I have a problem with fabric but it’s not the one you think.
It’s not that I can’t stop myself from buying it or that I hoard it away and never cut into it.
My problem is that I’m overwhelmed by it. There are too many choices. Should I buy the whole line? Fat quarters? Just the blenders?
So I freeze and don’t buy any of it. I’ve never even ordered fabric over the internet.
(Just for the sake of getting to know each other better I’ll tell you that I have this problem at the supermarket too. When there are too many choices and I’m supposed to look at them all and compare—I just opt out and move on. Really, how many salsa types does our local market need to carry?)
For some reason I don’t have a problem purchasing fabric for a specific project (or when there’s a really good sale) so my stash consists mainly of leftovers from other projects (of which there are many) and clothing/linens that are, for whatever reason, no longer usable in their original incarnation.
Sometime last year I started to feel that my quilt making was suffering from all of this nonsense and that I was paying too much attention to fabric and not enough to design. I was getting away from what got me quilting in the first place. So I challenged myself to quilt with all solids for a while. There are a few others from this challenge but this one is my favorite.
It measures 68″ x 74″ and is stippled all over with a variegated thread. I wrote more about quilting it here. It’s not perfectly squared up and I can’t exactly figure out where I went wrong, but it doesn’t much matter.
I think my exercise in solids worked pretty well but it didn’t exactly cure me of my fabric problem. I still freeze up a little in the face of fabric choices and tend to go back to the same types of things over and over. I guess, like anything, it’s all part of a process.
I’m calling this one a success, and I know, because after stitching down the last bit of binding I promptly fell asleep under it.
Thanks to John for suggesting such a clever name.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the solids. I have been planning on using more solids in quilts as well. It is hard with so many choices. I want them ALL, but end up not stocking up much, because I tend to not use too much of what is in my stash. I just buy new for each project.
Your quilt looks absolutely gorgeous! I’m a lover of solids. From the quilts you’ve made I wouldn’t guess you’re overwhelmed by looking at colours, or are having a hard time to choose. Manufacturers of fabrics bring out complete lines for quilters who are having a hard time to choose, but it’s so much fun to choose your own colour scheme and to combine. It’s part of the fun of making a quilt. Maybe you’re not the kind of quilters that wants t build stashes of fabrics but needs to buy for a specific project.
Did you ever read a book about colours and the way they effect each other? You can find some wonderful information in there! And… I guess you decorated your house and you choose colours for clothes, so you must have favourites?
Don’t be too hard on yourself!!
Amy- I’m with you on the fabric problem, but I tend to just buy all of one line, since I feel I have issues with color scheming. Working on sewing rather than buying…..I have thought of doing the solid thing, for similar reasons. This quilt really is beautiful.
I also realized I never thanked you for looking at my blog….I haven’t done anything since (yay holidays are over!) but as life seems to be moving towards the light again, perhaps I can re-invest some time into myself and sew.
Thanks again and your boys are so freakin’ cute!
It turned out so beautifully! I love the strong primary colors and contrasting muted tones. Cute name too.
It’s a great quilt. I love the blocks of colour – I agree – too many patterns to choose from, this quilt doesn’t suffer from that!
The quilt is stunning! I really love quilts made with solids, but rarely buy them as I tend to fall hard for print fabrics. However, I have the same problem with loving fabric and then kind of freezing when it comes to seriously buying and/or actually using them. It’s funny; I just wrote a post today about a grab bag of fabric I bought, which is wonderful, but it will be a challenge for me to jump in and use it.
I’m fine at the grocery store, but give me a huge restaurant menu, and I’m up a creek. I do much better with the hand-written-by-the-chef-that-morning variety.
Solid color quilts make me happy!! It’s beautiful!
I love the quilt! I get overwhelmed at fabric stores–too many choices, too many ideas for projects–and I usually walk out without buying anything. Now I try to shop for only one project at a time–and to have an idea of what I want to get instead of walking in with a blank slate.
LOVE your solids quilt. Its modern and masculine, and bold. the free motion is lovely! I know how you feel about being overwhelmed. You could add alittle to your stash each time by including an extra yard or two of project fabrics to have on hand and add in two more coordinating fabrics that might not be used. Then your next project will have different focus patterns but you know it goes w/ some scraps you already have? Puus then you have options in case you change your mind!
Happy New year! WendyB @ ThatSeamsFun.com
The thing that I LOVE about handmade quilts are the tiny imperfections that almost all have…well mine sure do…it gives them some individuality.
Well, that’s my story and I am sticking to it!!
LOVE the barcode quilt, fantastic, fantastic use of colour x
That quilt is gorgeous! And it looks soooo warm and comforting. I have the same problem with fabric and also with yarn. If it’s on sale I feel like I should take advantage of the price but then I struggle with how much and how many different fabrics/yarns. However, like you, if I have a project in mind I can purchase in no time flat! Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful quilt. I love it! But, I love solids… I can’t even decide on patterned fabric, it’s like ‘deer in headlights’ syndrome for me.
Amy – This quilt is so beautiful!!!! I love the bright, bold colors. I need lessons from you in time management. I am awed that you are able to start and complete these wonderful projects. What is your secret?
Hope all is well with you and family. Happy new year!
Can I have some of your “fabric problem” please!!!!! sheesh. I can’t stop buying it… Every time I make something, out of all my stash I don’t have the right thing…
my hubby is begging you also for some of your fabric problem…
Your cat is mooning us!
love it!! i was just flipping through “The Modern Quilt Workshop” and was pondering on their Plain Spoken quilt for my hub hub. I should probably not start anything for a while since babe no. 3 should be here anytime. Yeah…
Happy New Year to you!
Amy, I so get the fabric problem. Unfortunately, instead of doing what you do, I tend to overbuy. Not the best idea. Your bar code quilt is terrific. I love it. Great use of your solids and love the design.
P.S. Happy New Year!
it looks awesome! love the colors. love the solids. i just found your blog today, from someone’s flickr gallery. i love your quilting, very inspiring!
happy new year
love it! it is simple and complex at the same time
So gorgeous! You have the best eye for design and color.
And I know just what you mean about too much choice. I actually can’t shop in big supermarkets–completely overwhelming…
K x
I have a similar freezing problem with solids… I love them in quilts… and yet I never buy them… doh.
That quilt is beautiful.
The quilt is beautiful! I need to start working more with solids. I certainly wish I had that problem with fabric. I tend to have it with things that I need to get done around the house/home – it seems so overwhelming, so I just walk away and escape on the computer.
I know exactly what you mean about the salsa & the fabric! (I try to remember what I read about taste tests when making those food purchases – but I also have to look for certification…) For me it really depends on the line as to whether or not I need to whole line or not. Some that are not of a generic coloration – need the others so that they will play nice with “something” others I can get away with one piece… Really depends. Oh & I hate my “more is more” mentality – As in if 1 blue is o.k. – 20 would be great!
I have some problems with fabrics too (enough to write much about it!)
your quilt is so beautiful: you did a clean and simple design, i love it!
When my husband is faced with the dilemma of too many choices he tends to opt for things that say “New”. Seriously, he does it every time. Did you get the Diamond Shreddies campaign down there? He thought it was pure genious.
I have had a similar problem, being overwhelmed by fabric. I buy under a yard cuts now and only what I love. Rarely I will buy a charm pack or a layer cake but mostly I buy individual prints I love. Often I buy a third of a yard, cut from the bolt its often just a few cents more than a FQ that is already cut on the shelf. Since I have a big stash using more than I buy is the goal.
Whew, that is a great quilt! You always give me such inspiration for future quilts!
Happy new year!
L-O-V-E it!!! Now I know what to do with the solids I’ve been collecting!
I have never thought of making a quilt from just solid fabrics, but this inspires me to give it a try. I love the bars and the way they make a graphic pattern. Nice work!
I love the solids! I’ve seen several online and that is one thing I want to try once my free-motion skills get better…
I also totally relate to the indecision. Try looking at the fabric in your stash and picking some to cut? The decisions! The decisions! LOL!
This quilt is so cool. Really, really like it.
I love this quilt! I just bought 4 solids for a project I’m currently working on (just to sayI too don’t necessarily randomly purchase fabric … well not ALL the time!) and was thinking that maybe I should look at a solids project. I’m waiting for a book to arrive from Amazon and I know there’s some solids projects in there to whet my whistle even more. Have a great 2010 Amy. Hope you and all your boys are happy.
Ah, well, if ever you need a personal fabric-buyer, I’m at your service. Unfortunately I have never had the slightest problem buying fabric, more than I need, actually. The project for this year is to use it all in diverse projects, so that if ever I have to move again, I won’t move more fabric than books. Because somehow that doesn’t sound serious when you have to tell it to someone.
both gorgeous! i love the quilting you did.
This is gorgeous! I think solids are the way to go with quilts…they will always look timeless when the patterns go in and out of style.
I love this quilt. Simply beautiful!
Oh my1 This is soo crazy cool. I can’/t believe all the detail. Don’t worry i claim up on project fabric selection too even, after I pic what I want. I bought 7 yds of material and matching coordinates for a quilt and then clammed up and used it for pillows cases, toys and what not.