You rock for accomplishing this hobby as a broke college student, I remember those days, and there was little money. I remember living off mac and cheese, so kudos to you.

I am totally FRUGAL.....about everything BUT, quilting and plants...I have a total of 8 machines, a huge stash, too many quilt books and templates and always on the lookout for anything more that I might like or use. I love collections of fabrics and collections of plants....have about 45 roses plus 50 more that I started last year for myself and my 2 kids that are ready for transplanting, over 150 colors of tall hybrid bearded iris, over 125 colors of daylilies, and approx. 30 or more hosta, 10 hardy hibiscus, 15 hydrangeas 20 perennial types of daisies and a gazillion other plants...too many to mention

I am definitely going to have my husband read this!! He will feel so much better about all the plants I've bought in the last couple of days!!

I've been a good girl lately as far as quilt shop purchases, but I'm feeling some withdrawal, so I think I better go there tomorrow... :)

I am very frugal....sew on a 50's machine purchased for $20.00 at auction in the early 80's. Did splash out $100.00 on a functioning treadle (needs restoration, but think of the electricity I'll save:)). Buy all my fabric on sale/thrift stores/ebay (other quilter's scraps/rejects). Buy all my quilting mags second hand and save coin for any books that are really worth buying (if I can buy used....all the better). I do own a rotary cutter, mat and rulers and do subscribe to the internet (but quit the satellite tv service to save money). I also just purchased tickets to the Craft and Quilt Fair which is on in town next week. I am taking my recently widowed Mother as a bit of a treat....so I do have my "unthrifty" moments. Guess it's become a lifestyle choice....and a bit of a game. Fortunately I have a husband who is much the same.....some people probably think it's a bit weird....but hey...we're happy.

Ah hmmm. Would a frugal quilter have a computer? Just sayin.

I guess I fall into that catageory in a few ways. I do a lot of chairty sewing. I make about 20 Linus quilts a month, sew Princess Pillowcase dresses and have volunteered to make hospital gowns for children in Haiti. I shop for fabric for those projects in particular everywhere and anywhere. I probably average less than $2 a yard for fabric for those projects by hitting sales, using coupons and thrift stores. The little dresses use bias tape for the shoulder straps. I purchase the quilt binding size tape and cut it lengthwise into four pieces. Each dress requires two pieces 32inches long. By cutting it that way I can get 4 times as many sets of straps out of one package of bias tape. Our local Walmart is expanding into a Super Walmart and they just added a fabric department. They have pretty floral fabric for just $2 a yard. It is poly but it is perfect for the little dresses as it is light weight and will look good without ironing. Between it and the tape trick the little dresses cost me less than $2 a piece to make. I do own four Bernina machines and a Brother embroidery machine but each is used almost daily and I have made literaly thousands of items over the years. I don't smoke, or have my nails done I color my own hair and mostly read books from the library or yardsale paperbacks. My biggest vice is going out to lunch with my friends. Most of my clothing came from Walmart, on sale when ever possible. Lets face it I'm cheap.

When I see the people with 3 and 4 machines, I think I am frugal--till I remember how much I paid for my Bernia 820 LOL--then not so much! We all try to save where we can I suspect, while still getting the stuff we think we need.

I think the most frugal quilter would be those that use selvages to piece with.

If it weren't for last year's purchase of a MC6600P it might be me. Prior to that my most expensive machine cost $100, two had belonged to my grandmother and one - the treadle - to my husband's grandmother and prior to that maybe to her mother too. My preference is for making very scrappy items out of off-cuts because, for some inexplicable reason, I find it nerve wracking to cut into proper yardage. On a quilt retreat I took projects but spent the entire time making little phone covers out of scraps someone else had threatened to throw away. I found the thought of 'good' fabric being trashed almost upsetting. I make aprons out of my husbands old shirts and am now a whizz at letting out fishing trousers using the inside of pockets or hems to accommodate an expanding waistline. I felt quite frugal until my husband bought me a Studio fabric cutter for an anniversary present; now I just feel blessed. So clearly I'm not going to come close in this contest but I'm very interested to see who does.

I only have one machine and I always shop my stash before going to the fabric shops. I bargain shop for needed supplies such as batting or cutting blades, never full price and always use JA's 50% coupons. I have begun to go to some local quilt shops for specialty fabric or special colors/prints but I shop the bargain bins. For instance, yesterday I needed fabric for a backing and binding or a mystery quilt I finished a year ago. (Quite gorgeous even if I do say so myself.) I found a wonderful choice in the bargain bin. It was priced at $6 per yard WooHoo! I was so pleased. But if it took all on the bolt 8 yards, I got it all for.....$3 per yard. This shop was participating in a three month shop hop, so I got another 20% off the total. Now that is bargain hunting! I have three extra yards of good quality fabric that I can then use when I stash shop another time.

Frugal, yes but I spend from time to time when needed. I do emphasize ..... needed not wanted. :)