Quilting on a budget...
#91
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 547
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Sam's Club used to sell these huge thick white tablecloths, I don't know if they still do, but I used to know people that would use that fabric for things besides tablecloths.
#92
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,585
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I don't have a large stash -- most of the fabric I have is either garment fabric, or fabric my cousin gave me (before she passed away), so when I make a quilt (and the number I've made is fairly small) I purchase the fabric for the quilt before I start cutting. I don't buy expensive fabric -- it's just not in my budget -- but I've found really lovely fabric (Marshall's online), and I save coupons. I don't piece backs unless I have no other choice. Also, I buy wide muslin (usually at 60% off), which I can purchase for about $20 (118" wide), and it saves a lot of the "pain in the neck syndrome". I've only been quilting for a few years, but I've made two queen-size +, two king-size + and one really giant-size (with very light batting) for a bed spread for myself, and several baby quilts. I don't do a whole lot of shopping (due to spinal issues) and my time at the sewing machine is limited for the same reason. There is no way I could ever afford to spend $20 and up per yard for fabric.
#93
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 685
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In my area at least, the thrift stores send most of their craft items to a single store. So there is one I go to whenever I’m in town. They have a full aisle of misc. fabric for about $1.50 a yard. I make sure I tell them that their craft section is the reason I shop there. I want them to keep it going.
I learned about their sorting policy when I was shopping for scrubs and was told which location they send the scrubs to. It’s worth asking if they do something similar in your area.
I learned about their sorting policy when I was shopping for scrubs and was told which location they send the scrubs to. It’s worth asking if they do something similar in your area.
#95
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
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I buy a lot of fabric after the holiday. It is the only way to produce products for sale and make a profit. Yesterday I purchased a great deal of 'generic' easter fabric - pastel zigzags, dotted fabric, tone on tones. At 60% off, the $9.99 fabric is only $4 and many of the 'generic' fabrics were only $6.99, making them $2.80 per yard. Add in a $5 or $10 off total or a teacher discount or a senior day discount - and you have a super bargain. These fabrics can be used for all sorts of springtime or baby items (although I did purchase quite a few actual bunny fabrics to put away for next easter's stuff). I can not remember when I have paid more than $5 for any fabric to use for product (other than a personal gift). I do the same thing with interfacing, web, batting and items for backing. Joanns has started varying discounts on so many cottons - orange tag, green tag, purple tag - some outrageous deals. I found one that the backside was soft and muted and looked great for a backing - 90% off!!!!! It takes a bit of thinking and planning, but I can make lap size and throw size quilts and sell them at a profit! I sell a tremendous number of fold 'n stitch wreaths for $24 each. They cost $3.50 to make and take approximately one hour - pretty good profit!
#96
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,278
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I machine quilt all my quilts. It's not fancy but it's pretty. I do all straight line quilting with a walking foot. I can get some pretty neat designs using a straight stitch. I learned how to do Quilt as You Go and make it look like a whole quilt. I started with orphan blocks until I was pleased with the result. Machine quilting doesn't have to be hard or mysterious. You want to sew three layers together, that's all you have to do.
#99
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,414
#100
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,472
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I get newsletters from many online shops to tell me about good sales, I go to GoodWill & repurpose sheets, etcetera & Thrift Shops. You can repurpose cotton clothing too. Connecting Threads often has batting sales & I buy enough to get free shipping. I also use cutting mats from the dollar store for templates vs specialty rulers. The cutting mats are $1.00 for two or sometimes 3 mats. These are my thrifty tips for quilting on a budget. I hope it helps others.
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