If you are going to account for the money, make sure that you deduct the cost of the gifts that you would have given if you had not given quilts.

I agree with this, I also think with your veggie gardening hobby you should deduct the amount you would have spent buying organic veggies from a store or farmer's market. That hobby definitely benefits everyone in the home.
I'm like most of the others, I buy a little on sale or coupons, only after all the bills have been paid and any other "extras" (shoes, clothes, etc) have been taken care of.

I don't put myself on a budget, I buy when what I want or need is on sale. I have 2 sites online that I buy most of my fabric from.

I don't really keep track of what I spend, I tend to buy what I need in most instances. In my household my husband raises show pigeons and has a white homer business and his pigeon feed runs $400 a month, not to mention bridal fare expenses, etc. He's never made a profit so I don't feel the least bit guilty buying fabric. As I've told him when he complains, at least my fabric doesn't continually eat, poop or die on us.
Robin in Napa CA

We can choose to feel "guilty" or QUILTY!

Like others have stated - while I have a full time job I buy what I need and some stuff I just want. When I retire (March 1st) I have a set $ amount that is my mad money for each month. That includes movies, eating out with friends, and trips to the LQS. When that $ is gone, nothing else for the month. If any $ is left over, it goes into my "mad money" account to pay for things like my quilting retreat, machine repair, etc. I have tried to build my stash over the past year in anticipation of retirement and I already had tons of tools, etc. so I should be able to stick to my budget. If not, maybe I will start a thread about how much I am over budget...:shock:

never look at the receipts. If you are not taking money used to pay for family expenses or putting it on credit cards...don't worry the rewards from quilting are worth it.

I would insure anything at replacement costs which would include the charge for having the new quilt quilted "professionally" by a long arm quilter. If you are doing the quilting yourself, get written estimates from your local long arm quilter for a similar quilting design. That way you are insuring at replacement costs and if the worst happens you can make a replacement top and hire the long arm quiltperson to do those honors.

I am with all of you, I don't have to account for what i spend, hubs has his hobby and mine is buying fabric and stuff for quilting, sewing, crocheting and knitting. I have a son who is an architect, has access to a lazer cutter and he makes my rulers for me. I could be drinking, doing drugs, selling drugs, smoking, nope, not me, i believe in being legal and doing stuff like this and being on these boards, much more fun and theraputic and the nice stuff i get from making things

After the investment for mat,cutter, rulers, ect. it does get a little cheaper