How do you afford to quilt if you live on a fixed income? With the prices going up on everything. My paycheck does not go as far as it did just 3 years ago. I have had to sell some of my fabric just to buy batting, so if it is getting hard for me, and I work was just wondering how you are doing it on a fix income? Maybe you have some tricks or tips on how to make your money go further.

Thanks
Jackie

Hi Jackie,
Here are a few good ideas:
Yard sales
Thrift shops
Craig's list
Old clothes suitable for quilting

I'm sure there are more.

i use recycled fabric..old jeans..ties...pieces of flanel for batting...old sheets for foundation piecing...i know some use old sheets for backing...looking at good will for fabric...i `ve used cheap blankets for batting...to name a few

It isn't easy is it? I hit the sales at lqs. Use coupons, coupons at Joann's and say "yes" to anyone wanting to give me "Grannie's old boxes of scraps,etc. We're on semi-fixed incomes and trying to fix up the house we bought...Tough, but the money we spend is going toward equity, not rent. But, hang in there...brighter days.....

Sales-Sales-Sales.

Buy when I get it for $2.00 a yard.
Give up eating out for lunch.
No coffee, expensive tea, etc.

Bring my own cans of pop.

I figure quilting keeps me sane. So I do spend on some items.

See if you have a local freecycle and join. Many people are downsizing and/or inheriting a family member's sewing stuff and don't know what to do with it.

Are you wanting to make quilts for family or for charity. If for charity some organizations will provide the fabric, some will also provide the batting. Depending on the organization and how well funded they are.

Post on craigslist and freecycle of wanting fabric, old cotton only clothing. Get any supplies needed with discount coupons. What you save on fabric you can then use to buy batting, of course using coupons or buying when on sale.

Pam M

i sell my work, its the only way i could afford to do it.

i would love to keep some of the pieces i produce but my budget doesn't afford me that pleasure. its my only source of income and i have a house, car, and a family that needs to eat.

i dye much of my own fabric, i do screen printing, marbling, etc to help spread my shopper dollar further.

Flannelette Sheets for batting
or blankets

Ask and tell everyone you know what you are wanting ... you maybe surprised who has a stash to clear out ... or Granny's stuff they don't know what to do with it.

If you're doing charitable sewing ... many will donate from their stashes ... some will even go out and purchase new, so you can sew, being that they cannot.

And by the looks of it, there are many people here who have incredible luck at the thrift stores, garage sales, CraigsList, etc.

Good LUck!

Thank You. You guys are so smart, you know how to make your money last.