Hello from Kansas City :)
 

Hey everyone! :wave:

I'm from Kansas City and have decided to try to take on quilting! I've been interested in it since I was a teenager, but am just now getting around to trying it in my early 30's. I have dabbled in sewing but am in no way close to being an expert. I was looking for an online community to get newbie help from and inspiration! I have so far bought the fabric for my first project, and will post pictures as soon as I begin on it.

My only concern is that this seems like it will be an expensive hobby. Today, I was looking for quilt finishing services in my area, and while .015 an inch doesn't seem like a lot, that adds up to 80 bucks for a throw! :shock: I might only ever finish the one quilt if I don't figure out how to do that part myself. I guess I'll start saving up my Joann's coupons and try to penny pinch in other areas...

How do you guys save money quilting? Do you invest in the quilting machine and dedicate a room in your house to it, or just do the finishing by hand? Perhaps it's more expensive because I'm in a city to use a quilting service? As of now, by hand seems to be my best option, but I'm not sure if I'll ever finish one that way... eeeek.

Anyway, nice to be here. Excited to learn, excited to create! :sew: :thumbup:

Hi from Devon UK. I buy the higher quality fabric when they are on sale and use a discount fabric store for other fabrics for backing and binding etc. I have till now free motion quilted my own stuff but you might also like to try quilt as you methods. In any event quilting is addictive and I doubt that you will make just one!:)

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Hi from Ohio!

To demonstrate how noob I am, I didn't even know there was a thing called free motion quilting :shock: I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS! I was kind of depressed after I realized how expensive it was to get a quilt finished. I found a bunch of youtube tutorials to watch about the free motion stuff. So much to learn! I'm so excited.

Do you guys prefer to buy fabric online or in person? Can you get better deals online?

:) welcome from se TX -- expensive but there are sales and coupons -- I do my own quilting -- I started by handquilting and then have added some machine quilting skills -- it is a fun hobby!!!

Hello and welcome from Australia.

Welcome from South Dakota--find yourself a quilt guild to join -- you will gets lots of help there. You can do straight line quilting and free motion quilting --as your skill level increases you will try more types of quilting. Enjoy the whole process!

I buy some fabric on line from the USA as I am in England. I am in love with Kona Bay fabrics and we are always behind in the new fabric ranges. I buy on line from all over the UK and in person, I also buy fabric whenever I travel abroad, so in my stash I have fabrics from all over Europe, Australia, USA and on and on. I have also brought fabric from Wallmart at very good prices when visiting the US.

WELCOME FROM MANITOBA, can be expensive, my guild know my ltd budget, some ladies downsize and give me books, magazines, fabric, large spools of thread one even gave her used singer machine (works like a charm), then offered to promote local companies products, demo word of mouth received beautiful gifts. (Yes an author sent Xblock ruler), always yard/garage, thrift shops.. Yes, it's nice to have technology but if possible..

Welcome from Southern California! As you read along with this Board you will learn the many ways to save money and even how to do things for yourself. This is a great place for words of wisdom.

Welcome from Oklahoma. My sister and I save by using 40% coupons in Hobby Lobby, and getting our Warm and Natural batting by the box. I am set for several years since we just got some.

Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)

Hello, welcome from Nevada.

Welcome!! Yes, it is expensive to get started. When I was learning I went to the thrift stores and either bought fabric or men's shirts or blouses (always trying for 100% cotton, but if I found something I liked that was not, I got it too). That way I could make mistakes and not feel I was wasting a ton of money. One of the best quilters I know has a 24"x36" cutting mat, a rotary cutter, a seam ripper, a 12x24 ruler and shape cutter -- she says she wants to save her money for fabric. Her quilts are amazing. When shopping for fabric, I look at clearance and sale fabric. When buying tools, I use the Joann's coupons or shop sales and never pay full price. Now that I am retired, I put aside a certain amount of money each month for my "habit" so I don't feel bad when I want to buy something. If what I want is expensive I save for a few months to get the money. I still look at the thrift stores and I shop garage sales to get fabric, too.

Hello and welcome from Arkansas

Thank you for all of the warm welcomes! And thank you for all of the good tips on saving money. What a cool idea, to use thrift store clothing for fabric when you're starting out! When I was a little girl, someone made me a simple little quilt out of some of my dad's old dress shirts. I loved it, and still cherish it. I didn't even think about doing the same thing with clothing!

Manitoba here, have you been introduced to Missouri quilt company you tube tutorials, lots of videos to learn from.. I watch on wknds. I have PBS TV station on Saturday a few programs.

Hi from sunny Florida! Here is a link that will be helpful http://www.quiltville.com This is Bonnie Hunter's website. #1 it's huge so don't try to look at everything at once or you'll be there for hours :-) ! If you scroll down a ways you'll find a link to her Youtube video called "Deboning a Shirt". This will show you how to get the most fabric from those thrift store and yard sale finds. Because you are in a city check out the Salvation Army and Goodwill too. Many members here have been successful in finding great fabric deals at these places. I didn't order fabric online until I felt I had a good understanding of different fabrics, but that's me. Having someone else finish my quilts or a long arm machine is not in my budget, which helped motivate me to work at quilting on my sewing machine. Many quilters do, and some are great award winning quilters. You can do it! Start simple and build your skills. Lots of help, encouragement and knowledge on this board!

Welcome from Texas! I have a daughter and her family in Overland Park. KC is a beautiful city, but too far away to get to see them often. You might check online for fabric outlets in your area. I found some but have since lost track of my list. Quilting is addictive and there are lots of generous quilters on this site and elsewhere that will be happy to help!

Welcome from Southern California. I always buy good quality fabric. You can learn to quilt projects on your own home machine. Plenty of youtube tutorials. Leah Day is a good one. I'm retired and on a limited budget BUT I love scrap quilting. so Bonnie Hunter might be your gal. Both are also on Facebook. AND as for the cost, that's pretty cheap for professional quilting. I save the LA work for special quilts, say wedding and new baby quilts. You should have access to the Mennonite Church Women too. They often will hand quilt, not sure what their going rate is, BUT maybe they would teach you at the same time. I'm originally from KS and they have always been helpful.

Welcome from Michigan!

Welcome from the SHO-ME state - Missouri - Lebanon here - a long ways from KC. I lived in KC during the late 60's for a few years. Yes, to all of the above ideas. Let all of your friends and neighbors know that you are interested in quilting and some may be able to point you towards a source for fabrics. Lots of older ladies who no longer sew, may have a stash in a closet that they don't want anymore. Your machine is your friend - learn all about what it can do.

It is expensive, BUT it is cheaper than therapy!!! ;)

Welcome from Texas!!