Quite a few who have been reporting their efforts at stashbusting have written me to say they were surprised with their numbers. The stash reports have been so useful to me because (1) I know that anything I buy I’m going to have to report and (2) I don’t like having weeks of reporting that I used nothing at all. Sometimes that meant that I had been sewing but the yardage had already been calculated. Some weeks it meant that I hadn’t touched the sewing machine at all! This year wasn’t a normal year for us. Even so, I should have ended the year with a bigger number in the “used” category. The move took a lot of m y time but there were months that Vince was in Texas and I was still in Missouri, with no real responsibilities so I could have sewn more. Look out 2012! And, in the added category, those 25 yards added were yardage bought for two bags that I never made and for Vince’s Texas quilt that I haven’t made yet.
The stash reports aren’t about who has the biggest stash or who adds the most yardage . . it’s simply meant to be a tool for each of us to be a little accountable and to improve in areas where we might need to improve. Even if you have a small stash, it might be enlightening to do a stash report and see where you stand at the end of the year. I have never advocated “no buy”. My main goal is to make quilts. If I need a certain fabric to make a quilt, I’m going to buy it. If I see a fabric I can’t live without, I’m going to buy it . . but I’m not looking very hard for fabrics I can’t live without.`
I pulled some of my previous years stash reports and was kinda surprised at my numbers. 2008 must’ve been the year that I decided I needed to change my ways. Considering what I did in 2008, I did really great in 2009. 2010 was the best year yet as far as net figures but I bought less fabric in 2011 but just didn’t use as much. My numbers may change a bit in the next two weeks but probably not too much. 2012 is going to be my banner year . . few purchases and lots of yardage used. By the end of 2012, I hope that I really need to go shopping.
2008
Fabric added year to date – 633 yards
Fabric used year to date – 435 yards
Net Used to Date – <198> yards
2009
Fabric added year to date – 457 yards
Fabric used year to date - 464.50 yards
Net Used for 2009: 7.50 yards
2010
Fabric added year to date – 195 yards
Fabric used year to date - 572.5 yards
Net Used for 2010: 377.5 yards
2011
Fabric added year to date – 25 yards
Fabric used year to date – 281.25 yards
Net Used for 2011: 256.25 yards
With the stash reports, no one keeps track but you. If you report once a week or once a month or twice a year . . no one cares — just so you’re happy with what you’re doing. Think about joining us in 2012!
