Frugal or Extravagant?
 

There are some things I'm willing to spend the money to have the 'best' that I know about -

Gingher scissors, for example.

There are some things that I'm more interested in getting 'adequate' for less money -

Those rotary cutter blades from ?? for $1.98 for two. (Got some a while ago - but don't remember name now)

How about you?

ETA: But it seems like something newer and better is always becoming available. WAAAAAH!

Harbor Freight?

Yes - the only thing I was able to come up with was Northern Hydraulics.

i am frugal. i like cheap but good stuff. if that makes sents( spelling).:)

i do not have a harbor freight near by. i do not have a fabric shop either. only walmart. i do not have a long arm to do quilting of my quilts. we have nothing in this area. wish i knew how to advertize that we need these things hear. :(

There are certain fabric designers that I can say when I see their fabric .. I never look at the price on the bolt, as I just have to have it. Peggy Toole has some of the most irresistable fabrics I have ever seen.
As for tools and supplies...
1. spray basting ... having used some off brands that either left me cleaning my needle ever 2 minutes, or didn't adhere, or smelled bad..
2. Invisable thread .. just not worth the frusration to go "off brand".
3. Specialty presser feet... I stick with the manufactures .
And yes .. I am a scissor snob!

I like what WORKS, but I think often the name brand version is just a little better. For me, rotary blades is one of the things I'm very picky about! I tried Harbor Freight blades and they were no good for me. I use Olfa and love them; Amazon sells 5 packs of the 45mm blades for around $15-16. But I did try the other blades and would try others because you just never know until you try something yourself.

Rulers are something I am not brand-picky about. If I see something useful and sturdy I'm likely to buy it - I probably have at least one ruler from every manufacturer by now! I love rulers...

I've spent way more than what Ginghers cost for scissors. In my scissor collection Ginghers are actually midrange in price. I pay for Gingher rotary blades. I get them when Jo-Ann's has them half price.

I would say I shop smart. There's no point in just buying the cheapest thing there is when you can have the best there is for the same price or a little more if you're willing to buy things on sale. I have bought LQS fabric for $1 to $3 a yard. Almost every LQS I've been in has a sale rack.

You're sitting in front of the world's biggest research and shopping tool, use it.

I am of the school that you try different things and yes sometimes those choices are driven by budget. If I buy something and it turns out not to as I expected or just didn't work, then I won't buy it again. There have been a few times that I opted for the cheaper item(s) and wound up spending more $ trying to be cheap than if I would have if I had bought the tried and true more pricier item. I decided a long time ago that there are certain items that I buy, not just for sewing, that I will not compromise on. I refuse to purchase any ranch dressing other than Hidden Valley because I know the store brands have never lived up to the taste of it! If I don't like it, I'm not going to use it and then no matter how much less it cost, it is still going to go to waste.

Since I've started reading the posts on this board, I've learned about many products that I didn't even know existed.