5 Easy Tips To Help You Start Building Your Fabric Stash

Building a fabric stash is one of the most exciting parts of being a sewing enthusiast, quilter, or crafter. You’re curating your own personal treasure trove, full of colors, patterns, and endless creative possibilities! If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry.

Picking out the right fabrics and growing your collection can feel a little overwhelming at first. That’s why we’ve put together five easy tips to help you start building your fabric stash.

Define Your Purpose

Are you a quilter looking to stock up for future projects? Do you love sewing whimsical clothes or creating one-of-a-kind home décor? Knowing your purpose will guide your choices and save you from stocking up on materials that might not fit your creative vision.

For example, if you’re a quilter, look for cotton fabrics with solid hues, small prints, and a mix of light, medium, and dark values. If dressmaking is your thing, keep an eye out for linen, rayon, or jersey that suits the type of garments you want to create.

Start With Versatile Fabrics

You might feel tempted to buy every beautiful fabric that catches your eye, but that’s a quick way to strain your wallet. Instead, prioritize versatile fabrics that you can use in a variety of projects. Solids, small-scale prints, and neutral tones are your new best friends.

They act as the foundation for countless designs, from quilts and patchwork pillows to clothing and accessories. These fabrics are the blank canvases of your creative toolkit and will give you flexibility as your stash, and your ideas, grow!

Buy Small Quantities Initially

Here’s a super easy tip to help you start building your fabric stash: buy in small quantities, such as fat quarters, half-yard cuts, or small remnants.

Doing this allows you to sample different types of fabrics without putting a huge dent in your finances. As you gain experience, you’ll develop a better sense of what types of fabrics you use most and can invest more confidently in larger pieces later down the line.

Look for Basics and Blenders

Basics and blenders are the MVPs of any fabric stash. They may not be the showstoppers, but you’ll likely rely on them time and time again to tie your projects together.

Solid colors, tone-on-tone designs, or subtle textures like stripes and dots are perfect for backgrounds, borders, or adding balance to patterned fabrics. When in doubt, grab a few in neutral or muted shades—they’ll work with just about anything!

Shop During Sales

Fabric sales are the holy grail for stash-builders! Many fabric stores, both online and brick-and-mortar, host seasonal or holiday sales where you can score big discounts on high-quality fabrics.

This is the perfect opportunity to grab your basics, blenders, and eye-catching prints. Pro tip: If you’re shopping for sewing fabric online, make the most of it by signing up for newsletters or following your favorite stores on social media to stay in the loop on sales.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a fabric stash that’s not only practical but also sparks joy every time you look through it!