It’s a new year for Stashbusters, are you joining the challenge? The great thing is you can do this alongside the other blogger and guild challenges you are doing. So, here are the guidelines for the year. It is easy to do, just report what you have brought in and sent out over the past month, keeping a year to date total. No, you do not have to take inventory of your stash. There is only one rule, report as ‘out’ only what is completely finished, quilted and bound. For small items like purses or totes, they have to be finished and ready for use or gifting. The challenge is to finish projects, have them in use, ready to give as a gift, or out the door, not to create new UFOs for the closet. Fabric out can also be given away, or donated somewhere.
To calculate “fabric out” for scrap projects, count a yard of fabric as about 1440 square inches (40 inches wide x 36 inches in length). Apply that number to the square inches of the finished quilt. If you have a finished quilt that measures 60 x 72, that equals 4320 square inches. Divide that number by 1440 and you get 3, so I would count out 3 yards. Be sure to count out the same for the backing, and add a bit for binding. It is a rough estimate but good enough for this challenge. For donated scraps, I weigh my scrap bags and count one yard out for each pound of scraps.
We start over this month reporting January’s fabric out and in. Your YTD total and your January total will be the same. I’m starting out well, with no “fabric in” in January. I resisted looking at the guild freebie table this past meeting, easy because I was late to the meeting and had a lot of people to see afterwards. For “fabric out”, I completed my National Quilting Day challenge piece, which took almost the whole month. The base measures 24 x 28 inches, times two for backing plus a bit for binding. This plus the appliques gave me 1-1/2 yards to count out.
I also made four potholders while having some fun with my embroidery machine. First, these that I think are hilarious. I stitched them out in red thread and used tomato fabric for the borders and binding. They will be offered in the Quilt Shoppe boutique at the show under my vendor number.
The others are the vegetable embroidered ones I showed last Sunday. All four together are counting out at 1/4 yard, it just doesn’t take much fabric to do these.
So, not much out but nothing in still means I am on the right side of the year to date total.
January Fabric IN = +0
January Fabric OUT = -1-3/4
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -1-3/4
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -1-3/4
Your turn, copy the list below and paste into your comment, then fill in your totals. Report fabric ‘in’ as a plus, and fabric ‘out’ as a minus. The goal is to have any amount in the year to date in the minus at the end of the year.
January Fabric IN = +
January Fabric OUT = –
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =
How’d you do in January?
From My Carolina Home 
January was a great start. I completed a king size quilt, 2 wall hangings and blocks for quilt guild.
January fabric in = 1yard
January fabric out = -16 yards
January net total = -15 yards
YTD = -15 yards
Thanks for doing this again. It keeps me honest. 😊 I did ok with not taking in too much. My dear husband got me a gift card to my favorite quilt shop. I used it to purchase a wool pressing mat but also did a little browsing of the clearance fabric and took home two fun fabrics for my stash.
I didn’t get anything out as I have been working on cards to send for the shelter bags. I’m hoping to finish some more this weekend and send some your way Carole.
January Fabric IN = + 1.75 yds
January Fabric OUT = 0
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +1.75 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +1.75yds
I’m not taking actual measurements, just aiming for another net zero year. Maybe by next year there will be more on the out side. I stayed on track, neither buying nor acquiring quilting fabric in January. (One of our agencies requested blankets so I bought two 2-yd lengths of fleece that I edge-stitched & donated, in & out there. Just sewing, not quilting.) I finished a lap size quilt for donation & a winter wall hanging for me, all stash fabrics. Feels like I’m off to a good start, it’s Ground Hog Day & I just finished my 1st comfort quilt for February. If I stay motivated, I might get the twin top finished in January quilted & bound this weekend. It’s good to have a goal, thank you Carole for coming up with this very nice one.
January Fabric IN = + 0
January Fabric OUT = – 0
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = 0
It was a month of resisting many tempting fabric sales and little sewing, with no completions. My goal is to end with a negative number this year!
Hi Carole! My work at church kept me pretty busy this month, but I did get some sewing time in! Both of my projects this month were 100% true stashbusters, all fabrics came from the stash, including backings. I made a small mini quilt for tabletop display and a lap size quilt for my daughter in honor of her 40th birthday (she is my “baby”). My totals for the month:
January Fabric IN = +0
January Fabric OUT = -5.75
January Net Total -5.75 YTD -5.75
A good start for 2024!
Jan In: +15
Jan Out: -1.5
2024 Net: +13.5
I picked up some gorgeous southwest batiks at the Phoenix Quilt and Craft Show, or I wouldn’t have had such a large ‘In’ number, lol. I finished a couple of embroidery projects so at least used a little fabric. On the upside, I’ve been working steadily on my A Ribbon Runs Through It BOM – all of the main blocks are complete and I’m almost halfway through making the sashing. When it’s complete, that will be a nice amount of yardage out.
January Fabric IN = +6-5/8yds
January Fabric OUT = –3-5/8yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =+3yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =+3yds
Thank you for hosting Stashbusters again this year. Not a super start for me but I’ve got a lot of quilts to be finished up. Let’s get this party started!!!
January was a good month with the completion of a large quilt and some donations. My monthly goal is to finish a quilt. I have several flimsies waiting on a hanger. I was doing great until I went to a local quilt show and my sister talked me into buying a quilt kit for the grands for Christmas. Still, a good month.
In= +7 yds
Out= -21 yds
YTD total= -14 yds
January Fabric IN = +4
January Fabric OUT = -6
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -2
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-2
January was a neutral month for me. I resisted the urge to go into any quilt shops or online shopping. But I also didn’t complete any projects. So January in: 0
January out: 0
January net total: 0
Year to date: 0
Carole…You do so much sewing what machine would you say is a good one to look for.
People often ask me that question, and the answer is all the major brands are good, and really none is substantially better than another. Brother, Janome (who makes Elna), Bernina, Singer (who makes Viking and Pfaff) will all serve you well. I would choose the one carried by your local quilt shop. You’ll get service after the sale, classes to help you learn your machine, and help when you need it.
January Fabric IN = +2.25 y
January Fabric OUT = –30.8
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =27.8
2 good size finishes! Woot 🙂
Thank you. I don’t quilt but need to get back sewing so I can teach my granddaughter how to. She seems interested but you never know with kids today.
Off to an interesting start this year…..
January Fabric IN = +0
January Fabric OUT = -0
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =0
I completed two quilt tops but they are not yet finished, layered, quilted and bound. So next month, February should be a better showing. A plus I can leave is that both tops for January were all from stash even the batting! A third top is in progress and will be FINISHED ASAP!
Quilt on my friends and move out the stash when ever possible.
It’s easy for me not to buy fabric because I don’t drive and it’s becoming difficult to walk around any store for any length of time. Online stores will be searched this year since I used only from my stash last year. I laughed when I realized how many yards I used last year, some of our members make that much and more in a month. lol
January Fabric IN = + 0
January Fabric OUT = – 7 yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = – 7 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 7 yds out
January has had two small finishes, but nothing big (working on that, but not done yet)!
In: 1 yd for border
Out: .5 for small finishes
Ytd Total: + .5 yd.
Starting small, but using up things purchased last year!
I’m starting the year in the red too! Donated a couple of quilt tops and backing to someone else to finish, and those are done and donated. Also finished 3 projects myself…a wall hanging to hold my
UFO number of the month, a fleece quilt for my granddog, and the cursed quilt that has been on my quilting frame since last May!!! My goal this year is to bring in only what I need to finish a project. We’ll see how long that lasts!😂
January Fabric IN = + 0
January Fabric OUT = – 22 yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -22 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -22 yds
January Fabric IN = +4
January Fabric OUT = -15
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =-11
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-11
I didn’t do too bad but was mostly smallish projects. I made 6 ID Lanyards for my Daughter’s work associates, Safelight sets, 2 Phone Caddies, 2 Bread Caddies & 2 pillowcases from leftover Christmas fabric.
I didn’t buy any fabric in January but did purchase some thread.
January Fabric IN = +0
January Fabric OUT = –7.75
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -7.75
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -7.75
I also test patterns/make samples for a shop. These are fabric in out but think it will be fun to keep track of these, too.
January Samples IN = +6
January Tops Out = -6
January Net Total = 0
Year to Date Samples/Tops Net Total = 0
Hope to do better this year than last. Thanks for hosting this. I actually was thinking I hadn’t done too much until I calculated the totals!
I got a few little things done, but have so many more waiting to be quilted that I hopefully can get to in February. I bought yardage for a quilt I’ve already cut and can hopefully finish in February too.
January Fabric IN = +3.5 yards
January Fabric OUT = -17.5 yards
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -14 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -14 yards
January Fabric IN = + 1.75
January Fabric OUT = –5.5
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -3.75
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -3.75
My OUT was a pillowcase for a student, and 8 pieces of active wear for me. 🙂
January Fabric IN = +8
January Fabric OUT = -3
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +5
This was my first time doing Stashbusters. I didn’t do so well. I bought a bolt of red Buffalo plaid fabric on sale. Couldn‘t pass it up. I only completed a quilt table topper. Hopefully, I‘ll get better at this. I just need to quilt more.
I’m still piecing the neck tie quilt. I’ll count that as one giant bag of fabric and one giant headache! Sounded like fun. When I take it to the quilter I’ll be able to count the backing and the pain in the – neck-tie! Your picture turned out so lovely. And love those potholders!!!!! So many wonderful things. Thanks
While I have no finished projects and, therefore no yardage out, I have a wonderful story to share about the amazing power of our quilts. I sew with a group of very generous, talented and supportive women making quilts for local hospice agencies, a pediatric group, the nearby Ronald McDonald House, CASA, and many others. Earlier this month, we were invited to one of the hospice locations to pick-up donated fabrics. More than 15 boxes of a client’s estate fabrics were given to the program by the client’s daughter. The client had received one of our quilts while alert and able to appreciate it. We were told that the quilt was a comfort to her. The client’s daughter indicated that she wanted to support our work. Once again, a quilter has given of herself and has provided comfort to so many others.
January’s stats: Yds. In: + 20 yds. (my choices from the donated fabrics);
Yds. Out: 0 yds.;
Year-to-Date: +20 yds.
Looking forward to many days in the quilting room this month.
Connie W.
January Fabric IN = +0
January Fabric OUT = -80
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =-80
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -80
quilt 1 for this year was a Missouri Star Starlight in patriotic, #2 Plaid shirts, using scraps not shirts!, #3 was Tidal Wave a UFO of all blue squares, #4 New Years Mystery from Stitchin Heaven done in patriotic, #5 Trickle Quilt done with patriotic fat quarters. #6 was a UFO of paper pieced butterflies, #7 Army Star and lastly, #8
Walk About done in Air Force fabric with royal and yellow. All 8 are for Quilts of Valor. Plus working on a couple of BOM and quilt alongs, and more UFO’s!!
I know I’m a bit of an over-achiever!!
January Fabric IN = + zero
January Fabric OUT = – zero
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = zero
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = zero
No excuse here, I didn’t do any sewing in January. I have scraps and haven’t looked for a pattern. I’ve thought about ordering a kit, and got no further than thinking. I told my husband today that I need to start sewing again, I feel like a slug, not accomplishing anything
Oh , a lot of us are off to great starts! I am a 1 meter girl. I purchased 1 meter of a black fabric with splashes of color on it . I was out with another quilter and she needed fabric for a project! I did lots of stitching in January , but no finishes! I have a queen size out for quilting so Feb. is looking good . Stay safe and sew on!
Well done on the nothing in! And your 3-D poppies are still my fave!
I purchased nothing in January. But I completed 2 entries for Project Quilting and a Table Scraps pillow. But they sure didn’t use up much stash!
Might have a quilt finished in February. Fingers crossed!
January Fabric IN = + 0
January Fabric OUT = – 1.5 yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -1.5 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -1.5 yds
January was a better sewing month for me. Looking forward to sewing a lot more in 2024.
January fabric in- 1.0 yds.
January fabric out- .50 yds.
January total- .50 yds.
YTD total- .50 yds.
And away we go…
January Fabric IN = +2.5 yds.
January Fabric OUT = -4.5 yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -2 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -2 yds
Zeros across the board, which is a win 🙌🏻 I bought a lot of background fabric during holiday sales, so I should be set for buying nothing for a while… at least until Quilt Con happens!
Thanks for doing this again Carole! I fell in love with some new fabrics and some fabric on the free table at the guild meeting so I have way more in than out this month. But several quilts are nearing completion so hopefully there will be a lot more out in Feb and March.
January In 25. Out 3
2024 In 25 Out 3
January was good…Donating some fabric helped. This month’s total should be good, too, as I have about 5 tops to finish!
January Fabric IN: 4.75 Yards
January Fabric OUT: 15.25 Yards
Net Fabric: -10.5 Yards
I went to the Road to California quilt show in Jan. It was a wonderful show, and I enjoyed the opportunity to see some stunning world class quilts. Of course, I also enjoyed the vendor booths, leading to a significant In number. I finished a quilt top, but won’t be able to quilt it for awhile, so no Out.
January Fabric IN = +14 yds
January Fabric OUT = –0 yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +14 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +14 yds
“Grab your Balls”…..best laugh of the day! (This is the latest blog post I’ve received…don’t know why…I was surprised when I checked the website and saw more posts)….Blessings
I finished 11 smaller projects this month, so that if a great feeling.
January Fabric IN = +10 yds
January Fabric OUT = –36.37 yds
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -26.37 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -26.37 yds
Thank goodness I made some very cute!!! Little Valentine Bags for all of the littles _ my grandchildren. This helped eliminate some of the novelty fabrics out of my sewing station. Joining Late … I had to go back and look at photos to see what was actually finished in 2024 so far. Thanks for the prompts to use up what we already have!
January Fabric IN = + 0
January Fabric OUT = – 3.5 yards
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = – 3.5 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 3.5 yards
January was easy! LOL Nothing in and nothing out. I did very little sewing last year after I had a knee replacement, so hopefully I’ll be a little more productive this year!
January Fabric IN = +0
January Fabric OUT = –0
January Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =0
Feb might be a short month, but I was not short on quilting! My 9th quilt this year was Doors and Windows done in Air Force Fabric, 10 was Panel Panache done in Army fabric, #11 was a UFO Kaliedescope of white with black dots and hot pink roses, #12 was Star Spangled Variation from Missouri Star, #13 was a UFO of paper pieced orange and green log cabins, #14 was a UFO of turquoise, green and black kaliedescopes, #15 was a golf panel, and #16 was testing a pattern for a 4 color large star! So, 8 quilts and backs (all for Quilts of Valor) at 10 yards total for each, means I used another 80 yards, making YTD ttal 160 yards! WHEW!