About Buying the Fabric

Hello Dear Friends and Readers, a lite story for you today about buying fabric that I thought you might enjoy!

I was in a quilting fabric shop a few months back. Of course its impossible to go in without buying something. But when I find a fabric I like, the thoughts are, what is this good for?

It could be that I just like it – good enough. Or, would I use it for a backing, a border, binding, background fabric or piecing. I also consider what other fabrics I have and does it fit with something I already have? Then there is always the worry…. will I have enough for that portion of the quilt? I’m sure, that Im not alone in thinking like that.

I suppose that there is always the temptation to overbuy. Lets face it, half a metre too much, is way better than half a metre not enough! 😂

Anyhow getting back to the shop. I was speaking with one of the ladies who worked there, and I asked her about how she resists buying fabric – being there all the time. She said of course she had no shortage of fabric at home and that she was always buying new pieces to take home. I said to her that she must be excited to take it home and start cutting it up. Oh no, she replied I don’t cut it!!!! I can’t bear to cut it up!

So that made me think about the fabric that has already been purchased.

There is no point of having fabric to never use – is there? Don’t just keep the cupboards warm. Think of using what is already in your stash. I think its a good idea to have a look at the fabric we have already purchased. For myself, I have tried to be more selective about what Im buying in relation to what is missing from my stash.

Think of fabric as your paint palate. I realised my stash is low on light colours, neutrals and reds. Find out whats missing from your stash. At least when you go into a fabric shop you can think about what you might need rather than just random purchases.

Don’t forget there may well be other fabric lying around which could be just the perfect piece you need like from old shirts!

Get shirty