It is the first Friday of the month, time for our Stashbusters check in. How’d you do sewing in August? Gather up your fabric in and out totals, as it is time to report your progress. 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. For new readers, this 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.
The little bee quilt was sold, so it is out the door. It was 32-inches square. Here is how I calculate fabric out when using scraps. 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. So the little bee quilt works out to 1-1/2 yards with scrappy top, backing and binding.
The bird quilt was finished in August and entered into the fair competition. It counts as 6 yards out for top, backing and binding.
I got the last 25 pillowcases done before the meeting yesterday. They were donated and out the door, yippee! Each one is one yard plus 2 inches. That is just over 26-1/4 yards out.
Also at the meeting, I was able to give away four fat quarters of background fabric for a small group project. So one more yard out.
The Jewelry Tree counts as 1 yard out for top, pocket, backing and binding.
So, it was a great month for finishes and fabric out. Ah, if only I could have stopped there, LOL! But no, while I was at Foust, I had to check out twice. Once for the things I got for the guild, then again for these goodies for me. One fat quarter stack, one layer cake, a short bolt of turkey print fabric that will be a fun backing for a fall quilt, and a short bolt of white tone on tone because I always need more background. Total in = 19 yards.
I missed both guild meetings in August, one because I was speaking in Greensboro, then I had to go to Foust. The upside to that is that I wasn’t tempted by the freebie table. The downside is I missed the freebie table, LOL!! Overall, I made it into the negative, but only by a little. Perhaps a couple of projects finished next month will get me to the more ‘out’ side. We’ll see! I may just need to donate some things.
August Fabric IN = + 19
August Fabric OUT = – 35-3/4
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -16-1/4 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -1-1/4-yard “out”. Woohoo!!
Your turn! If you need to check the comments to see where you were last month, click on Stashbusters August.
August Fabric IN = +
August Fabric OUT = –
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =
How did you do this past month?
From My Carolina Home 
I agree, I never have enough background. That’s mostly all I buy now. I was feeling pretty accomplished in August as some quilts in progress were reaching the finish line. I was hand-quilting 2 twin size quilts and takes longer, but they were finally done along with another twin I machine quilted. (The 4th twin I’d hoped to finish was done yesterday, didn’t make it to the August list, but hooray 1st finish for September!) A collection of FMQ practice pads were joined quilt-as-you-go style yielding a fun throw size car-pet-picnic quilt. I did buy some needed theme fabric for that last twin, but I still used more up than was acquired so I believe I’m on track to break even by year’s end.
I finally finished a very scrappy queen-size quilt that has lingered for over 2 years. Then there were several comfort quilts finished up and donated. August was a really good month as only 2 yards came in.
August Fabric IN = +2
August Fabric OUT = –66.25
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -64.25
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -237.25
You are awesome!!
I had a good sewing month and finished some smaller projects and one larger quilt. Hoping this trend continues. LOL.
August Fabric In: +7.5 yards
August Fabric Out: -21 yards
Year to Date: – 59 Yards.
Three weeks away from home put a definite dent in my quilting!
August in— 0 yards, bought nothing
August out— 4 yards, binding on a scrap quilt
August balance— +4
Year to date in— 60.25
Year to date out— 55.75
Year to date balance— +4.5
August Fabric IN = + 2.5
August Fabric OUT = – 5.5
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -3
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =-76.25
August Fabric IN = +25
August Fabric OUT = –60.75
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -35.75
Year to Date OUT= -285.3
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +397.5
It’s a terrible NET so I plead guilty with explanation. I had gone through 2 bolts of wide backing in the first 6 months of the year. And I was tiring of the same ole’ wide back. Sooooooo, I ordered 10 bolts backing and I am thoroughly enjoying the variety.
I quilt for Sleep In Heavenly Peace and these are all twin-ish size. So I’m cutting off 65-75 inches for every quilt! The remaining chunk will take 2 baby-ish quilts.
I am aiming for a 400y OUT year! I have another twin at binding stage and one on the Long-Arm. 🙂
That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it 😉
I’d say you are amazing!! Looking forward to your year to date totals at the end of the year.
With changes in our travel plans for the month, August was a great month for moving fabric out. I thoroughly enjoyed the finishes.
August Fabric In: 0 yards;
August Fabric Out: 20.3 yards;
August Net Total: -20.3 yards;
Y-T-D total: -56.6 yards.
Just a little time to celebrate and then back to the sewing room!
Connie W.
Well done with all those pillow cases. I’m doing a class at the local library for middle school kids and cut a lot of FELT for bookmarks. I’m thrilled to finally be using up all those notions that have accumulated, tons of embroidery floss and using spools of “coats and clarke” thread. It’s wild to see how much the kids enjoy learning to sew buttons on, etc. Nothing out for me but 5 FQ in last month. I went to 2 quilt shops with a friend who was doing a shop hop, and that is all I purchased. The FQ go to our bee for a game, and I never bring home more than I take. Mostly I am doing a “secret project” on my embroidery machine, involving kitchen towels. 🙂
August Fabric IN = + 0
August Fabric OUT = – 0
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -20.25
No fabric in or out in August. Finished another quilt top, but still no way to quilt it. The hubby did get the longarm running, but now he’s adding raceway to the back of the table to hold all the cables. His future intent is to computer automate it. Some days I wish he didn’t build machines for a living! If I didn’t have arthritis, I’d quilt the waiting tops by hand.
A pretty slow month for me as far as fabric going out. 🙂
August Fabric IN = + 11 yds
August Fabric OUT = – 1.5 yds
August Net Total ( + In) = 9.5 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, – Out) = 10 yds
Your work, as always, is beautiful. And well done on OUT!!!
In May, June, and July I had a lot of projects started and getting toward the end stage and then I had to pivot to make a quilt for a friend who found out she was going to have to go through chemotherapy. After getting that accomplished, I was able to get back and complete quite a bit, so August turned out to be more encouraging in making that dent in my stash.
August Fabric IN = 3 1/2 yds.
August Fabric OUT = 11 1/2 yds.
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -8 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 7 3/4 yds
Carole, you are truly an inspiration in the multiple things that you craft, sew, cook, garden, etc. etc. etc.
August Fabric IN = + 5.5 yds.
August Fabric OUT = – 15.5 yds.
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -10 yds.
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +2 yds.
A lot of sewing happened this month, but no finishes yet. I donated a bolt of fabric that was gathering dust in my closet to the local Senior’s Center. Looking forward to ending next month’s total in the negative column again. 😊
Hi Not nearly as well as you. Better luck next month. Carol
I finished a large throw in August, and then I bought some fabric, mostly backing but also a few yards that were on sale, to start a baby quilt for a friend’s first grandchild.
August Fabric IN = +8.5 yds
August Fabric OUT = – 14 yds
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -5.5 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = + 61.25 yds
I did pretty well this month managing scraps, completing four potholders, 2 more base layers shirts for DH, a fancy night gown with Liberty Tana lawn, a new cover for my serger using a cross stitch picture and sandwiched a quilt for a wedding gift. Lots of variety for a change! My purchases were all for specific projects :). This month I will finish the wedding gift and make up some bowl cozies for my daughter’s birthday, three pillowcases for students and probably a couple more potholders for a shower gift. The scrap pile is diminishing, but I need to give it some serious attention and plan some projects for the left overs, and get serious about my Alaska quilt now that I have a new table to make the quilting a bit easier. I also have selected the quilt top for my lone senior piano student, so will be looking at large chunks of fabric from which to piece the back. I’m hoping for a big month of moving things forward. I realized while reading your post that I have been “cheating” and reporting my quilt backs too soon, but I’m consistent…I don’t report backs until they are sandwiched and quilting has commenced, so I’ll stick with my method for the rest of the year!
Well done getting those pillowcases completed and out the door, and finishing your fair projects. I thought I had nothing, then remembered my wool skirt from last fall and my new blue jeans, as well as the fancy nightgown. They only gave out three ribbons in clothing, and I got two of them, so I can’t complain.
August In: 3 yards
August Out: 9.15 yards
August Net Total: -6.15 yards
Year to Date: -21.37 yards
August was a busy, busy month for me! I had a scrapbooking retreat to get ready for, attend, then put everything away. I also am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Europe for next spring, securing lodging seems to be the hardest part so far, so I gave a week for that. Another week was spent setting up, holding and tearing down from a Scrapbooking/Sewing/Quilting rummage sale that I held with a friend. The last week of the month I spent catching up on correspondence and getting ready for another trip in early September. I have great news to share, however…I sold fabric at the rummage sale and was able to move out 43.25 yards! It’s amazing how quickly the FQ and partial yards add up! I kept a very careful inventory of all pieces, just so I could count up my “OUT” yardage accurately. So here is my total for this month:
August Fabric IN = +0 (too busy to even shop!)
August Fabric OUT = –43.25
August Net Total = -43.25
Year to Date = -54.25
I have begun sewing again (my poor sewing machine was getting pretty lonely!), so hopefully I’ll be reporting more yardage out by month’s end. And, I’m vending again in October at a sewing/quilting destash sale only, so hopefully, more fabrics will find a new home!
Fabulous job moving out unwanted fabric!! Your totals really went in the right direction this month!
Congrats on your successes! It is amazing how much good work there is out there.
August Fabric In: 0 yards
August Fabric Out: -12.5 yards
August Net: -12.5 yards
Year to Date : -56 yards
August Fabric IN = + 0
August Fabric OUT = – 0
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +4.25
well…a couple of wide backs did me in but I will still be happy to not have to piece the backing for a couple of quilts. August-Out 0. August in 18.5 YTD net +47.5
Wide backing is always a good purchase! Happy sewing this next month!
I just realized I never checked in for Stashbusters 2024 due to all the comings & goings of company this month. Dismal as this month’s numbers are, here we go without further adieu —
August Fabric IN = +10.5
August Fabric OUT = –0
August Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =+10.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =+14.5
UGH! Shop Hops kill me when it comes to fabric in … but I love it!
Glad to hear you were safe during the storms. Well, no new fabric in, but did finish #66 Star Spangled from Fabric Hut, using up patriotic scraps, #67 was Chandeliers done in Navy branch fabric a blue done in opposing columns, #68 Was Merry Go Round done in patriotic HST, took time out for my husbands funeral, then back with #69 was Pebble Path done in golf fabric, and #70 was zig zag done in batiks of blue, green, purple. So, five quilts and backs used 50 yards, so ytd used is 700!!
PS your form says I can save my info for the next time I comment, but it never does!!
If your browser clears the cookies when you close it, it cannot save the info. It relies on putting a cookie on your computer to do that.
Great totals!!