Fabriholics Anonymous

I was going to wait until the new year to talk about this, but they have started, the sales! And by they I mean my LQS, and every on-line fabric store I can imagine. Oh I want to buy fabric everywhere, because it is on sale. I don't need it, I just want it. That's right, I am a fabriholic.

My stash today. All 24 boxes are full. A lot of the tops will not close...

Two years ago I had sewn my stash down to almost nothing. It felt great, it felt free. Since then I have been building up my stash. Now I will say I have been doing A LOT more quilting in the last couple of years, so the growth of my stash is natural. But seriously, at this point I know that I have enough in the stash to get me through a whole year of projects.

the "Large Cuts" drawer

So I don't need any fabric, and I don't have any extra money to speak of, so it is time for a fabric intervention. Last week, Leigh Anne over at Ella's Cottage talked about the FabricFast 2014 that she is embarking on. This got me so inspired! And then I came upon Rebecca's Fabriholics Anonymous at Making Rebecca Lynne.

I am in! Here is how it works...
Goals

• To use the Stash I already have!
• Finish UFOs without distraction by shifting to other new beautiful fabric.
• Stop the insanity of constantly buying the latest and greatest fabric.
• Save the $ I spend on stashing - I want to go to Quiltcon in 2015. let the saving begin! 
• Destash the fabrics that I realize I am never going to use.

Rules

• No fabric purchases for 6 months beginning January 1, 2014.
• At 6 months I will reevaluate and decide whether to keep going for the full year. 
• I am extending the fabric fast to books / patterns / magazines too. I have so many on my shelf now, I need to use them (See The Library Project for how I am handling this issue). I currently have a subscription to Quilty magazine, I will keep that until it expires.

Exceptions

• I can purchase batting or quilt backing fabric to finish projects but will try to piece backings from my stash where I can, and I am going to hit the thrift stores for things like cotton sheets as an alternative to buying "new' fabric for backings.
• I can buy white or background fabric e.g. another solid if I need it. 
• I can purchase thread or notions, as needed.
• Commissioned Quilts - fabric for those quilts can be purchased - they pay for themselves!
• For Bees - I am in two quilt bees. Both work using fabric in your stash, but for the rare occasion where I do not have what my bee mate needs, I will have to make a purchase

Tops waiting for assembly and quilting

UFOs/WIPs

Also as part of the challenge, I need to lay out my UFO/WIP list, to keep myself on track. Here is the list:

• Patchwork Wheel - needs backing and binding
• Postage Stamps Quilt (Commission) - pretty well everything needed. Top is started. 
• Giant Star Quilt (times two!) - needs to be quilted and bound
• x and + Quilt - needs to be quilted and bound
• Churn Dash Quilt - Top needs piecing, quilting and binding
• Sugar Block Club - Everything! Only have 4 of 12 blocks made
• Tennessee Road Quilt - Everything! Fabric cut. That is all.

Well this list is not too bad. All fun projects :)

I am feeling pretty stoked about this Fast. Will you be taking the challenge this year? You are not alone :) Thanks again Leigh Anne for lighting that fire under my butt!
Adrienne