What was your biggest waste of money?
 

I am about to go to PIQF (Pacific International Quilt Fest) in a few days. Not only does it have spectacular quilts, but the largest collection of vendors under one roof. I have read about all of the best purchases and tools quilters have obtained, but what was the one purchase you would NEVER make again?

I have an Accuquilt Go Baby that I have tried to use twice and I just don't like it. I definitely would not buy this too again.

My husband insisted on buying the AccuGo. Used it to make one quilt and probably won't use it again unless it's for cutting strips. I really like it for that one thing.

hmmmm....
I have learned to REALLY consider a specialized ruler of any kind before buying. I have so many that I haven't even used. So now when I am at shows, I ask for the business card, write the booth number and name/description of what I think I want. After the shopping part of the show, if I really want it, I go back. If I am not sure, then I don't buy it. I do, however, still have their info in case I change my mind after I get home.

I bought the super slider FM thing, it just didn't work for me. I wasted my money there.

teflon pressing sheet,and the pounce thing for marking quilts. never used the [pounce and the teflon sheet was so stiff and then wrinkled and is useless.

All kinds of specialized rulers were a waste for me. Go with the best set of basic standard rulers including the huge square. I use about 5 all the time.

I cannot use the Angle sheet that was supposed to help sew diagonals. I found that marking was easier for me.

Fancy circle sewing foot. It needed an attachment for my machine so was twice as expensive. I might have used it once.

I agree with knismith. I have too many specialized rulers that looked really good in the demo, but I never used. My other waste is marking pencils. I am still looking for the perfect pencil and it's not in my collection.

I think the Pounce was my big waste. I do have rulers, but, use all of them one time or place or another except for the triangle ones. Not yet!!

Wow. I have several things (circle sewing foot, specialized rulers) that I've not really made good use of. I keep telling myself though that I was a smart consumer, as I bought these at "past" prices, and when I someday actually do use them they will cost more than when I bought them. Rationalization is one of my strong points :).

Again rulers - especially the "rolling rulers". I suppose If I were to draw again they'd be useful - but not for fabric.

Binding clips. I went back to using two long straight pins and much prefer it. Yes - they get bent, but that is why I just bought a new box of straight pins.

Thimbles. I've tried about 5 different thimbles now and hate all of them. Have come to the conclusion that I hate thimbles and will just develop a callous on my middle finger and grow my own thimble.

Some of the BEST purchases I made: the super size Beba cutting mat (the clear kind, not the self healing), the "Spiral Eye" needles, and I usually pick up batting at the shows because it's so cheap.

I echo some of the above: specialized rulers, marking pens, etc. But I think I've wasted a lot of money on books -- and some of them were a pretty price. I love to look at them and read some of the basic information, but I've hardly ever used an actual pattern in any one of them.

I actually like my Teflon pressing sheet. Paid about $15 for it at a local quilt store. I use it when ever I use fusible for applique.

My DH bought me a rotary cutter that cuts circles. It's really cool and caught his attention at a quilt show and he just had to buy it for me. That was several years ago and I still have not found a project for this. I might next time I make a Dresden Plate and use it for that circle in the center - the problem is I like using fusible for that and I draw a circle on the fusible then sew it to the fabric. Oh well.

I don like that plastic stuff you put on rulers to keep them from sliding. I did borrow a ruler one time at a class and it was a non slip ruler - really liked it so if you want to buy rulers and you have a choice between slippery and nonslippery then choose the nonslip even if it's a few dollars more.

Make sure you take your camera - I forgot mine the last time. A quilt show has a lot of inspiring quilts and it's neat to take a picture of a quilt that has something you want to try.

Most important - have fun. Wear comfortable shoes and carry a big tote bag with you.

The AccuGo I really don't care for it.

Rotary blade sharpeners. I've bought two of them the last one being the Orbitol Sharpener at $37.99 and they just don't work that well. They sharpen the blade somewhat but it is just not the same as a new one. Now I look for blades on sale and stock up.

I think the accuquilt go was the most expensive item that I rarely use.

the Alto's Cut 2, was a waste of my money.

Various thimbles, and rulers that are for one purpose. I have one that is supposed to be for binding and I still cant figure out how to use it.

The tool to put binding on, by martelli, I think. Can't figure out how they did it do easy!

Invisigrip, Angler 2, Clover Mini Iron (prefer the Clover Mini Iron II), Martelli Kwik Bind System. I wanted them thinking oh that would be great but they now all sit there never to be used again.
I don't purchase anything anymore unless I really need it more often than not, and it has to work easily for me. I find that I can create other ways myself to do things if I can't find out how online from this board or other tutorials.

My "bad" purchase was Creative Feet. They seemed to work well when demonstrated but it takes practice so I gave up. the other item I got was a special cutting system, found it was more trouble then just using my ruler the old way.

UGH - quilt kits - the last one I bought did not give directions for rotary cutting and all the increments were 5/8s, 7/8s - for like 500 triangles!!!! It was ridiculous so if I like a pattern I now reverse engineer it and give credit to the designer after I finish the piece.

The supreme slider, just doesn't work for me. A waste of money.

My most expensive mistake was buying a long arm table with a 9 in throat machine. Worthless. I cant afford a long arm machine so that big monster sits taking up my sewing room.
I also have several specialty rulers I will never use like the x box.

Magazines and books. I love to look at them, ponder, drink coffee and dream. Besides the Dear Jane book (at 42 blocks in threes now) and a halloween pattern (Any witch way) I have yet to make anything else. I have recently given my mother in law about 50 magazines that I have collected over the past 6 years. There are a few magazines (like the 100 block volumes) that I can't get rid of even though I haven't made a block out of the 5 volumes out there.

I know what you mean. I have a Juki with the Grace Pinnacle frame (100inches long) and it works great for quilts smaller than 80 inches ish. Anything larger and I can't change the bobbin or quilt the end of the quilt since the roll is so thick under the throat.

A large Steady Betty!!!! This is a board with a foam wrap and then a cover that is "sticky" to fabric--like an enhanced flannel. It certain holds items in place. The HUGE problem is the surface is so soft from the foam that the seam that you press doesn't lay down after pressing. I was pressing some HST and the top flap of the HST floated up in the air at least a few inches. Nothing presses flat at all.

I have been pressing on a board wrapped with a folded flat sheet (so about 8 layers of a high quality cotton bed sheet) and this gives me a very nice pressed seam. I bought the Steady Betty online from JoAnns and I think the return shipping is going to be so much I might not even return it.

I regret the pounce pad and stencils. Great to see it demoed on dark blue fabric, but how many quilts are made with dark, dark fabric. Big waste -can't see the pattern. I only subscribe to one magazine The American Quilter Society, just look on line for ideas. I would rather buy fabric than gadgets. My books purchase that I have used for several quilts are Material Obsession and Material Obsession 2. The authors rate the difficulty and I have thoroughly enjoyed using them for quilts for several years. Going to the PIQF on Friday for inspiration and will take lots of pictures with my iPhone as just as this board isprires me, this is a place that has the WOW and AWE factor.

I think the most important things to ask yourself is: do I have a need for this, will I really use, will it make my life easier?
If it is something that you have been looking for (remember this is a chance to see 100 or so quilt shops all at once) defintely go for it. As for those really cool things that they make look so easy, ask if you can try it! For instance before I would fork over the money for an altos cutting system I want to use it and for more than a cut or two. If you have a hard time let's say cutting half square triangles and they have something that makes it look easier than slicing bread - again try it, do keep in mind that it may take some practice before you get good at using any tool but you can't get a feel for I think I can do this or I don't think I will ever feel comfortable doing this.

I agree on the speciality rulers - unless it is something that you have been dying to do or that you know you will use a lot, take the vendor name/number/name of the ruler. The last thing that I have regetted buying was a set of specialty rulers ($150) that at the time just looked so cool and I am sure that they will work great if I ever use them, they are a little out of my comfort zone so I haven't gotten there yet. I could have saved my money and kept a note and then bought them when and if I ever get around to it.

The Quilt Cut 2 was the biggest waste of money for me. I ended up putting it under my cutting table until I sold it on ebay. It was just useless for me. And I had been wanting one for a whole year. And the Martelli Quick Binding System.

Oooops, posted to wrong thread :o

The FabuMotion Fabric Mover for FMQ on my Viking Sapphire. When demo'd it made FMQ look so easy-just gliding along. Well, in three yrs I've used it a total of 3 hours (and it takes me 1/2 hr to set up). The quilting space is so small--about 8 or 9" so you're constantly moving and repositioning the quilt. It's in the box under the bed so I stub my toe on it every night going to bed--a constant reminder to "think and try out" gadgets at shows or shops more than once before buying.
And of course, there was the special show pricing and the opened box special pricing so it was $200 less if I got it right now and not later.

Great thread.

It is interesting that several people are unhappy with the same products. I have revised my personal wishlist for next years sewing show.

Thimbles were mentioned by several people. The best thimble I ever had (yes had, I lost it), was a handmade finger sock with a leather pad. It was great. It did was not too tight, breathed (no sweaty fingertip) and worked really well for me.

I guess there needs to be another thread (maybe there is already) of the best thing you bought at a show.

I treat sewing/quilting books/magazines the same way I do cooking/recipe ones. If I get one great tip or project (or recipe) out of a magazine or book I am happy.

I'm hoping no one posts about the Electric Quilt program. I just purchased the EQ7 yesterday and can't wait to get it. I have heard a lot of caution about how it is hard to navigate and use all it's tools so I am concerned because I do not have any experience using these type of programs on the computer.

However, if I can get comfortable with it, I think it will be a huge benefit for me. I have 2 huge book cases full of fabric and don't know how to use this fabric so I'm hoping it will help me find or create quilts that will work for the type and quantity of fabric I have.

This is fun to read. I love the invisagrip and the blue rotary blade sharpener. Not the same as new, but it stalls buying one for a few more times.
My biggest regret is the cutting mat that turns. I have kept trying to use it too. Then there are many specialty rulers and books.

piney

Thanks! Your comments and insights are greatly appreciated!

It IS funny how one person loves an item, but another doesn't... I love using Invisigrip on my rulers! It's the first thing I do... I also agree with so many of you... be careful buying specialty rulers!! Have you all tried looking at the Thimblelady thimbles? I'm not associated with her... just took a class, and LOVE the plastic thimble I bought. I'll be buying another one, just so I will always have one (I use it for hand quilting...) you can google her for more info...

I bought a Clover desktop needle threader - I can't get it to work - finally read the tiniest print ever and it only works with specific needles that are made by clover. So it really was a waste of $ 15.

The Flynn Quilting Frame. I even convinced my friend at the time to buy one also. I could have quilted the small quilt myself in the time that it took me to set up. I used mine once. She has never used hers.

Forgot all about the Flynn frame.
Gave mine away.
If we keep passing them around people will find out how bad something is without making an expensive mistake.