Judith1005

You have already gotten so many great ideas.

I buy a lot of my quilt backings from connectingthreads.com. I have found clearance fabric for as little as 2.97 a yard. And, the Waverly brand fabric at Walmart is only, 2.97, 3.97 and 4.97. I also buy that as backing fabric. I try to budget out just a little for backing fabric each month. And, that is all I'll allow myself to buy. (right now, I am saving for long arm quilting services.)

The other thing is to think smaller. Instead of making a large quilt, make a table topper or placemats or even a wall hanging. Sometimes, that will satisfy the new technique or pattern you want to try out.

Love the suggestion that "coffeecozy" made. Be very selective of what large quilts you make, and make quilts that take longer to make and really enjoy the process.

Right now, I find that may have been the biggest mistakes I made in quilting. I made all queen size quilts that are sitting and waiting to be quilted. I have neither the talent or interest in actually quilting them. And, my machine, just doesn't have the power to handle the bigger quilts. Hence, saving for long arm services.

I've also started with going with a list and don't deviate from the list. Only buy exactly what I went in for and use coupons no matter what it is. Even if it is one piece of felt or a spool of thread. (I need to save as much as I can.) Or, make a longer list so you don't shop as often and save the money ahead for it.

And, use up that I'm not in love with it fabric on the back. You'll be proud you used it up. And, it will be that much less fabric you'll have to buy.