Believe it or not, it is time again for Stashbusters! How’d you do last month? 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.
Remember, it is fine to buy fabric now and then. As Murphy’s Law of Quilting tells us, for every project, you’ll probably need to buy something. It might be another print, or some blender or background neutrals, or backing. This challenge just to keep us mindful to get what we need, but not go overboard.
Because of Helene, I did not get much done this month on my own projects because I was busy quilting tops for hurricane donations. But I can now count out the Fall Fortnight projects. The Thanksgiving table topper or wall hanging project used 1-1/2 yards.
The bell pull project used 1-1/2 yards. 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.
At retreat this week, I finished five table toppers for the upcoming Fiber Fair on November 9. More on that later. This is part of the gift I received from sweet reader Brenda, reported as fabric ‘in’ in June. Total out = 5 yards for tops, backing and bindings. I’ll be using up more of the wine prints this coming week.
Of course, retreat means a full freebie exchange table. I was good and only brought home a new-to-me book and two small bits of green fabric. Total in = 1/2 yard. I did take in a yard of other fabric the next day and traded it for a few fat quarters of Christmas, but didn’t take a photo and it was an even exchange.
So, here are where my totals came out for the shortened month.
October Fabric IN = +1/2 yard
October Fabric OUT = –8 yards
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -7-1/2 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -8-3/4-yard “out”
Your turn! If you need to check the comments to see where you were last month, click on Stashbusters October. Then copy and paste the form below into your comment and fill in your totals.
October Fabric IN = +
October Fabric OUT = –
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) =
How’d you do this month?
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New deals for November at Fat Quarter Shop – 20% off the Basic of the Month Elements by Art Gallery Fabrics, 30% Off the Notions of the Month from Stash ‘n Stores, 30% off Patterns of the Month from Flamingo Toes, and see the Book of the Month, A Scrapbook of Quilts Book by Carrie Nelson & Joanna Figueroa. Check out Today’s Flash Sale and see the Precuts of the Week, too!
Sulky Threads, Stabilizers and New Gift Items – New deals for November, and sign up for the New Year’s Eve Sew Along. Grab your Cozy and Comfy mystery box while supplies last. I got mine last week and it is so fun!
From My Carolina Home 
Well done on fabric out with less quilting time for your own stuff. A question — how much are you selling your wine print tabletoppers for? I might be interested in getting one (maybe more?) of those for future Cork Popper events or maybe even hostess/holiday gifts. I’m interested in both sizes/shapes! Thanks, Carole.
October Fabric IN = + 0
October Fabric OUT = – 12.5
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -12.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -98.5
Great job!!
I am new to this Stashbuster’s Challenge, so I don’t know if I am replying on the correct way.I am so impressed with the variety of projects you are all making. I have so much fabric, including boxes of fabric thst someone recently dropped off at my house!! I need this challenge. In November I had: Fabric in 0, Fabric out — 1 yard for some rug mats to add to a Craft Sale; Net – –1 yard But I have 3 scrap quilts in progress. Maureen
October Fabric IN = + 8 yardsOctober Fabric OUT = – 37October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -29Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 588
Wow, you are a rock star!!
October has been a travel month. I’ve quilted one and binding is on ready to hand stitch but NO finishes. So strange for me.
October Fabric IN = +57
October Fabric OUT = –0
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +57
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +440
I use wide backings and am already well into bolt #4. I stocked up 10 bolts as I was tired of 1 or 2 at a time as has been my habit for years. I have also made huge holes in my stash these last 2 years: red, yellow, brown. So I’ve been stocking up on these as I find bargains or that perfect tone.
Happy quilting everyone! I’m ready to hunker down in November as the chill of fall sets in here with near daily below freezing temps!
Good plans! I like buying by the bolt as well. It does make it difficult on the Stashbuster totals, but easier in the long run.
October Fabric IN = +6
October Fabric OUT = – 6.5
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) =-.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -77.5
Bought a FQ bundle for a January project – the new Tilda line. Couldn’t resist. Did some bag making which certainly increases the time factor but not so much the fabric usage. Two quilts lined up for November so that is looking good. My goal for this year is 100 yards out of my stash. Better get to sewing.
You are well on your way to your goal, hang in there. Bags do take a bit of time, but so fun!
I did pretty good with my Strips & Nachos lap quilt finish. Here’s my report:
October Fabric IN = +4.5
October Fabric OUT = –8
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -3.5
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +10
Your month totals are helping that ytd go down. Good job!
My September totals which I did not post were a wash. Same amount is as out. But October was a BIG jump ahead.
October Fabric IN = +6 yards donated by a friend to fill gaps in my stash.
October Fabric OUT = – 29 yards out!
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 23 yards out
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = 73.5
I had a slow start this year but I am finishing strong. Two months to meet my goal of 100 out. Time to finish some UFO’s so I can count them this year!
Can you tell I am goal oriented? 🙂
I think you are going to make it!
Greetings Carole! I had NO finishes in October, but plenty of projects in process. I hope to finish some of those this month. A scrapbooking retreat, a home server issue, a new floor in my sewing room all contributed to the lack of sewing time, especially the floor replacement. I have been out of my sewing room for about two weeks. A bright spot in the month was my participation at a Craft Splurge and Purge event at a local quilt retreat. It was a one day event, and in 5 short hours, I managed to sell 81.75 yards of fabric and kits, not to mention notions and patterns. I did buy 11 yards of backing fabrics (at $2 per yard, how could I not?) So despite the problems of October, I ended the month with fabric gone from my stash and money in my pocket.
October Fabric IN = +11
October Fabric OUT = –81.75
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -70.75
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -136.25
Good work there in selling your stash, any way it leaves the sewing room is good!
Well, it finally happened…my negative our turned into a positive in….🫣. Not much sewing at all happened this month. I’m avoiding the longarm and refusing to make any more tops till I start quilting the ones that are done, so this month was a standoff! When I get like this, I shop…I did get a skirt sewn, so there was that, and I have been working on the crocheted blanket for a friend. That doesn’t help my Stashbuster totals though. So here goes…
October Fabric IN = +18 yds
October Fabric OUT = –2
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +16
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +3.25
I better get started quilting if I want that back in the negative…or start offloading fabric!😂
Either way works, LOL!! Don’t avoid your longarm, it is the fastest way to the finish line.
It’s just a huge learning curve. It took me several years to get the midarm down. The longarm is a whole new beast.
A friend gave me ALL her sister’s fabric a couple months ago – I’m still sorting what to keep. The church group of quilters took almost 50 yards. (Yep – a lot of fabric) And I turned in 2 quilts with 3 + 3 yards = 6 yards. But it reminds me that I need to get my stash under control as I’m no spring chicken either and I fear what my kids who love quilts, but don’t quilt, will do with the fabric in my absence.
October Fabric IN = 50
October Fabric OUT = 6
October Net Total = 44
Sort of….. Thanks!
That is a lot to process! Hang in there!
On the plus side I finished 6 quilts, however there was a shop hop. I used that excuse to visit a shop I only get to about once a year as it’s out of my usual radius & on the way back I used up the balance on 2 outstanding gift certificates. October did not break even. Maybe November will be more successful, no shows & no shop hops to tease me.
Shop Hop is a temptation, LOL, especially with gift certificates involved!!
I’m not ready for November. Can it REALLY be a new month already?!
I wasn’t too productive in October for my stash busting. I spent nearly 3 weeks testing 2 patterns & making samples for a shop. Technically that was 6 yards in & 6 yards out but I dont count that for my stash.
I had to buy 2 yards of licensed fabric for a special Christmas present, but did use my stash for the rest of that quilt plus its backing. This plus several other projects were planned or started for Christmas presents but can’t be counted as out yet.
I did gift out 4 yards of fabric & made a seatbelt pad for a friend going through breast cancer treatment.
October Fabric IN = +2 yards
October Fabric OUT = –4.25 yards
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = -2.25 yards
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 18.25 yards (out)
I’ll be working on Christmas projects & such (yes, I do plan to make Fall Fortnight patterns). So hopefully there will be more stash busting this month.
Busy month for you! But your ytd totals are still on the good side. Working on your own projects this month should get you farther along. Happy Sewing!
Oct was busy, got 7 quilts made and even spent a week in Idaho for Great-grandson’s 4th birthday. Now new fabric in, but made #71 Scrappy HST (patriotic pinwheels), #72 & #73 were 4 patch around the world from MO Star using 2.5″ scraps! Made so many blocks, I got two quilts!! #74 was Day Dreaming, #75 Spiky Peaks (potato chip patriotic scraps), #76 Twisted Star in patriotic, #77 Surround Those Stars in patriotic. So, 7 quilts and backs for Quilts of valor should be about 70 yards, so YTD is 770 yards. I just donated a whole bunch of fabric for the African dresses, but have no idea how much!! Our group has now made over 8,000 QOV’s!
Wow, another amazing month!
Quilt guild’s “garage sale” and some great vendors at the quilt show in Spokane were so tempting that I added to my In totals, while travel prevented much sewing time, so nothing Out.
October Fabric IN = +13 3/4 yds
October Fabric OUT = – 0 yds
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +13 3/4 yds
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = +75 yds
Sometimes those sales just have fabric jumping into our bags!
October numbers continue along the fabric out trend, so I’m feeling good about this year. Thank you, Carole. Stashbusters has been a big help with my plan to use at least a hundred yards of stash before buying anything except fabrics for Quilts of Valor.
October Fabric In: 5 yds (won a door prize at Comfort Quilts!)
October Fabric Out: 8.25 yds
October Net Total: -3.75 yds
Y-T-D Total: -63.25 yds
Connie W.
Great work, Connie! Glad our Stashbusters group could be of some help.
October was a bit of standstill and gather my thoughts, for me. Plus traveling to be with our newborn great-granddaughter. She is so precious. If I get done all my mind thought of, November will be a winner for me. lol
October Fabric IN = + 0
October Fabric OUT = – 0
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = 0
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = 11 out
Sounds like some lullaby quilts are in order!
How do I join Stashbusters? It sounds interesting Maureen Shea
You just join in by commenting each month. Keep track of what you bring in and send out, and try to have more out than in. Only fully finished projects can be counted as out.
It was a backwards month for me but that’s ok. I needed 3 yards for a Christmas wall hanging and I’m slowly getting fabric I brought home from my aunt’s into my stash. I’m a pre-washer so there is more waiting to be washed. I’ve got 3 quilt tops and backs ready to quilt and those should help November’s totals.
October Fabric IN = +7.75
October Fabric OUT = –2.5
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +5.25
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = – 242.5
No worries with you, your year to date totals are off the charts!
Not sure what happened to me, but no real sewing in October! The good news is there was no real shopping either!
October Fabric IN = +4.75
October Fabric OUT = –1.75
October Net Total ( + In, or – Out) = +3
Year to Date (net total for the year, + In, or – Out) = -60
I’m going to start this month! Hoping you’ll continue the challenge next year!
went on a retreat in October. Managed to finish two tops but can’t count them because they have to go to my long arm quilter yet. Meanwhile I bought 9 yards of backing for them and two yards of Christmas fabric. So 11 yards in, no yards out. YTD balance is 16.5 more in than out. Guess I’m not making the progress I hoped for but it has been an interesting activity.
All my in fabric will go out this month as pillow cases. I finished all of DH’s base layers, and a top for me, but spent most of the month quilting the one I sandwiched last month!
October In: 5.25 yds
October Out: 5.25 yards
October Net Total:0
Year to Date: -32 yards
November in—7 yards
November out— 4 yards donation
YTD in—89.5
YTD out—70
Balance—19.5 more in
slow finishing month for me…three tops ready to go to long armer…but I did demos at guild meeting that required preparing step outs and am up to date with a block of the month so I don’t feel to bad about November.