Have you heard about the Red and White Snowball Challenge? Some of us are going to make a quilt from the Evelyn Sloppy book 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts, called "Leftovers Again?". It is the most perfect stash reduction quilt you ever saw. You can make it in one color (plus lights) or go wild and make it completely scrappy as Evelyn did in her version in the book. Amazon only has four copies of this book left, so if you don't have it, get it quick! Out of the 40 patterns in this book, I guarantee you will want to make more than 10 of them. Great book.
Well, I have to do reds. I love a red quilt more than just about anything, and have quite a stash of leftovers from previous projects. So, out to the garage I went, in search of my Red Tub. Once located, I opened it to view the treasure trove pictured above. Ah ha, now I am cooking.
I dragged the tub into my sewing room, and opened up my Primo Stash Closet and dragged out some stacks of red fabric that hadn't made it into the tub. Oh my. Well, I guess I could make several red and white snowball quilts with all this fabric, couldn't I? I sure do have the red part of this quilt covered. The lights are another story! Allyson at Fat Cat Quilts is organizing a swap of light fabric strips, so if you want to join in the fun, better contact her PDQ.
A sweet lady named Jan commented on my post from yesterday, saying that she doesn't have a stash! She just buys what she needs for the project she is currently working on. Wouldn't it be great if we all had one drop of her restraint and self-control? I might even have some money in my savings account. Anyway, after I wiped away my tears, I emailed her back to say that it takes some time to build up a stash. I started mine by saving leftover bits from projects and before you knew it, I had a tub of fabric scraps. Of course, then I started buying fabric for which I had no designated purpose, and the rest is history. Pretty soon I had to buy a dozen tubs and organize the stash/scraps by color. And you know something? I view my stash as a standby palette of every color in the rainbow, at the ready for any project I have going on. It is such a thrill for me to think, "Now if I just had a few more greens in that sagey color...." and go out to the stash tubs and actually find what I need, right there in my own house! A stash is a fine thing to have. So go rummage in your stash and see what you have on hand for the Leftovers Again? challenge!
A stash is nothing more than a Fabric 401(k) Plan, Nicole. The theory being that by the time I retire (assuming I ever can), fabric prices will have increased to the point that I can't afford to buy any. But -- not to worry -- there is that glorious STASH!
Posted by: Nancy, Near Philadelphia | October 23, 2009 at 05:41 AM
Love the comment made previously about the 401(k) fabric plan. You do have a lot of reds!!! Gorgeous. Looks like a fun challenge. I think my plate is pretty full right now, otherwise, I would love to participate. Is there a deadline? When are you starting? In case I change my mind ;-)) Thanks.
Posted by: Rene' | October 23, 2009 at 05:52 AM
I would love to join in too, but I think I have enough WIP to get me occupied for the next 5 years!!!! I love all those red fabrics!!!
Posted by: Miriam | October 23, 2009 at 06:06 AM
Wow, you have a wonderful stash of reds. I'm going to pull mine out this weekend to see what I have. In my mind, they are lacking. Maybe I should try blues instead?
Posted by: Lisa D. | October 23, 2009 at 06:12 AM
I've only been quilting for a year but that stash is building up - I simply can't resist buying a fat quarter (or more) whenever I visit a quilt show or fabric store. Looking forward to seeing the use you make of your red stash.
Posted by: CarlaH | October 23, 2009 at 06:44 AM
Someone asked me if I had much of a stash. I replied not much except that I did have a nice collection of reds. You my friend have a collection of reds, I now know I have a sampling of reds.
Posted by: Thelma | October 23, 2009 at 07:00 AM
my stash started with leftovers and fat quarters. I moved on to purchasing a yard of interesting fabrics. Then I realized that I often needed 3-4 yds if it was a focal fabric. Now I buy at least 2-4 yds (or more). Amazing how quickly it adds up. My husband laughed when I read him the 401K remark. "That's what you've been doing for years". Got to love a guy who understands. Just ask him how many screwdrivers he owns.:)
Posted by: Patty | October 23, 2009 at 07:05 AM
The thing about fabric is you need to buy it when you see it or it won't be there when you want it! However, sites like http://quiltshops.com/ make the hunt easier. Consequently, my sewing area looks just like a fabric store because I like just about everything I see! It's also so helpful when you show us a particularly wonderful fabric or group of fabrics and then identify the designer and fabric name. I have started pinning the selvedge information to my scraps so that I can find more (hopefully) if I need it.
Karen L.
Posted by: Karen L. | October 23, 2009 at 07:24 AM
I love that book! And my husband likes a lot of the designs too, which is always nice.
Posted by: Kathy | October 23, 2009 at 08:41 AM
You are such a tease. I LOVE red quilts and I just cut all the red strips for a scrappy cream/red Pineapple Blossom from Bonnie Hunters site. I've made 2 and this will be my 3rd.
Posted by: Sharon | October 23, 2009 at 09:23 AM
OMG Nicole those are the most gorgeous red fabrics...what a yummy pile!
Posted by: Carol | October 23, 2009 at 09:36 AM
Hi Nicole, catching up here having been busy closing on our house and packing! I love this challenge - and red - and I have the book! I'll definitely be following along in spirit for this quilt! You sound so happy in your new situation - it's so great that your hubby has found a job and you can spend more time quilting!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | October 23, 2009 at 09:55 AM
I joined this challenge and also the fabric strip swap. I ordered my copy of the book from Amazon. Can't wait to get started. I wonder if it would be ok to use pink instead of red. I still have all those pinks I got from you, plus a whole bunch more. Don't have much reds.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | October 23, 2009 at 01:24 PM
I love shopping in my stash. But of course, there is always one piece that you need because you don't have the right shade in your stash. And while you are at it, there was this very lovely blue or pink or whatever that you just might need one day...... oh does it ever end?? I hope not :-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 23, 2009 at 02:03 PM
I won't go so far as to say your reds are to die for but darn close!
Posted by: Karen Beigh | October 23, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Ohhhhh, those are some delicious reds! You are going to find yourself with yet another gorgeous quilt in the very near future. This picture makes me want to go downstairs and play in my own pile of reds. I have to work on my October Schnibbles first. Focus Allyson, focus.
Posted by: Allyson in Alaska | October 23, 2009 at 06:05 PM
I love red- Nicole but rarely make red quilts- Yours is sure to be a stunner.
As for stash building- I do love to go up to the stash in my sewing room, and shop for the fabrics in my newest quilt- I have known others who build a stash from their scraps and then collect other people's scraps.
Interesting how some people want a stash and others don't...
Thanks for sharing,
Regards,
Anna
Posted by: Anna | October 23, 2009 at 09:20 PM
I am keen as mustard for this quilt-along. I have ordered the book and emailed Allyson. I just hope that the fact that I live on an island on the other side of the world won't count against me!
Posted by: Shontelle | October 23, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Can't wait to see all of those beautiful reds made up into a quilt. It will be gorgeous!
Posted by: Rae Ann | October 24, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I've decided to use the Rouenneries line from French General for my quilt. I found a fat quarter bundle and ordered it. Can't wait to get started.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | October 24, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I am in Love - and am now thinking that I need to buy some more reds. People collect all kinds of things and they appreciate much more rapidly than the 401K. Fabric is not just a collection though as it provides many hours of pleasure and it is always good to be able to get a project up and running without needing to run out to get supplies!
Posted by: Mistea | October 24, 2009 at 07:57 PM
I've signed up for this - and am getting quite excited!!! Time to get stash sorting / shopping......
Posted by: Zannah | October 25, 2009 at 03:47 PM
WOW! Now I thought I was the only "stasher" draggin tubs fron the garage into the sewing room! lol...Oh wait, flat "tubs" under the extra bed on the back porch/hand sewing room...Love your reds!
Posted by: Pink-a-Pa;ooza | October 25, 2009 at 10:47 PM