No Buy Season: Shopping for Crafts Supplies at Home

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No Buy Seasons!

“Saying no to all or most spending reduces the number of decisions you make in a day. That, in turn, gives your brain more space to make better decisions about important things.” —

Jen Smith

What is a “No Buy Season?”

A “no buy” season is a personal strategy in which one intentionally refrains from purchasing anything that is non-essential. The goal is to save money, reduce consumption, and reduce clutter.

Personally, it is one of my favorite things to do because it helps me reset my spending habits and combat impulse buying—something I sometimes struggle to do specifically with crafting supplies.

The length of a no buy season differs based on your goals. Some people commit to it for about a month, while others might go seasons or even a year. You can set up your own rules and limitations. As you go weeks and months without over-spending, the habit will build, carrying over to future years. Two years ago, I would go craft shopping nearly every week. In recent times, I go once a month thanks to previous no-buy sessions. This year, I want to increase the habit by only going every two to three months.

For my current no buy season, I am refraining from purchasing the following crafting supplies for the entire season of winter:

No fabric
No yarn
No buttons
No paints and brushes
No books and journals
No fancy pens and pencils

The majority of my discretionary spending goes to all of these things, so I can easily see myself saving a lot of money. The only exceptions will be thread (which I thankfully purchase only when I need it) and a few yards of a specific fabric for a planned history-inspired project (I’ve been eyeing a particular fabric for several months, and I may not even purchase it until spring).

Busting the Fabric and Yarn Stash

Recently, my work space has been overflowing with minor purchases here and there from impulse buys made at various craft shops. It can be difficult to resist a beautiful find, especially when the creative juices start flowing.

But, with basic necessities getting even more expensive here in the United States, I’ve decided to cut back on buying fabric and yarn for the time being. Plus, I’m running out of room!

It’s going to take a patient minute, but 2025 is going to be the year that I clean up my act… literally and figuratively. I’ve had quite a bit of progress decluttering my living space this year with several no buy seasons, deep cleaning, donating, and using up what I’ve got. But, I want to do more. I still have piles of things here and there, and what’s really getting to me right now is the destruction that is my work desk.

What’s in my stash?

The vast majority of fabrics and yarns I own are stunning cottons, linens, and woolens purchased from wonderful shops such as The Brooklyn General Store in Brooklyn, New York, Tarpley Thompson & Company in Williamsburg Virginia, and I See Fabric in Lewisville, Washington. Others came from various craft and notion shops local to me, on Etsy, or the American big box store JoAnn. While I have other fabric and yarn merchants on my radar, I really want to use what I own before making any other purchases. My fabric and yarn collection has turned into my book collection: I can’t sew and knit as fast as I’m buying, just how I can’t read faster than I’m buying. So, I figure I look into my stash of everything, and brainstorm some ideas for potential projects, while also actually completing the projects many of these fabrics were intended.

It pays off to actually open your drawers and chests now and then because we have so much stuff that we forget what we already own. I shopped my little treasure chests full of buttons, and it’s crazy what treasures I found that I completely forgot about. This isn’t an exhaustive list of what I have on hand, but it does make up a hefty chunk.

Imperial Collection 17 by Studio RK

I have a weakness for Asian prints, whether they are authentic or inspired by various art styles. This Imperial Collection 17 from Robert Kaufman caught my eye with its soft color palette and juicy peonies. I have two different colorways for the design: one in ivory and pink, and another in grey and white.

Originally, they were meant to be either wrap dresses or blouses with statement sleeves. However, after actually experimenting with clothes, colors, fit, sewing with intention, and a few years of cottagecore obsession, I found out that wearing a mostly pink wrap dress with such a busy design would make me extremely uncomfortable. I’m also not a fan of statement sleeves when the patterns are boisterous. They would undoubtedly be gorgeous, but not my taste.

The plan for the ivory and pink shirt excites me because while sifting through my mini chests, I found a ton of antique buttons and mother of pearl buttons. They look magnificent in conjunction with the colors of the Imperial Collection 17. After some consideration, I just knew that the Vintage Czech Glass Buttons would be the perfect fit for this shirt. The fabric itself has some metallic details that complement the iridescent colorway of the Czech glass. I bought them from Phoenixx Fibers on Etsy, who sells a treasure trove of Czech glass buttons.

Meanwhile, the grey and white shirt will have the mother of pearl buttons, which make the fabric appear even more majestic with each unique shell. I like when my shirts can blur the line between casual and fancy, so I’m excited to see how they turn out.

Free Spirit – Into the Woods by Katrinka Waterbirch

This is one of fabrics I purchased back in New York at the Brooklyn General Store. Bestie and I explored the place, and I fell in love with this beautiful leaf print. Like my Imperial Collections, this one was supposed to be for a wrap dress. However, this was the fabric that taught me that striking prints do not always translate into wearable clothes. It might work for someone, but probably not me.

The feel of the fabric is so luxurious that I really wished I could put it to some use as apparel. However, I think it is destined for quilting. I really want to put it into a quilt mixed with browns, pinks, creams, and other greens. It might make for a beautiful piece with accompanying pillows.

Cascading Floral Stripe Fabric

This fabric was purchased during a trip to Colonial Williamsburg. At the time I am writing this (2025), the shop clerks informed me that the print will be discontinued, so it is currently on sale for $14.49 a yard.

It is a reproduction of a French woodblock-printed textile estimated to be from anywhere between 1775 and 1800.

I love reproduction fabrics, so unfortunately I’m inclined to hop on a discontinuation sale for them if I really like the pattern. At first, I wasn’t sure because I couldn’t figure out if the colors would fit anything in my closet. But, then I remembered a clip from Bernadette Banner’s video How to stay cool with a history-inspired summer wardrobe where she introduced her work-study student Tee. Tee had created and worn a petticoat inspired by 18th century designs, and the fabric she made heavily reminded me of the Cascading Floral Stripe Fabric.

I said fudge it, and decided to go for the loud print. Although, I’m probably not going to make a petticoat. I am probably going to make another pair of my favorite palazzo pants using McCalls M7131, which is one of my favorite patterns. I also might make a matching top. Palazzo pants are just so incredibly comfy, and this flowy yet sturdy fabric will make it a fun piece to wear when it gets hot.

I See Fabric Organic Cotton Spandex French Terry

I have a lot of fabric from I See Fabric mainly because I try to buy a lot of it when it goes on sale. I was originally going to use my stash to create an earth-toned rainbow of leggings. However, I realized that light colored leggings are going to reveal every lump, bump, and crease in my skin, so I figured joggers would be the better option.

I am going to turn these colors into the Java Joggers from tge Peekaboo Pattern Shop, which I made before out of the same fabric. These joggers, though not my favorite color, are among my favorite makes because they are so comfortable, fit nicely, and have not pilled or gotten ugly despite how many times I’ve washed them.

I See Fabric has both an Etsy store and a Website. Their cotton and linen is organic and milled and produced locally in the United States. They also use eco-conscious dyes, which I am all for because the colors are just my kind of rainbow: earthy, strong, and soothing to the eye.

After making joggers, I plan to use the excess to create baby and toddler clothes for one of my friends’ two daughters. I See Fabric cares about the quality of its fibers, making them an excellent choice for sewing safe clothing for babies, toddlers, and children.

Plymouth Yarn Encore Mega & Lion Brand Wool-Ease

I forgot how, but I was gifted the Plymouth yarns some years back from either my mom or a coworker. I’m planning on turning the Plymouth yarn into a hat inspired by Rohanmade Accessories. She’s an independent maker based in Delft, The Netherlands. I’m still deciding whether to make the Slouchy Hat or the Kitty Hat. I plan on using this design as an opportunity to use up not only yarn, but also fabric scraps, beads, and charms.

The Lion Brand yarn is a massive surplus from previous projects. I had overestimated how much yarn I needed, and now have too much. The Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Forest Green Heather yarn was originally for my Hogwarts House Scarf pattern. I overbought the amount I actually needed, so I have quite a few skeins leftover. I was going to create a Slytherin House hat, but I’m not sure if that’s something I want to wear. But then, I thought about turning it into baby knits. A few family and friends of mine have babies and toddlers, so I can knit for them. I found an old copy of Vogue Knitting 2001 International Kids magazine that used to belong to my mom. Perhaps I’ll turn this pretty green yarn into some unique cardigans and sweaters.

I also want to make the Halloweenie Beanie by Noemi Zimmer. This I plan to knit in black and grey heather.

Finish the Works in Progress (WIPS)

I’m proud to say that I’m getting better at completing WIPS (Works in Progress)! Apparently, the cruel cycle of starting but not finishing projects is a relatable experience. This is especially true if you knit or crochet! A no buy season can also be applied to putting an end to long winded projects.

What better way to use up your materials than to actually finish what you started?

No Buy Patons Classic V-Neck Cardigan

I have a sweater that has been in the knitting since 2022: the Patons Classic cardigan. This is actually not a difficult pattern. The issue is that this is my first DK/Sport weight cardigan, and the small stitches combined with a monotonous pattern make it a not so exciting knit. I’m trying to work on it a little bit each day, even if it is just a few rows. I may not finish it before winter is over, but I plan to finish it sometime this year.

The yarn, Tahki Yarns Superwash Classic, is a super soft machine washable wool. This is my first superwash merino garment; I wanted to knit an all-purpose knit basic with these wicked Elegant Skull Buttons from Center Of The Circle on Etsy.

I am eager to finish it, I just struggle when a pattern is straight stockinette stitch. This is why I struggle to finish scarves!

No Buy Littlewoods Knit Pattern Hack

I’m confident enough in my knitting to make changes to patterns if necessary. Using the Littlewoods Aran 2015 Pattern as a guide, I redesigned the pattern to create ribbed rows in conjunction with the moss stitch. I was inspired by chunky cabled knits on Pinterest to knit a cropped cardigan using some Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool that I had for over a decade. The yarn was originally meant for an Irish Aran, but I’ve long since misplaced the pattern and I want to save my Irish Aran energy for a more complicated project in the future.

After experimenting with a few swatches, I’m now halfway through the actual sweater. I am having more fun knitting this than the Patons pattern. I can tell because I began the Patons pattern first, but I’m already further along the Littlewoods Hack.

No Buy Scrap Yarn Cardigan

1940s Scrap Yarn Sweater – Flashback Summer

Finally, I want to complete my scrap yarn cardigan. I started this as another way to eliminate the random balls of yarn I’ve collected through the years. Honestly, I don’t like most scrap cardigans. I’m personally not a fan of the mismatched look, although I admit that others can pull it off. Some people use literally every color in their arsenal. I prefer for my colors to have some sort of order.

Then, I discovered Emileigh’s 1940s Scrap Yarn Sweater from her blog Flashback Summer. I’m not using the pattern she used, but I did like how she color coordinated her scraps so that her scrap sweater appeared intentional. I also like the design of the Chunky Scrap Yarn Sweater by Lori Carson on Ravelry, and I Feel So Cool’s custom scrap cardigan.

I compiled most of the worsted weight yarns I own in the colors cream, grey, green, and pink. Using these, I’ll be putting a unique cardigan together with a specific sequence of colors. This is also the perfect opportunity to use some wooden floral buttons I got from Etsy.