Just think of all the money men spend on their hobbies! Hunting can net about $20 a pound, or a lot more, for the meat they get. Same with fishing. If you factor in the boat, it could climb to $100 a fish!!

I agree 100%!

I would suggest your County Extension Office. Ours has mats, rotary cutters, rulers, and yes even a couple of machines available for use. This can be a valuable asset if one is just starting -- one that is usually overlooked by people in larger cities. When I lived in Ohio, I frequently drove past the Extension Office, but never stopped to check it out. But now I spend lots of time there. We have canning classes. Two quilt groups -- one day and one night one for those who work. It is a frequently an overlooked resource.

So technically you could make that quilt for the price of your fabric and thread, and the price of Homemakers' dues (ours are $7.50 a year). If you are a mailbox member, you don't have to attend meetings, but you do receive a Monthly Newsletter which lets you know what activities are available. I know this was one of my grandmother's resources.

Then you might luck out and find a quilt guild like we have where they have 6 sewing machines, mats, rotary cutters, quilting frames, irons and boards, even donated fabric. So you could be fortunate to only have to spend $12 for membership plus $6 for your membership pen. And you also have some great teachers. Good luck to you.

You have that right. How you spend your money is important. Most of us would rather shop and buy quilting supplies then shop for clothing or other things. We get days week or months worth of pleasure working on a new quilt either to keep or to give and put a smile on someones face.<object type="cosymantecnisbfw" cotype="cs" id="SILOBFWOBJECTID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;"></object>

I bought a Bernette model 65 on eBay for $75; these machines new run around $400. The original owner bought it to fix a portion of a seam on a dress and never used it again. Her fiance actually put it up for sale on eBay because he said that it was always in his way. Her loss, my gain. It was my "travel" machine for several years, then I gave it to my son when he got married. He still uses it. His wife doesn't sew (but she bakes and decorates the best cakes, cupcakes and cookies).

It would depend on a lot of factors..hard to guess...

There is alot of good information here, but the truth is all we really NEED is a piece of fabric, a pair of scissors, a pattern, thread, and a needle. That is the actual minimum you need to start out.

And something to mark the fabric with! :)

I don't use other people's patterns and can't think of any reason to mark the fabric, so my 'bottom line' basics would simply be fabric, scissors, needle and thread.

However, I can't remember not having a sewing machine, not ever, and would rather live without a vacuum cleaner than give mine up, so that's staying on my 'must have' list. :o

Not all of us have your talent :) - and are way more comfortable following a pattern!

Had to chuckle, because quilting/knitting/crocheting is MY therapy also!

Lol! I, too, would give up my vacuum cleaner (much to DH's dismay!) than my sewing machine(s). I tend to lose track of time when I'm having fun creating!