Wanabee Quiltin

DH teases me when I pick up fabric at thrift stores saying I have enough already. Yesterday we went into a LQS to buy some thread and I looked at all their samples and fabric. The store was jam packed with samples for all upcoming holidays plus more. They had many small packets of charm squares by Moda laying around so I picked one up and was amazed that they were $8.99 for only 24 pieces of 5" squares. Then I checked the fabric on the bolts and they were $9.99 and up. Yes, the fabric was incredibly beautiful, very bright colors, just exactly what I liked. My thread turned out to be $5.00 each and two years ago it was $3.50. I did not buy any fabric or patterns or outdated magazines ($4.99). DH always tells people that this is an expensive hobby. I came home and could have kissed my stash. Well, I certainly petted it. I recently bought name brand quilting magazines for 12 cents at a thrift store sale and bags of fabric for 1/2 off. Guess I will keep the thrift stores happy after what I saw yesterday.

toverly

It definitely isn't a cheap hobby. It seems like the prices are slowly inching up and up. I love my stash!

NatalieF

You're telling me! In my area, there are frequently fabrics that are as much as $22 per meter (which is just a little over a yard). I steer clear of those! I watch for sales, and go to thrift stores. I was lucky enough to buy a bunch of fabric from a lady who was de-stashing, so I occasionally just need a bit of solids to complete a project.

Once my stash winds down, I'm thinking of taking up fabric dyeing. I can get plain white cotton fabric for about $4 per meter, which is way more economical after the initial investment into the dyes. Plus fabric dyeing sound like fun and the results are so beautiful.

sewbizgirl

Actually $9.99 a yard isn't bad for a quilt shop! It's up to $12 a yard in our area. I shop the clearance sections. Shoot, I've even seen fabric for $14 a yard at JoAnn's! Now that is ridiculous.

However, our predecessors did not waltz into a quilt shop and pick out a selection of coordinated fabrics for their quilts. They scrounged and saved the good parts of their worn out clothes to make their quilts. Many of us are as frugal today.

Eva Knight

Yes. I've noticed that every time I go JoAnn's that the price goes up. Today they have a 60% off coupon so go to their web site. Also if you or your spouse is a military vet. or in service now you can get 10% off. I carry a copy of my husbands discharge papers with me and never had a problem with that.

Tartan

North of the border in Canada, I would count myself lucky for brand new fabric at $9. 99!

QuiltnNan

i'm loving my stash for the same reason. the only 'modern' fabrics i have are scraps from the free table at guild meetings

anne2016

Yes, fabric is getting very expensive. I am soon going to quit making big quilts and concentrate on baby quilts, wall hangings and other small items.

In this area you cannot get a good price for a homemade quilt. People are just not willing to pay for it. I sell at a price that covers the cost of materials so my labor is free. I hate devaluing my work like that but I am on a very strict budget now and want to sell the quilts I have made to help buy materials for other quilts. If I ask a higher price, I won't be able to sell.

There was a time when I could put a higher price on a quilt and wait until the right person came along and was willing to pay the price. These days I need to sell to cover cost of materials.

Sewnoma

This is why so many LQS are struggling. Who can afford to regularly pay $12-$15/yard for quilting fabrics? Well, some people obviously can, but not enough to keep a lot of small local shops open.

cassiemae

Yes I agree fabric is getting way too expensive and also batting it was 19.99 a yard at Joann's a while back and I am sure it has not gone down in price. I am taking a break from quilting as I have made a lots of quilts. I am now back into crocheting and it is a LOTS CHEAPER.