ptquilts and her DH get my vote! (... and now I have to find a nickel so I can see how hard I have to squeeze it, to watch that buffalo burp!!!!)

4 machines, 8 pairs of scissors (I think), EQ software... I don't think I qualify.

Anita in Northfield, MN

OI buy only fabric yearneeded for a specific quilt, my oldest sewingmachin is 60+years old(Singer FW) that works, a 46+ Pfaff that needs a new cord and adjustments, My favorite a Bernina that is 20+ years old, not a quilting one, and a fairly new Brothers that I bout at WM to take to classes. Will be taking my FW now that I have it.I am far from being furgal, love new accessories that come. Rulers, the Accuquilt GO.

I love this thread!! And "Frugal" is not MY middle name. I used ruler, pencil, and scissors for my very first quilt (for the blocks only). Then I bought a mat, rotary cutter, and 5" x 24 " ruler for the sashings and borders. Seems that everytime I make a new quilt top, I buy more gadgets. I'm in a guild that does BOMs. Sometimes we use templates. Yikes! My blocks never come out right. So lately I've been trying to apply strip quilting as much as I can instead of using the templates. Notice I said "quilt top"? That's about as far as I get, and then I'm on to a new top. Only finish the ones I NEED to finish.....as this graduation quilt that is already late. He'll get it in time for his college graduation, hopefully. His school colors and college colors are the same so this is making it very interesting. I've kind changed the theme midstream so they would tie in. Having fun doing it.

Although I am frugal and try to keep that way, I couldn't quilt without my rotary cutter and rulers. I use a newer machine, but I didn't buy it, it was a gift from DH, so does that count against me? LOL.
I am a whirl at upcycling for fabrics and have yet to buy a pattern commercially. I did get a couple at the thrift store tho. I love designing my own patterns!!!
So I guess, even tho I am close, I do not grab the gold ring on this one. Hugs and smiles!

I just got back from the States and I probably spent more time (and money) at Joann's than with my friends...

I say 'Amen' to that. I am getting very little done since I found this board!

I think Willis.Debra is going to get my vote....

Jim and I must be long-lost siblings. I NEVER pay full price for groceries. I coupon to the extreme - I'll walk away with $750 of food in my cart that I paid maybe $100 for. But I can't stop buying quilty things and plants. Maybe there needs to be a 12 step program for people like me and Jim!!! LOL

NOPE I DON'T QUALIFY ,I CAN'T GET RIDE OF A MACHINE ONCE IT IS in MY OWNERSHIP. SO that means I have too many. but oldies are goodies with memories. Sorry they stay. As or fabric I have a small stash and have used clothes to take apart for the fabric.
Love to make scrappies.

YES! Free patterns, no driving to meetings to talk to other quilters, money-saving tips are all online.

I do love this board--I've been absent for a few days, catching up on my ironing and finding a new Walmart for shopping (in Glasgow, KY).....sitting down here for the past hour or so has me all fired up to get going on a quilt that I have been neglecting for the past couple of weeks. And no, I would not even come near qualifying for this frugal thing--too many machines, too many tools, and too little time.....


Love to you all, Jo Ann

count me out, although I have only 5 sewing machines (2 non working) and vast quantity of fabric and scraps

With that many plants, how do you have time to quilt?

Whew... I was afraid I was alone in my "weakness"... LOL!

I nominate my quilting buddy, Pam Olds. She does all those things and doesn't waste anything. She packs up the ravelings in the waste basket, (all that's left) and gives them to a lady that stuffs toys with them. She uses everything and wastes nothing. We all give her donated fabric, and she distributes it also. Pam hates to waste anything and we should all be more like her. My hat is off to Pay. Recycle, recycle, recycle.

I try to be as frugal as I can, I have to little ones at home (toddlers) so although sewing is a hobby, I have to make it fit within our budget. I don't buy any fabric at full price, buy a lot from Goodwill and yardsales and grab some off freecycle too. I'm looking forward to the day when I can start buying gadgets :) I do have a sewing machine, its a cheap one but it works for me. I make some of my kiddies clothes for special occasions so that saves me money to put into my hobby. When I go back to work when the kiddies are in Elementary school I will have a little bit more income to play with ;) .. and I shall PLAY! lol

I do upcycle fabric but have 2 machines i use almost daily plus my surger gets used as needed.

well it could be me lol I have one sewing machine and it was bought for me on ebay lol..... My material usually comes from the mission where I get clothes to cut them up and denim to make purses and such. I do have some material but it was either given to me because someone was cleaning out there stash or purchased for me. I'm still trying to get my ssi or my military compensation and I use scissors to cut everything with... .. This sounds bad lol..

I use sheets for my backing that I get for free and I use old blankets and take them apart so I can use the batting in there for other projects...... I hope in the future I wont have to be so frugal on it

Regina

When I first started quilting I bought all my fabric at the Goodwill, but then I discovered quilt shop quality, and I've never looked back! I have one or two of everything as I like to try out new toys.

I would lose.

I am truly not a frugal quilter but I have a friend that is definately a frugal quilter she cuts her pieces with scissors she draws the pattern shape with a pen or pencil on the fabric. the fabric is from dresses and shirts she purchases at the Salvation Army . She does own a sewing machine but she sews her quilts together by hand. She qulits them by hand and boy does she do beautiful work.

I've a;ways thought of myself as a frugal quliter, but I definitely do not meed y our definition. I have 2 sewing machines, both Singers that I've had for years. I use one until it needs cleaning or some other minor repair. Then, I exchange it for the one stored in the bottom of our bedroom closet, and I call the sewing machine repair lady and ask her to drop by when she has time. For fabric, I do cut up gently used clothing purchased at garage sales or rummage sales. I also check thrift stores for fabric sales. Walmart has brought back their fabric department. I recently bought some pretty nice fabric there for 50 cents per yard. I wasn't crazy about the color or pattern, but it'll be perfect for the back of a small quilt. Once people know that I make quilts, people give me boxes of fabric, some scraps and some long lengths. I take any and everything offered. If I can't use something, I pass it on, usually to our local charity thrift store. Due to my trembling hands, scissors are seldom used except to cut thread. I couldn't do without my self healing mat, rotary cutter, and my assortment of rulers.

Don't confuse "frugal" with "luddite". Computers can be a handy weapon in the "Frugalist arsenal". I bundle my telephone/internet services to get the best deal I can. Use my computer to shop online (which here in Australia is often the best way to source interesting/special fabrics and supplies), it is also a research tool and a money saving device....saves me heaps on petrol and wear and tear on my vehicle. I only visit a few forums of interest and game playing is not my thing...and of course theres the QB...my sanity saver (see no therapy bills:))...and a source of beautiful things to look at, a few laughs and heaps of tips and hints. Oh, and we have solar panels to help keep the electricity costs down.....

Ahhh but you can get lots of frugal DIY tips on the internet !

Technically I'm sure I'd lose, but:

I have 9? 10? machines total, most of which I inherited from my dear grandmother. On the ones I bought myself, I researched them like crazy before plunking down the money. I don't generally part with a dime until I know I'm getting my money's worth.

I do buy decent-quality quilting fabrics, but I shop sales and/or use coupons every single time. I'll pay $8 or (ideally) less for good-quality fabric, but no more if I can possibly help it. The way I figure it, I want my quilts to last for years, and if I'm going to take the time to make one, I want to do it to the best of my ability with the best supplies I can get. That said, I'm not at all a fabric snob. If I happen across some decent-quality fabric that's cheap or free, I grab it up! My great-grandmother made quilts with whatever scraps she could find, including clothing, and those quilts are soooo pretty. :)

I also don't buy books or patterns if I can help it. There are too many free patterns out there. :thumbup: When I do buy books, I buy them used. As long as the books are readable, I don't care if someone else read them first. (Exception: Books that come with printable patterns on a CD. I'd rather get those new instead of risking the CD being scratched up or otherwise unusable.)

I'm super-frugal in other ways around the house, so it kind of makes up for the cost of my hobbies. No cable TV, no satellite, basic internet, no credit cards, no vehicle payment, use coupons when grocery shopping, no home phone (cell phones only), etc. I even recycle toilet paper.

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Just kidding on that last one! :D Had you going, didn't I? LOL! :p

our thrift store here had ladies shirts for 3/$1.25 yesterday. I picked out the interesting patterned 100% cotton ones to be cut into strips for scrappy quilts. obviously they need to thin out their supplies so I helped by buying 6 of them! :)

I was so excited!!! I decided to take a detour and hit a thrift store on my way to pick up my son yesterday. I normally don't do this, so I think it was "meant to be". They had a tub of "serger thread" for $.75/cone. I picked up the tub and looked at the label in the cone and it's 3-strand cotton! They aren't 100% full, but there's tons of thread still on them! They are much bigger than cones of serging thread I have. I bought 25 of them and let my mom pick out 4-5 that she wanted. They fit into 2 shopping bags and my total was $20.48!!

I have only one machine and do most of my cutting with scissors. I recylce clothes and linens and I make my own patterns. I did a partial quilt once that I did purchase but ended it with my own ideas. I do have patterns that I got free on the net but have not tried any of them. I do have a rotary cutter and a mat but it is easier for me to do it the old fashioned way. I look at all the beautiful quilts here and know that I do not have enough patience to do them.
I am not bragging because if I could do it I would have it all. lol

I have to agree with MaryStoaks about being frugal for so many years. When my 3 kids were all little..I clipped coupons, watched for all the sales, used lay away when I wanted something.I have all the quilting tools that I need or really want, several vintage machines...my old Kenmore being my old reliable...I am trying to find a newer machine. Over the years I have done alterations (still do) and making little girls dresses to make some $ for myself. Being a stay at home Mom did make for a tighter budget and I always put my needs last...NOT ANYMORE...I got my diamond and I'm searching for my dream car (Benz SLK) and a long arm quilting machine. I do have quite a bit of fabric, but not as much time to use it up.Does that qualify for at least part time frugal ??

Hi everyone.

Greetings from the UK.

I am the Frugal Queen you've all been talking about and I would like to thank all of you who clicked on my link and visited my blog. I have only been quilting for about a year and I'm already on my 5th quilt. I am addicted. I now make them to give away as gifts and love to use recycled men's shirts to make them. I have recently bought a new sewing machine as, up until recently, I only had the most basic £50 sewing machine. I am learning free motion quilting and I've started attending workshops to learn to make new blocks, I'm even holding workshops of my own to pass on everything I've learnt so far. I'm frugal in all aspects of life because I've learnt to be happier with less and content with life.

I love the message boards, the discussions and to be in the midst of all you wonderful quilters.

Drop by and see me at http://frugalincornwall.blogspot.co....enerosity.html and have a look round whilst you're there. I'm also up for blogger of the year and would appreciate any votes xxx Love Froogs

I have one machine 10 years old, sometimes uses scissors to cut out, make a lot of own patterns, (or redo old ones) use old clothes to make new clothes for me and reuse anything that I can to make things with. I prefer to use my stash to make things with and seem to have scraps multiply on me. HAve not bought fabric just to buy because I like it, so must have a cuarrent project to work on in orfer to buy.

I am not the most frugal, but I did make a very warm quilt for about $15. I used my sons old flannel shirts that were given to us, I used batting from previous projects and I used thread from previous projects. I also used the buttons from the shirts for other things. It was a rag quilt with back and front from the flannel and a layer of batting. Very warm and comfy. :)

When I started coming to this website someone had posted that they cut their fabric with a paring knife; couldn't have been serious, right?

Talking about frugal, any fans of Joann's Red Tag sale?

I might be a member of the family too, as I dearly love my plants and quilty stuff!! Roses, iris, daylilys, hosta, and huchera....... ah what is it about these wonderful plants that pulls us to them? I must be the baby sister tho, I can't begin to compete in sheer numbers of each variety!!

Frugal means "never buying anything that isn't on sale or you don't have a coupon for".

With that said, I mostly sew on a singer 401a that was given to me. My cutting table is an old table that my son brought home because his friend's dad was going to throw it out. I do have two rotary cutters, one big, one little and 2 rulers, big and little, one cutting mat, one set of 3 pair of sizzers (cost me $4 at Walmart) and one iron and iron board. If you look at most of my recent quilts, you will find bits of fabric from my past quilts.

Now, for the bad part. I have been bitten by the vintage/antique sewing machine bug. I have a White treadle that I've been experimenting with and love it. I have a 99k crank just in case the zombies hit and I have to run. I can take the 99k with me and keep sewing. I have a 99k in a cabinet, just because she was cute. I have a 15-90 clone, cause she's blue. A white machine in a martha washington cabinet that needs restored. A $10 dressmaker that was suppose to be broken. I bought it for the cabinet and the machine now works and last but not least a little black Featherweight cause she was born the same year as me.

I started out that way. I raided the linen closet for sheets to ue as material., and made my first two quilts by hand.
Two years later my daughter found an old singer at a thrift store and paid a whole six dollars for it.I now have three sewing machine and lots of rullers.
I don't think in the long term quilting can be called a frugal undertaking. Most quilters are always upgrading in equipment and fabric.

I heard a story of a lady going in and wanted 4" of fabric cut LOL

I forgot to add when talking about frugal, you must include time spent on a project. The most expensive quilts for sale are the ones where a person spent two to five days taking apart clothes, cuting the pieces and sewing them together to make larger pieces. Unless you have the patience, it is cheaper to by material at shops, and cheaper in time when it comes to pieceing the quilt.