy fabric, I know the yardage added. Once a quilt top is finished, I count the yardage used as whatever figures EQ gives me. For the backing, it’s easy to figure how much yardage is used.
I think the way I do it is pretty accurate and quite simple.
Susan says
I’ve been considering it because I really am on a tight budget this year until some dental work and other things are finished and paid for.
Diana in RR,TX says
Did you really mean that last sentence? Doing this this past year helped me so I will continue on keeping track of purchases and usage.
Sharon in Michigan says
Somebody should invent a patch, similar to the one to quit smoking, for fabric and yarn buying. But that wouldn’t be any fun, now would it?
Becky says
I am catching up on reading your posts. Wondering if you need a mixer to make the hand cream or if it is mixable by hand with a spoon?
Sue Hilton says
I’m in for 2014. My goal is to buy NO fabric. We’ll see how that goes. LOL
pdudgeon says
Judy: “and as long as we’re adding more than we’re using, I consider that a good thing!”
AWWWW, now there’s a lady after my own heart! I’ll bet that right now all the quilt shop owners are echoing a resounding YES! to what you wrote. lol.
I am resolved to be stronger in my resistance to buying new fabric in the comming year–but i said that last year too! At least this year i am finding spaces for my finished quilts, so that helps a little.
Margaret says
I moved this summer and put in a wall of shelves just for fabric. Currently I am going through and pressing all of my fabric and folding it to fit on the shelves. I had no clue how much fabric I have bought over the years. The shelves look almost full and I have a lot of plastic boxes to go through. I think you do less buying if you can see what you have. But it sure is a lot of work, even with the help of friends. I may start trying to do a stash report this year. I think it is fabulous that you have used as much fabric as you have with all the other things you do.