***
*** Only buy patterns (they are really expensive)
*** is when JoAnn's or Hancocks put them on sale
*** 5 fo $5.00.
***
*** McCall & Simplicity Patterns run from $5.99 to $20.99 now.
***
*** When I started sewing they were 29 cents.
***

PJ bottoms; skirt;

Well, I've been making "growler" carriers...similar to a wine carriers, but larger to accommodate beer growlers. They're really easy to make and I sell them (or trade for beer!!!) to the local brewery for their customers. Found the pattern in a Christmas quilting magazine...so keep looking, there's often simple projects to do as a break from quilting.

I just watch for the $.99 sale on patterns at JoAnns, and using a coupon, I can get patterns for $.50!

There is sew many other things to sew than quilts. When I just feel like sewing, but not really into making a quilt, I go for pillowcases, tote bags or purse or small zipper pouches, baby bibs, burp cloths. You could try potholders, mug rugs, decorate dish towels, table toppers/runners, placemats, wallhangings, fabric boxes, purse size tissue holders, tissue box covers. I don't buy patterns, too many free tutes on youtube, here, and MSQC, just to name a few!

You can use old clothes for patterns which I have done and it has worked well. I was at Walmart and noticed they have beautiful fabric for $2.77/yd. I like wandering through thrift shops and recently found a skirt that I bought for $1 It was to big but the material was so pretty. I bought it and re did the waist to fit using elastic.

Do you do hand embroidery? I have 40 dishtowels ready for friends and for sale at our church fall soup supper/bake sale. Last year I donated 18 and they all sold early. I do hairpin lace to make afghans. You need a loom to do this. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby. you can do this when riding in a car or bus. I did huck toweling when I was in my early twenties. I make pin cushions out of tea cups.
Made a mistake. I gave away my white correlle cups (the ones with the handle that does not connect to the cup on the bottom. Then I saw where I could have glued them to the saucer and would have made cute pin cushions. I could have used many different colors of material in the cushions. I went back to where I donated them to buy them back but they were already gone. So looking for more of them. need to go to some rummage sales ha

I love to make bags. Watch youtube for tutorials. There are a lot of things to make without buying patterns.

If you are going to sew clothing take the Vogue pattern magazine as it has pages of sewing lessons and you can buy one pattern from them and get two free. I also follow them ,Butterick and McCalls on face book and they have good sales on patterns. Hobby Lobby and Hancocks also have great sales on patterns. New Look patterns on the rack at WalMart and Honcocks are easy and cheep patterns.

Sometimes you can find patterns on sale for 99c each, but once you add on fabric and notion costs...I totally agree with you. Most of the time there is no money saved sewing for the home rather than buying premade. It's only worth it if you enjoy the process of making as much as the finished product.

That said, I enjoy sewing things for my other hobbies, like cute drawstring bags for knitting socks. Funnily enough, picking out fabric for those kinds of projects is what lead me wanting to try out quilting! All those beautiful prints. Hand embroidery is fun, too. Some little home dec projects aren't pricey at all, like pillows or wall hangings.