I don't write blog posts about fabric purchases very often because I dislike shopping of any kind. Believe me, this is not an adaptive behaviour for someone who has to live in this century! Even shopping for quilting related products is a challenge for me. I get overwhelmed by the multitude of choice, and I am easily distracted by pretty things ("what did I come in here to buy?") Also I have difficulty thinking an entire quilting project through to the end and buying all the things I need at once. Perhaps if I didn't shop twice a year it would make things easier!
The only time I go to the quilt store is: a) if I desperately need something and can't proceed without it. Likely I would still try to avoid going and would set that particular project aside - hence the huge UFO closets! OR b) there is a shop hop and a fun social time is involved. If there will be less shopping and more socializing, I can manage! Recently I went on two shop hops, so now I won't have to shop for another 6 months! I bought this stack of wide backings, which means I will be able to finish 5 quilts without piecing a backing.
I also purchased a variety of pieces for my Life is Beautiful quilt. I finally decided that the blocks will be red and paper bag brown, so it will look something like the sample quilt here. This photo shows some older fabrics that have been washed and used in other projects, and the brand new ones. I have finished almost 20 of the 32 embroidery blocks and am starting to think about putting some blocks together, which I can do now that I have enough fabric. I can't think of anything else I "need" although the shops sure did have many wonderful new lines of fabric that tempted me. The next shopping experience to be endured is for Christmas, and my goal this year is to not have to go into a mall!
I'm with you on the shopping. I detest any form of shopping. I'm not good mixing with people at the best of times. I just like to be left alone and do my own thing
I'm with you on shopping, though I do love browsing quilting shops, even though the number of choices is overwhelming to both me and the credit card! I try to just order the notions I need online, less distraction that way. Yep, Amazon is the only way to go for Christmas shopping!
I did not go to the mall last year. I made a lot of gifts and bought others locally from people I know who make things. This year, I don't have time to make a lot of gifts, but I still have some ideas up my sleeve. The red and paper bag brown fabrics will look great with your life is beautiful blocks. I am interested to see how this will come together.
I love the shades of these fabrics. I too do not like to shop and will order online any time that I can. I just ordered an ironing board cover from Amazon, lol...
I love the shades of these fabrics. I too do not like to shop and will order online any time that I can. I just ordered an ironing board cover from Amazon, lol...
I found some quick and lovely gifts that I can whip up in my sewing room - anything else I need for Christmas will be ordered online. I do not like the holiday crowds! Good luck with your Life is Beautiful quilt. I hope to get the pattern and work on one for myself soon.
I rarely shop in the stores anymore and as I live in the country I do not believe I have to support the local businesses as I have to drive to all the places and they are not just down the street so they are not really that local to me. I keep the Post Office & UPS & Fed X in a job and do most of my shopping on line. I stopped at a quilt shop or two while traveling a couple months ago and became overwhelmed with the choices and realized that I much prefer quilt shop shopping on the computer where I can just sit and look at things and take my time.
For a person who used to love shopping, I find that I have changed and now shopping is a chore that I tolerate rather than enjoy. Especially when it involves trying on clothing! Ugh, the thought of it just makes me frown. I love the red and paper bag brown fabrics and already picture in my mind a gorgeous quilt. I've been considering making one with black and paper bag brown, a log cabin or something that will define the contrast, but first I am planning to make a small quilt with solids, like Amish quilts, but first I have to decide on the design. Have a happy sewing day, Kathy!
I'm with you on not wanting to go mall shopping. But I do like to go to the quilt shops and pet the fabric. It's hard not to buy on speculation, but I have so much stash now, that I'm getting better at just looking. I can't wait to see the Life is Beautiful quilt. I really need to start hand stitching again.
I totally avoid any shopping I can get out of..... (With the exception of food, of course!! hahaha) I usually buy online for fabrics AND clothing....(just ordered mock turtles for Winter from Lands End on sale only cause mine are literally falling apart after 4-5 yrs wear!! !!) I love your choice of paper bag brown with the reds--so comfy and cozy...Have fun sewing with your new acquisitions........hugs, Julierose
Wow--only shopping quilt shops twice a year?!? You must have a great stash from which to pull. I always have to run to the store for some little piece of "this color", or "that shade" of quilting thread. I guess I am an anomaly here. I do not enjoy shopping and avoid the mall like the plague, but I do not like to shop for fabrics online, either. I live in the country, but not far from town, so the LQSs are only 15 and 20 minutes away. I do like to support local businesses (if they are not in the mall), but I guess my biggest quirk here is that, as much as I don't like shopping, I love being in the stores at Christmastime. I love the holiday music playing, the lights twinkling, the festive atmosphere--I just avoid the busiest times, like Saturdays and Black Friday! : )
Glad you could get your shopping in before the RUSH. You made some great purchases in the Backings. I don't NEED any more fabric but am enticed by all the pretties I see when I go into the shops in town. My Christmas is mostly homemade so the projects are using some of my vast stash this year. Enjoy cutting into those pretty reds and creams.
Shopping can be fun but only when it's not crowded. However I'd rather go shopping than do it online, especially for fabrics. I love the feel the fabric before I buy it. You did well with the backing fabric. I love it when I find extra wide fabric so I don't need to join the back.
Now fabric shopping and food shopping are the only kids of shopping I enjoy! Glad your next 5 quilts will not suffer from the making the backing issue. That one always stops me in my tracks.
I love those reds! I have a bunch of new reds from online shopping and I'm eager to put them into a quilt. Great backing fabrics, love those wide ones.
The quilt shops are so far from where we live that I don't have a problem not shopping for fabric that way. Unfortunately, I don't mind pushing buttons, so online shopping is way to tempting.
I'm with you on the shopping. I detest any form of shopping. I'm not good mixing with people at the best of times. I just like to be left alone and do my own thing
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on shopping, though I do love browsing quilting shops, even though the number of choices is overwhelming to both me and the credit card! I try to just order the notions I need online, less distraction that way. Yep, Amazon is the only way to go for Christmas shopping!
ReplyDeleteI did not go to the mall last year. I made a lot of gifts and bought others locally from people I know who make things. This year, I don't have time to make a lot of gifts, but I still have some ideas up my sleeve. The red and paper bag brown fabrics will look great with your life is beautiful blocks. I am interested to see how this will come together.
ReplyDeleteI love the shades of these fabrics. I too do not like to shop and will order online any time that I can. I just ordered an ironing board cover from Amazon, lol...
ReplyDeleteI love the shades of these fabrics. I too do not like to shop and will order online any time that I can. I just ordered an ironing board cover from Amazon, lol...
ReplyDeleteI found some quick and lovely gifts that I can whip up in my sewing room - anything else I need for Christmas will be ordered online. I do not like the holiday crowds! Good luck with your Life is Beautiful quilt. I hope to get the pattern and work on one for myself soon.
ReplyDeleteI rarely shop in the stores anymore and as I live in the country I do not believe I have to support the local businesses as I have to drive to all the places and they are not just down the street so they are not really that local to me. I keep the Post Office & UPS & Fed X in a job and do most of my shopping on line. I stopped at a quilt shop or two while traveling a couple months ago and became overwhelmed with the choices and realized that I much prefer quilt shop shopping on the computer where I can just sit and look at things and take my time.
ReplyDeleteI too, shop on line as much as I can-mostly to save time too. Love the Life is Beautiful quilt. Needle work adds so much to a quilt!
ReplyDeleteFor a person who used to love shopping, I find that I have changed and now shopping is a chore that I tolerate rather than enjoy. Especially when it involves trying on clothing! Ugh, the thought of it just makes me frown.
ReplyDeleteI love the red and paper bag brown fabrics and already picture in my mind a gorgeous quilt. I've been considering making one with black and paper bag brown, a log cabin or something that will define the contrast, but first I am planning to make a small quilt with solids, like Amish quilts, but first I have to decide on the design. Have a happy sewing day, Kathy!
I'm with you on not wanting to go mall shopping. But I do like to go to the quilt shops and pet the fabric. It's hard not to buy on speculation, but I have so much stash now, that I'm getting better at just looking.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the Life is Beautiful quilt. I really need to start hand stitching again.
I totally avoid any shopping I can get out of..... (With the exception of food, of course!! hahaha) I usually buy online for fabrics AND clothing....(just ordered mock turtles for Winter from Lands End on sale only cause mine are literally falling apart after 4-5 yrs wear!! !!) I love your choice of paper bag brown with the reds--so comfy and cozy...Have fun sewing with your new acquisitions........hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteWow--only shopping quilt shops twice a year?!? You must have a great stash from which to pull. I always have to run to the store for some little piece of "this color", or "that shade" of quilting thread.
ReplyDeleteI guess I am an anomaly here. I do not enjoy shopping and avoid the mall like the plague, but I do not like to shop for fabrics online, either. I live in the country, but not far from town, so the LQSs are only 15 and 20 minutes away. I do like to support local businesses (if they are not in the mall), but I guess my biggest quirk here is that, as much as I don't like shopping, I love being in the stores at Christmastime. I love the holiday music playing, the lights twinkling, the festive atmosphere--I just avoid the busiest times, like Saturdays and Black Friday! : )
Glad you could get your shopping in before the RUSH. You made some great purchases in the Backings. I don't NEED any more fabric but am enticed by all the pretties I see when I go into the shops in town. My Christmas is mostly homemade so the projects are using some of my vast stash this year. Enjoy cutting into those pretty reds and creams.
ReplyDeleteYou did well, Kathy! I love all those reds.
ReplyDeleteShopping can be fun but only when it's not crowded. However I'd rather go shopping than do it online, especially for fabrics. I love the feel the fabric before I buy it. You did well with the backing fabric. I love it when I find extra wide fabric so I don't need to join the back.
ReplyDeleteNow fabric shopping and food shopping are the only kids of shopping I enjoy! Glad your next 5 quilts will not suffer from the making the backing issue. That one always stops me in my tracks.
ReplyDeleteI love those reds! I have a bunch of new reds from online shopping and I'm eager to put them into a quilt. Great backing fabrics, love those wide ones.
ReplyDeleteShopping is a chore...because I know I am not sewing and that is where I would rather be!!Catching up after having no computer since Friday!!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt shops are so far from where we live that I don't have a problem not shopping for fabric that way. Unfortunately, I don't mind pushing buttons, so online shopping is way to tempting.
ReplyDeleteYou came home with some good finds.