August Fabric Usage

Sometimes, you happen upon fabric purchase opportunities that you didn't expect. It happened to me earlier this month when hubby and I escaped town for a few days. When I texted a friend that we'd be away, she wrote right back, "Be sure and stop at the quilt shop in Port Gamble." And so we did.

Once I saw that Quilted Strait carried several bolts of Windham Fabrics/Tara Faughnan's Handloom, I didn't really look at anything else. Without a specific project in mind, I just chose several colors I especially liked (l-r):

54870-20 Grape Leaves
54870-52 Driftwood
54870-14 Beach Day
54870-11 Persimmon
54870-6 Juicy

These wovens seem pretty luxe and are very soft. I'm anxious to find ways to include then in my work.

And then, there was a mini restock of solids for my kitchen quilt, and while I was online at Fabric Bubb, I grabbed a couple of fun prints as well, Strawberry in White by Heather Ross and Birds in Natural by Alexia Abegg of Ruby Star Society. I had no doubts I'll find the perfect uses for both. In fact, I already made a giftbag for my littlest granddaughter with the strawberries.

And then, of course, the Carolyn Friedlander Memento fat-quarter pack I'd pre-ordered ages ago arrived! Couldn't resist also grabbing a few yards of prints I especially like, just to stash (bottom-top stacked under the fq bundle):

• Ledger in Water Blue
• Ledger in Citron
• Alpha in Etheral
• Seagrapes in Neon Yellow
• Explore in Altitude

So yeah, that was a lot, but as you might have seen on my recent WIP List, I also have numerous quilt projects in the works, and I'm confident all of it will be well-used. I've already cut out what I need for the upcoming ELATE qal, so this month didn't really turn out too bad after all.

August Fabric Usage

Used up: 12.96 yards [11.44 projects + 1.52 recycled]
Brought in: 19.75 yards
Net: 6.79 yards

July Fabric Usage

Well, I knew even as June was closing that my fabric intake this month would be notable. Good news/bad news, my pre-ordered fat-quarter bundle of Carolyn Friedlander's new line, Memento, has yet to arrive, so that made this month a bit less monumental than expected.

But what did arrive was a necessary solid restock - mostly neutrals and blues - a lot of what has already been put to use. That said, there are other colorways in my stash that are woefully lacking, and I've been thinking that a monthly restock of a color or two at a time might be in order. We'll see.

Meanwhile, I already shared about the Tula Pink scraps I nabbed from the free table at the last guild meeting, so that was an unexpected, but welcome, addition. I'm looking forward to working with those before too long.

So that all totaled 15 yards coming in, but with all the fabric I used making Tangled Strings, Stackables, and my current scrappy quilt; bee and BOM blocks, and a trio of Maple Street pouches, the numbers didn't come out too bad. Not bad at all.

July Fabric Usage

Used up: 18.83 yards [12.16 projects + 6.67 recycled]
Brought in: 15.0 yards
Net: -3.83 yards

June Fabric Usage

If not for a sudden urge to hunt down a favorite Carolyn Friedlander fabric after I used the last of it from stash, I might have resisted bringing in fabric this month, as I was furiously sewing through scraps and stash. The piece from Collection CF was actually hard to find, so I grabbed two yards when I finally found it. Chances are I won't find it next time.

The biggest fabric uses this month was for a scrappy backing and binding for one scrap quilt and another front and back for a second, plus a big (60" x 90") patchwork curtain. I also made several smaller projects - it was a very productive month, I guess - which all added up to some really good fabric usage from both the scrap basket and the stash. I won't be smug, though, as I know darn well I've already ordered a fat-quarter bundle of Carolyn Friedlander's new line, Memento; and placed a restock solid order, and both of those will show up in next month's tally. So obviously, I need to just keep sewing to help even things out. 

June Fabric Usage

Used up: 17.53 yards [15.23 projects + 2.3 recycled]
Brought in: 2.0 yards
Net: -15.53 yards

April + May Fabric Usage

Due to fabric purchases in April intended for gifts given in May, I chose to combine fabric usage posts for the two months. It is A LOT, I know. But it's what really happened and I'll just own up to it here. I've done my best to sew through most of it AND I balanced it all out by making no fabric purchases or intake during May.

So here's that came in during April....

Christmas kitty fabric from my buddy Louise @imfeelincrafty. She knows we have a white(ish) fluffy cat in our family and thought this would be perfect for some Christmas gift bags. I totally agree!

Then I needed very specific fabric for the WELCA challenge quilt, Vessel. Shopping online, I did buy a few things I didn't end up using, but only the second from the bottom one below didn't get used at all. And the gold, pink, and yellows were perfect for what I needed. Happy news, I just heard that Vessel was a finalist in the challenge, so I'll be sending it off this week.

Then I couldn't resist the Wildwood prints below for a gift for a friend of mine. Those bunnies especially were just perfect, and the floral coordinated nicely. The Ecru Cloud linen in the center is for fabric stamping, which I haven't gotten to yet, but it's on my list to try this summer.

And wouldn't you know, my daughter Rachel @snippetsofsweetness asked for a handmade for her birthday - some fun pillowcases! That's something I really enjoy making so yay! For fabric, I picked from one of her favorite designers - Lizzy House. Rachel loves blue, so I chose some coordinating Constellation prints. Glancing at the stack, I think there's just one print I didn't end up using. It was kind of challenging picking prints to use together, but I managed. I made her two sets, and had enough left of the Pearl Bracelets on top to make a gift bag. Perfect.

Finally, like last year, I indulged in one of Anna Graham's Studio Mystery Boxes, and what a treat. 

I already have plans for one of the larger fabric pieces, and look forward to seeing how I can use the others too. SO, a lot of fabric came in, but almost double that amount got used up between the two months. Not complaining about that one bit.

April Fabric Usage

Used up: 20.215 yards [6.87 projects + 13.345 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 21.50 yards
Net: 1.285 yards

May Fabric Usage

Used up: 17.51 yards [13.56 projects + 3.95 recycled]
Brought in: 0.0 yards
Net: -17.51 yards

June is off to a quite scrappy start, which I am enjoying very much. Can't say what's coming next, and I'm ok with that. Though I love a TO DO list, I also enjoy the freedom of just figuring it out as I go.

March Fabric Usage

Well March was a high-intake month, what do I say? Half of it has already been cut up and is on my design wall. The other half was acquired as opportunity struck. First up was Cotton Couture Soft White and Painters Palette Rice Paper, both being used in my Pantone Quilt Challenge project.

Then I saw that FabricBubb had the Kona 2026 COTY Wander available, so I grabbed some along with some Diamond Textiles Top Stitch in White for that aforementioned Pantone Challenge project.

Lastly, while on retreat, us girls visited the local Cotton Gin, and I couldn't help but support buying local and went home with some Fableism Camp Gingham in Sunshine and some Figo Fabrics Space Dye in Green and Navy. I have no doubt I'll be able to put those lovely fabrics to good use.

I have a hunch next month won't be much better as far as fabric intake goes, so meanwhile, I'll just keep sewing.

March Fabric Usage

Used up: 14.25 yards [10.43 projects + 3.82 recycled]
Brought in: 10.47 yards
Net: -3.78 yards

February Fabric Usage

I was so close to purchasing zero fabric this month, but a friend's destash caught me up.

She wanted to find a new home for several UmbrellaPrints Trimmings packs. I remember seeing these trimming packs several years ago, but never indulged, so I was happy to do so now. UmbrellaPrints has since closed and morphed into Moonbow Australia, and I see they still have smaller quantities of trimmings for sale. Anyway, I thought these would be fun to play with - a variety of prints, colors, and substrates. 

The good news is that the several projects I worked on last month added up to a good amount of fabric usage. So I'm feeling ok, heading into March, even though I know that at least a couple of fabric purchases await me.

February Fabric Usage

Used up: 11.87 yards [8.34 projects + 3.53 recycled/donated]
Brought in: .82 yards
Net: -11.05 yards

January Fabric Usage

Ugh. Good thing I didn't make any New Year's resolutions against fabric-purchasing. Between a good sale, what felt like a necessary restock or two, a new BOM, and a secret (for now) gift, plenty of new fabric was welcomed in during January.

• A few yards of Kona Lemon (I rarely have that much of any solid, and the price point made it a no-brainer) and a Checks bundle from a Fabric Bubb detash. I knew those checks could be combined into a future project that I'd really enjoy.

• Tiny Treaters Stripe Charcoal, which I'd recently used up for finishing Shattered, and I knew I'd want more for future projects. That, and it's getting harder and harder to find.

• Solids for the afore mentioned BOM, Weave Got This!, February's Block Studies Collective palette, and a couple restocks for stash.

• Marcia Derse Palette in a handful of colors for that secret project I mentioned. Honestly, I'd love to be able to have all the colors of this blender line in my stash.

• Then finally, just a half-yard of Alison Glass Sun Print Whisper Topography in Chartreuse, which has proven to be a perfect addition for that project I can't share yet. 

So yeah, that's a lot, but already a good portion of it is being put to use. With several projects going on at once, I'm not regretting any of my choices. So the overall stats may not look so goo, but the year has just begun.

January Fabric Usage

Used up: 16.52 yards [11.47 projects + 5.05 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 15.25 yards
Net: -1.27 yards

2025 Fabric Usage

Luckily I sewed quite a bit in December to counter-balance all the fabric I brought in. First up was a Tara Faughnan bundle, which I'd pre-ordered months ago for our January Block Studies Collective prompt. I've been working from stash for most of season III, so this was a treat to start off the new year.

THEN. By participating in #sewtopiawipwednesday, I won a bundle of Night Rainbow by Deborah Fisher of Fish museum + circus from Sewtopia @sewtopia. Considering it was all 1/3 yard cuts, it added up to 8 yards! I'm really looking forward to finding the perfect project(s?) for these fun fabrics. And I know some folks think I don't need to count "gifts," but it's still coming into my stash, so I like to include it.

And finally, after gifting my final drawstring gift bag in Noel Snow Babies in Mint by Sarah Watts, I just had to hunt that fabric down and stash a yard for future bag-making. It's just so fun and sweet. I first used this fabric for my now 7yo grandgirl's Christmas stocking when she was a baby, so I have fond memories of it.

So let's see how the month (and year) added up!

December Fabric Usage

Used up: 18.73 yards [13.03 projects + 5.7 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 12.0 yards
Net: -6.73 yards

Not too bad. And glancing at the year-end totals....

2025 Fabric Usage Totals
2025 Used up: 200.08 yards [vs. 177.107 yards in 2024]

2025 Brought in: 134.91 yards [vs. 105.7 in 2024]  

2025 Net: -65.17 yards [vs. -71.407 yards in 2024]

I'd say that's pretty comparable, this year to last. I've kept track of fabric usage since 2020, and though I've been close, this is the first year I've topped 200 yards used up. So yay. I don't completely work from stash, but I continue to be thoughtful about what comes in, and overall, my stash feels much lighter than it did in years past. So here's to moving into another year of creating!

November Fabric Usage

With the holidays (aka giftbag-making) coming, I dug into my Christmas fabric stash, to see what I had to work with. Not much. So when I needed a couple of solids - Konas Pepper and Windsor to finish up my Luminary project - I went ahead and added a few bits of holiday fabric to my cart.

What I ordered would work well with using what I already had in my stash, but I needed a new line to make several more coordinated bags, and I finally found that in Deco Frost by Giucy Giuce. I curated my own bundle, enough to make a handful of bags in a variety of sizes and get free shipping to boot.

(T-B: Tempest Crystalize, Blizzard Snowfall, Flurries Snowfall, Winter Icicles, Ice Icicles, Arctic Snowflakes)

So that's kind of a lot, and it's fairly non-traditional, but I loved those blues. Now I feel ready for some fresh bag-making, and in my family, that's pretty important stuff.

November Fabric Usage

Used up: 14.32 yards [10.47 projects + 3.85 recycled]
Brought in: 14 yards
Net: -.32 yards

October Fabric Usage

The good news this month is most of what I brought in had an intended use planned. And by that I'm referring to the 5 yards of Kona Espresso and Lupine that I planned to use to piece the Minimal Shapes quilt front. 

The bad news is, the Espresso was just too dark. So into the ole stash it went. To replace it, I purchased Kona Overcast, a lot of which went into the quilt front; more for the binding and then - oops! - I included a yard of Diamond Textiles Stripe in Harvest in my order just because I loved it so much.

At that point, I totally thought I was done with purchasing for the month, but wouldn't you know, I won a half-yard bundle of six fabrics from the Halloween Nights collection by Katie Larson Studio @katie.craftshell, courtesy of PBS Fabrics @pbsfabrics. It IS pretty cute. I'm still mulling over what to use it for, so it's been stashed for now.

So that was kind of a lot, once again, but at least I used a good portion of it right away. Love when that happens.

October Fabric Usage

Used up: 19.74 yards [16.39 projects + 3.35 recycled]
Brought in: 11.0 yards
Net: -8.74 yards

September Fabric Usage

Though it's true I've brought in quite a bit of new fabric lately, it's also true that I continue to find and use stashed fabric that is perfect for a particular project at hand. Such as a recently gifted Divided Drawstring Bag and a new project I haven't even shared yet. And I was reminded that you need to acquire fabric to have fabric to grab from stash, and as long as I'm consistently using what I have, I think I'm ok with the additions. Plus, most of this month's purchases had intended uses, so that's fun too.

September's first intake was a few Sardine Pillow fabric options, of which I used the top two, paired with some stash finds.

This guy was made and gifted in the same week, so fabric in, fabric out!

Next, I needed a bit more of the Crossweaves Pink + Starry Witchy for my Bright Side Boo quilt. While I was at it, I nabbed a pair of prints that I'd been curious about - RSS Geometry Ladders & Hump Day in Turmeric. They did not disappoint, and I'm happy to have them in my stash for another day.

Next was a freebie. With my pre-order of Rashida Coleman-Hale's @iamrashidacolemanhale new book, ZakkaSewn, she sent a fat-quarter of one of her prints. 

And then this was a splurge.... a stack of Kona solids for October's Block Studies Collective prompt. Yep, I signed up for another season, and though some months I'll work from stash, I just wanted to start off with one of Tara's @tarafaughnan original palettes. I have a few other stashed solids that have since been added to round out her palette, which you'll see in an upcoming post.

So there we go!

September Fabric Usage

Used up: 15.93 yards [11.47 projects + 4.46 recycled]
Brought in: 9.0 yards
Net: -6.93 yards

August Fabric Usage

Since we're heading out of town for a few days, I feel confident that I won't be using more fabric over the weekend, thus the early report on this month's fabric usage. I knew I'd be bringing in fabric in August or September, as my list of solid fabrics that I needed to re-stash has been growing by the project. What I did not expect was to ignore that need entirely and purchase yards and yards of fabric for projects I hadn't even imagined yet. 

It all started when a fellow quilter was looking to identify a particular fabric - Your Heart Pure from Wonderland by Katarina Roccella. It was familiar to me, and an old favorite, so when I found some on Etsy, I decided to buy a yard for old time's sake, and while I was at it, some Michael Miller Pomegranates jumped into my cart. It was purely a 'this gives me joy' purchase.

Then, I really did need some Kona White, Snow, and Haze to finish up my Ode to Joy quilt back, and some Kona Pistachio for Calendar Cascade. Totally justified, right?

I happen to follow Sewtopia @sewtopia fabric shop, and was smitten by their Boo-tiful Mischief Bundle. I mean I'm not even wild about Halloween, but I loved the modern palette and the not-overtly ghoulish theme. Plus I'd been wanting to give them some business, so why not? While I was at it, I chose a few more fabrics that might go with the bundle, including a couple of solids, to restock if nothing else - Konas Carrot and Orangeade and Ruby Star Rising Basic by Alexia Marcelle Abegg Starry in Nutmeg.

And wouldn't you know, the next day, Kristina of FabricBubb @fabricbubb announced her 14th anniversary sale. Considering there were a couple of fabrics I wanted that Sewtopia didn't carry, I succumbed and purchased Lea in Navy Canvas to recover my pressing table; and Carolina Gingham 1/8 Inch in Black, Cross Stitch in Autumn and Grid in Negative to add to my Boo-tiful bundle. I have a pattern in mind for those fabrics, so that felt somewhat justified.

At any rate, it actually feels great to have the quilt back I was piecing finished, my pressing table refreshed, a new seasonal project to dive into, and a couple of inspirational prints newly stashed. My 'fabric used' number for the year is still higher than my 'fabric brought in' number, so where it matters, I'm making good progress.

August Fabric Usage

Used up: 24.26 yards [16.16 projects + 8.1 recycled, donated, or gifted]
Brought in: 16.75 yards
Net: -7.51 yards

July Fabric Usage

So July was a pretty good fabric usage month, even considering a week away on vacation, and I'm glad for that! The only fabric brought in was Kona Caribbean and Tangerine for my Effervescence quilt binding.

Between a scrappy backing AND binding for Effervescence, I also have two scrappy quilt projects in the works - 16 patch blocks for the #summerscrapbash and improv plus blocks as a result of the latest Improv for Everyone workshop - plus I got caught up on my guild BOM. All of that fabric just added up!

I'm looking forward to making a quilt back (or three?) in August, and (fingers crossed) finishing at least one of those scrappy projects. Time will tell!

July Fabric Usage

Used up: 14.30 yards [11.77 projects + 2.53 recycled]
Brought in: 2 yards
Net: -12.30 yards

June Fabric Usage

Well..... we had a little fabric brought in this month, most of which is already made into something or at least has an intended use. First up was a selection of prints for a baby quilt for my goddaughter. I couldn't resist going to our one local quilt shop and choose something in person. Plus time was of the essence. Between the quilt top, back, and binding, most of the bundle has been used up. Perfect, right?

I also needed some solids for the Ode to Joy quilt top, so while I was at it, I ordered just a few stash replacement solids. I have a lot more on my list to get, but went with just a few extras this time.

And then - I admit, a totally impulsive purchase - just a bit of the new RSS Strawberries by Kimberly Kight @kmelkight; and two cuts of Groove by Emily Van Hoff @emilyvanhoff. I have in mind to make one of her Quilted Thread Cases with the Groove, just because it looks so fun. And the strawberries were purchased with my granddaughter in my mind....

So yikes. Maybe? Or maybe not. Meanwhile, I have a couple of quilt finishes to show for myself this month, so I don't feel too bad. Onward!

June Fabric Usage

Used up: 18.18 yards [11.7 projects + 4.55 recycled + 1.93 donated]
Brought in: 14.5 yards
Net: -3.68 yards

May Fabric Usage

Whew! May felt very full, both in real-life schedule, and sewing to-do list. I felt like I was racing to accomplish several projects - the Vertices scrap quilt, bee blocks, and the PIVOT project of the month. Then came the unexpected project for a family friend, and several smaller projects, including a new bag for myself that I am enjoying very much - the Fairfax Sling. And through it all, in the evenings when I sat to hand-stitch, I've still been working on mending the Lucky Stars quilt for my daughter and son-in-law, and it's almost done! Some of those projects used stash fabric, and some, not at all. Over all, though, I think it was a decent fabric usage month.

For intake, there was some unplanned yardage from the guild free table - that orange/green circle print on the left. One and a half yards of a Brandon Malby print, which I love. Sure I could have left it there, but it seemed like it would be a great jumping off point for a new project, and was a nice sized piece. A little treat for myself, I guess.

The solids were purchased all to support the Vertices quilt finish and the Bee Sewcial blocks. Honestly, I could have ordered a much larger selection of solids to replace others I've used up, and that will be done one of these days. But for now, I ordered just what I needed to bolster current projects. So here are the stats for May:

May Fabric Usage

Used up: 13.53 yards [7.63 projects + 5.9 recycled]
Brought in: 4.5 yards
Net: -9.03 yards

April Fabric Usage

April was a good month fabric-wise! And productivity-wise, with my Pantone challenge entry, Brew; catching up with our guild BOM, Cascade Calendar; making a final piece for Block Studies Collective, Abstractions Redux; mini Easter baskets for the family brunch; AND my latest Open Jar response, Birdsong. To be honest, that all felt really good, and I'm excited about moving into a fresh slate of a month.

For fabric intake, there was just two yards of Prisma Dyes Artisan Batiks as possible bindings for the Lucky Stars quilt I am repairing for my daughter. Luckily, the darker fabric works! 

Another reason my fabric numbers look good is that I went through my entire stash and gathered up things I thought someone else could make better use of - 11 yards worth! So I'll be taking that all to the next guild meeting for the free table. Fingers crossed it'll find a better home than mine.

So that all finally put me in the negative for the year - a whopping net -10.67 yards used. That feels good, yes it does.

April Fabric Usage

Used up: 21.8 yards [7.45 projects + 2.46 recycled + 11.89 donated]
Brought in: 2.0 yards
Net: -19.8 yards

March Fabric Use

None of the fabric that came in last month did I foresee coming. First, was a birthday gift from a friend - several yards of coordinating prints from Fantasticats by Laurel Burch. I've already used a good portion of it for a pair of pillowcases for my younger grandgirl.

Then, there was this warp & weft charm pack on the free table at our last guild meeting, and I just couldn't leave it behind. I just thought it would be fun to play with one of these days.

And finally, no photo, but there was a 5" x 7" piece of retroreflective fabric from Stephanie @spontaneousthreads for this month's Bee Sewcial bee blocks. Barely worth counting (and no photo) but I did.

So finally, I had a negative net usage this month, first time this year. But it wasn't enough to give me a negative net usage for the year yet, so I still need to conquer that. Today's a new day.


March Fabric Usage

Used up: 14.28 yards [11.1 projects + 3.18 recycled]
Brought in: 6.71 yards
Net: -7.57 yards

February Fabric Usage

Oh dear. Depending how you look at it, things may have gone from bad to worse. But I'm not going there. Life happens, and even good opportunities happen, and taking advantage of them isn't always (usually?) a bad thing.

First, there were just a couple of stash restocks - Essex linen in Natural, and Kona Snow. While I was ordering, I took a follower's suggestion and ordered just a bit of AGF Studio Pure Solids in Mink, as a possible 'match' for the Pantone COTY Mocha Mousse. (I'm sticking with Painter's Palette Mocha.)

THEN my friend Kristina at FabricBubb @fabricbubb announced she was moving back to the PNW and was having a big closing (temporarily) sale. Since I needed a few things for our guild BOM, I took that opportunity to stock up on several solids + a few prints just to help a girl (Kristina) out.

Finally. I went to QuiltCon. Enough said? One of our favorite connections through Seattle MQG is Island Quilter @islandquilter, and they had a booth, so I had to stop by, say HI, and purchase a few yards.

So I'm not feeling terrible about it. But I am hoping to keep focused and really use some of it up as I move forward. March is a busy month for me outside of the studio (ie. a couple of short travels), but I'm looking forward to working on my list of projects that will be using fabric I now have stashed.


February Fabric Usage

Used up: 8.69 yards [4.59 projects + 4.1 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 15.5 yards
Net: 6.81 yards