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We do not have a lot of quilt stores where I live. But we are always being told to support what we have or we will lose them. But the prices are so high, that I shop there very little. We do have a store which sells fabric and craft supplies, initially years ago, it was just fabrics but the card making and scrap book making have taken over, so the fabric section is diminishing, and the price going up constantly. They sell a lot of the fabric by weight, which is what I always go for,but only a small section of it is quilting fabric. Saying that I went a couple of weeks ago got some really good fabrics, most of it Moda, I bought app 20 yds in total which worked out about £2.00 per yard. I buy a lot for backing from there. The only thing is that when I do go, I seem to spend too much.
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Originally Posted by annesthreads
It does sometimes strike me as ironic that quilting has evolved into a hobby that can draw you into spending a lot of money on fabric annd equipment, and it can even begin to feel ESSENTIAL to spend all that money in order to do it properly, when its roots are in times when everything had to be treasured and used because people had so little. I've called a halt on stash building and am beginning to think of other ways of finding fabric and other supplies. Do I really need a 2000 dollar machine for quilting, or might an old Singer do the job? Do I need cupboards full of fabric that I'm not using, or might I buy one project at a time and try some of the great ideas on this thread? We're in times when many of us need to step back and question our spending, find more frugal ways of living - and maybe that's not such a bad thing. Look at the creativity that came out of earlier hard times in the form of wonderful vintage quilts!
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I think the yard sale and thift store idea is great. However, I can't seem to find any fabric at these places in my area.
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Originally Posted by Ladyjanedoe
Originally Posted by annesthreads
It does sometimes strike me as ironic that quilting has evolved into a hobby that can draw you into spending a lot of money on fabric annd equipment, and it can even begin to feel ESSENTIAL to spend all that money in order to do it properly, when its roots are in times when everything had to be treasured and used because people had so little. I've called a halt on stash building and am beginning to think of other ways of finding fabric and other supplies. Do I really need a 2000 dollar machine for quilting, or might an old Singer do the job? Do I need cupboards full of fabric that I'm not using, or might I buy one project at a time and try some of the great ideas on this thread? We're in times when many of us need to step back and question our spending, find more frugal ways of living - and maybe that's not such a bad thing. Look at the creativity that came out of earlier hard times in the form of wonderful vintage quilts!
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[quote=Ladyjanedoe]
Originally Posted by annesthreads
It does sometimes strike me as ironic that quilting has evolved into a hobby that can draw you into spending a lot of money on fabric annd equipment, and it can even begin to feel ESSENTIAL to spend all that money in order to do it properly, when its roots are in times when everything had to be treasured and used because people had so little. I've called a halt on stash building and am beginning to think of other ways of finding fabric and other supplies. Do I really need a 2000 dollar machine for quilting, or might an old Singer do the job? Look at the creativity that came out of earlier hard times in the form of wonderful vintage quilts!
I whole heartly agree. I have always said that you do not have to have the most expensive machine to sew with. |
Back when I started quilting money was very tight; we used blankets for batting and cut up well-used sheets for tops and bottoms. I know that isn't everyone's cup of tea but, when you gotta sew, your gotta sew and anything is fair game! I am such an addict! LOL!
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Some clothing sold for CHEEEEP at yard sales make great quilting fabric. Also, around here, thrift stores will sometimes have "stuff a bag for a 1$" sales - try it out.
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Guess its time we got over the idea that only quilt shop fabric is to be used in quilts; that fabric that is somewhat less than perfect quality is ok to use; that the big box store fabric is ok to use; that yard sales and thrift store fabric is ok to use and older cothing makes good quits, What do you think the grandmothers used and I'm still using some on my bed In a lot of cases we are NOT making heirloom quilts and the one getting the quilt won't know the difference.......and YES poly/cotton or rayon/cotton is ok to use. We used such back in the 70's and the quilts are still good.
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[quote=annesthreads]
Originally Posted by Ladyjanedoe
Originally Posted by annesthreads
It does sometimes strike me as ironic that quilting has evolved into a hobby that can draw you into spending a lot of money on fabric annd equipment, and it can even begin to feel ESSENTIAL to spend all that money in order to do it properly, when its roots are in times when everything had to be treasured and used because people had so little. I've called a halt on stash building and am beginning to think of other ways of finding fabric and other supplies. Do I really need a 2000 dollar machine for quilting, or might an old Singer do the job? Look at the creativity that came out of earlier hard times in the form of wonderful vintage quilts!
I whole heartly agree. I have always said that you do not have to have the most expensive machine to sew with. |
I lost my job last Summer too, and have only found a minumum wage part time job, so far. Although I love our LQSs, I dont get much of a chance to go there anymore. Love garage sales!
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