Saving money becoming expensive ...
#21
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,614
Since I sew very scrappy, even the 'uglies' get used in my quilts --- as Bonnie Hunter says..."if its still ugly you didn't cut it small enough!". I don't get rid of anything that can be used in quilts. My problem is yard sales & thrift stores -- I have to force myself to leave, and take only a pre determined amount of money to spend, or it gets absolutely ridiculous! I can spend $100 easily, buying small cuts, XXL men's shirts (GREAT sources of plaids, stripes, etc), oversized women's clothes, etc, that have very good, sturdy fabric that are great for quilts. Mind you, that's on top of 40 years of buying lengths of fabrics, and scraps from many, many quilts...
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7,312
I, too, have done this. I hit 2 LQS going-out-of-business sales back in the early 90's and my husband encouraged me to buy, buy, buy - said the cost of fabric would only go up and this way I would have a bunch to work with - boy, I miss that man! But every time I use a piece of that fabric, I hug it and think of him!
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
I can truly relate to what you are saying. If I see a sale that is too good to pass up, and I can afford to do so, I buy it, especially if it is a fabric that I use a lot, like white and beige background fabrics, usually tone on tone, and adorable baby quilt fabric, seasonal fabrics, and specialty items/fabrics for making bags/totes, etc. Then when the mood to sew/quilt attacks, I don't have to run to the fabric store to buy it, where I would most likely spend even more money. LOL. I tend to work in "cycles", making baby quilts, gift items for craft fairs, totes, purses, as I feel I'm more efficient when I can sort of work assembly like on the projects.
#26
My best remedy for not buying fabric and batting is to tell myself; "we have extra bills this month. There will be another sale come along before very long." I just have talk myself out of some of these 'things.'
Maruah
Maruah
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Gaylord, MN
Posts: 4,013
With the price of cotton going up up up - I've made a commitment for this year to make only quilts that I can pull fabric from my stash - except for backing pieces - but I've been known to piece fabric for the backing also. I've thus made it to March - hope I can survive the year; and if I do make the year that I can see a difference in my stacks of fabric. Wish me luck!
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,198
I know what you mean. I found a HUGE sale on batting and I literally filled my trunk with the stuff. I have enough batting now for at least 20 twin sized quilts. I'd better make that many. I will likely never need batting again. But the price seems to only go up, so this is a good thing.
#30
Think of it as a hedge against future price increases. And who doesn't need to build some stash for that snowed-in day where you can't get to the store to get that one thing that will complete a project. I think I have more than I will ever complete but I can't keep away from those perfect-for-me prints when I see them on sale. So what if I have a lot of fabric? Coin collectors don't spend their coins! So, maybe I am partially just a fabric collector! Cheaper than therapy, I'm sure, LOL!!
ETA - hideous fabrics make great bindings, ask me how I know!!
ETA - hideous fabrics make great bindings, ask me how I know!!
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01-23-2011 01:39 PM