I've been using the same pattern to make bags/purses. So in this new book I got last week there is a bag pattern a bit different. I decided to use this pattern to make my son's girlfriend her bag for Christmas. So I went to Joann's today armed with my flyer with the $5.00 off your order over $35.00 coupon.

OMG...I walked out of there spending $96. AFTER the coupon.

Granted I did buy a new omni grid ruler since the one I have cracked...I have no clue how that happened. And a can of the basting spray. But everything else was for this bag.

It called for a jelly roll...their selection was horrible but I did find brightly colored florals that I think/HOPE she will like. Then it called for solids so I bought a jelly roll of those. I needed cotton webbing, interfacing, 1 1/4 yds. of fabric for the lining and pockets, batting and I bought plastic canvas to use for the bottom. Oh and I bought a 5 pack of what they call a bundle (6 pieces of 18" x 21" fabric that matchs the flowered jelly roll) that I need for another piece of the bag. I had a copy of the American Quilter magazine in my hand and laid it on the counter first but it wasn't in my bag or on my receipt so I have no clue what the cashier did with it...lol. But maybe I can be glad I didn't add that to my total. When she gave me my total I almost fainted. If you subtract the price of the spray and the ruler ($31.) I just spent $65. to make 1 bag.

I guess I need to build up a stash of solid colors. Everything I have made since I got back to sewing is patterned.

Just thinking of how many posts I have read on here where someone says they quote prices for quilts and people think it's too high. Heck I could have bought her a fabric bag cheaper than this. But it looks like a fun pattern so I guess she's worth it. LOL

Check out the solids offered in this ad.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-157748-1.htm

yikes, you could have bought her a FOSSIL bag for that price...

did you check your reciept?

I have to admit that I do a mental rounded total before I get to the cash register. Was in our Fabricland a couple of weeks ago and just about fainted when the total came to $56--and the the cashier (NOT the brightest bulb in the store--and I should have been prepared!!) said "Oh, I forgot to give you the discount"--DUH it was a 40% off sale!!

No matter what type of store I go into, I ALWAYS check my receipt before I leave.

Last month I bought a gorgeous Vera Bradley duffle for only $65!! I can't believe I did it, but I sure do love it!!

LOL! :-D

Wow

"Buyers' remorse" always hits me right after a purchase. It may last a day or two or a week but then finally I get over it.

Just enjoy what you bought and move on to another buying adventure. LOL

YES....yesterday mom (hazel b) and I went to LOOK at the fall fabrics... walked out with $165.00 That was with 40% off everything and an additional 10% off total purchase.

Yes, I/we needed fall fabrics but really???....$165 worth????

I guess what I need now are storage so I can organize my fabrics by color, season etc....

You seem to have purchased an extreme amount of fabric to make 1 bag. If your jelly rolls have the normal 40 strips in them--that is more than 2 yards and you mention a floral and a solid one. Then some kind of fat quarter pack and you seem to have purchased 5 of those. 6 fat quarters is 1.5 yards and if you bought 5 of them, that's another 7.5 yards in addition to the 4.5+ yards from the jelly rolls so you're going to be making bags for a long, long time--LOL.

I had buyer's remorse after I bought my machine. But I got it at 50% off, and every time I see fabric and get an idea for a project or see something that needs mending, I know I made an investment and get over it!

Yes, I have been surprised at check out more times than I want to admit. I also know that a lot of times I can buy gifts cheaper than some of the ones I make for friends/family, however, the home made gifts are made with love while the purchased ones are made by a stranger.

yep, that's how much my favorite bag cost me, so when people ask for one I tell them to cough up 120 dollars and they shut up about it

I do it at fabric store and grocery store!! I hate shopping sometimes! Especially when DH says how much did u spend? Lol

Been there done that!! Only $96...? I can do that in 15 min at my favorite LQS. Couple times a month. Shame of it all...lol Bet the bag will be lovely and grand!

I don't even go into the fabric stores anymore because I have one right here in my house and patterns and ribbon and lots of stuff. So I just stay out of the store. Gas and grocerys are enough at this point,

daydreams about how much she could buy at a thrift store for 96 dollars hehe

I can not say I have done that, have not actually purchased from a quilt store (yet)... thrift or walmart (and walmart is the remnants bin) I is cheap, can't afford anything else.

Went to the goodwill with my mom this week, I was looking at mens shirts, she asks " are you buying dh a shirt or are you quilting?"....LOL...She knows me to well!

Yes, when I purchased my machine I was expecting to spend that much, however, I started picking up things to go with it plus fabric (I was in a quilt shop) and when everything was added up I had sticker shock. However I am worth it every once in a while. Don't do that very often. But I also have an enabler, my DH bless his heart

I see what you are saying but the problem is...I don't have ANY plain fabrics. This bag is made of horizontal strips on the front and vertical on the back. Each strip is seperated by a thinner solid strip. I think you misunderstood...I bought only 1 bundle of what you are calling the fat quarters. I took a list and then when you get to the store and they don't always have exactly what is on your list...ya have to improvise and that's what always gets me. Trying to stand in the store with other customers trying to get by you...and a woman who had a SCREAMING baby who would NOT stop. She had a cart full of fabric and was carrying the baby and talking on her cell. Whoever she was talking to must have asked why the baby was screaming...the mother said...because she can. She had hoped something she had in her cart was on sale and after the cutter started measuring out 9 yards she asked her and she said no...but you could use the 40% coupon in your flyer. The lady said she had used it last week so I gladly said...here take mine...just so she would get out of there...LOL. Anyway....the piece of 1 1/4 yds. of fabric was just a bit more than called for...she calls for 1 1/8 yds. If I recall the # of strips needed...it is 16 and these jelly rolls have 20 strips in each.

I was thinking about a Vera Bradley last night after I figured out what I had spent. I've never heard of Fossil...but then I don't get out much...lol.

The bad thing is...tomorrow I am going over to my friend's house that lives close to a much bigger Joann's and the PA Fabric Outlet. We always seem to end up at one of them...or both. I must keep reciting the mantra...I DO NOT NEED ANY MORE FABRIC. Well...unless it's on sale for a GREAT price.

LOL...I WILL remember that. I can just see my daughter and both grandaughters on Christmas Eve when we have our family Christmas and we exchange gifts. All 3 will say...OMG I love it. Will you make me one like that now?

I have been wanting to tell you how SO adorable that baby girl is in your avatar. Is that your little one?

Just remember that the fabric you bought is enough to make several bags. This is how we start our stashes. I have done the same thing for handbags. You REALLY don't SAVE money by making things yourself, but you create something unique that can't be duplicated by anyone else. And you fullfill your nead to create. Sometimes I wonder why I bought a certain fabric but am never remorseful.

I bought an old Singer portable for $75. It needed a LOT of work. It was so heavy I could hardly lift it. I ended donating it to our student museum. Don't know what I was thinking.

The Fossil bags start at $300 in my town - think I'll save up for a trip...ho ho

I spent over $100 yesterday on fabric I didn't need at all but it was on sale and very pretty! LOL

I just went to Fossil bags website...OMG. I DID see one kind of similar to the one I am making for her. It's listed at $138. if I remember correctly. So...hey with my time for the one I am making I guess I got a good deal. LOL

i always keep a rolling total in my head so i know exactly what im spending. . .not that it helps mind you, as i still have the "omg what did i do?!" feeling. (only lasts till i get home tho, lol)

Take the leftover fabric, make something beautiful and sell it! Then your fabric will be free! :-)

I go through that in every purchase I make, but the old prices are not there anymore like they used to be. Even with coupons, it helps, but does not bring down the total to what one would feel comfortable with. But the purchase is for a good reason, and enjoy!

LOL, I bid online for a "portable" at a good price only to realize it's only a portable if you have the muscles of Zena, Warrior Princess.
That's what happens on ebay at 2:30 AM. Maybe someone will outbid me.....At least it's a reasonable price. :oops:

All the time but I seldom spend a lot but often wonder if I should have bought it at all.

I worked hard for a lot of years to be able to retire and do what I wanted. As long as my bills are paid and there is food on the table I don't feel bad about spending my money on things I want, fabric included.

That's why I have an accuquilt Go to cut my owns jelly roles, charms, and other things. Much cheaper.

If you're not a big hurry you might check out these 2 Yahoo groups. I've bought a few things and never any issues at all. For some reason it's not letting me copy and paste the actual links but just search "Yahoo Groups" and you'll find them.

SewItsForSale
QuiltersFleaMarket

My sister is a rug braider and uses only 100% new wool. (I'm not sure I should say where this happened.) I was with her once when she purchased $1500 worth of wool. I just backed off and said "Dang"!

Her rugs are beautiful and extremely heavy. Her customers just plain love her rugs. -- She uses three strips 2" wide and when braided the strip is only 3/4" wide. She has taught me, but mine are only 1" wide. She's the braider, I'm the quilter.

O.M.G. I love my Vera Bradley purse....but bought it used on ebay.

Yes, I said I would make grand kids Halloween costumes...bought some fabric at walmart for little cowboy shirt and vest, but had to go to Joann for purple satin...and then the buttons, my total was huge, but had four coupons.....when I got home realized the buttons were $4.25 a CARD and I had 4 cards....$12.00 for buttons for a Halloween costume, I don't think so, in a bag going back, and went back to walmart, simple black buttons, 98 cents a card.

So easy to be swept up with shopping anywhere....I now go with a list and try to stick to it. Sales and coupons always makes it less painful.
But everything will set you back....sign of the times.

I am guilty of overspending especially in quilting stores