Question for those with a fabric stash

[AngieB]

For those who have a stash of fabric or just buy fabric without knowing what you are going to do with it, how much do you buy? I would like to get a small stash going but I never know how much of a single fabric I should buy. What is a good length that I can do lots of things with?

[iowaorganic]

I think it depends on what you like to sew and how good of a deal the fabric is. My mom is a total stasher and of anything that is apparel related she buys 3 yards. That is enough for about anything. I am a quilt stasher and I look at the price and what it would be good for. Is it a small neutral print at a super awesome price? Then I would try for 10 yards to stash for a quilt back. Some random fabric that I absolutely adore? I would try for 2 yards. I buy fat quarters all the time if I love them and they are a heck of a deal. I also buy stash fabric at yard sales and then it is just fun to see what your $2 box holds!

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by AngieB

For those who have a stash of fabric or just buy fabric without knowing what you are going to do with it, how much do you buy? I would like to get a small stash going but I never know how much of a single fabric I should buy. What is a good length that I can do lots of things with?

I have a pretty significant stash, to the point that I'm not sure where to put it all. I buy what I like without a designated project in mind. If I think it's something for dd I buy at least 1.5 yds, generally I know I can make her most anything from that amt. If it's something for me 2-3 yd is what I'll get and that's almost always enough to make anything I would want. For the boys same since I generally make my 2 youngest ds coordinating items out of the same fabric.
Beware of the stash building

[scrapadoozer]

Originally Posted by sabrinat

Beware of the stash building

Ain't that the truth?

I primarily sew apparel. If I think I might use it for dd I buy 2 yards. If I think I might make something for me out of a particular fabric I'll buy three yards. I also have a large stash of corduroy & knit solids as I use those a lot. Pretty much whenever I see a deal on either of those two things I'll buy 5 or so yards.

[HipGal]

Don't do it!

Seriously, I managed to build quite a stash just with fabric that I bought for specific projects that I never got around to! Also, from thrift store/garage sale finds and things I saved for the fabric (like dd's crib sheet). I wish I hadn't bought so much fabric new, because I don't always know what to do with it. I am trying to use it up now.

I would love it if I could use up almost all my stash, then feel free to buy new fabric for one project at a time when I am interested/passionate about that one project. Right now I don't feel comfortable buying new fabric because I have so much at home.

[Mom2Madolyn]

Fabric is as (if not MORE) addicting than cloth diapers

[KiansMomma]

Originally Posted by Mom2Madolyn

Fabric is as (if not MORE) addicting than cloth diapers

Hi, my name is Becca and I'm a fabric-holic, it's double bad because I sew cloth diapers.

[courtenay_e]

Neutral, you can do something for anybody with it fabric that is at a fabulous, can't get it at that ever again price...buy the whole bolt (for instance, I bought an entire bolt of pink flannel last summer, because it was $.89 a yard...I can make nightgowns, baby blankets, bibs, use it for quilting, oh the opportunities are endless! And now I have twelve yards...).

I would buy larger quantities of a good knit than, say cord, but I have bought several yards of cord at a time, especially if it is gender neutral and I can use it equally for daughter or son, or even an ABC front...say five to seven yards, if it is a great price.

I agree, too, that I can buy enough for a project and then never get to it. I have soooooo much fabric because of best intentions. Luckily, I OFTEN find other things to do with stashed fabric...or even eventually GET to the project I bought the stuff for in the first place. I actually made napkins that I'd bought fabric for seven years ago, the week I got pregnant with my daughter...three weeks ago!

[cristeen]

Like others have said, it depends on the fabric, how good the price is, etc. Every time I go to the fabric store I root through both the remnants bin and the clearance rack. I have a few requirements for my fabrics... 100% cotton is the biggest one. Not treated with flame retardants is another. Feel/weight/drape is the third. If I find something in the remnant bin that looks like I might find a use for it, I buy it (these are always small pieces, less than a yard). If I find something on the clearance rack that I might find useful, I buy at least 2 yds. If it's a fabric that I might like to make myself clothes, I buy at least 3 yards. If the price is fabulous and it's a neutral fabric that could have any number of uses, I might buy 5. If I'm buying muslin for 50% off, I might buy 10 or 20 yds. If I find a set of coordinating fabrics, it depends... 2 fabrics, 2 yds each. 4 fabrics, 1.5 yds each. 6 fabrics, 1 yd each. Except for remnants, I never buy less than a yard of stash fabric.

[grniys]

It depends. I usually just buy fabric I like. I usually get 1 or 2 yards, but I don't make clothes. I usually make bags and such, so it doesn't take as much.

If it's a really, really great deal and something I love, I stock up with more. But I usually stick to 1 yard.

[clemrose]

I mostly make baby/toddler clothes and shoes so I generally buy a yard, two if it something I really like or think I would use for multiple things (like corduroy, I love corduroy!). I occassionally make skirts for myself (Sew What? Skirts book is a great resource for this btw) and if I find fabric for that I go by the rule of thumb from the book (2 times the length of the skirt, + a little, if the width of the fabric is enough to make the bottom edge of the skirt). White or offwhite flannel I buy 3 - 5 yards at a time because I use it as interfacing for lots of stuff and diapers.

Have fun!

[utopia760]

id say 2 to 5 yards besides if you get too much you can alwasy do something else with it too

[AngieB]

Originally Posted by clemrose

I occassionally make skirts for myself (Sew What? Skirts book is a great resource for this btw)

I just got this book a few months ago and LOVE IT!!!!

[Jenn_M]

At least 2 yards, generally. If it's a really good deal I buy 4 or 5.

[KariM]

I took a look at what I like to sew (clothes for my daughters, skirts and blouses for me) and figured out the max and min yardage needed.

For myself I tend to buy in 2 yd and 3 yd pieces. 3 yards will cover a very long gathered or tiered skirt, for instance. Any leftovers can be used for the girls.

For infants and toddlers I found that a yard and a half will easily cover most projects.