"making do" - aka "improvising"".
 

I am - noting - how many people "make do" or "improvise" - instead of buying the "regular" item.

Light boxes

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...x-t288067.html

is the thread that made me start wondering what else people improvise.


What else have you noticed or that you have made/do?

I have learned to piece together scraps of batting to use in my QAG blocks as long as they are all the same material. I have also used the pieced batting for coasters and placemats.

i do the same as madamekelly

Went to local hardware store and had them cut some templates from plexiglass --templates that I use a lot. So much cheaper than buying quilting templates.

I made do with my sewing table. $40.00 for the heavy banquet table, $25.00 to a cabinet maker to cut the hole and build the brace. Utterly absolutely perfect, and it didn't cost $2500.00 :)

In years past I used up a lot of batting by piecing for a few twin to full size quilts. Once quilted no one knows it. I don't make small items and would feel bad about tossing them.

I use an old desk as my sewing table and cutting table.
1. Painted an old rake, hooked it on the wall and use the tines for thread.
2. Covered a wooden TV tray with towels and iron my blocks on it.
3. Took off the folding doors from the closet,
4. put in 4 shelves for my fabric,
5. placed a shower curtain rod,
6. made curtains with a set of twin size sheets that i bought at a thrift shop for $1.
7. use a cardboard box with cutout of sewing machine arm for some projects

I hung a (broken leg) ironing board top on my wall. My rulers go behind it and I have hooks on the face of it holding things that go on hooks. I also have a few magnets to hold some notes and cards, etc. The shower curtain hooks with big balls on one end work great in the big holes.

I refer to it as MacGyvering

I use up odds and ends of thread when I sew scrappies together. Also piece together with a wide zig-zag my leftover pieces of batting. Just little things but a way to use up what I have. Also making bridal dresses for granddaughter's American Girl dolls from my wedding dress.

I live in the land of thrift stores so I always buy sewing machines, fabric, yarn, tables, sewing tables, sewing cabinets and thread. Got a huge pack of knitting and crochet needles so cheap as well as cotton yarn.

Grew up poor, and never got rich, so I'm past master at Make-Do, since I've been doing it all my life. I mean "will we eat today or not" poor. You really CAN make beautiful quilts without all your costly tools and gew-gaws, and a bit more effort. You won't make them as fast, but what the heck's your hurry? I still use scissors, make my own templates, buy yard goods rather than pre-cuts, and hand quilt every one of them. If I HAD to buy all the tools most of you think so necessary, I couldn't afford to quilt. And yes, I piece batting, even in quilts. Do it properly and quilt it reasonably well, and no one will ever know. I do THAT by hand too. Machine zigzag leaves a bit of a lump you can feel.

I grew making do because it was cheap. I never wanted that lifestyle for my children. I have been cash poor a few time but changed the situations that caused the problem. I don't mind using something handy that would work for the moment but not long term.

***
*** I grew up with hand-me-downs and
*** use whatever I can find that fits the bill for what I need.
***

I just moved a 20 pocket clear vinyl shoe bag to the back of my closet door to hold small sewing supplies to keep from searching through drawers to find the items I need.

Being frugal is an art. Not everyone is good at it.

I think we are twins....

I wanted to make a wall hanging of a goldfish bowl. I went to the kitchen, got my largest plate and traced around it, then cut the paper in half, and pushed the two pieces apart so that it would not be round. Very happy with the results. I also, very often, make my own stencils when I cannot find what I want in the store. I quilted a tumbler with lemon slices and pitchers.

That's an adorable goldfish bowl!

I use my DH's 6' long heavy metal ruler if I need a good, long straight line. Currently buying tools for myself, though! I bought a wire stripper and wire today so I can rewire the plugs to my rose-colored Kenmore..

Could it be?? :)

I also bought an old teacher's desk, the kind that you have to open the top drawer so the side drawers will open, (great for little visitors) and love it. Every time I open the drawers the little "sproing" sound transports me right back to kindergarten. Lol.

if i can find a cheaper way, why not. and why is everyone buying a purple thang, when a chop stick that's free will do. and being so frugal, for the first 3 yrs i was on this board, i went to the library to use a computer.