Often I get questions about the stash reports and the two most often asked questions are:

1. How do I count what’s in my stash? and
2. How do I figure how much I’ve used each week?

First, do you think I really want to know what’s in my stash?

Stash at the end of 2012

No, I do not want to know and honestly, I couldn’t even venture a guess.

Stash 2 at the end of 2012

Judging from just the bolts of fabric and hoping to use at least 200 yards per year, I have at least 30 years of fabric and I don’t think I have 30 years of quilting left in me.

All I do is track how much comes in and how much goes out each week.  This is the “form” I use.  This is today’s report.

Used this Week: 6 yards
Used year to Date: 194.75 yards
Added this Week: 23 yards
Added Year to Date: 71.75 yards
Net Used for 2012: 123.00 yards

On the blog, as I do each week’s report, I go ahead and do the draft of next week’s report.  This week was #50 so I created a post entitled “Stash Report – Week 51, 2012″ and I copied and pasted the above info in there.  Next week, I’ll change the numbers, add the link box, post the blog entry and then make one for the next week entitled “Stash Report – Week 52, 2012″ and copy and paste the info from next week into that draft post.  That way I never have to start from scratch, go back and find the last week’s report to get the numbers.

As far as tracking fabric used, I’m mostly working off an EQ file and I use the EQ numbers from “fabric required” for the project.  I’m a sloppy cutter.  My scraps go to my aunt so I’m not real picky about getting every last usable piece from each strip so I probably use more than is reported but I’m getting pretty close to correct numbers.

If you’re not using a pattern that gives yardage or  you’re not using EQ, roughly calculate how many 4″ squares, 3″ squares, 2″ x 4″ rectangles, etc. that you’re using and figure it from there.  This is a chart that I keep posted in several places around my sewing room that I find helpful.

When adding fabric, simply include the amount of fabric purchased.

Lastly, there’s no commitment.  Post when you wish and don’t feel bad when you don’t.  I don’t keep track of who’s posting and who isn’t.  I do it for my own accountability.