Pilgrim

Oh my gosh don't quit. You have found something you enjoy. Life is too short to give up something you enjoy. So what if you don't have a lot of fabric. Ask people you know if they would give you their scraps. Everyone knows I love scraps and people in my guild give me the stuff they don't want to mess with. I cut them up and sort them and have made many quilts with them. I do have a large stash but hate seeing fabric tossed away. Do you belong to a quilt guild ask them to give you their scraps. A lot of quilters just toss stuff and you can get some good out of it. Yard sales sometimes have great deals. Let your friends know you are looking and they may find stuff for you. Stick with it.

Annieflower

I too am trying to build up a stash and sometimes it's quite overwhelming as to where to begin. I guess I was look at the advanced big picture of quilt making and that in itself makes for discouragement. I decided to step back and start with some simple projects while collecting fabrics on sale within a basic color pattern for my home. Once I become more refreshed at my sewing skills the sky is the limit to quilting. Please don't give up and quit and I won't either.

There is some darn good advice here and I am learning so much. What an inspiring group and inspiration you all are and you offer lots of hope in 2013!!!!!!

Happy New Year and Happy Quilting!!!!!
Annie

yonnikka

You have raised several issues, and our quilterfriends here have given great answers. I'd like to offer another view: When you commit to make a quilt or sewn item for another person (like your nephew), let that person buy the fabric up front. A 5 ' x 7 ' quilt? Needs a full/queen size batting. Let nephew purchase it, as well as the 5 yards of fabric for the backing. It will be a wake-up call for him. Oh, and a couple of spools of thread!

RIDGEFIELD

You can also check out yard sales. My daughter and I have found lots of fabric, rulers, and I also bought a Viking sewing machine at one. Good luck in your search.

janegb

I get a lot of fabric from thrift stores., also find that Pillowcases have a lot of fabric in them (also thrift shop items), Used sheets for backing. Skirts, Blouses and mens shirts are great too, for those who really can't afford to buy from Joanns or other fabric shops. Mainly I like patchwork, 4" squares cut from the above mentioned items. Thats how I got started collecting fabric in the beginning. Keep it up, sounds like you are off to a really good start. Good luck.

QultingaddictUK

VERY very good advice, something I tell all my pupils, when asked to make a quilt for a friend or family reply, I would love to as long as you can buy the fabrics etc; as I honestly can't afford to give them away but I will willingly donate my time and talent.

time2quilt

Also watch newspaper ads, Craigslist (if you do it) and garage/rummage sales. One other thought is to see if there are any quilt guilds in the area and put your plea out to them. Many quilters buy things they end up not liking/using and they all have at least scraps of fabric that they would probably be willing to let you have or buy for a small fee. Don't give it up. It is great therapy. And as you go along, you'll realize what tools you need and what you can do without. Also keep an eye out at thrift stores, not only for fabric, etc., but for cotton clothing that can be bought inexpensively and torn up to use in quilts. Flannel too.....Good Luck.

kateyb

Don't quit. You have what you need for basics. If you need gloves for FMQ get the cloth gloves with "nubbies" in the gardening department at stores with gardening supplies. They work just as good but aren't as hot to wear.
I get fabrics from mens shirts found at thrift stores. Many times they are new or almost. I have also found womens cotton dresses or skirts at thrift stores that have a lot of fabric in them. I once found a brand new formal on clearance in a western wear store for $12. It was an ugly styled dress and my friend thought I was crazy but when I told her it had 5 yards of very usable fabric for quilting she understood. It also have several yards of very pretty lace (for crazy quilting). All I had to do was take it apart. Put out the word that you are quilting and many people will give you fabric. Granted some of it won't work well for quilting but there will be some usable fabric among the lot. Scrap quilts can be very pretty you just have to be creative.

justflyingin

I'd say don't quit, but learn to be careful about how you spend your money. Don't spend it on classes if you have to choose--class or fabric. I know, that's probably mean of me to say, but you can ask your questions here or find instruction on the internet.

Just go slowly. Look around you for what you can cut up and use. As someone suggested on page 1, use Bonnie Hunter's site to guide you for scrappy quilts and then let people around you know you can use their 100% cotton shirts, skirts, dresses, etc. You could even go to the local thrift store and ask if there are ever any items they can't sell due to stains, etc. Check it out.

Mostly if you get the word out, you will probably get supplies, unless you just beg all the time. People don't care for beggars, but they do like to help people who are looking to do better and trying to make the best of a bad situation. (I'm not saying that you are begging, but that people don't like whiners or beggars--either one.)

There are plenty of people who don't sew anymore, who would like to get rid of their guilt--(stash), or partially finished projects. Let it be known around you that you are interested. You might be surprised what you end up with. Be a creative thinker.

Don't think that you have to completely finish one quilt before you start another top. You can always ask for battings, gift certificates for birthdays, Christmas, etc. Be specific as to what you need. Probably people will get what you ask for if you let them know very specifically. You can let the tops pile up while you wait on the perfect backing to come your way, or wait for a batting sale (or a birthday gift card). So glad you found this hobby. But really...clothes are so prevalent everywhere that if you learn to do scrappy, you will never run out of fabric!

petpainter

Boy, it sounds like there are quite a few of us out there. I, too have MS plus other medical issues that prevent me from working or sitting at my machine for long periods of time. I always planned on quilting when I retired, but not at 50. I did join the local guild and they have member teacher classes for $5- a great deal! Also, I have found Estate sales have been the best place to find fabric at great prices- and I love the feeling of using someones sewing stuff that THEY cherished! I may feel uncomfortable when my friends all go to the LQS and shop all the time, but I can go and get ideas from the samples. I am just grateful to be able to quilt at all and have access to all the great u tube tutes! Never give up your passions- they are what keeps us going!