We are not on a fixed income but over the last 3 yrs the income has gone down. I gave up haircuts, perms, DH colors my hair, trade more now, really reduced on eating out, no longer go out to movies/plays and started buying some Walmart fabric on sale. I am trying to buy more fabric still because with the prices going up and our income not I like to have a good stash. I am also looking at alternatives for batting like old blankets. I also save all batting scraps and sew them together to make batting and do the same with fabric scraps. I also take any and all fabric people hand me down and make sure to let them know how much it is appreciated and show the project I used it in.
I hope you can find alternative ways to keep quilting. I am sorry to hear you had to sell off some of your fabric. I will definitely look through all the posts responding as I am always looking for tips on how to keep my hobby going.
I like to make a donation quilts for the millitary and have been trying to buy yardage for a reasonable $ from people on the board or trade for fabrics suitable for that. The cost involved with doing projects like that add up. I sure hope I do not have to give it up. My family is very supportive and many of my children, daughter in law and DH help me make the donation quilts for the millitary.
I also do consignment quilts and either I end up with left overs from that or a little money to spend on my children or quilting supplies.