At a recent Sew & Show inside Aunt Em’s Sew Along a new quilter asked how she could build her fabric stash. She lives in a rural area with her local quilt shop being over and hour drive away. There were some good ideas shared on fun ways to add to your fabric stash. So today I’m sharing fun ways to add to your fabric stash.
Adding New Fabric to Your Stash
The most fun way I thought was to make a day of it with friends. The quilter who shared this idea said that her and her friends would plan the day in advance. They would pack a lunch to picnic or plan to eat out. Carpooling to enjoy the ride and chat along the way. Then have fun finding and gather fabric and other quilt supplies together once they reached the quilt shop. This would be a fun way to shop hop as well. Mapping out a group of shops you could visit for the day.
Another way that was mentioned for this rural quilter to obtain fabric was through online quilt shops. My favorite online shops are Fat Quarter Shop and Missouri Star. Because I feel it’s better to get fabric rather than pay for shipping. I’ll add to my cart the things I want. Then if I haven’t met the requirement for FREE shipping, I’ll start shopping their sale and clearance items. Adding to my cart until I’ve met the requirement. Not only is it fun to see what’s on sale and add a few bonus items to my stash. Receiving the package in the mail is always a happy day. 
Adding Oldies but Goodies to Your Stash
Garage and estate sales along with thrift stores were also mentioned. The draw back is you won’t be able to find the newest fabric. But this is a Earth friendly way to add to your stash. And I’ve found beautiful fabric this way from designers like Kaffe and Tula. In addition to yardage you may want to add vintage table clothes and sheets to your stash. All of these can be found while thrifting.
Many guilds have fabric exchanges or leave and take tables where members bring fabric or other quilting items. This is a great way to make sure items you no longer need go to a good home. While enabling you to add fresh, new to you items. This is also a great way to do a little guilt free de-stashing.
The final method mentioned was Facebook, both through market place and specific group communities set up for this kind of exchange.
I hope you found these fun ways to add to your fabric stash useful. Whether you are just beginning or wanting to add some fresh life to your stash.
