I love pieced binding too! In fact, I just finished a scrappy lap size top and was thinking about how to bind it. I decided to get the scraps out and bind it with the leftovers. It takes a bit of time, but I love the look and, YES, it uses up scraps!

I have a good sized stash and always buy on sale from Hobby Lobby or the LQS or my favorite place… dead quilters’ sales. I hit a poorly advertised one last summer and came away with fabric bundles from the LQS or kits for 17 quilts! If I had paid full price, it would’ve been $1500+ of fabric and I paid $25. I went back the following weekend and spent $2 on patterns that I sold on eBay for $60.

I also love scrappy quilts and don’t mind a pieced back. Part of the fun of quilting is mixing and matching my stash to make something beautiful.

I make loads of quilts per year... probably upwards of 40... and I'm not rich. Most of the ones I make are throw sized, to give to a charity. I buy for my stash when I can find good fabric for $5 or $6 a yard, or less. Mostly online auctions, clearance sales, and stash reduction sales by individuals. And I have a ton of scraps that I have cut into precuts.

I buy batting by the big roll from Marshall's Dry Goods. It's not expensive.

Backings will be pieced or may be a nice cotton sheet. I'm always on the hunt for those.

I do my own quilting. The note on my Juki sitdown longarm is $94 per month.

This has been interesting to read and most of us are all the same. Home bodies, do not go out to eat, do not go on expensive vacations, Watch the sales, use scrap batting, I do sell some of what I make and I am making quilts now for all nieces and nephews. I love this hobby and I do have a stash of fabric and just ordered backing by the roll MDG. I also bought a roll of batting on sale from Joann's. We are all having fun and doing what we want if retired.

My family buys me gift certificates for Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day. A few fabric purchases with those will keep me busy for a long time. I also make quilts from scraps, strings, and crumbs. Lightweight clothing from thrift stores or yard sales will yield many yards of fabric for little money.

I have no idea
 

I quit quilting about 8 years ago, I’m not even sure, but a long time ago and partly because I got sick of the expense. It’s ridiculous. I also think quilters must be rich. I’m not married and it’s just my income. My car is old, but have other expenses besides quilting. I cant afford a longarm nor will I pay a week’s salary to have a quilt done. I would rather stitch by hand if it comes to that. The manufacturers must be laughing to the bank, but if quilters will pay an average of 13 a yard, then that is on us. I remember when I was in my teens, we sewed to save money, but not anymore. I just started quilting again recently, so I could make small charity quilts because I enjoy it, but unfortunately I don’t have a hubby or a daddy to throw money my way. As a single mom, this a hobby that many can’t do. My machine broke last weekend and will cost more than it’s worth to fix it. The sales lady shows me $6,000 machines. Why in the world would most people need a machine like that. It must be fun to be rich. I missed the boat somewhere. Another thing, this is hobby tha has the most wonderful helpful people, but I have also met the biggest snobs that I have seen put people down because they couldn’t afford the best. You know who I’m talking about. For the most part, I love most quilters and glad to be quilting again. I feel like a new beginner all over again. I still have fabric from 10 years ago and now it’s ugly. What was I thinking? Lol happy quilting all.

When your single with just one income and struggling to pay the bills, quilting as a hobby can be very difficult. That is if you go into drool mode at the sight of all the new beautiful fabrics in current day collections. I know we can always find fabric at yard sales and thrift stores, but how lovely will those quilts be? You might be able to occasionally find some pretty fabric, but how many will coordinate and go together when you want to make your quilt. It's a good thing that scrappy is in vogue now.

I for one want to make every quilt given to someone whether charity or family member beautiful, and sometimes that can be difficult on a strict budget.

Have you looked at some of Sewbizgirl's quilts? She makes some of my favorite quilts on this board from the fabrics that she listed above. I, for one, don't believe you have to buy expensive new fabrics and collections to make beautiful quilts. In fact, I don't often use collections. I like the unique look and the challenge of putting together my own "collection" for my quilts and wearables. I don't have a defeatist attitude towards not having as much money to spend on quilting as I'd like. I just use the fabrics that I have. I've bought very few fabrics in the last few years. I have pics on my sewing room wall of quilts I like. Some I like the pattern. Some the colors. I can copy both by using a bit of ingenuity and hard work. I love doing that! Maybe it comes from not often having things easy. I learned I can have what I want by using my head and working hard when I don't have money to make it easy.

I also prefer to make my own collections. I will mix and match fabrics from a variety of places. As for my charity quilts, most recipients are not artists that expect colors to work together perfectly. It just makes me happy to make something to bring a smile to a face. FMQ and I do not get along. Straight line quilting is the best I can do

Oh yohkos. Fabric is everywhere. Scraps are everywhere. Dead quilter's stashes are everywhere and in need of re-homing. I suggest anyone in need of fabric to sew, get involved in a local group or guild. Networking is a great way to find cheap fabric. Often it will be given to you free in a group setting. It takes a little ingenuity, but sitting around complaining won't get you there.

Sewing machine died and you can't afford the $6000 replacement? Then what are you doing in the new machine store? I have a herd of vintage machines that I found at flea markets and estate sales for a pittance. I have some really great Singer 301s that I paid $25 for, in the original cabinets, because somebody got old and their family just wanted to get rid of them. They are the most pleasant machines to sew on! And they last forever with a little regular cleaning and oil.

The women on this board (and some men...) are a resourceful and creative bunch. You won't find much sympathy here in complaining you don't have a sugar daddy to buy things for you.

I have a local Project Linus group that has a huge supply of fabric, batting, etc. that the give out to those wanting to make charity quilts. For those interested in making charity quilts, look for a local group. Most will have supplies to give you.

Generally speaking, if a charity group hands out fabric and/ or supplies, isn't it expecting to get a,quilt back.?

if one wants to make an item for personal use, some of the ideas listed for someone starting out with little or no extra money and limited access to transportation seem unrealistic to me.

one can make a quilt that will hold together with just a needle and thread..

I have not come across that many " treasure troves" the past few years. Most of the clothing I have seen at yard sales would not be suitable to use as " a quilting cotton" to disassemble. Have not seen that many sewing machines, either.

If you read through this forum, ther are people who seem to have more fabric than a quilt fabric store. There are others who acquire fabric strictly for one project at a time.and qet rid of any leftover fsbric.

Knowing what I do now, it would still be challenging for me to start over with the basics. There is so much to choose from.

I've been quilting since I was 17 years old - I'm 62 now. I've always had a budget. I've always had space issues (yes, I was quilting in my dorm room, in my apartments, etc). I was a single working parent for most of that time.

I've never been able to just go out and buy any thing without being aware of my budget. Not food, not clothing, and not fabric. I don't buy $500 purses, I buy $20 purses. Pretty much everything I buy is on sale, discounted, or at least a good buy. Think of it this way, if furniture (or fabric) can be sold at half price, they are still making money and you are just silly to pay full price. Never ever buy full price at Joann -- they don't expect you to, they expect you to wait until the sales, that's why it is priced the way it is.

Is real easy to sit back and be bitter over people who have more than we have or who have things we want. Real easy to sniff at something and say it's ugly. What I do as a quilter is I take those things other people have discarded and sniffed at and make something beautiful or at least warm and comfortable.

I may not have control over what is offered to me at the thrift stores, but I do have control over what I buy. I buy plenty of brand name fabrics -- yes, Moda, Benartex, Hoffman, whatever. I got a bag of gorgeous batiks and souvenirs of someone's trip to Indonesia for $7.99 for the entire bag. I got a bag of hand dyes for about the same -- ok, in that case I had to do a lot of work and effort (but low cost) because the dyes had not been fixed correctly. But otherwise, that stuff would sell at $20 per yard.

Before typing up this reply I looked at Craig's List in several random parts of the country. Every single one of them had fabric in the $1-3 or so dollar a yard range. There are discount houses and other things.

For anyone just starting out and not having much money, I would say just find a simple working machine. All you really need to get into this is a simple machine that does hopefully, a nice straight stitch. Sure, it is fun to have a machine that does all those fancy stitches, but you do not need them. I have never, ever, used 95% of the ones on my fancy machine. You need something to cut the fabric with, I recommend a 45 mm rotary cutter, a cutting matt 24 X 36, a 6 X 24-inch quilting ruler. a 6.5-inch square ruler, a basic iron, a seam ripper if one did not come with your machine, a package of pins, a package of size 80 universal needles, and a decent scissors. For fabric, get what you can to get started on your first projects, you do not need the most expensive cuz you are going to make mistakes! I at first grabbed any cheap or free fabric that came my way, from rummage sales, from other quilters giving it away at guild meetings (good to join, you learn and see what others are doing but let yourself get intimidated by the skill those folks have, they have been in this for decades) Then one day, I thought to myself. I don't need to get anymore fabric, I have plenty! Scrapes especially seem to multiply by themselves in my house. I now have extra machines, rulers, cutters, cutting mats, thread etc. If you like this quilting thing, it will take over your life! I have been doing it now for 40 years and nope, don't need to get anything for now. As for the quilting, I started out by tying some of my first ones, it works. Then I just did straight line quilting on my sit-down machine, that works too! Some folks find they like hand quilting. I never did. Keep an eye out for sales. If you find you like stitching, you will find a way. One project at a time! Actually, my 6000 dollar machine has not been used for months, I am using my bottom of the line little Bernina for my piecing for the last several months because I got it set up on a table in front of my TV so I can watch Netflix. Also, it actually stitches much better on little triangle pieces than my big fancy one.

I used to make clothes when my 3 boys were little but I don't do much garment sewing these days In fact, I've gotten quite rusty.. The cost of making vs buying has been reversed since my garment days! However, I have a few cute patterns I want to use for my granddaughter and grandson but I mostly buy their clothes.

Quilting is different though. The above posts are excellent examples of how to quilt on a budget. So many ways! You just have to get creative. If you read through the posts you'll see.
At least that's how I see it.

My method works like this: I buy a panel for $15 bucks or so. In my head,this quilt costs around 15 and some change. Because I keep adding onto it at different times. It's a way to trick myself into thinking - I'm really not spending so much. A few bucks here, a few bucks there. I buy batting by the bolt and each bolt gets me approx 3 quilts. So the batting (since the money was already spent - it's free!). Am I crazy? Yes. It's not logical at all but in my mind, it works! I have never bought all the fabric, front and back, batting, pattern all at once. I'd probably just fall over and not buy anything. I have to rationalize it somehow and this is my method. Feel free to adapt!

I don't care what others buy or don't buy so quilt snobs don't faze me. I had one guild member tell me a brand of fabric I had was not very good and she said it in front of other members. I promptly said then this fabric and I should be a matched pair. Everyone laughed and it put the woman in her place without me being rude or getting upset. I grew up around southern church ladies that no one got the better of. LOL
I can afford to buy any machine I want to but I sew on one I found at a yard sale for $25. I have other machines that I have bought used. There is plenty of good fabric at thrift stores in the clothes, blankets for batting, sheets for backing. Doing Quilt as you Go will save long arm cost. Making quilts the way I can afford in the life situation I'm in at the time is all that matters . I have some quilts that cost me over $500 to make and some that cost probably $5. It makes no difference and no one cares anyway.

I, too, recommend joining a quilt guild. There's a lot you would be exposed to in terms of ideas, sewing friends, and smaller sub-groups that could be very helpful to you. In any guild I've belonged to, there is a group that makes and donates quilts for those in need. They give you a fabric kit and will be happy to accept the top only. They have people who volunteer to bind the quilt, and others who will quilt it.

Good luck and welcome to our quilting world!

My guild has a free table and there is always fabric, quilt books, scraps, rulers, and even sewing machines on it. What isn't taken during the meeting is taken to a church thrift shop. A member would not have to buy much of anything to make a quilt. There are over 160 members so you never know what is on the free table.

Yes they expect to get the quilt back, but a lot of people like to quilt for charity. Some people just like to sew! Me included. :)

Almost every quilt l make is given to a good cause, children's aid, hospitals, QOV, nursing homes.l belong to 3 quilting groups. 2 do fundraising to buy backing and batting , then accept donations of fabric for members to use in their charity quilts, but l still end up using parts of my own stash, batting when there's a shortage of that ( often!), and thread. For me, it's all about the creative outlet. I'll donate my time and expertise to these quilting projects instead of outright cash donations. I've also made fundraising quilts for humane society, local theatre group, and Red Cross. This is the way l give back to the community.

Most repairmen work in the store, at least where I live. I thought it odd that I told the sales lady several times, I only needed something simple. I asked to see the Janome machines and she takes me to top of the line. I guess that what sales people do. :) I have found a used machine to purchase and wonder if I am making the right choice. The Juki is in my price range and quilters have raved about it, so now second guessing myself. I have picked up fabric at estate sales too. It would be nice if fabric were a bit more reasonable without having to dig for deals all the time. I probably picked the wrong hobby, but I can't draw or sing. Anyone sew clothes and quilt?

Much of what you say here really resonates with me but I'm learning to work around some of these challenges... I know others have shared some of the same strategies but I thought I'd give my approach.

1) Love drooling over the new fabrics? I do, too! But I also try to limit my visits to the LQS to essential trips only (mostly for batting or backing for a current project) and if I am totally overwhelmed by the need to buy new, I take a look at their bargains - my LQS offers scrap bags at $6-8/m (when fabric usually costs $18-28 this is a good deal) and sometimes will offer similar prices on certain lines of yardage as well. I'll confess, the scrap bags are actually a huge weakness for me but so far I've been lucky and have found some real gems that I was able to use in the bags that I bought that I didn't really "need" :-)

2) Speaking of scraps, I actually have a bit of a habit of buying these from thrift stores as well. And we're talking seriously small scraps, sometimes. (https://www.quiltingboard.com/showth...94) I find the key thing with thrifted fabrics (whether they come from a store or an estate sale or are just gifted to you) is to be patient. The quilt I made here was inspired by a small collection (a sandwich-sized baggie) of HSTs I got in a bundle from the thrift store. I liked the blue/cream combo and built a quilt up from that "feeling." But I didn't actually use them until several months after I bought them - I just needed to play with fabric one day and decided to go through that bag for my fix. :-) To everything there is a season - even thrifted fabric bits! And don't forget that moment of joy when you do find something amazing at the thrift store!

3) Scrappy may be "in," I guess (I'm not that on top of quilt fashion - scrappy has always been something I liked), but it is also beautiful. I agree that I would like every quilt I make to be beautiful (I allow dog quilts to have functionality as a higher priority, but they also need to be attractive). Since the beginning of Covid, I have made over a dozen quilts of varying sizes, and the ones that get the most positive feedback and signs of coveting are the ones I made from scraps and what I had, and not from a coordinated collection. There are a couple of fabrics that I'm not sure I'll ever find a home in a quilt for, and I've put them in a bag away from my "definite keepers," but I've been surprised before and so I'm not getting rid of them just yet. :-)

4) Emotional investment is important for me as I'm making a quilt. Often I'm thinking of the intended recipient (whether I know them or not) but I also like to engage with the quilt process in a meaningful way. I am definitely not a "quilt in a day" type of person! I find I enjoy taking the time to put my scrappy fabric collections together so that they _do_ coordinate. The one quilt I made from a single fabric collection was very pretty and went together quickly and I'm pleased with it (as was the recipient), but I never felt a strong connection to it as I made it. I think most of the investment (colour, scale selection, etc.) was done for me so while I sent it with a lot of love for the recipient, it's been a bit of a case of "out of sight, out of mind" which is not the case with most of the other quilts I've made.

Of course, none of these strategies/approaches/observations is 100% consistent, but these are the trends I've noticed in my quilting practice and they explain why I don't mind quilting on a budget.

Gemm: What an interesting post. My LQS here doesn't offer much of anything in the way of a bargain. They have one table where they have discounted fabric to $8.99 a yard, but you must buy the remaining amount on the bolt. I have yet to see a fabric I liked well enough to buy the yardage on it. They sell most fabric there for $13.50 a yard, and their fat quarters are $3.60 each.
But I continue to search for sales on line, and check out thrift stores when I go.

Question How does clothing cotton hold up in a quilt? Is it less durable?

Now this is a good question. I think the key to success here is the fact that when you are thrifting you are able to touch the fabric to get a sense of the quality. I have been disappointed in one or two checked/plaid shirts I bought in my early thrifting days that seemed okay but when I actually cut them they were pretty flimsy, so that was a lesson learned. On the other hand, I found a fantastic men's XL bright orange Hawaiian-style shirt with flamingoes on it (you can see them in some of my I Spy quilts) that put the weight and feel of some of my quilting cottons to shame.

I do think durability might also be tied to how worn the shirt is to begin with. I do check collars and underarm areas carefully for clues to this but I believe the most important thing is to really get a sense of the quality of the cotton by lots of handling before you buy. :-)

Edit: I should make it clear that none of the quilts I've used clothing in have "lived" longer than two years, so I really can't say they've been through the wringer much yet! Durability tests usually go over decades, right?

I sew clothes as well as quilt. I do more quilting and bags now than I do clothing, but some of my favorite garments are ones I've made. I also combine the two and make jackets that are pieced and quilted. So many possible variations!

I pretty much quit sewing clothes when the cost of patterns got so high. And how many clothes does a person need? The quality of homemade is so much better than store bought that they last forever. Quilting is also costly but it keeps me sewing and there is always someone willing to accept one. Whether family, friends or charity.

I have enjoyed the comments on this thread. Lots of good ideas here. Perhaps the focus should be more positive. I have more money for supplies now than I did when I had children at home but I have loved sewing for decades. I have quilting friends who spend more than me and others who spend less. The focus should be on enjoying the process. It is creative to make something. It is soothing to do the repetitive work. It is exciting to feel connected to a project you envision and create with your labor and deeply satisfying to put in that last stitch. I suggest everyone pull their focus in - thinking others have more $$ or supplies, what does that give you but discontentment?

I also am retired and make a few quilts a year, more smaller things. I am making my 2nd grandchild a T-shirt quilt for graduation. Last year I made my first grandson a T-shirt quilt. As it seems so many people are into the soft fleece blankets now. With that in mind, I got a piece of no plush fleece that went so well with the school colors. No batting just the top and fleece back. It is as heavy, but not heavier than a quilt with batting in it. Grandson just loves it as it is so soft and cuddly. Sometimes I feel that quilts can be stiff even after being washed. I think some are just quilted too much and that is what makes them stiff. If they are not cuddly, they won't be used as much. I want the quilts I make to be used. I also do my own quilting on my regular sewing machine so I can control the amount of quilting. Not everyone is comfortable with their own quilting on their regular machine but I am and so enjoy doing it. I learned by watching a few U-tube lessons and then practice. That is my biggest money saver with quilting. Love to shop thrift stores, etc. to find bargains. We all have our own ways. Enjoy the process and what works for you.

Yes, I do! I love sewing clothes for my grandchildren.

Wow there is a lot of ugly envy in your words. I'm so sorry for you. I'm thinking if your weekly salary is approximately $300 (the price of longarming a king size quilt in my area) you probably need a better job!

I stand on my own two strong feet, I do not have a daddy or hubby who "throw money my way", I earn my own money.

I agree! At one point I owned 7 machines and only bought one of them brand new. I have an awesome Brother 1500 I purchased gently used for $400. It retails for $700-$800, depending on where you get it. You don't need $6000 to buy a new machine! And 2 weeks ago, I bought another Brother 1500 to be used as a backup for my first one, and also for my mom and friends to sew on when they come visit me. I paid $150 for it on FB Marketplace. There are bargains galore if you are patient, know your price point, and are ready to jump when you find the right machine.

Agree 100%. Many here have already detailed how a person who is truly motivated can find deals.

I thought all the same things you said when I read that post. I certainly am not rich nor do I have ppl throwing money at me. What an over-generalization!

I have people throwing money at me--said no one ever!

My tip for saving myself money is to create a "shopping cart" with everything I'd like to own, and the whittle it down to an amount that I can afford.