A Peach in Stitches

After reading about CJ’s proclamation about no fabric is frivolous because she needs them all to finish a quilt. Then, Nines, states that she couldn’t imagine having that much yardage in our stashes.

I for one, do not have a lot of stash, here is photos of it - this is my yardage and FQs. I have since separated it into sections of fabric that is for a specific project (WISPs or future quilts) and fabric that is just there - no use intended what-so-ever. That second section is what I see is too large for my taste and I want to whittle down.

For example, years ago I was part of a online quilting forum that did swaps. FQ swaps and 4″ x 22″ swaps. I joined them thinking “what a great way to increase different fabric selection in my stash. It really was. Until I discovered (many swaps later) that I am not very fond of making scrappy quilts. Those things just sit on my stash shelf.

I have made a few quilts from those swap fabrics since that first August No-Buy challenge that Vicky started. I have made a Quilt of Valor with my reds and blues and I have started a Weedwhacker Star with my purples.

Another thing on the shelf are fabrics that I liked and didn’t have a clue with what to make with them. They haven’t “matured” enough yet to become a quilt. Some are those that I have no clue why I bought them in the first place.

To me, those were frivolous fabric purchases. They were not to be a quilt from the beginning - even though they will most likely end up being a quilt.

Now about my Fabric Diet. This is my way of saying I can’t buy fabrics unless I am to finish one of my 25 or so WISPs. I also can only buy fabric needed to finish those WISPs. (Backing, Borders, Binding - don’t need batting since I have a bolt of it). I am not saying that I will never buy fabric again ever. A caveat in my case would be finally finding a perfect fabric to go with that poinsettia fabric I bought for that one project that I have had planned for a while, just haven’t found the perfect fabric yet.

My fabric diet means for me that I am going to be more selective in my purchases. No more buying just because it is on sale. No more buying just because I feel I must buy something to support the shop (the shop will get plenty of support when I need something). Also, the diet means to me that instead of buying something frivolous, I spend my money wisely.

Like any good diet, you choose the level that is right for you. Some can say “No more Fabric Ever” and some can say — well I can have just a little of the “bad stuff” as long as I don’t go overboard. You also choose when and how long you want to do your diet and the terms.

But I am at a crossroads. I am doing a real diet (food) and exercise program now. My nutrition counselor told me that I can’t reward myself with food. I have to think of other things to reward myself with. She suggested a new outfit, a pedicure or something else. My solution is to allow myself a two-yard frivolous purchase a month if I do really good by working out three times a week (at least) and keeping up with my diet for the most part.

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