It is the first Friday, time for our Stashbusters check in. How’d you do sewing in February? Gather up your projects and finishes, time to report your progress. Don’t worry if you are in the red, we have lots of time to go. Plus, it is fine to buy fabric now and then. This challenge just to keep us mindful to get what we need, but not go overboard.
Once again, here are the guidelines for the challenge. 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. If you need a reminder of where you stood last month, click on Stashbusters February, and scroll down to your comment.
I made three of the Quilt Caddies for the Quilt Shoppe. See my post Sew Day for the pattern links. They didn’t take much fabric, about 1/2 yard total for all three.
The embroidered table runner project was finished for the Quilt Shoppe. It is 15 x 31 inches. I’m counting it as 3/4 yard out for top, backing and binding.
The embroidered hot pads count as 1/4 yard out.
I finished the blue Hungry Animal quilt, so I can count out 2 yards for it.
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.
Then there was the swap table at retreat. I took in 5 yards of fabric to give away, so I could have a bit of leeway in case there was something I just couldn’t resist. Good thing as I came home with 5 yards. Even swap!!
February Fabric IN = +5
February Fabric OUT = -13-1/2 yards
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -8-1/2 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -10-1/4
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.
February Fabric IN = +
February Fabric OUT = –
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =
How did you do in February?
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From My Carolina Home 
In: 2.75 yards
Out: 6.75
– 2 yards, baby blanket
– Priest Quilt 4.75 yards
Monthly Total: -4
Yearly Total: -2.25
The good news is I have 2 quilts that I have to bind, both queen size and another quilt at the quilter so I am hoping to have big numbers next month.
February in: 8 yards
February out: 0
Monthly balance: -8
Year to date: -8
While I made three baby quilt tops, they need to go out to be quilted. I have a twin sized quilt at the long armer’s so I’ll have that for next month. Am binding two table runners.
February was a bit better for sewing and 50% off sales!
In = +20.25
Out = -13.25
Month total = + 7 yd
Yr total = + 7 yd.
OOOO Lortdy! I’m failing miserably with this challenge. I don’t even think I truly committed in January. So lets see where I end up On April 1st!!! You all are holding me accountable right?
February Fabric IN = +68 y
February Fabric OUT = – 1/2
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +68 y
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 4 yards out
so it appears that I’m in the detriment… I’ve collected 64 yards more than I originally had! Come on Sister’s Birthday!!!! She will be gifted at least half that amount!
Take heart, you have all year to make progress, and we all give in to temptation now and then! But I think your YTD number is the other way – +64?
I gave in to some good deals on a couple of fat quarter bundles and charm packs of fabric I particularly wanted, but I do have specific projects in mind for them, so I’m giving myself grace on the purchases, lol. I completely finished a small quilt – I’m so proud because I quilted it on my embroidery machine. Two other flimsies are finished but need quilting. One of them I will also do on my embroidery machine but it had to go in for service and won’t be back for a couple of months, sigh. The other top will be sent out for quilting, so maybe it will be a March or early April finish. Yet another top needs borders that I can’t decide on, but I’m going to make a decision and get it done this year, lol! If my sewing mojo keeps up, I’ll end up the year with a nice dent in the stash, and a bunch of completed projects!
February fabric IN = +20.25
February fabric OUT = -11.5
February total = +8.75
Yearly total = +22.25
I’d say you did really well — and with the retreat coming up, March will be great! No fabric stash (actually, I did dump a bunch of fabric scraps!) but I’ve taken out bags full of junk and donated plenty this week!
Hooray for being down in February! Here’s my good news:
February Fabric IN = +0
February Fabric OUT = –13.5
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -13.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-28.75!
I had some finishes this month, which is always good news!
In: +1.5 yds
Out: -4 yards
Ytd In: +2.5 yds
Ytd Out: -4 yds
February Fabric IN = + 0
February Fabric OUT = -12.5
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -12.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -14.5
I am in the process of making a quilt for a friend’s 1 year old granddaughter. I should show more progress by the end of April. Really! I promise to make some progress this year! 🙂
February Fabric IN = + 1 1/2 yards
February Fabric OUT = – 0
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 1 1/2 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = 0
I got a few quilt tops finished up with several more to go, and lots of pieces for a few more. I bought the black and white polka dot that I use for a lot of “whimsy” quilts for sashing and / or binding and bit of whites so I could finish a stash buster quilt. That was kind of self-defeating but I needed the variety.
February Fabric IN = + 6.5
February Fabric OUT = – 22
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = – 15.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 29.5
It is perfectly fine to buy fabric, Stashbusters is just to keep us aware and make good purchase decisions.
I understand I can buy with Stashbusters, my self-defeating comment was really directed to my inability to get all my fabric on the shelves even after almost 3 years of stash busting. I have way too much fabric but sometimes I just have to buy…LOL!
Me too!!
February Fabric IN = 0
February Fabric OUT = -2.5 yds
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -2.5 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -4.5 yds
Feeling very good about my progress thus far. Yay me!
Feb In = 0 yd
Feb out = -10 yd
Feb net total = -10 yd
Year to Date Total = -24
Trying to finish a UFO each month this year. Sure adds up nicely in the “fabric out” column.
February Fabric IN = + 2.25
February Fabric OUT = –2.5
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =-.25
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-.25
I finished a stuffed animal project, had to buy fleece for the bunny ears and feet. And I recovered my kitchen chairs so no quilting projects, but at least I accomplished something! And doing the kitchen chairs convinced me that I will take the patio chairs to a professional next year!
So much inspiration around the web that my focus has been piecing. I find that choosing and cutting fabric for two to four of the small quilts at a time works so well. This gives me leaders and enders without having the scraps at the sewing machine. Four tops are at the flimsy stage with two pin basted, another two tops each need the final few seams and a twin sized quilt for me has some quilting started.
February In: 0 yards;
February Out: 0 yards;
February Net Total: 0 yards;
Y-T-D: +20 yards.
Connie W.
Was a pretty good month…some of my out was garment fabric, but did finish a couple of quilt projects. Have several waiting to be quilted. They will keep waiting till my machine comes back from the shop for its tuneup. I did have to order a piece of fabric to finish up my mom’s quilt top. Only needed 3-3.5” squares, but it was cheaper to order 1 yard than 1/2 yard.
February Fabric IN = + 1 yd
February Fabric OUT = – 14 1/4 yds
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = – 13 1/4 out
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 35 1/4 yds out
It seems like I sewed all of Feb but most of the projects are year long except for the baby quilts. They should be on the way shortly plus, since I didn’t buy anything last year and worked from my stash, I ran out of muslin for one of my projects so just went for it and bought a ‘few’ yards and will be on next months status.
February Fabric IN = +0
February Fabric OUT = –0
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-7
I actually did better in February.
Feb fabric IN: +6.50 yds.
Feb fabric OUT: -1.50 yds.
Feb TOTAL: +4.50 yds.
YTD TOTAL: +5.0 yds.
I’m still mainly focusing on small projects & cleaning/organizing my sewing space.
I did buy a bit for St. Paddy’s Day Placemats.
February Fabric IN = +1.5 yards
February Fabric OUT = –5.4 yards
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = –3.9 yards (Out)
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = –11.6 yards (Out)
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. I received 6 yards on the 29th so my first March project is to make 2 tops.
February Samples IN = +6
February Tops Out = 0
February Net Total = +6
Year to Date Samples/Tops Net Total = +6 (2 samples made, 2 samples in Progress)
I love this concept! Here are my numbers. I got too many new ideas this month, but I’m close to binding and gifting a quilt that will count for a lot in March, so fingers crossed I’m on track for the year!
February Fabric IN = +4.2
February Fabric OUT = 0
February Net Total = +4.2
Year to Date = +.3
I had a busy month with some travel, and then catching up. Spent a fair amount of time on cutting and organizing scraps left from the latest piecing project, so no quilt finishes. But, nothing purchased, either.
February Fabric IN = 0 yds
February Fabric OUT = 0 yds
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 0 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +14 yds
February Fabric IN = +22
February Fabric OUT = -40.22
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -18.22
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-44.99
I seem to be doing well, except for buying. There have been some wonderful sales, and I didn’t overbuy most times. I have some great fabrics with plans for most of it.
My completions have been smaller that normal, but I’m working on UFOs and if I am not thrilled with it, I’ve given myself permission to change the size and just get it done.
I had two quilt finishes (one was a UFO from 2013!!), a couple of pillowcases and several small decorative items. My goal is at least 1-2 quilts per month, but as we all know, life gets in the way, so we will see how that goes. I did bring in some blenders, and two large pieces for future backings. My numbers:
February Fabric IN = +13.5
February Fabric OUT = -9.25
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +4.25
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-1.50
February was a good finishing month!
Fabric in. +1.25 yards
Fabric out. – 12.25 yards
Net for February – 11 yards out
YTD -26.25 yards out
February Fabric IN = + 9.00
February Fabric OUT = -2.25
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +7.25
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +12.25
I just couldn’t pass up a couple deals. Now I’m ready to bust into that stash of mine!
February Fabric IN = +75 (2 bolts of wide back as I’ve already gone through 1 in ’24
February Fabric OUT = – 41.25
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = + 33.75
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = + 2.3y
I have finished 5 UFOs and 2 new starts for a total of 75.8y busted!
Um, didn’t too well. 5 yards was to replace some lost fabric which (of course) I later found! Ack! It’s a background type so I’ll be able to use it sometime down the road. Nine yards was for Uptown backing which I sure would like to have quilted up this month. Besides the SALs, an Uptown finish is my March goal.
February Fabric IN = +18.333 yards
February Fabric OUT = –1
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +17.333
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +20.333
Carole the hot pads are so pretty.
Well, at least I have some more out!
Feb in +8; out-9.5
Year to date +33; -12.5
Net year to date + 20.5.
I have cut out some pillowcases to try to nudge the “out” to have a little more “steam” this month! Also cut some simple skirts for littles. We’ll see if I can get them made and still make progress on quilt tops in progress.
Finally got around to measuring my last two end of February finishes. Still in the minus column!😁
February Fabric IN = +2 yards white on white,
February Fabric OUT = – 7yds(En Provence)+ – .25 yd (TSC scrappy heart).75 yds (Inside Out Project Bag) + 1 yd ( hourglass table runner)
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -7 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) -8.5 yds
Woops, a few days late but here none the less. Too busy stitching, to post on time. Tee-Hee-Hee!
February Fabric IN = +5.75
February Fabric OUT = -19.25
February Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 13.5 out
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = 13.5 out
February In .333 yards + 8.5. 8.833
February Out 4.75 yards
February Net Total +4.083
Year to Date + .333
I bought 8 1/2 yards of Polartec micro fleece last month, to make UnderArmour knock off base layer clothing for DH and maybe me too. I hope to get a mock up done in March, then do a batch. I am finally ready to tackle making the shacket for my son in law, so that will eat up several yards this month. I have been cleaning up and trying finish current stuff so not much to report in the actual removal dept. just a few pillow coverings.
Here I go again!! March annual quilt #17 was a black white and color magic 9 patch, #18 flannel UFO of red green and cream, #19 was a UFO Rag Time quilt in flannel; #20 was red, green, cream strips; #21 was a UFO of scrappy Jacobs Ladder; #22 was a UFO burgundy, cream and green UFO; #23 was a pale pink kaleidoscope with teal (another UFO); #24 burgundy and orange UFO kaleidoscope; #25 UFO of aqua butterfly pinwheels; #26 Willowoods in patriotic. So, 10 quilts and backs and bindings would be 100 yards, so ytd total is 260 yards used, and no new fabric in!!