Hi Rhonda K. I agree it is an intense project but that's what I like, the more intricate the better! I use the stiffest (heavy) stabilizer cut away, so I don't get any puckering or distortion around edges,I use it on most of my projects now...You are right about using fewer consumables as the cost accumulates on a project like this..This will probably be in the $300 mark when finished, everything is more expensive here in Australia. I've seen it made with just the same fabric and it looks really kool.. definitely saves a lot of time piecing it together