It is time to check in again with our fabric purchases and completed projects. Are you on track this year? If so, great job! If not, we have many months to go to get on the side of more fabric out than in. Remember, 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.
I have not had much time to sew this past month. Between out of town trips, meetings, club events and appointments, I have not put thread into fabric for some weeks. What little time I have had to spend in the craft room has been used up in craft projects, and organizing things for the upcoming quilt show. Yet, it was easy enough to pick up some bits at the guild meeting, LOL! So, of course, I have fabric “in” this month.
Earlier this week, just to have something in the ‘out’ column, I decided to take the two lemon prints above and make a quick table topper with the lemon embroidery I had.
I fussy cut the lemons out of the black bar print and put the scraps of that into my bag of cotton scraps to go to the cotton recycler. I added another yellow flower print and completed the borders.
I loaded it on the longarm with Warm and Natural batting.
I quilted it in a light yellow rayon thread with a leaf design to echo the leaves in the embroidery.
All was going well. Then when the quilting was done, I removed it from the longarm, trimmed it, and decided to press it. Then this happened. Scorching on the bottom of the soleplate of the iron wiped off on the white of the embroidery and the lower section of border. Rats!! Ruined. I tried everything to get the stains out – soap, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, nothing worked. So, 1/2-yard out in the trash. It just isn’t worth the effort to take it apart and save any part of it.
Here are my totals for the past month.
April Fabric IN = +2 yards
April Fabric OUT = -1/2 yard
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +1-1/2 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -16-1/4
Now it is your turn! 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. If you need to check your comment from April to see where you were year to date last time, click on Stashbusters April Check In. Copy the info below, paste into the comment box and fill in your totals.
April Fabric IN = +
April Fabric OUT = –
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =
How’d you do this month? I am away from the computer today, so I won’t be responding individually to your totals, but know that I will be reading them all this evening.
From My Carolina Home 
Sorry about your mat. We have all been there. I really appreciate how you blog about real life and not make it glossy like some do. Sometimes, you just have to cut your losses. It was a beautiful idea, tho.
That is such a bummer about your lemon table topper. It was such a cute idea.
I had a much better month and was able to finish a queen size quilt plus donate a few yards.
In: 2 yards for soccer quilt
Out:
Aaack! How is it May already? I don’t use steam in my iron, but the holes collect lint-dust-dirt & sometimes it sloughs off on my patchwork. Why it always on a white background spot? Fortunately those spots wash out – your scorch is devastating. I completed 5 throw size quilts, but 2 were club kits, & 1 was a purchased vintage top, so only 2 used stash fabric. Then I bought a 1/2 price kit on a sale table, so fabric came in without much going out. But lots of sewing took place so I’m still happy.
You mentioned a cotton recycler. I have been looking for a place to do that as I have a lot of cotton scraps. How did you find that? I live in Illinois.
What a painful outcome on the table topper! I appreciate both your disappointment and that you shared it.
April Fabric In: 0 yards;
April Fabric Out: 19.6 yards;
April Net Total: -19.6 yards;
Year-to-Date Total: -20.6 yards.
I am enjoying the Stash Busters monthly check-in. Thanks so much for hosting this.
Connie W.
April Fabric IN = + 0
April Fabric OUT = – 8 yards
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = Out 8 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = Out 8 yards
I have been cleaning out my stash. There is a young mom who has started to sew and she is loving it. I have been helping her. So why not give her fabric/patterns that I have not used in over sooooo many years. I have a lot of childrens fabric/patterns she can use. Oh but her face was priceless when I gave this to her.
It’s been a busy month with an upcoming family wedding! Several projects are nearly completed, but they will wait patiently for me. 😏
Found a nice fat quarter bundle to add to a planned project.
Looking forward to spending more time in my sewing room the next few months!
April in: 4.5 Out= 0. April total= +4.5
Year to date total = +13.5 yd.
I forgot to add my year to date total…and get this: +.05 ! LOL
Did my first comment disappear?
Fabric IN: +41.25 (Bolt sales on background solids that I needed!)
Fabric OUT/used: +30.67
Total for April: +10.58
Year to date Total: +.05
That should be -30.67! (I’ll go drink my coffee now!)
I’m so sorry that the project was ruined from scorch. My iron does that at times too to the point that before I start to iron if I remember I try to run the iron over a small area of the pressing mat I am using before I touch it to the fabric to make sure it is behaving properly. I really need to remember to pick up a new iron! I have never heard of anything that takes the marks out.
I don’t track fabric but at least I can say no art supplies in (though I do have a travel palate on my Amazon hold list!)
Is it too late to snatch your lovely lemon table topper from the trash? I would love to buy it from you!
Sorry I didn’t greet you properly in my quick response just now! My name is Shelly Clipperton (I purchased several of your incision protection pillows a while back!). I want to applique some lemons/ leaves over the scorch marks on your lemon table topper and use it for my summer table, please?
Thank you for considering my request! Sincerely, Shelly (Rochelle) Clipperton
Well, I’ve been doing well all year with bringing fabric in…only 1 yard needed to finish a quilt. But, this month I ran across some fabric on sale that goes with 2 panels I have to work on in the future. I needed some more variety for the plan I have in mind, so I took advantage of the sale. I’ve been sewing like crazy….I have 7 top waiting to be quilted if I could only get a machine up and running to do so. My Bernina is still in the shop waiting on parts and the new to me longarm is still not running right, so I’m stranded. If I ever get a machine to work, I will have a ton of “out” fabric.
So, here’s the update for April…
April Fabric IN = +4.5 yds
April Fabric OUT = –0
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +4.5 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -40.5 yds
Still doing well for the year. So sorry to see the iron ruin your table topper! I have learned to use a pressing cloth on anything white. I don’t use water in my iron, but it occasionally get gook on the sole plate, and like someone else said…it always comes off on something white!!!
April Fabric IN = + 0
April Fabric OUT = –5.25
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -5.25
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -37.5
I worked on one major project this month: a commission for a close friend. She bought the fabrics, but I was able to supply a little out of the stash. I also came across a good sale for KONA Black, and restocked my stash of that. A small project for me was also made. At least I’m still in the negative for the year!
April Fabric IN = +3April Fabric OUT = –1.75April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +1.25Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -3
April Fabric IN = +1
April Fabric OUT = –2
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -1
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =+4.5
Moved in the right direction this month!
I didn’t buy any fabric, but only finished one small quilt in April. When the weather‘s nice, I won’t be found inside. Winter’s are too long in NW Pennsylvania!
April Fabric IN = +0April Fabric OUT = –4.25April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =-4.25Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =+4.25
April Fabric IN = +3
April Fabric OUT = –12
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -9
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -9
Finally got some projects started and some nearly finished.
I’m so sorry about your lemon project- it was going along so perfectly! For Stashbusters, I had to go back and figure out March, too. We were so busy moving my mom that everything else just passed me by.
March/April In: 3 yards (I shopped in Paducah!)
March/April Out: 2 yards (My SAHRR and some small finishes.)
YTD In: +5.5
YTD Out: -6.5
So disappointing about your table topper and it was a big let down, I’m sure. I’m sorry that happened. I’ve been making blocks for 3 different quilts, so will have a larger (for me) yards out amount later on in the year.
April Fabric IN = 0
April Fabric OUT = -3yds
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -3yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +6
April Fabric IN = +12
April Fabric OUT = –0
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =+12
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =+18
We were on a road trip this month and I went to 2 cute quilt shops along the way in Utah. Visiting new quilt shops while traveling is my particular weakness. I also bought some fabric to back a large-ish wall hanging, and background fabric to start a new quilt of embroidered (by hand) squares.
So sorry that your iron scorched and ruined the cute lemon table topper. That must have been so frustrating!
I finished two quilts this month. One from stash and one I had to purchase fabric for (t shirt quit for an FFA fundraiser). Spent a week in Key West and always visit the quilt shop there. Picked up a kit I couldn’t resist and a lovely cotton voile for a dress for my daughter. My stats this month:
April fabric in: +24.5 yds
April fabric out: -19.5 yds
April net total: +5 yds
YTD net total: -29 yds
Sorry about your scorched lemon project. My iron started to leak this week in the middle of sewing a quilt top and I ran to the store to replace it before something awful happened.
Carole,
Sorry to hear about the unremovable stain on your lemon project.
I do appreciate you sharing your misfortune. We all have disappointments and it’s nice to know we are not alone.
3 charity quilts out plus fabric giveaways helped my out total. Bought backgrounds, fabrics to make gifts and material to complete projects.
April Fabric IN = + +11 April Fabric OUT = – -31 April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -20 Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -83
Thank you for keeping us mindful of our fabric purchases! As a side benefit, I am keeping a list of my finishes. A review of the list gives me a sense of accomplishment!
Sending positive energy your way!
Jo Anne
Strashbuster….. well not so good again this month. Plenty of sewing but no finishes. :(
Sad, so sad. I keep saying next month, next month, but a real boost in my “OUTs” will not likely be until our posting our July accomplishments. By then I should have time to actually have significant fabric “OUTs”. I am teaching two intensive summer classes at my university. It is just as intense faculty as it is for students. Very little time to be in my sewing room. My sewing time for May and June will be minimal. At least, it will mean meager shopping too! Of course, I have projects sitting in plain sight waiting for the next step or finishing call me “Pick me, pick me”. Don’t we all? I will try to get after maybe one finish in May and a second finish in June. Then July will come and my machine can begin to hum again every day and produce more “OUTs”.
Ta-Ta until next month everyone.
April Fabric IN = +2April Fabric OUT = – 1April Net Total = +1 INYear to Date = -15.5 OUT
Sounds like a good plan, work often gets in the way of our sewing time, LOL!!
April Fabric IN = +0
April Fabric OUT = – 0
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = 122.8 yards
April has been a “bust the 2″ squares drawer” month. My drawers are a stack of 2x8x10 inch. Wait for it: I have 3 twin size flimsies to get it emptied!!!! I added some bits from my partial strip bin (a WOF strip goes back into the stash stack with friends). I also finished up 3 flimsies from my 2022/23 L/E of 8″ St Louis 16patch blocks constructed from squares/partial strips in 2.5″ size.
May will be a quilting marathon to get these 6 large twins finished for donation to Sleep In Heavenly Peace. A terrific April sewing month for me especially since I left on Vacation April 23!
Such a cute lemon mat too. I did better in April. Getting back on track. 2 quilts for Linus finished and donated. That accounted for 7 yds. Donated 3 to Linus and gave 3 yds to a friend. I had what she needed and I was happy to pass it on!
Yards out–13
Yards in — 4
April Net–Out. 9
YTD IN–22; YTD OUT–25.75
Net Total. — Out. 3.75
Hate that you had to give up on that pretty table topper. I love anything with lemons, and blues and yellows are my go to fabrics. While I do manage to sew a little bit every day, I haven’t finished any projects since February. Since I had to buy a large amount this month for some background fabric, it puts me almost back to zero. But I have high hopes for the coming months.
April Fabric IN = 4.75 yds
April Fabric OUT = 0
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = + 4.75 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = + .25 yd
I hate that you had to toss that table topper after all the time and effort you put into it. But I probably would have been “over it” too!
April In +14
April out -0
net ytd +33
My downfall was a fabulous fabric store in town that sold both apparel and quilting fabric had a going out of business sale. (Very sad!) I found some cotton that will make cute tiered ruffle dresses for my granddaughters and the leftovers from that can help make a quilt I am working on a little bigger. I just need more time! And I guess I need to cut and sew more pillowcases! Quick, gratifying, and useful.
Fabric in this month: 4 yards
Fabric out this month: 7 yards (friend received quilt)
Fabric in this year: 6 yards
Fabric out this year: -40.75 yards
NET Fabric: -37.75 yards
Very pleased I didn’t buy too much at a recent show!
Oh no! That was a cute table topper!
April In: 6 yards
April Out: 4 yards
April Net Total: +2 yards
Year to Date: -4.47
Actually reduced my stash in April.
April fabric IN: +0 yds. In
April fabric OUT: -.50 yds. Out
April TOTAL: – .50 yd. Out
YTD TOTAL: -5.75 yds. stash Out
So disappointing after all that work :-( That’s the kind of thing that kills my sewing mojo, ugh.
Stashbusters:
April IN – 0 (probably the first month ever to record a zero lol)
April OUT – 0
YTD Total: +30.25
I did sew/embroider in April, but it was on sashes for an upcoming pageant (I’m the treasurer for Miss Rodeo Arizona, and I make/donate the sashes). I don’t count that yardage in my stash.
It’s been a very slow month for finishes, but there are lots of things in progress.
April Fabric IN = +0
April Fabric OUT = – 11.75
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -11.75
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -83.25
I’m a bit behind posting my Stash Busting for April. I “fell off the wagon” and purchased an online shop hop pattern & block kits. There are only 12, 9″ blocks. Not bad, right? But then I bought the finishing kit for a quilt using the block, plus a bit extra to add a row to make it fit my bed better.
But I made some Pillowcases so I still was able to keep in the red (or is it black?) For the Year to Date.
April Fabric IN = +14 yards
April Fabric OUT = –5 yards
April Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +9 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 4 yards
I promise to try better in May!
For Fabric Cafe pattern testing, I received 6 yards (for 2 patterns) and returned the finised tops to the Designers. So that makes 6 yards in & 6 yards out.