Cost of Fabric
#61
Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
If you read this article, you will understand better why costs are not likely to come down, and why the textile industry in the US declined so dramatically.
http://www.tradereform.org/2011/10/a...ile-exporters/
http://www.tradereform.org/2011/10/a...ile-exporters/
#62
Originally Posted by raptureready
Around here that's pretty normal. Occasionally Walmart has good fabric as long as you purchase the ones that are higher end and stay away from the $1 or $2 a yard.
Now, that said, we all have to live within our budgets and there are some ways to cut back on the cost of fabric. As long as you're not putting your quilt in a contest you can shop thrift stores for cotton sheets to be used as backing, new fabric at our Goodwill is 72 cents a yard, 100% cotton shirts from garage sales or thrift shops can be cut up for blocks, etc. Get creative.
Now, that said, we all have to live within our budgets and there are some ways to cut back on the cost of fabric. As long as you're not putting your quilt in a contest you can shop thrift stores for cotton sheets to be used as backing, new fabric at our Goodwill is 72 cents a yard, 100% cotton shirts from garage sales or thrift shops can be cut up for blocks, etc. Get creative.
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NE Kansas
Posts: 494
I too have noticed how high cottons at the LQS have gotten. I recently went to 4 quilts shops while on vacation and was floored. I found a charm pack that I know is at least 2 years old at all 4 shops. I originally paid $6 for a charm pack but have recently also paid $10.98 for a yard of the same collection and the same pack was anywhere from $9 to $10.50. Needless to say I'm going to try real hard to just use what I now have on hand. (But fabric is my addiction! Maybe I need a Tweleve Step Program for fabric addiction.)
#65
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
Originally Posted by Old hen
The enjoyment is in the making!
Today I just bought some yarn to make a shawl wrap for my daughter. She may like it or she may hate it (being 14, who knows?) but I figure I still have the entertainment value of the time I spend working on it. Cold winter nights with a cozy project... works for me!
#67
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Asheville, previously Lake Vermilion, Tarpon Springs, Duluth, St Paul, Soudan
Posts: 1,651
I thought that Fabri-quilt was still made in the U.S. Just got back to the motel from my first trip to Mary Jo's and had slight sticker shock. Oh, and severe traffic shock. But the selection is incredible. Online prices are often better, but you can't pet the fabric before your buy it LOL. Seriously, it is tough for me to buy fabric that I haven't really seen. But some of the batiks were $18.95. While I do believe that the people who make the fabric deserve to be fairly paid, that will reduce the amount that I can buy. And that isn't all bad. Do I think that there is an award for the person with the biggest unused stash?
#68
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
Posts: 1,870
Hi, I'm on a really tight budget and it keeps getting tighter. But when the times are a little better I buy a yard, here a yard there, fat quarters and so on. I also buy some fabric at thrift shops. So when it comes time to sit down and plan a new quilt I take some from my stash and buy those super wow pieces from the quilt shop. I usually spent a while making a quilt and it's always for a special person so I think it is worth it.
#69
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
Originally Posted by Krisb
I thought that Fabri-quilt was still made in the U.S.
They do sell synthetics, too, but I don't know the country of origin of those as we don't carry them.
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06-10-2012 11:37 AM