How big is my stash?

Arlee asked how big my stash was in a comment to my previous post. I'm afraid to say it isn't very large. I had to go run and take pictures to prove it. Please forgive the mess. My craft closet is a bit over stuffed and has overflowed into the guest room. Here is some of the overflow, mixed with my Creative Memories albums. The clear box has the fabrics for Hal's quilt. The basket on top has the fabric for a Quillow I was making for my aunt, but I'm waiting for a cross stitch piece from my Mom. So I'm blaming her for that unfinished project (UFO) ;>. It also has more fabric for the next vest I intend to make for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. (My sister-in-law and I try to make new wearable art pieces each year to wear to the festival. We usually buy the supplies and patterns one year and if we are lucky we will have it finished for the next year.) The basket behind the albums has some fibers for a neat scarf I was making (on my sewing machine, not knitting) and some other little odd projects that would only take a few minutes or hours to finish ...If I actually worked on them.

Here is the inside of my closet. You have to be careful when opening it or a box of fabric or batting might fall out on you. I'm actually missing a medium and small size box of fabric because I sent them home with my mother-in-law earlier this week so that she could use some of it for the cathedral window quilt. Each box has a UFO in it. The crate in the back has a box full of oriental fat quarters from when I first started collecting fabric and was into anything inspired by the orient. Since then I've come to the conclusion I need to start collecting half yards. :>

I know it is not recommended to store your fabrics in plastic containers. But I don't really like the look of the wire mesh baskets and they always seem to catch on things. I like these because I can see what is inside them and I can stack them easily when they have their lids on. And should they topple over, which they do, I won't lose or misplace any of the project pieces.

The rest of the stash is scattered around the house. One basket has the latest additions of my stash waiting to be washed. The other basket has 30's reproduction fabrics that I've been using in the Wanna Buy a Bunny quilt.

Here is a picture of VA Reel with out the borders.

This is the Wanna Buy a Bunny quilt. I'm making it for my niece. Grandma Darby has sung the Spike Jones "Wanna Buy a Bunny" song to me on several occasions. She does it wonderfully. When I saw the Grandma's Bunnies pattern by Darcy Ashton I knew I had to make a bunny quilt.
I intend to put the lyrics for the song on the back of the quilt. Since it is a 30's song the 30's reproduction fabrics are appropriate. My local quilt store had some really cute nursery motifs in their selection. I have machine appliqued 9 of the bunnies and am in the process of adding the sashing and borders. I intend to applique the title of the song on the top border and to put a double scallop edge on it. It's the first time I've tried to do a scalloped edge quilt but I think it will make it look more feminine. Note that I am not doing the snowball block as shown in darcy's pattern.

I'll finally close with a picture of Hal and I on our anniversary trip last weekend. Here's to 5 years and going strong. Isn't he cute and sweet. :> (she sighs with a dreamy look in her eyes...)

Comments

[Anonymous]

Love the VA quilt!!!!! COLOUR COLOUR COLOUR!!!!! And don't worry, soon enough your stash will be HUGE....

[Anonymous]

How come they say not to store fabric in plastic containers? I hadn't heard that one, although I guess I haven't really done any research on it -- I just bought a few plastic tubs and that's what I've been using.. Lynhttp://uncorked.org/alltooquilty

[Quilt Mommy]

Hi Lyn :>I've heard it recommended on Simply Quilts several times not to store your fabric for more than two years in plastic tubs. The primary reason they gave was that after that time any moisture in the air or the fabric within that tub could cause the fabric to mildew or to deteriate. Wire mesh allows the fabric to breath and prevents the mildew from occuring. Plastics have also been known to change the colors of fabrics after long periods of time. for example, yellowing Wedding downs that have been stored for years. If using closed containers, archivists would probably recommend an acid free box and acid free tissue paper. I'm sort of a "prove it to me" person so I'm storing my fabrics in plastic until I notice fabric being ruined. Hopefully my fabric stash will be used and replaced much faster than it would take for it to be ruined by the plastic or humidity.