oksewglad

Great job!

Emma S

Scissors Queen: I stand in awe! A full year, I can only aspire to such heights. Does it count at all that I am keeping a tally of my expenditures and have cut it in half over my spending prior to joining this thread? Keep us posted on your trip to your favorite store.

laynak

I went shopping yesterday for backings for 4 quilts, plus one border and binding. I bought 3 and will wait to get the 4th backing for free with 'points', which won't be available till the Labor Day sale is over. Thinking of my spending yesterday (over $100), plus the original cost of the quilt tops, then still pay for LAQ'ing, there's no way a quilt can run less than $150 in materials and LAQ. These quilt backs were crib to lap quilt sizes only. Double, triple, or quadruple the cost for a double/queen/king size quilt!
Problem: I'm finding buying for quilt tops as FUN, buying quilt backings is like paying a bill (not fun but clears a 'debt').
The amount spent for the backings & LAQ'ing remains near 2/3 of the cost of a quilt. Cutting 1/3 of annual spending is the best outcome possible.
Option: LAQ on my machine (time consuming) or hand quilt (my hands won't tolerate) for the other 1/3 of my quilt budget savings.
Solution: Just make quilt tops! And/or, fully complete one quilt at a time to be less painful budget-wise.
Does anyone else relate?
Yet, I STILL have enough of a stash for another 20 quilt tops....

Emma S

Laynak: I especially agree with you about the "buying quilt backings is like paying a bill", it feels like necessary money but it sure isn't any fun. I came up with a partial solution, I piece the back too, this is especially easy since my stash is a bit oversized. My son and DDIL say they especially enjoy being able to flip the quilt and have a different look. Usually the back is in the same color way as the front so both will go with the same color scheme. As to your comment about 20 quilts tops, I shudder to think how many are lurking in my stash since I have a walk in closet lined with fabric laden shelves and four six foot high book shelves, also full of fabric. Ours sure isn't a cheap pastime even doing my own quilting. I figure about 18 yards for front and back, plus the batting. Even if everything is purchased on sale $150 dollars is doing really good.

Krisb

I ended August with every piece of fabric large enough to be on a comic book board on one--because quite a few were freed up during the month. That was my original goal for this year--to not buy more boards and to get the entire stash on what I already have. So we need a new goal. Maybe to totally free up ten boards by the end of the year. And, no, if you insist on asking: there has been no redefinition of what size is moved to the scrap bins.

Rhonda Lee

My DH and I spent last week at our other home. I took scraps that needed to be tamed and now I have a few new "kits" that will be waiting their turn to become quilts. I did things a little different this time, I cut up the scraps with more of a purpose in mind of what quilt I wanted them to become. I have two new leader and ender projects. I did all of the cutting of the blocks to be and have 1 1/2 inch squares to be used as the leaders and enders. I think this will help me to get it done because I now know what I want to get done! I also had enough scraps to cut strips for a log cabin quilt. So my scraps are tamed and it didn't put much of a dent in the stash, but it looks better.

Rhonda Lee

Oh, I forgot one thing. I haven't bought any fabric in September! yet. The only fabric bought in August is what my neighbor got for me at a garage sale and that was only $10. So I think I did ok in August.

oksewglad

Rhonda Lee, I've been cutting in my scraps, too. Like you thinking of quilts before I randomly cut. Bought BHunters Leaders and Enders and have been cutting with some of those quilts in mind.

Emma S

Must be the season! I am also cutting scraps. ' The Big Book of Nickel Quilts' also has suggestions for the cutting size for scraps. Mostly cutting squares of 5" and rectangles 2.5" X 5". Then of course there are the strings

calla

I have been so very bad, purchased 6 yds for backing on flag quilt. Some halloween fabric for table runners, 2 completed, one delivered 4 yet to be finished. Also purchased some halloween themed buttons I am wicked. I have been hiding here in the corner quiet for a week, my excuse is that DH won't help me find the tub containing my fall fabrics. He I say again He stacked them higher than my head in the basement, and when I purchased them I got dark green and blue storage tubs. I have labeled them: lights, darks, silks, heirloom, Christmas, Asian and summer & winter oh those are clothing.......so bla bla bla but so goes my story.