Starting a stash

[Elybum]

As of yet, I am still rather new to the hobby, but I'd like to start growing my stash. So far I only have some leftover Dimensions floss from my first project, the Dimensions floss from my current project, and 91 skeins of DMC floss wound onto bobbins for my upcoming HAED. Besides that, I have a few 24 size needles, a few 28 size needles, a pair of little scissors, and a needle threader. Any tips on how to start growing my stash?

[Nachstenliebe]

I think if you stay dedicated to this site it will come naturally.. Someone will find out about a sale on some website and you'll go and want it all!!! Things I'd reccomend for a growing stash are probably floss and fabrics.
Faith

[Kute Kitty]

Once you get started, stash just kind of accumulates almost on its own! Lately I've been trying to build up a DMC thread stash, as I've got a lot of Anchor already and some projects are specific for one brand or the other, and as it happens I've also decided to do an Advent calendar this year that's only charted for DMC threads So (such hardship!) I've just ordered 60 threads and chosen some lovely fabric and oh look my stash has grown almost by accident Any time you go shopping you'll probably find something that'll catch your eye, or you'll be browsing patterns online and find something interesting. It'll happen, and being surrounded by so many enablers here it'll happen quickly!

[sammy_v]

Check out ebay on a reg basis, i did and i got some fantastic bargins on there. Kits, kits n more kits along with threads and i bought all my threads in bulk kinda thing. People who can no longer do the hobby or have 'to much' (u soooo can not have to much) stuff sell there things off on there.

[MaggieM1750]

Little by little my stash is growing. I have a bunch of freebie charts saved to a flash drive I have found on various sites; A couple of HAED's Quick Stitches, bookmarks, blackwork/ biscornu patterns. I also have a post it note with a list of patterns I might want to purchase. I would agree that just being on this site your stash will grow. This site has quite a few enablers. Most of my current stash consists of kits.. some I like, some that no longer fits my taste.. and will be traded away as soon as I can get photos of it. I used to stitch quite a bit, then quit when in college, and slowly getting back into it.

I think Stitch Bows are going to be my thread system. As of now, I have 6 or 8 skeins of floss. Which really does not call for needing a "system" but should I happen to make a large purchase.. I want to have my system already figured out.

I stitched myself a needle book. I keep that and my scissors, pencil, threader, magnets, thimble stickers and all my other odds and ends in a little clear plastic box which was meant to hold photos.. but suits my stitching needs quite nicely.. and for $1.99 I couldn't pass it up. It reminds me of my old pencil boxes I had in elementary school.. I might just decorate my stitching box with stickers like I did my pencil boxes.

I don't have much for fabrics now.. a few pieces which came with kits I didn't like that are now in the give away pile. I've got my eye on a new stitching shop so who knows what I might find when I am there. I am not much a fan of online shopping.. especially when I don't know all the terms and types.. but get me into a shop where I can touch and feel.. my basket is full before I know it.

[kerbear879]

Yep this site will definitely help with growing your stash! I didn't have much when I first started on here but now I've got about 20 HAED charts, a couple golden kite charts, an entire bolt of 18ct fabric, a whole ton of floss a way bags, 3 scissors, 3 8x8 qsnaps, a stitching stand that is on layaway, and who even knows how much floss! (and I'm going to get more tonight) I usually just wait until Michael's sends me a good coupon and then I buy whatever I can afford. I also tend to ask for gift cards to Michael's and Joann's when christmas and my birthday roll around.

[SusanF]

Add any online stitching stores to your favourites list. Browsing through these can often add plenty to your stash (she says having lots of experience at doing just that ).

[kell]

Go for special offers. Whenever you see floss or fabric going for a good price, snap it up! It'll all go to good use.

[Play Outside]

It might be helpful to think about whether you are a kits person or patterns person. Some people do both, but lots have a strong preference for one or the other. Things like fabric and thread are more useful if you tend to work from patterns than from kits (although many people replace the fabric that comes with the kit with hand dyed, or colored fabric).

[stitchingmae]

I think Stitch Bows are going to be my thread system. As of now, I have 6 or 8 skeins of floss. Which really does not call for needing a "system" but should I happen to make a large purchase.. I want to have my system already figured out.

i have some stitch bow stuff i want to get rid of....i am using the bobbins...i got the stitch bow and hated it!! the floss ends hung over they didn't fit in the inserts as neatly as it seemed they would...i liked the stitchbow b/c of the little carrying ase they had...and you could put your threads in the inserts and then into the carrying case...but when i decided to change to the bobbins.....i found...well actually a friend found....those sleeves that y ou put trading cards in.....and they work perfectly for the bobbins and the carrying case....I say all this so you know before you...purchase..the total system...

I also say this...to tell you that...i have some stitchbow stuff i don't want....

[Slinky]

Storage. Get lots of it!! Then enjoy filling it up. Worked for me

[karen4bells]

Storage. Get lots of it!! Then enjoy filling it up. Worked for me

That's my way of doing it too!! Get loads of storage

[Granny]

We are all individual people so it will come. Having more is not necessarily the best solution for all people. Like many things in life, you will develop a way of getting stash that makes you happy.

[*barb*]

I topped my stash up big time last year when the USA $ and pound were making it very affortable for buying from Australia.

I got stuff i cant find here such as coloured and patterned aida and kits mainly.

I know i have enough for a good few years but still buy the occassional thing, especially if it''s a real bargain from ebay from people who sell their stash.

Deopending on your age, you can always consider it an investment in your future, ...retirement planning!

[Lessa54]

I view stash as being an organic or natural thing - it's a bit like a plant, if you water and feed it, it just sort of grows

Personally, I tend to select patterns I like and then get the materials for them, rather than buy things ad hoc. This is mainly because I want to know that everything I buy will get used - I feel terribly sad for all the stash that doesn't get used, it's not fulfilling its stitchy potential

I think my next target is going to be some aperture cards as I have a few card designs I'd like to try so I'll acquire some bits and bobs to do those. Mmmm, more stash....

[~threadbear~]

I started off with a kit I think and then just gradually did all the things mentioned here, ebay, bargains etc to build it up. I'm actually trying not to buy as much now, as hubby keeps giving meaningful looks at my stash.

[burgundyice]

With fabric, I buy as & when needed, definitely with a project in mind for it - same with floss. With patterns (which I prefer to kits as I can use what fabric I want etc) I err on the side of "if I like it, buy it sooner rather than later" - especially if there's a sale on or it's a bargain. Then at least I'll always possess that chart, even if I don't start stitching it for a long long time. Fabric & floss can be sorted later. I say this because I've been unlucky with HAED charts disappearing off my wish list when they were deleted for various reasons. Come to think of it, the charts are probably the cheapest bit to get!
I also now have an organised list of what floss colours I've got and how many, against how much is needed for each of my charts, so when I do kit them up I don't buy extras without realising.

Louise

[XandraS]

I usually buy thread and fabric as and when I need it, but I also pick up a few extras when I go like metallics or varigated threads, I've only been buying floss since October but I already have over 200 DMC shades in my stash I bought a huge bit of 16 count Aida when I did my Xmas cards, figured I'd find use for the left overs. I still have loads left so keep doing all little odds and ends with it.

Next on my stash buying list is some hand dyed fabric, I'm thinking a mixed polstitches grab bag, that way I could get some evenweave to try out as well

good luck building your stash

[koko]

Personally, I tend to select patterns I like and then get the materials for them, rather than buy things ad hoc.

I do the same with my patterns & threads, but I have joined the Silkweaver's Fabric of the Month club, so I get 2 pretty hand-dyed fabrics each month to add to my stash Love it!!!!!

[*barb*]

ah, i remembered one of the most useful additions to my stash early on was trawling the internet and printing off conversion charts for DMC, Anchor, Dimensions, Bucilla and a few other brands of floss. I only use DMC floss, I dont have the money to be buying different brands. I tend to do more kits than anything else, and only use the floss on smaller things.