Great job!

Scissors Queen: I stand in awe! A full year, I can only aspire to such heights. Does it count at all that I am keeping a tally of my expenditures and have cut it in half over my spending prior to joining this thread? Keep us posted on your trip to your favorite store.

I went shopping yesterday for backings for 4 quilts, plus one border and binding. I bought 3 and will wait to get the 4th backing for free with 'points', which won't be available till the Labor Day sale is over. Thinking of my spending yesterday (over $100), plus the original cost of the quilt tops, then still pay for LAQ'ing, there's no way a quilt can run less than $150 in materials and LAQ. These quilt backs were crib to lap quilt sizes only. Double, triple, or quadruple the cost for a double/queen/king size quilt!
Problem: I'm finding buying for quilt tops as FUN, buying quilt backings is like paying a bill (not fun but clears a 'debt').
The amount spent for the backings & LAQ'ing remains near 2/3 of the cost of a quilt. Cutting 1/3 of annual spending is the best outcome possible.
Option: LAQ on my machine (time consuming) or hand quilt (my hands won't tolerate) for the other 1/3 of my quilt budget savings.
Solution: Just make quilt tops! And/or, fully complete one quilt at a time to be less painful budget-wise.
Does anyone else relate?
Yet, I STILL have enough of a stash for another 20 quilt tops....

Laynak: I especially agree with you about the "buying quilt backings is like paying a bill", it feels like necessary money but it sure isn't any fun. I came up with a partial solution, I piece the back too, this is especially easy since my stash is a bit oversized. My son and DDIL say they especially enjoy being able to flip the quilt and have a different look. Usually the back is in the same color way as the front so both will go with the same color scheme. As to your comment about 20 quilts tops, I shudder to think how many are lurking in my stash since I have a walk in closet lined with fabric laden shelves and four six foot high book shelves, also full of fabric. Ours sure isn't a cheap pastime even doing my own quilting. I figure about 18 yards for front and back, plus the batting. Even if everything is purchased on sale $150 dollars is doing really good.

I ended August with every piece of fabric large enough to be on a comic book board on one--because quite a few were freed up during the month. That was my original goal for this year--to not buy more boards and to get the entire stash on what I already have. So we need a new goal. Maybe to totally free up ten boards by the end of the year. And, no, if you insist on asking: there has been no redefinition of what size is moved to the scrap bins.

My DH and I spent last week at our other home. I took scraps that needed to be tamed and now I have a few new "kits" that will be waiting their turn to become quilts. I did things a little different this time, I cut up the scraps with more of a purpose in mind of what quilt I wanted them to become. I have two new leader and ender projects. I did all of the cutting of the blocks to be and have 1 1/2 inch squares to be used as the leaders and enders. I think this will help me to get it done because I now know what I want to get done! I also had enough scraps to cut strips for a log cabin quilt. So my scraps are tamed and it didn't put much of a dent in the stash, but it looks better.

Oh, I forgot one thing. I haven't bought any fabric in September! yet. The only fabric bought in August is what my neighbor got for me at a garage sale and that was only $10. So I think I did ok in August.

Rhonda Lee, I've been cutting in my scraps, too. Like you thinking of quilts before I randomly cut. Bought BHunters Leaders and Enders and have been cutting with some of those quilts in mind.

Must be the season! I am also cutting scraps. ' The Big Book of Nickel Quilts' also has suggestions for the cutting size for scraps. Mostly cutting squares of 5" and rectangles 2.5" X 5". Then of course there are the strings

I have been so very bad, purchased 6 yds for backing on flag quilt. Some halloween fabric for table runners, 2 completed, one delivered 4 yet to be finished. Also purchased some halloween themed buttons I am wicked. I have been hiding here in the corner quiet for a week, my excuse is that DH won't help me find the tub containing my fall fabrics. He I say again He stacked them higher than my head in the basement, and when I purchased them I got dark green and blue storage tubs. I have labeled them: lights, darks, silks, heirloom, Christmas, Asian and summer & winter oh those are clothing.......so bla bla bla but so goes my story.

Calla: A quilter without her autumn palette as September looms is truly in a sad state. You were compelled to go out and buy new fabric so you could wallow in those earth tones. You've earned only a .5 point demerit, come on back up on the wagon. Fabric bins higher than your head, sound luscious.

There are so many pretty fall fabrics. I love stone hedge and the hues are gorgeous. I cannot fault anyone on buying that stuff called fabric we all crave. But I certainly have calmed down on my own purchases. I am really trying to use my stash and am actually cutting into some I could not cut a year or so ago. I know I bought it to use instead of just pet! We certainly are a bunch of quilters, who else would understand these things that we talk about.
Hang in there everyone, we really do need each other.

I just finished a substantial round on the latest round robin and while the colors were not 100% perfect, I decided to go with a lesser degree and pull ALL from stash. The next one will also come entirely from stash. Such a rewarding feeling.

Yes and sometimes that first cut is the hardest! I pulled from my stash for the Warm Wishes quilt and wow now I think I can cut into some more. I mean after all what did I (we) buy the fabric for.
Way to go MadQuilter...

Completed
 

Well girlies the table runners are done and another one delivered ........this is what the necessity was, why I went astray.........and Rhonda I quiver just thinking of cutting my Martha P. Lilac fabric.......yikes.........Emma I will try the wagon again...........

Looks like your getting ready for Halloween, calla! Boooooooo, trick or treat.

Darling table runners, Calla, and I don't think you went astray, look what you accomplished. Madquilter and oksewglad, it feels good to use the stuff we've been keeping tucked away doesn't it? I really think you all have done well. And Emma with your double sided quilts..an amazing bunch here.

ooh, Calla, those are great! That reminds me I got a piece of fabric with Glow in the Dark ghosts at Salvation Army a couple of years ago. I need to dig it out and actually make something! Thanks for the inspiration.

Oh Paper that would be soooooo spooky, and thank you all for your comments..........calla/Sue

I just received a call from a woman (I don't know) who said I was a contact she had to notify about a local fabric sale being held this weekend for $1 a yard quilt fabric. Okay!!! Future backings for how many quilts if the fabrics have that potential?
This will be such a challenge as there's only 20 minutes to make my purchases because of other commitments for Saturday. How fast can I shop? Talk about stress! It'll be a miracle if I can get out of there in 20 minutes.
And, all this after I just complained about how much backings cost this past weekend....

Complain and ye shall receive...

Laynak: I would really like to rise to that challenge. I bet I could do a lot of damage in 20 minutes. Let us know how you do.

Laynak....power shop eat eggs for breakfast, protein ,........I have the Pom poms cheering......calla

I'm still cutting....

I have plastic boxes organized by color and decided that I won't use many of the scraps the way they are. Quilt guild friends are always gifting me their left overs so my scrap stash is sizable. So those are being sub cut into 6,5, 2 1/2 and 2 inch strips. The trimmings go to my mini bin strips so I can make more mini's with my new precuts! Have the green, black, and purple bins checked off. Also cut through all my Christmas odds and ends. Feeling very liberating to get these all cut up. I also created a backing bin with pieces large enough for my minis. Larger pieces can be used to make big quilt backings too.

laynak,
It is more how fast can they cut it for you. I know last Nov I could stack it out pretty fast on the counter and time got a clerk there I had pile and she helped me find more. She got a ladder and got down the last piece that as on display. I went to two stores and both had material I wanted. But for quilt fronts.

I have bought total of 6 yards this year and both were marked down. I know what you man as I went like $300 and I figured it averaged like 10 a yard. None of this was on sale. But out of town and my only chance for it. I plan to do again this Nov if I go there for Thanksgiving. I may or may not find material I want. $200 for gas.

It costs to make a quilt. I have been making scrap 16 patches.

My record purchase: 23.5 yards for $23.00. Christmas, kids & toddlers, stripes, geometrics, gem colors, and waves. Each purchase was at least 3 yards and a few 5. These will be great for community service backings and a couple for my great nieces & nephews. What a wonderful deal! And, I was out of there in 15 minutes! So much more to look at and consider but I didn't have time....

laynak, I think you did a wonderful job with your selections and showed great restraint!

Laynak: Green with envy here. Where there is a will ......! I would probably be dreaming about the ones I left behind. Congrats on the great deal. Whoops just remembered this is the Moratorium thread. Ahem....I believe under our rigid rules you earned no demerits due to the extreme savings and the minimal time spent pursuing said fabric.

Good going Laynak, always thinking a mix of patterns .....good going.....calla

P.S. I am 48 hours on the wagon.........hee hee

HA! I now have brown in my stash again. It was difficult only buying what I needed.

But you succeeded, right?

Mostly. <ggggg>

We drove by the other LQS on a whim. They are normally not open on Sundays, but were open yesterday due to the Shop Hop. This store is also a Baby Lock Dealer (you all see where this is heading, right?) and the advertisement states "best prices on BL". Since I had done my homework and I had set an acceptable price for myself, I figured that it didn't hurt to ask. Their "best price" happened to be my acceptable price. It was a special that ran for the Shop Hop so I decided to go ahead and order the machine. On the 23rd of September I will be the proud owner of a Baby Lock Crescendo. I am all kind of jazzed. No buyer's remorse at all. Plus, I just saw that there is a $100 rebate by Baby Lock during the month of September for that machine. Sounds like it was meant to be.

Martina: I remember when you were doing your research and almost bought a couple of weeks ago. Congrats on the great deal. Is this under the heading of all things come to those who wait? Bet the 23rd seems like a long time away. Let us know how your new 'Baby' performs.

Yep Emma, it paid off to be patient. I really didn't NEED the machine so it wasn't hard to wait. As for the wait until the 23rd - well, we have to have our whole house re-ducted and part of the ducting runs through the sewing room closet. I will have to empty the closet and cover all of my stuff. No sewing for a while, so it is good that the new machine isn't here yet.

On 8/26 I posted:
Well today it was a whole lot worse! Talked to my bff on Sunday & she said they still had lots of batiks left. I struggled all day yesterday and today I caved. I got 8 yards, and got several creative grid rulers at half off. I'm tired of taking stuff to the cottage and then trying to remember to bring everything back. Usually leave something, so I got a 6X24 and a 45 degree to leave there. Sigh.

Paperprincess, it will work better for you to have things in both places. Does for me. It's the fabric that I struggle with as to where did I leave that blue stuff and I know I have it, it must be at the other house. And it was not at the other house, it was just under some other stuff here. Oh well, at least I didn't buy any more. Are the 8 yards all batiks? love that kid of fabric!

I helped a neighbor with the purchase of new fabric today for a baby quilt. I did not buy for me but was really tempted. I also had some fabric set aside to buy later but walked out of the store without it. I did buy some machine needles though!

Martinez, how fun is that!!! New machine........
Paper.........Emma will be able to make you feel better.......but seems to me you saved $$$$$
Rhonda, needle don't count in this category do they? I think you were strong......and helpful as well
I'm still on the wagon but my knuckles are very white just hanging on...............calla

Oh, Oh, we have a repeat offender. Not only did she commit the first crime (3 yards) but she returned to the scene of the crime with malice of forethought and committed a second and more serious offense (8 yards). I cannot pass judgment on this person since I hit the garage sales this weekend and came away with 37 yards of fabric at a $1.00 per yard. My head is hanging very, very, low. To make matters worse I then spent two days laundering and ironing it. I blame it on Autumn, its the old feather your nest instinct. So its the season not weakness that got PaperPrincess and I.

Emma has fallen, sounds like the slippery slope of Autumn.......never fear Emma we all tarnish a wee bit.........calla

Oh Emma, I pass the baton of stylishness in wagon-falling - 37 yards, that's quite the haul. But what is the old saying - in for a dime, in for a dollar or was it in for an inch in for a yard (or 37 hehe)? No worries, I am sure it will be put to good use.