I was very frugal the first time I made a quilt. I had only one machine (from the 70s), scissors, no rotary cutter, and used scraps from clothing to make the quilt. The backing was an old sheet, and brought to the front to make the binding. I used yarn ties instead of quilting.

I still use mostly older machines, but now I have rotary cutters, rulers, and a new-to-me quilting machine. I still like to make scrappy quilts.

I'm proably there just in the gadgets respect. I own 4 rulers, 1 rotary, 1 mat. I use old quilt magazines for patterns and a few new ones. I own 4 quilting books and 10 patterns. I currently have two brother sewing machines both under $200. 1 iron and board. Mostly due to the DH I try to make due with those things. Now fabric is different I love fabric, he indulges me on it because he knows I love it! He still complains but I don't spend on anything else!!! I just got done with "the warm quilt" which is done with cord, jean, flannel, fleece, homespuns because I have material left from making the kids clothes. I don't buy pillowcases either because you can make them!!

Certainly isn't me since I own 8 machines counting 2 sergers and my brand new Pfaff Creative emb machine. I also like all the gadgets I can afford and the latest fabric I see.

Definitely not me and I have a sewing room full of quilting "stuff' to prove it.

Quilting is my artistic indulgence. I enjoy the process and creativity, and only make things that appeal to me. In my mind, every penny I spend on quilting is recreational, so I tend to spend wisely. My weakness is rulers, of all things (not frugal). I'm always looking for something that is more accurate and that I can see better. All three of my machines, a vintage Bernina 830, a restored Singer 15-91, and a Brother serger were gifts. (frugal) I use them all for garment sewing, but only one of them for quilting-- my Bernie.

Most of my quilting fabrics come from Thousands of Bolts because of the low prices (frugal?) and the site organization by colors. I have a cutting plan for all fabrics so they don't hang around in stash forever. (frugal?). I don't upcycle clothing or clothing fabric scraps in my quilts because the fabric is rarely suitable. (not frugal) So far, I haven't been able to find a local source for quality used men's shirts for a few dollars. Most of them are more expensive per usable inch of fabric than yardage from Thousands of Bolts. However, since I love shirting plaids, I will buy them-- (not frugal).

If I was guided only by frugality, I would spend much less money on cheaply manufactured bedding and use the quilting time for canning home-grown vegetables or some such activity. All in all, my hobby is not very frugal.

:) Chuckle :) Chuckle :)

I don't think frugal AND quilter can be used in the same sentence (back in the day maybe, but not in todays world). The bulk of my stash was all purchased from estate sales, but at the same time, my toy room is filled w/toys.

I have only one machine on our RV, does that count? LOL Seriously, most of probably have enough stuff to outfit a new quilter with everything she would need. I'm bad, I see it, want it, I buy it.

I have been doing the same thing. Thread is not suppose to last forever. They say if you keep it in the freezer it lasts longer. Do I dare suggest we purchase anther freezer just for thread........ DH would really think I need to be committed.

I just used all my mauve and yellow on a scrappy quilt. Scrappy quilt, scrappy threads!
I do try to watch the amount of dollars spent on this. I have all the "good stuff" but when it come to specialty things (rulers for just cutting dog ears?????) i pass.

I have a fantastic stash. I purchase sale sale fabric. I am now in training. When there is a new project I HAVE TO USE SOMETHING FROM MY STASH to go with it.

Then I crazy quilt, old clothes go into the bin after I cut it up. <---- i am hoping this qualifies me.

The most frugal quilter I ever knew was my late mother. Cut her squares from a paper pattern by hand with scissors. My Dad bought her a Singer when he went to Korea in 1952 and she never had another machine. Stitched all her quilts together by hand. I look at them and see fabric from my old maternity tops (also made by her), curtains and daughter's childhood dresses. Though they would not be of much value to anyone else, they are priceless to me.

I have found over the years that someone who is too frugal is not someone I like to be around. They have a flat line effect on me. I'm not frugal in my quilting at all other then to buy on sale and save my fabric scraps. Now household budget? I buy the cheapest consumables I can find other then food.

Better yet, the truly frugal quilter probably wouldn't even own a computer. I save where I can lately. Buy a lot from Connecting Threads, wait for Joann's coupons to pick up reasonably priced batting and notions, hand quilt my own projects. Keep trying to depend solely on my stash but there's always one elusive chunk of fabric I seem to have to buy before I can bring the whole project together.

Thirty years ago maybe. When I first started quilting my first attempt queen size quilt, (using left-overs from scraps I had made from dresses and my husband's shirts). It's still a UFO. That was my 1st scrappy quilt. At that time there wasn't, any roto cutters or mats. I made my own templates out of cardboard etc. It took me a long time to make a quilt. But we all know times change and so did I. Now, I'm a modern day quilter, who just love to buy new gadgets and pretty fabric. Then make quilts I want to make.
No I'm not a fruger quilter anymore.

I'm definitely out LOL. I don't have time to be frugal <grin> but I do save and try to use all the scraps. When I get too many i donate them to a local quilting group. If I didn't have my tools I wouldn't be quilting.

Suzy

I thought I was a frugal quilter until I read some of the other post, and I guess I'm not. I do save lots of scraps that I cut up into squares and strips to make scrappy quilts. I do cut up my husbands shirt to use in quilts and I still cut off the buttons on clothes that we no long wear and I do NOT need another button. I inherited both my grandmother's and mother's button boxes.

I was, up until about 2 yrs ago!

I have to disagree with the "frugal wouldn't have a computer/internet" comments... my computer has paid for itself, probably more than once. It's a tool too.
Yes I waste more hours than I care to count playing games, and reading blogs and chatting, but I also find recipes, compare prices, learn how to ____ all from the comfort of my home, thanks to the computer. My husband found his job and works online from home.

If it weren't for computers, I wouldn't be quilting!

We are defining frugal: To me in this day and age, frugal would be a person who utilizes to the fullest every advantage of quilting possible. I am so frugal with my quilting time, I save all my little pieces taht are 3/4" or larger sorted in a special bin for a quilt of that size or a dq, I do not even throw away selvages, they are in a place of their own to be used for a project, which they have, my batting pieces are put as stuffing in projects such as pin cushions, stuffed toys, etc., my small strips that you have at the end of the fabric to square up are even used for stuffing or if large enough, cut into squares and filed accordingly. I use to the very end of a spool of thread, if given to me, used that also. i take the buttons of old clothing that is going in garbage and recycle those as well. lace is recycled, most anything that involves my quilting is recycled. yes, I use the modern tools we are allowed to make an end result worth while. Our new machines are a wonderful tool to utilize all there is to offer. I do won two seam rippers, two machines, one serger, one gammil longarm, one laptop that is old and one desktop that is old. I am so glad we have these awesome amenities for ourselves in this day and age. Grandma used to do the box templates and I still do because they work, but I use a rotary cutter around them instead.

The rotary cutter was the ONLY thing that got me interested in sewing. Hated sewing, but that new thing called a rotary cutter just cut like a dream - and didn't even hurt my left hand! Been quilting ever since my discovery.

I made not use just sewing shears anymore but, I quit working full-time and only substitute or tutor. However, I have been here in Indy not working for pay; just staying with dad to give my brother and wife a break. So all that said; I only buy what I need and only on sale. If it is not on sale; I wait. I have found great bargains here on QB sales while I have been here. My newist machines are still over 15 years old. Several have been found by my brother at yard sales as gifts to me. Friends and family send people to me when a "sewing" relative dies with "sewing stuff". However, I am very good to go through and pick out things that I know others will use and have shared with the high school art department on many occasions b/c their funds are constantly getting cut. When you have hobbies that cost money, you learn to be frugal when you choose not to work and I find it fun to say how much I saved or what little it cost me. Especially with recycling old clothes and buttons. I may not be the most frugal but I give it my best shot. Enjoy all coupons for sewing and crafting items, yard sales etc. Will be following this thread. Teresa

No I'm not frugal, I was when I was younger now I don't have to be and won't be. I buy whatever I want or need. Money saved will go my heirs and I bet they won;t save it either. This life is the only one we get, enjoy it or loose it.

Good point!! lol
I have too many machines if owning them keeps me off. I could say I'll only use one machine to sew it, but I like my rotary cutter and mat too much to give them up.

Well, I better learn some frugal. Just figured up how much batting I'm going to need for all of my quilt tops, YIKES!! Thats just the ones I got put together, not any of my bucket list.:eek:

Well, I am not surprised to find not too many froogies on the QB!! But in our defense I think a lot of us have a "magnetic" personality that attracts spare sewing machines. I know at one time I had about a dozen portables (I don't think I paid for more than a couple of them). People want to get rid of them and we have to give them a good home.

Frugal quilter? What is that? lol Not this chic by far!

Frugal doesn't necessarily mean cheap. It can mean buying quality products so you have no waste and quality tools so they last a long time Spending good money one time is frugal rather than spending good money after bad.

I love all the people that can turn some leftover fabric into amazing quilts. I am striving for this. I hope for at least one year I can buy only batting and thread! I am doing this month by month with the help of the QB! Hurray
peace

Seems quite a lot of y'all belong to the Sewing Machine Rescue Society! :)

I can't claim to be extremely frugal, but I do wait for sales, hit the garage sales and other secondhand places to accumulate fabric and sewing "stuff". I love a bargain. I compare my bargain hunting to a man's game hunting. Both of us must have the tools to do the job, then we have to go (several times & places) where the game are (woods, fabric stores) to determine what is there, plan for the kill or project. Must be patient, know what to look for, then know what to do with it when you get it. It's a sport and for me, it is more fun when I bag the bargain.

This has been a fun and interesing thread. Thanks for getting it started.

Not me either. Although 2 years ago I took 10 classes through my guild and got all the fabric from my stash. But I have three sewing machines aniron for my sewing room and one to travel with(the infamous Rwenta travel iron), severalrotary cutters, umteen rulersand cuuting mats. And I keep buying more quilting books, must be the retired libraian in me.

Men's shirts are 50 cents at the church rummage sale. I think I'll have a go at them after people who want them for shirts have their chance to purchase them. My attempt to be frugal for the month.

I don't think I qualify! lol

Norma

I have to admit that in the early days of my marriage & having 2 babies, I'd save every pc. of basting thread so I could reuse it. I was self taught & it just made sense not to just throw it away.

Just today, as I made runners, I used the whole bobbin worth of thread til it ran out before reloading.

Well, aside from too many machines and tools I would have to win hands down. By the time I can get to my sewing I am just too tired so I use nothing at all ever! /;>(
dawn227

Me too!!! I spend W A Y too much on fabric!!!!!

Frugel not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I baste with hand quilting thread so as I take it out I use it for hand quilting. DH will save the thread from taking out a seam, if you do it all from one side you wind up with a long piece on the other. He squeezes a nickel so hard he makes the buffalo burp.

I am a frugal quilter.
I have one machine. A white rotary from the 50's bought on craigslist for $50 with all attachments and in the cabinet with the stool.
I buy clothes from a thrift store or yard sale but only if they are 50 cents or less.
I only buy fabric that is on clearance for less than $2 a yard.
I baste with thread not spray.
I buy poly batting from walmart.
I hand quilt and my thimbles cost me only $1 each several years ago.
I make my own templates for piecing and quilting.
I buy scissors for $1 cause it costs more to sharpen old ones than to buy another pair for $1.
I buy needles at walmart. round cases with about 20 needles for $3 or less.
I use razor blades to rip.
I use sheets for backing usually. I did find 108" backing fabric at walmart for $6.97 yd. a few months ago.
I did buy a rotary cutter and 3 clear rulers (12" sq., 6" sq. and 6"x24") and a cutting mat recently. I love the rulers. Barely use the cutter and mat.

I consider myself pretty frugal. But it is by necessity. I love this cause it gives me more ideas on how to save money and how to do things easier and quicker.

Not me, machine in basement, machine upstairs (for smaller projects) and a machine in Texas (when I visit the kids/grandkids). Fabric is hauled between states with stops to various quilt stores.

My Mother-in-Law would have qualified, although we did get her fabric at garage sales. I introduced her to rotary cutting, but she wouldn't use one--templates and sissors only for her! One of her favorite patterns was 'Apple Core.' Sadly she died two years ago (still quilting ) on her 96th birthdday. Miss her everyday.

So far I vote for Ashley in TN as being closest to the goal here. I am very frugal about many things, and since I retired a year ago am really watching my pennies. But I do not qualify for the "extreme frugal" prize stated above. This is a fun thread, though. Thanks for asking the question!