YOTS Check In

This year I'm participating in Year Of The Stash. I've vowed to try and not buy much new fabric, but to use what I already have in my awesome stash! You can read my YOTS Manifesto here. I think it's time for a good old check in. 

I've been pretty busy finishing up quilts this year so haven't been making many new things yet, so I haven't been using my stash much at all. I'm proud to say I haven't bought any fabric since the beginning of the year!! I was lucky enough to win a scrap pack from Quarter Inch From The Edge! Check out her post about the packaging of my scraps. (I still get a thrill when I see something on a blog I follow that later ends up in my hands!)

Here's what my fabric intake/usage looks like so far this year:
Fabric Added Since last Update: Approx 1/2 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date:  6 yards
Fabric Used Since last update: approximately 1 yard
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 4 1/4 yards

So far this year, I've been using my stash for my MadCatBOM, I used some stash to finish my Original Mini, and I'm using lots of it in new projects. 

Please share your YOTS update in the comments!

New Block: Basket Weave

For March, I really couldn't decide what block to do for the MadCatBOM. I scoured my books, and decided that this variation of a basket weave would do nicely. 

This block came together very quickly. I've done a few blocks that were similar, but never quite this one. I could see using this block in some ways in the future. 

I've been trying to build a bit of a theme with the fabrics, but the bits I have of them is already dwindling. I'll try to incorporate some more of my stash in the blocks going forward. Here's what all my blocks look like together:

I'm not sure what I'll do with these blocks when I'm done with all twelve. But for now, I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

The Year Of the Stash

Over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, The Year of the Stash is happening and I'm joining up!

This is a great link up, as there are really no rules, but it's a neat way to be mindful of what you're quilting with, as well as a way to use more and buy less. 
I decided to participate because "shopping" my extensive stash makes me feel good about what I'm quilting, helps fulfill two goals of my 2016 goals (quilt more, use up/don't buy), means the chances of using reclaimed or recycled fabrics is increased, and helps me declutter so I can actually see what fabrics I have. 
Usually, I can always find something in my stash the fits any bill I might be looking for in any project. So why buy? I guess the answer to that is bc it's fun! And there are so many gorgeous fabrics! I have to admit I went on a bit of a buying frenzy at the end of last year. Ostensibly, I had to buy some things for projects I'm working on, but really, I had enough in my current stash and didn't need to by anything. I'm happy to have all the fabrics I bought, but ultimately I feel worse for buying them, disappointed in myself for collecting more things that I don't need, and a little sad that my current collection of beautiful fabric went unused.

To help me be mindful in The Year of the Stash here is my manifesto:

1) Buy as little new fabric as possible. I won't say buy none. I want to be free to get a great new piece here or there, patron indy quilt shops, or buy backing when needed. I'll buy used, reclaimed, and/or vintage fabric when possible. I pride myself on using these fabrics in my quilts, and need to scoop them up when they preset themselves. But I want to be mindful not to add too much to my stash!
2) Use some used, vintage and/or reclaimed fabrics in all quilts. Last year was the first time I used all new fabric for some quilts and it just didn't feel right. As I said above, I pride myself to use these vintage items, and I need to get back to that. I have such a wonderful collection in my stash, it needs to get out into the world!  
3) Organize as I go. When we moved, I started folding and color coordinating my stash and discovered that I have far too much fabric!! I barely made a dent before I filled up the entire space I'd set aside. I'd like to utilize this space better this year. I want to use up, organize, and consolidate during The Year of the Stash!
4) Sew, sew, sew! One of my goals is to have at least one finish per month, I'd also like to make one new block per month. Sourcing from my stash will help me as I have so many wonderful fabrics at my fingertips! 

And that's it! Simple, right? I'll be posting blogs about my Year of the Stash and linking up regularly at Quarter Inch from the Edge. I hope some of my readers will join in as well! And be sure to check out other quilter's manifestos here.