I'm frugal, but i will spend a bit more to qet a good tool, Gingher scissors for example. things that tend to be disposable like blades i will look for bargains.

hmmm... I bought Kai scissors and love them. They were recommended by a former Gingher user. How do you know that another brand is not just as good if you don't try it?

I bought a bunch of HF blades, and so far haven't found a bad one. I know that others have had problems with them, but I was lucky.

I always comparison shop, using the internet. I do pay more for a better product, but like to feel that I'm still getting the best buy. I think the key is that I'm almost always willing to wait until what I want is on sale.

There are very few things that I buy for full price. Maybe a piece of fabric that I am desperate for to finish a quilt, but then I buy the smallest piece I get get away with. Almost all my supplies come from Hancocks, Hobby Lobby, occasionally JoAnn's and Staples. They all have good sales and coupons for those non sale days.

I always consider the value for the money and use over price. My time and frustration level is factored into the value part. I've never been cheap even when money was tight because buying value saves money. The five pack of name brand blades on sale is a good value. I know they are good and will do the job I want them to do. I just bought a pair of Gingher 8" dressmaker knife edge scissors for $15.54. and free shipping at Amazon. My quilt secret pal Christmas limit is $20. This is a great value buy for me because no stress when it's time to decide what to do about the Christmas gift.

I don't consider buying quality products to be extravagant. I bought a 45 mm rotary cutter (Olfa) in 1994. Still using it. The cheapo rotary cutter that I was given as a door prize broke in 2 years (and it was only used at Quilter's Night Out!). On the other hand, some of you go through a LOT of blades, so it makes sense that you might make do with adequate. Pay attention though on how often you change blades vs. the brand name.

I go round and round with my Mom on this stuff, but the fact is, if I can't get good quality, I don't buy it at all. Saves me money to buy other nonsense (like my fairly new Itouch that is sucking up all my quilting time).

Makes more sense to spend X one time than 1/4X six times!

There are better quality brand of scissors then Gingher, such as Dovo for one. Gingher is fine for what I need them to do but Heritage spring scissors are the only ones I'll use to snip a rag quilt even if Gingher is cheaper to buy.

I'm probably both. My pinking shears are Gingher. My (multiple) sewing shears are Fiskars. My rotary blades seem to last a good, long time; I buy Olfa. I check the sales bins, first . . . then buy whatever other fabric I want. I buy fabric from wherever, if it's nice fabric. I don't believe in wasting money, regardless of the item. I don't believe in buying things, "for bragging rights."

That said, I do believe in paying more, in order to not have to replace an item, a few years down the road. My cordless drill has (so far) outlasted two of DH's drills. I allow him to use mine, as well. DH - "If mine breaks, I'll get a new one. I can buy three, for the price of yours." Me - "When you're on your fourth drill, we'll still be using my first one." :p Needless to say, I also take much better care, of mine!

My DH always say's you get what you pay for. I will buy cheap if it is something good that is on sale, or cheaper fabric if I love it. But my tools are top brand tools because I have had bad luck with the cheaper ones. If I am going to pay high prices for fabric I want to cut it with good sharp tools.

...........and I can't get my hands on!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr! :mad: