Tomorrow I am going with my quilting group to a discounted fabric warehouse. It has everything...cottons, batting, notions...all at discounted prices. My problem with going to a place like this is what do I get...fabric for specific quilt patterns or to just get fabric that goes together without a plan. I am on a budget and am trying to be pennywise. What would you do? :?: :?: :?:

Take my budget with me in cash and leave my card behind. Know what you want to spend, do you have a special project you want to aquire for or are you stash building.

You will feel better if you plan before you go and stick with your plan.

Being as this is your first time, spend your time looking and comparing prices. Write down your interests and look for them and see just what is offered. Is there something you want but can't locate in your area, put that on your list, too.

We went on a fabric shopping with a newbie and she was so overwhelmed, she didn't know where to start. Just some ideas.

Lots of fun on your trip grab it all and run, no just kidding
think of the colors you use most, fat quarters good for this, green for leaves and stems never goes wrong. Buy what you need for a pattern your about to do. A few more fat quarters that make you happy and maybe a new pattern or book. Things to look at on the trip home and make you feel good. Set budget before you go in. Say like you only want to spend $30, then work with that to fill the above. If you go over its not the end of the world, if you go home with wishing you had bought that one special fat quarter than that could be end of the world. LOL

If you are on a budget, I would go thru my patterns tonight and purchase enough for a specific project. Then I would allow myself one or two yards of a fabric that just really caught my attention. You could slowly pick up coordinating fabrics for this one thru the year for a future project. This way you'd be practical but also get a treat!

You are so smart to plan ahead and not just go crazy when you get there. In the beginning I would suggest you take a pattern or two that you know you want to do. Then when you get there be sure you really like the fabrics you pick, don't just get some because the price is low. And lastly, I would tell you to try to keep a little of your budget aside in case you see a fabric you just can't leave in the store whether you have a plan for it right now or not.

Wish I could go to a discounted fabric warehouse. Think I would set a dollar amount to spend. Look over projects that are on your wish list Make notes of fabric requirement for a couple of projects. You can estimate fabric costs based on quilt shop sales. If the estimate is within your budgeted amount, you should be good to go. The discounted shop should be less espensive. When I lived on the west coast, we went to Las Vegas often. We always set a dollar amount we would 'lose'. Never planned on winning and never spent more than planned. Give us a review of the shop. Does it have a website, pricing, etc. Have fun.

When I used to frequent fabric shops sales, I would take my folder with patterns on my "to do" list. That way I would make sure I got enough of a particular fabric to complete the quilt.

If I don't have a specific project in mind, I like to stock up on some of the basics: white, black, muslins, neutrals, blenders. But if you see a wonderful fabric, treat yourself and put one of the basics back :)

I agree, you can never have too many of these in your stash. You can usually match them up to most prints :D:D:D