Over time, my circumstances have changed dramatically, and I can't indulge in fabric the way I used to, but my tastes and sewing styles have also changed. I've found the fabrics that I bought a lot of back then, I am sometimes tired of using after six or eight quilts, and if it weren't for my charity work, they'd collect dust. I still use them, but they do not spark the creativity they did in the beginning.

Most of my fabrics these days come from the stash I built back then, or from donations to the UFO-rphanage,but on the occasions when I do purchase a fabric, it's along these lines:

If it's for a specific project, the amount needed plus 1/4 yd
If it really speaks to me, and I just love it, 2-3 yards
If it's unusual or gives me an idea for a quilt, 1/2 to 1 yard
If it speaks to me, makes me smile, etc. a fat quarter.

Most of my purchases fall into the FQ category, and it still lets me feel like I'm not falling behind on fabrics, while staying in a very tight budget. Over time, my quilt making style has changed too. I don't know if it happened as a result of the circumstances changing, or if they were independent of one another, but now I make a lot of scrap quilts, and really enjoy the sort of spontaneous creation that comes from them. No two are the same. One fat quarter often shows up in several quilts. I also challenge myself to use say one yard of x, and six fat quarters plus background fabric, to create a quilt. So far, I've never been disappointed with the results. =)

The point I'm trying to make is to allow your buying habits to change when your style of making quilts changes. Quilting is an evolutionary process, and how we support it for ourselves needs to evolve too. Above all, find ways to enjoy your love of quilting without compromising your budget. =)

©Copyright 1998-2003 Laura Starr
All Rights Reserved

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