Stitched in Color

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new Fabric Stashings

Would you believe that since moving to Europe, I have purchased very little fabric? I brought my whole fabric stash (of course!) and have only visited a few Dutch fabric shops. Knowing that prices would be higher in Europe, I did some fabric shopping just before I moved, so between those top-ups and the fabric I’ve acquired for specific quilts from my American sponsor shops, I’ve chosen to add very little.

Well, just before our move I have received a package from Fat Quarter Shop! I wanted to get more of the Firefly Whisper fabric for my Confetti quilt and figured if a package was going to come all the way here from the United States, I may as well indulge a bit. Want to see what I found?

First, the yardage. I fell in love with this subtle floral from Art Gallery Fabric’s Lower the Volume collection. It’s called Simple Growth. I think it would be an interesting background fabric with traditionally pieced, large-scale blocks. Don’t have a plan yet, but it felt like a good investment.

The Moonrise Indigo rayon yardage at right is for Aria’s new pajama pants. She’s worn this pair out and is now spoiled for cool, slinky rayon loungewear. Hopefully I can get those sewn up for her this March.

And then, quilting cottons for my stash! I searched for medium true blue fabrics, since my fabric shelves are under-stocked in that shade. I didn’t find exactly the right blue, but these pretty florals from the Hann’s House collection are fairly close. Both are also candidates for my Ice Cream Soda quilt in progress.

Speaking of that long-term project, I bought the Ombre Confetti fabrics just for Ice Cream Soda stars. One of my earliest and favorite blocks used the mint confetti. I plan to add a few more to my project.

I also ordered two more lovely fabrics from the Lower the Volume collection, a medium gray Darlings Cloud Puff print and the arrow fabric, which is such an intriguing rusty orange-brown shade.

When I order quilting cottons for my stash, I usually order 1/2 yards. I find they give me enough, but not too much fabric play. I generally find fat quarters a bit too limiting. So, yes, 1/2 yards is what I have here.

Only when I’m thinking a fabric will be used as background or as binding, do I then buy a larger amount. For example, I have 1 yard of this Ticking Stripe from the Les Poulets collection. It just may become my binding for my Confetti quilt!


When the shops open up again in The Netherlands, I do hope to visit a few fabric stores in my area. There isn’t a quilt shop in Enschede, but I know of two within short driving distance. It would be a fun outing with a friend. When I do, I’ll report back!

p.s. The links in this blog post are affiliate links, FYI. I earn a small commission when you make purchases after clicking through these links. If you’re going to buy fabric anyways, I thank you for supporting my blog and my sponsors!

Happy sewing!


See this gallery in the original post