The price of fabrics.
02-27-2009, 12:23 PM
#52
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It's a really good point actually, maybe I do need to adjust my thinking somewhat.
I bought a kit really cheap a while ago, on sale, and just "threw it" together as a couch quilt for the kids. It wasn't quite big enough so grabbed some extra fabric that matched and just extended either end to make it bigger.
It turned out nicely, but is for "using", so between the kids and the dogs I don't expect it to last forever, and I won't scream when I find my six year wrapping the wet dog in it so she doesn't get cold! LOL
It didn't cost a lot to make, with the kit being super cheap, but I still like it. I could have bought really cheap fabrics and made something similar.
I bought a kit really cheap a while ago, on sale, and just "threw it" together as a couch quilt for the kids. It wasn't quite big enough so grabbed some extra fabric that matched and just extended either end to make it bigger.
It turned out nicely, but is for "using", so between the kids and the dogs I don't expect it to last forever, and I won't scream when I find my six year wrapping the wet dog in it so she doesn't get cold! LOL
It didn't cost a lot to make, with the kit being super cheap, but I still like it. I could have bought really cheap fabrics and made something similar.
02-27-2009, 12:24 PM
#53
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Location: Winter PArk, Florida
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We have the American Sewing Quild here in the US. It's national. In Florida, we have many retired people. When a wife dies, the husband gets in touch with an ASG ember and donates boxes and boxes of her leftover stash. We use a lot of it for charity quilts since we have so many nursing homes here.
Sometimes, we will divy it up among ourselves. We also have fabric trades. Somebody's "Why did I buy that?" will always look good to someone else.
Sometimes, we will divy it up among ourselves. We also have fabric trades. Somebody's "Why did I buy that?" will always look good to someone else.
02-27-2009, 12:48 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by BlueChicken
I've just been reading about someone picking up some fabrics for $3 a yard.
I nearly fell off my chair! We can only dream of those sorts of prices here.
Good quality quilting fabric costs anywhere between $24 - $28 a metre (which is only a fraction longer than a yard).
We have a bargain / bulk fabric store, but the material is generally of lesser quality, and often not worth it. Every now and then there is good quality fabric at a bargain price, but they're few and far between.
I have bought online, and off ebay, but once the exchange rate and postage is added in, it's only slightly cheaper.
I nearly fell off my chair! We can only dream of those sorts of prices here.
Good quality quilting fabric costs anywhere between $24 - $28 a metre (which is only a fraction longer than a yard).
We have a bargain / bulk fabric store, but the material is generally of lesser quality, and often not worth it. Every now and then there is good quality fabric at a bargain price, but they're few and far between.
I have bought online, and off ebay, but once the exchange rate and postage is added in, it's only slightly cheaper.
02-27-2009, 12:58 PM
#55
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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I shop yard sales, Goodwill and Salvation Army all of the time and find some great things to use. I do wash all of it.
If you have a place close by that sells fabric for curtains, etc and they have all of the samples to chose from....ask if you can have them or pay just a little for them. The fabric companies generally send reps in twice a year to weed out the discontinued fabric. Many shops throw them away. I have a lot of it and use it all the time.
A local upholstery shop saves me all of their scraps which are wonderful. A bit heavy for a quilt but perfect for a purse.
If you have a place close by that sells fabric for curtains, etc and they have all of the samples to chose from....ask if you can have them or pay just a little for them. The fabric companies generally send reps in twice a year to weed out the discontinued fabric. Many shops throw them away. I have a lot of it and use it all the time.
A local upholstery shop saves me all of their scraps which are wonderful. A bit heavy for a quilt but perfect for a purse.
02-27-2009, 01:01 PM
#56
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Location: currently central new jersey
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another resource is wallpaper stores. many wallpaper books have matching fabric samples glued right in. when the book is outdated (all the time) they get thrown away. ask if they will save them for you. mine does.
02-27-2009, 01:14 PM
#59
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Location: york county, PA
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Our area Walmart threatened to close their fabric department a couple years ago. There was a big letter and emailing campaign and they kept the Fabric! Yeah! Now the new Walmart about 6 miles down the road does not carry fabric.
I agree that Walmart has some good fabric. I depend on how it feels. If it doesn't slide over my fingers, it doesn't slide in to my cart!!
I agree that Walmart has some good fabric. I depend on how it feels. If it doesn't slide over my fingers, it doesn't slide in to my cart!!
02-27-2009, 02:39 PM
#60
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I don't mind at all making a quilt from cheaper fabric. I love the process and I'm proud of the finished product because I made it from start to finish. I buy nice printed cotton tablecloths at yard sales and thrift stores when I find them. They make good backing fabric for a wash and use quilt. Also kitchen curtains can be a good cotton find. And I don't mind using a poly/cotton blend for some patterns.
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