so many of us are either out of a job or have a spouse who is. How much can you not spend to make a quilt. For example, my niece's birthday party is this weekend and I've made her a quilt for her bed using scraps. I did have to buy the backing and border, so all togher, I have less than $20 in her gift. I am also making pillow cases for her as well that are done in brights to coordinate with her quilt.

I know a lot of you find bargains in thrift stores, on clearance and use scraps from friends, so how thrifty can we be from start to finish? Just want to know if I'm still spending too much while the rest of you are making quilts for less!

I have made 2 quilts totally from what I had on hand. As much as I love the beautiful quilt shop fabrics, I find that I am going to have to start being more careful how much I spend. It won't stop me from spending, but I will have to research more to get the best prices on what I want to buy.

I am being careful also. I do have a nice stash so I can stay busy with that for awhile. When the economy is better, I'll hit the stores again.

I'v seen some spend alot more...But I'm with you I spend as little as posible. Have you heard of a group called freecycle? I belong in the Pensacola Freecycle it is a yahoo group and there whole purpose is to keep stuff out of land fills.If you have stuff you no longer need and would like to get rid of but it is still usefull you can post an offer once a week you can post a wanted and you can always respond to anyone elses add. That is how I have acuired alot of fabric.(and given alot of usefull stuff I don't use away)I tend to spend money on special fabrics and always on batting. 20$ is not bad at all!

i just finished a large queen size quilt for my sister...well it isn't quite finished yet, but the top is done, outdoorsy cozy wonderful flannel SCRAPS. I had a tote full of flannels from past projects so when she said she wanted a quilt i decided to see if i could put one together with what i had, and sure enough it was enough, then i came to backing...decided (when i came upon a 3yd piece of flannel i had forgotten about) to piece a back too...so, made a backing. went ahead and loaded it up, thinking i would stop by the lqs on my way home and pick up a batt...but then noticed i had about 8 large (20-30" wide x 90+"long)pieces of batting...so, i'm going to zigzag these together and use them too...so, i will have a large queen quilt finished start to finish with no trips to the store :)
and it gave me inspiration...i'm going to try to put together another one with regular cottons, but i think i still have enough flannels to make another one too...maybe..hmmmmm. it is nice to put a dent in the stash...makes room for new :)
as soon as i get it off the frame i will post pics, i am very happy with it!
i have been trying to make all my quilts/table runners/swap blocks/bags ect this year out of just my stash and have done very well...some i have purchased backing or batting for and i've had to buy some thread, but for the most part i have done very well. one king size quilt i did spend about $75 on for backing and batting.

I love the scrappy ones the best~ My Grandma and Aunt quilt, so we all get each others LO's and that helps so much! I amde one nearly free with old jeans and flannel shirts, just bought the thread!

"I know a lot of you find bargains in thrift stores, on clearance and use scraps from friends, so how thrifty can we be from start to finish? Just want to know if I'm still spending too much while the rest of you are making quilts for less!"

I am really trying to be more thrifty and use what I have for quilt tops but when it comes to backings I do have to buy. I have found that although I do like a lot of the planned patterns I really enjoy making scrap quilts. A close friend shared something once told to her by a famous quilter (can't remember which one right now) who said "When you make a quilt from a set number of fabrics that is planned out people see it and ooh and aah about the pattern, the fabric and the quilting and that's the end of the conversation. But when you make a scrap quilt that has unplanned fabrics and infinite number of scraps the conversation can go on an on because each time the quilt is looked at something else catches your eye that you didn't see before". So I've been trying to keep that thought and so far, I'm having fun with it.

I did pay to have this quilt machine quilted but didn't spend any money on the top, batting or backing. It's one of my favorites

A good way to use up more scraps is to make the back from larger "scrappy" pieces. (All those FQs you don't have any idea why you bought and are just taking up room?) And if you have space, buy batting by the bolt when on sale at either JoAnn's or on-line. You can also buy muslin by the bolt and use it for backings.

But $20 for a quilt -- I think you did good!! And I'm sure your niece will just love it! :D :thumbup: :thumbup:

love your quilt, thanks for sharing!

completely forgot about mils b day used fat quarters i got for .50 apeice thought they were ugly when i bought them but i figured i could use them for something (i have learned that a fabric that is the ugliest thing in all its glory can turn into the most beautiful quilt in smaller pieces) som turquoise and white little flowers, white sparkle left over from the big girl quilt (i tend to buy to much)and for backing some clearance sheets when walmart changed pkging altogether and batting prob less than $20 this is prob the least amount i have spent for a quilt