Today we're going to have a little refresher on one of last year's
Art of Choosing posts,
building a well-rounded stash. I've gone more in depth, hit on things that I still get lots of questions about, and took fresh new photos of more current fabrics! Plus I've got a surprise in store for you too!
When you're new to sewing, it can be difficult to know where to start in terms of stashing. Of course it's often nicer for it to happen organically, but that can take a while. New and seasoned sewers alike may find they gravitate to certain colors and end up with holes in their range of colors. Having a well-organized stash can help you identify what colors you're missing or low on and what colors you might have more than enough. I'd recommend perusing the
Art of Choosing series, especially the posts on
folding and
stash organization.
For fabric information on the stack above, click
here.
Why Stash?
There is nothing better than having fabrics on hand when you're ready and rearing to start a new project. This doesn't mean you won't ever need to order anything special, but perhaps not as often! If you plan on creating quilts and projects from multiple fabric collections, it's especially important to have a healthy stash.
Often times you might find yourself drawn to focus prints that have lots of different colors in them, I know I do! These prints are great and can often be a building point for entire projects, but they don't always mix with one another very well. This is where stash builders come in! Because they generally are a single color, they can easily be mixed together with focus fabrics or other basics!
What to Stash?
Depending on your tastes and what you like to sew, there are loads of different fabrics that you could consider stash builders. For some it's strictly dots and stripes, while others might consider basic text prints a stash builder. Regardless of your style, there are some general qualities of a stash fabric that we can pretty much agree upon. Let's explore them!
Tone-on-Tone Fabrics
Tone-on-Tone fabrics feature different shades of the same color to create a pattern. They immediately read as a single color, which makes them perfect for stash building and choosing fabric by color.
Nature Elements by Pat Bravo, Outfoxed by Lizzy House, Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt, Soul Garden by Carolyn Gavin.
Single Color + White/Cream Fabrics
Single Color + White/Cream fabrics feature a single color and the addition of white or cream to create a pattern. These types of prints can be found in most modern collections and they're really versatile.
Metro Living by Robert Kaufman, Sundae Stripe by Bonnie & Camille, Hoopla by Moda, Wild Thyme by Carolyn Gavin.
Geometric: Check Fabrics
You can't get much more basic than a simple gingham. If that's not your style, cross hatch and basket weave prints are all over the place now a days, and have a similar look!
Heath by Alexander Henry, Gingham by Michael Miller, Tailor Made by Cosmo Cricket, Dazzle by Melissa Averinos.
Geometric: Dot Fabrics
When you're searching for good stash fabrics, dot fabrics are a perfect choice. But don't think it's just about a regular old dot. There are lot of great prints that deviate from the standard dot. These prints can add a lot of interest to your projects!
A Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey, Oval Elements by Pat Bravo, Outfoxed by Lizzy House, Reunion by Sweetwater.
Geometric: Stripe Fabrics
Who doesn't love a good stripe? I'm always grabbing stripe fabrics for binding and other details on my projects. Traditional stripes are nice, and there are lots of prints out there that have a nice twist!
Handwriting Paper by Timeless Treasures, A Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey, Aviary by Joel Dewberry, Authentic by Sweetwater.
Floral Fabrics
Good stash fabrics aren't strictly limited to geometrics! It's nice to have floral stash fabrics too!
Floral Elements by Pat Bravo, Flower Sugar by Leicen, 1001 Peeps by Lizzy House, Farmer's Market by Sandi Henderson.
How much to Stash?
When I'm purchasing stash builders I generally buy fat quarters or 1/2
yards. Since I don't necessarily have a use in mind for them I hesitate
to get more unless it's something I really love.
Lizzy House's and
Aneela Hoey's basics definitely fall under that category for me and I'll
often pick up a yard of my favorite colors!
How to Stash?
Well that's a very good question! ;) I'm pairing up with Brenda of
Pink Castle Fabrics to bring you great stash builders! You can peruse her
giant section of
stash building fabrics that we've selected in addition
to a new
Stash Stack Club Subscription! Each month will be a different
color and we'll work through an entire year of colors! By the end you'll
have a stash of basics from red all the way to purple and a dose of
neutrals too!
We're kicking July off with one of my personal favorites, Pink! :)
Full Stack = 12 prints per month.
Half Stack = 6 prints per month.
For more information and sign-ups, head on over to Pink Castle Fabrics!
Brenda has some other goodies for you! As a Thank You for being a founding member of our
Stash Stack Club
use code
FOUNDER10 for 10% off your first month! (expires July 10th)
She also has all of her
stash builders 15% off this weekend with code
STASH15!
Happy Stashing!
