we get most of our groceries from a super walmart... the hamburger comes in a black tray that is about 10" x 12" x 4" deep.. we use those all the time for keeping different pcs in when cutting. we use the blue styrofoam ones mushrooms come in the same way..

i'm working on that omigosh quilt... i have a hamburger box full of white strips, one full of colored strips, (some only 2" long) and two with finished squares ..

inside the hamburger boxes are the smaller mushroom boxes with pcs that are already partially together... like a strip of 3 pcs for part of the double nine patch... i have been using that as leaders & enders for a while, so when i get a bunch, i can put them together...

i also take home from work the first sheet that comes off the printer... when you advance the paper, you always have 1 page wasted...

i also iron muslin onto freezer paper & run that thru my printer if i want a photo on something, ( or for the label) rather than purchase the paper backed fabric @ joannes.. that stuff was over $12 for 3 sheets...never buying that!!

Watch carefully for sales. Check out the $1 & $2 racks in Walmart whenever you're there. I'd advise not to get the really thin see-through ones though. Buy muslin for the backing. Once again, make sure it is good quality & weight. It is not only cheap but I think it makes a really comfortable, soft quilt. You can use sheets but they are usually harder to quilt in my opinion. Mention to friends that you are a quilter & perhaps they will have scraps they don't want. I really can sympathize with you. I was on a very, very meager budget when I started quilting. Luckily, my aunts & grandmother gave me their remnants. I now have retired & can afford to get more things I want to quilt with & I think I appreciate them more having scrimped & done without for so long. Keep on quilting! Hopefully better days are ahead!

Stay out of fabric stores. This will save money. Use king size flat sheets for backing.

Staying out of all stores saves money for me.

I love your reply! It's so true! But.......where's the fun in that? I actually go into fabric stores and intentionally leave my wallet out in the car and park as far away from the entrance as possible so I have to REALLY want to buy something to run out for my purse.

Sometimes it actually works. :roll:

I am making a blue and white quilt for my DD for Christmas to go in her blue and white lake house. I wanted to use various blues and shirting but I couldn't find enough shirting patterns. Went to Goodwill and bought shirts for $2.99 - $3.99 ea and for less than $40, I have more than enough to complete her quilt. I've never had any luck finding fabric at yard sales and I drool when I see what some members find for little to nothing.

for the amount of fabric in a scrub top, or pants, when I can afford even an extra dollar or two, I go to our little thrift store, where one dollar buys me either a top, or britches.. Sometimes, the same store has a large garbage bag to fill for only $2.00, and thats where I go and find all the scrubs I can find that are in good shape.. I take them home, cut them up along the seams, and find myself with tons more scraps than if I was to just cut up a regular blouse, and such.. lose alot of the fabric where you have to cut button areas, or zippers, and collars and such..

Lots of good ideas here. Have a trade-off w/ some other quilters, to trade out fabric you don't like or won't use. A group here has a crafters play date a couple of times a year specifically for the ladies to trade-out their unwanted fabric.

I'd say to keep your quiling notions to a bare minimum.You need scissors,seam ripper,rotary cutter & mat,a couple rulers.A machine,thread & you're ready to go.All the rest is gravy.Use what you have....or can find at yard sales, from curtains to sheets & blankets for batting.Take it slow & learn from library books & on line.

Hubby and I were cleaning out his closet over the holidays and came across some old work shirts. They were made from a beautiful blue oxford shirting material. The only thing keeping him or anyone else from wearing them was the insignia of the company right on the front. I cut them up (sleeves, back and fronts )and have enough for backing for several small projects like table runners, place mats, wall hangings, etc.

judyjo