In an effort to eliminate some of my fabric stash in 2006…I have signed up for a class at Road to California Quilt Show held later this month. The quilting instructor is Debbie Caffrey and her class is called “Open a Can of Worms” (which is also the name of one of her published books). Hopefully, she will show me how to use up smaller pieces of fabric in my stash and specifically 2 ½" strips of fabric (thus known as "worms").

“It is a wonderful class for introducing scrap or multi-fabric quilts, and a variety of skills and techniques,” according to Debbie’s class description.

Mostly, I want to be able to use fabric that I have been stashing for way too long!

According to my supply list, I need to bring 2 ½” strips of 12 different fabrics… how about 75 different fabrics! It also says, “Select a good variety of color, value, scale and visual texture”, …no problem here, I have quite a selection.

I hope Debbie is ready to help me take on my New Years challenge to reduce and simplify my fabric stash!
I met her at Quilt Market this fall, (she was offering good snacks at her booth...so, I had to go and hang out for a while!) She a talented quilter and is the self-published author of many books and patterns and has taught many workshops nationwide for quilt guilds, shops and conventions.  She has assured me that she is ready for me to “open a can of worms” in her class. Wish me luck.

And if you have not had a chance to attend the “Road to California” Quilt Show, it is well worth the $10 price (good for all four days) of admission . It is held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Ca and features quilts, special exhibits, a fabulous vendor mall and evening events as well as classes with nationally known instructors. It will be held January 19-22. Check out their website for more info.

Happy stash busting!