I'll spend for whatever I think I'll find useful
I've had best results with Martelli blades.
Harbor Freight are useful for utility quilts but not when I need really good cuts.
Am devoted to my Steady Betty for ironing as I piece. Have the large and the small.
For threads: Aurifil and Superior's Bottom Line
For needles: Superior's titanium #12
Am probably the only quilter on the Board who dislikes Gingher scissors and I have alot of them, most of them unused. I prefer Fiskars. The one Gingher exception is their thread clipper - like that alot.

I would have to say that I'm frugal. I don't really care about brand names, but like anyone else, I want the most for my money. I did buy the Alto's QuiltCut2 brand new, tried to bid on one on ebay, but lost, so at that time my DH was still living, and he said just go ahead and get what you want! When I first started really getting in to quilting, I bought some rulers, most that I've rarely if ever used. The rotary blades-I ordered some from Harbor Freight, am using them, but will never buy them again. Fabric - probly most of mine is from walmart, ordered from people on here, but since living here, we do have a LQS, I shop there, she has sales, and some reasonably priced fabrics. As far as other things, I'll only buy Heinz ketchup! LOL!

I like gadgets and things to make my quilting easier and quicker so i can make more! LOL . I rarely buy when not on sale. But I've got to say- I have totally, totally fallen in love with the Vintage Modern line from Moda! I have decided that even though it's not on sale at my LQS, i am going to get it! They have a punch card system. I looked on line but it's about the same price everywhere.

For some fabrics, it's get it now or forget it!

With hindsight being so wonderful, there are a lot of things I may have done differently.

That was what my Mother always taught me. She saved her "pin money" for several years to buy a cashmere winter coat. Everyone thought she was crazy to spend that much $$$ on a coat. But that sucker wore like iron for YEARS! So I, too, try to buy for longevity.

Where I live the saris and other ready made garments are fabulous! But, try to find good quality cotton that will not shrink every time you wash it! I have shopped at one place years ago, but now they do not carry what they call "foreign cloth." I can understand they want to cater to their own looms, but that prejudice surely frustrates a quilter. It also frustrates anyone who is used to cool, cotton blends for clothing that can be worn without ironing.

We go home every year and I do my best to find good cloth, scissors, cutting blades and or mats every time we go. I usually can't order online unless I want to ship it to a US address and then wait to get it a year later. Shipping overseas is out of the question. Now that the airlines limit us to one suitcase and one small carry-on, I have to be judicious about what I bring back.

And I'm sure as she waited to save enough, that she had many pleasant dreams of that coat ... and then oh, the pride in wearing it long after!!

What a different world today ... the disposable society, seldom thinks about longevity and wear and tear! More so, something that can be worn for a year or two (and for some, just a season) and then toss it! :) Or hard goods that will do the job for a short time and then onwards to something else.

I have enjoyed my Fiskars, and they seem to last a long time. My experience with Gingher scissors has been mostly good, but there was a time when I get a bad pair. They had a snag on them from the time I opened the box. It was like some little kid had cut wire with them or something--of course the company I bought them from denied any responsibility. I have never appreciated that company for cloth or tools even though there seems to be a shop on every corner.

Then another problem with Ginghers has been the person who sharpens them. Once I sent a pair in to be sharpened by a "certified" Gingher sharpener and was to pick them up the next week. They were not done at the appointed time, and I was desperate to have them before we flew back here. Supposedly the man who was to do them would get to it that afternoon, so I agreed. What happened? He took off part of both sides and from that day forward there was no point. I guess the best way to esplain it is to say I could not cut cloth to a point after that. Make sense? My ddil has taken them to several places to see if they could be repaired and each shop has said the scissors are ruined. I do not think it is the fault of the Gingher company, but it probably is the fault of the ones selling or sharpening them.

I would pack just a few sets of clothes and keep washing them, over and over, in order to save suitcase space for fabric!

What you've described so well is a common sense approach to buying/spending. I try to always buy quality (not as easy to be sure as it used to be, though, it seems to me) in goods and appliances for the long term....and I agree about the bells and whistles. If you don't need/use them, why pay for them? Disposable goods are something else and I buy those depending on how well I like the cheaper or store brand once I've tried it. I won't buy watery ketchup no matter how cheap, nor rock filled dried beans or cheese that doesn't taste anything like cheese. But, as I've said ad nauseum, those who insist on buying only name brands (Del Monte, as an example) should realize that the canning factory that canned those beans are also canning Kroger brand beans, Wal-Mart brand beans, and Albertson brand beans. Same beans out of the same cooker, same conveyor; they just changed the labels. (We had a food canning plant in my town and I know people who worked there).

I guess I'm not a product snob. If it works and lasts, it's fine with me and I don't care about the brand unless personal experience has told me to stay away from it. The truth is most of what we buy these days--whatever the manufacturer--is probably made in China, anyway.

I think that Gingher scissors are way over rated they are stiff and heavy with terrible balance to them. Fiskar makes a much better product and more affordable. The harbor freight blades were a waste of good money very dull couldn't cut a thing with them, and way to far to take them back, at least I only bought one package of them. Olfa makes the best rotary blades for the money and they really last provided you don't put nicks in them. Just my two cents worth.

I tend to go for quality -- especially when I discover the difference from 'economy'. Non-LQS fabrics can be see through, rough, flawed, etc. Thread can be linty, old (I do a snap test and find out if it breaks easily), and subject to tangling (I like Aurifil or King Tut as they save time and work so well in my machine or by hand). Sewing machine (first, a Kenmore) had limited conveniences and getting it serviced took a month at the Sears appliance shop with 2 return trips. My BabyLock replaced it and I've never had a problem (nor used the Kenmore since). I've used other rotary cutters but like the Olfa best. Cheap scissors are for paper only. Even a good seam ripper with an ergonomic design makes a difference. I'm a believer in 'you get what you pay for' and getting it right the first time will pay for itself in the long run.

Better still, leave USA clothes in the USA. And buy your toiletries etc. on arrival, bringing only the absolute essentials with you.
Then you can travel light when inbound ........ and heavily weighted down with a new stash when returning!!!

Gingher has a lightweight pair of scissors that are black plastic exterior. Extremely light and my favorite pair. Maybe your store didn't have that choice. Use these Gingher more than the four pair of Fiskar. Isn't it great that we have choices?

[QUOTE=sweetana3;5403163]Right now I am waiting on a phone call from a gal that had a garage sale in the spring and called me to tell me she was having another. The great part is that she is a fabric representative for two companies and handles four states. She gets all kinds of fabric in precuts, packages of fat quarters, yardage, etc. and cannot use it all. She remembered me and wanted me to know. Hey, high end fabric at $3 per yard beats any shop around (except the wholesalers) and she has current stock. I got 60+ bright coordinated fat quarters for $36.
QUOTE]

Hey, Northern Ind. isn't that far from Central Ind., care to share the garage sale time:D

I am both furgal and extravagant. I buy the best that I can, watch sales, I try different items some purchased by budget restraints, some of these have been great and some duds (don't buy again) some times cheaper items ending costing more

Try http://www.fabric.com - if they have it, their prices are always significantly less than elsewhere + free shipping on orders $35 and over.
Also try http://www.favoritefabrics.com a Board member who also has better prices.

Lori, I love Peggy Toole also. Currently, I have almost enough Tuscan Wildflower to make a quilt. The fabric is just so gorgeous I do not know what to do with it. I really do not want to mess it up.

Julie M

This is certainly an animated thread!!!! Here's how I think of my purchases: if what I pay is EXCEEDED by its duration, quality an service, then it's a frugal investment - tools, consumables (hand and machine needles, rotary blades, etc.) and fabric. If I have to spend more to make something work, then it's a waste of time, money and a bust all-around. Extravagant to me, in practice, is paying more for something I buy for someone else that I would not easily justify buying for myself.

I will buy quilting fabric from JoAnn's to make trial blocks/quilts/projects and such, but it has to have a certain minimal thread count. Some things are not meant to have along life (pot holders) or heavy usage, others can be justfiably "pretty-but-expendable."

Now, "CHEAP," that's a different animal altogether to me. I am cheap with scrubbing sponges - I will use one until it's at least have eroded from use.

I would say 75% frugal ...25% extravagent......some things you just have spend a bit more for or they don't last.

I try to shop as wisely and as cheaply as possible. BUT sometimes you just gotta make a splurge. :)

Someone mentioned the Kai scissors. I love the Fons and Porter Kai red handled dressmaker scissors. They are the ones I grab at my charity quilting group to cut lots of fabric, batting, etc. They have lasted beautifully and are properly weighted and easy on the hands.

Most items related to quillting can be very expensive or cheap and usually not worth the money. Some LQS will let you "try" things like scissors, cutters, rulers, that they are using in their shops. Or if you are fortunate to have quilting friends, ask to try some of the things they use.

I looked at the blades at Harbor Freight...didn't buy them.

I'm a pretty frugal crafter/quilter/embroiderer... Quilt police don't live around here, LOL.... We don't have a place to even buy a spool of thread here...have to drive 36-40 miles to nearest place to buy (Walmart is 36, Joann & Hobby Lobby are 40 mi each way)...so I make darn sure to get everything I can in one trip. We plan our trips to Lubbock like we do our grocery shopping...lists of what's needed...I check Joann for coupons & for what's on sale, etc. We came to TX from Calif...where everything was local...I could walk to Walmart! This was the biggest change for me...location...but it's been a blessing of a move (health & income wise at least).

I think I do prefer the more expensive stuff, and just get along with less "stuff".

For example, I bought a June Taylor cutting board years and years ago and brought it to Poland. It has served me well for many years now, but I really want to replace it with an Olfa one. It will cost me close to $100 here in Poland, so I'm waiting to buy it as long as I can, but this time, I want to try the one that everyone says is great and hope I can get 10 years or so of cutting out of it. :) I'm sure many will think it is extravagant, so I just won't tell anyone around here how much I had to pay.

Gingher Scissors aren't an extravagant purchase. I'm still using the pair that I bought in 1992, have bought another pair that has a USA flag design on them. I send my used blades off to a company in Minnesota that recycles them and gives me a good discount on new blades.

I grew up in the 60's and early 70's with a family of 3 girls and 1 boy. Mid income, 98% of my clothes were homemade, by the time I was in 4-H (bleed green still) and at 7years I was sewing my own clothes and by 13years I was sewing for others. Always used what mom could afford for us. By the time I was 21, I was DWF with 3 babies, then again it was what I could afford (used toilet paper for Kleenex - how many of you remember those days?)and made most of their clothes till the graduated and moved - now just gifts.
Now that I am a very proud grammie to 6 precious grandchildren(make them each summer clothes each year so far), I still buy on sale, but my luxries include having not one, but two pair of ginghars, my fabric varies from Walmart - LQS - Online (find what I need to go with I am working on.) and Kleenix with Lotion and a box in almost everyroom in the house and every vehicle I own (no kids at home).

Yes, sometimes, I will purchase something now, just to try, if I like it, I keep, if not I Play it Forward.

I still won't buy my DH a store bought western shirt, because I promised to make him ONE for every month since we go married (they are cheaper that way, and he thinks he is "special" in that way - have a wife that sews).

About 5 years ago, I purchased duplicates of guilting tools (rulers, rotary cutter etc...), just so I don't have to repack something to teach a class or take one.

As long as it works, I will wither buy store brand or big name brand if on sale.

Frugal and extravagant are kind of loaded words -

I was raised in an environment where 'frugal' was a virtue, and 'cheap' was a vice.

Extravagant was sort of equated with 'wasteful' and/or 'unnecessary'
BUT inadequate/skimpy was also frowned on.

Examples: If making shirred curtains for a bedroom - Mom thought it was better to make them look nice and full with inexpensive muslin - as compared to trying to cover 36 inches of window with 30 inches of more expensive fabric.

Amazing how some childhood ideas/standards stick with me!

What a great thread this is - have heard of some new products, some reviews I agree with, some not, but all very interesting. I like to buy good quality for some things - Aurifil thread, Olfa blades, but for others, I buy where I can find a good deal - my pin cushion (metal tray) from Harbour Freight; my sewing table a piece of plexiglass cut to fit around machine by a local window shop instead of the one sold by Bernina, fabrics from guild swaps, free patterns online etc. I almost always wait to buy the special notions until someone I know recommends them or I have tried them in class - works for me!

Some great answers here. I also believe the addage, "Never never never never pay full price." Wait for a sale, try a different source, shop smart, check out secondhand, but don't buy junk. I love my Ginghers. For me the first thing I thought of is Cottonelle toilet paper. Won't use anything else no matter what. We even bring a couple rolls with us when we stay at DD's house because she is frugal about it and it leaves bits behind. Ugh!

There are always the places where people are selling or trading items. There is a selling board on here, or the SewITsforSale yahoo group, where people list items for sale or are looking for items.

Always try to get the best you can afford, but getting something used or at a discount place like jhittlesewing.com or using coupons at JoAnns works too as long as you know it's a decent quality.

Good quality tools are a must, regardless of the job being done. Price is my second consideration. I have to admit I'm not a shopper. When I need something, I buy it. I prefer to buy it once. If it doesn't do the job, or I have to struggle and fight with it to get the job done, then I trash it. Won't buy it again, and will tell everyone I know my experience with it. Same goes for having the right tool for the job. When it can be counted on to get the job done, with ease and reliability, then I share that information too. This goes for not only my quilting tools, but my boat tools, shop tools, kitchen tools and garden tools. Junk is just plain frustrating and a waste of time and money.

Yes, yes, yes....... I totally agree. I will spend a little more for quality that lasts - scissors and rotary blades are things I will spend more on...and fabric for sure. If I am going to spend a lot of time and effort to make a quilt for someone I love, I want it to be beautiful and last.

irkerating isn't it not finding the things you hear about..like designer fab..oh well don't miss what you don't have.. what did granny use??:)

What is a good brand of basting spray? I am going Back to the states in October and am already starting my list of things to bring back. Suitcase weight is a problem but everything heavy or fragile in my suitcase gets wrapped in batting. I keep clothes in the states at my daughters so I have more room for fabric, thread, notions etc. I always have the best time stocking up on my trips and a couple of the LQS's know me and give me great discounts when I come.

I worked for a company that made computer bds & the quality depended on the standards set by the mfgr. For example IBM has higher stds for their bds than HP does, etc. So although we made the same product (boards) the quality was different. I have retired this year but worked in the quality dept. there for 24 yrs. Also the food industry & that was the same. The label that went on the can was determined by the amt of foreign objects in the sample can. They do all taste the same though. I, also, like others buy the best quality tools for quilting that I can afford & shop as cheaply as possible.

I ordered my blades online from Harbor Freight. I ordered about 2 dozen packages at once. Even with the cost of shipping it is so much less expensive than buying the Olfa blades.

The reason I buy them: because they work the same (for me, anyway) as the pricey Olfa. If they didn't I would have to buy the Olfa blades.

I like having extra packages on hand and due to the low cost I enjoy giving a package or two to new quilters or a swap partner (if they use them).

This Board has the BEST information ever!!!

Have to agree with the basting spray...505 is the only one I will use! I order it from here:
http://www.sewforless.com/item/505_T...OUND_ONLY/7391 this is for the large cans, and the price is amazing! This past order I went with the option to order 6 cans. I have always had great success with the spray, and the customer service from them has always been super.
Kif