What was your biggest waste of money?
12-13-2016, 07:30 PM
#411
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,118
Slotted rulers - yuk! Never could get them to work well for me. The rotary cutter always seemed to jump the slots, and the cutter almost cut me many times. I like my fingers, so I just put the slotted ruler away.
12-15-2016, 03:34 PM
#413
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 383
Well, I loved the John Flynn frame. I used it all the time. It took practice and I almost gave up but once the AH HA moment kicked in it was smooth quilting from then on. I used it to quilt king size quilts in sections. I never had a problem getting the quilt on the frame that I remember.
12-16-2016, 10:45 AM
#414
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: 25 yrs in TN; now back home in MI
Posts: 1,871
My bad buys are a bobbin winder that doesn't keep good tension and a rotary sharpen that just takes the spurs off, but does not sharpen. Adding to the list: inexpensive/cheap pins and marking pencils.
Re quiltingshorttimer's message of being a ruthless cleaner: I am in the process of moving to a smaller house. I have all of my quilting projects, kits and equipment boxed up. When I get to the new house all of the boxes will be in a staging area to open one box at a time and decide whether I need to "keep an item" or "move it on".
I foresee a number of rulers going into the "move it on" pile as well as wrong fabric choices. I'm combining two houses into one, so I'm sure there will be a lot of duplicates. Many items were purchased early on before I understood the concept of purchasing quality items once rather than replacing cheap many times. It will be interesting to see how many items I bought at quilt shows (due to nifty demonstrations) that I forgotten I had and never liked.
Re quiltingshorttimer's message of being a ruthless cleaner: I am in the process of moving to a smaller house. I have all of my quilting projects, kits and equipment boxed up. When I get to the new house all of the boxes will be in a staging area to open one box at a time and decide whether I need to "keep an item" or "move it on".
I foresee a number of rulers going into the "move it on" pile as well as wrong fabric choices. I'm combining two houses into one, so I'm sure there will be a lot of duplicates. Many items were purchased early on before I understood the concept of purchasing quality items once rather than replacing cheap many times. It will be interesting to see how many items I bought at quilt shows (due to nifty demonstrations) that I forgotten I had and never liked.
12-16-2016, 12:45 PM
#416
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Maine
Posts: 293
An extra large self healing rotary cutting mat was my biggest waste of money. I bought it thinking I would use it to cut on my table. In reality I use my kitchen island to cut on and use my smaller mat. I'm sure there are more but I thought of this one right away.
12-16-2016, 01:21 PM
#417
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
Posts: 16,529
A janome quilter's edition sewing machine. I just could not get used to the machine since I had always had a bernina. It was a great little machine, don't get me wrong, perfect stitches and not a moments trouble. The feet cost a fraction of the bernina's and I bought every one they had. But, after being used to the markings, size and metal feet of a bernina, I just really didn't care for the janome.
I have used a serger for twenty some years and love it! I wore one babylock out and bought another. I make home dec and clothing, so it is invaluable for those projects.
I have used a serger for twenty some years and love it! I wore one babylock out and bought another. I make home dec and clothing, so it is invaluable for those projects.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 12-16-2016 at 01:24 PM.
12-18-2016, 02:39 PM
#418
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I bought a quilt frame, metal from Gracie that does up to a crib or throw blanket. I figured it would help me learn. I put my machine on it and could barely do one row before stopping and turning. I eventually got the Viking Mega quilter 9in but never got around to setting the whole system up. I went to sell the frame once but after I got a couple of prank callers decided to forget about it. Now, I try to think hard about what I'm buying
12-22-2016, 06:30 AM
#419
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL, USA
Posts: 376
I'm hoping no one posts about the Electric Quilt program. I just purchased the EQ7 yesterday and can't wait to get it. I have heard a lot of caution about how it is hard to navigate and use all it's tools so I am concerned because I do not have any experience using these type of programs on the computer.
However, if I can get comfortable with it, I think it will be a huge benefit for me. I have 2 huge book cases full of fabric and don't know how to use this fabric so I'm hoping it will help me find or create quilts that will work for the type and quantity of fabric I have.
However, if I can get comfortable with it, I think it will be a huge benefit for me. I have 2 huge book cases full of fabric and don't know how to use this fabric so I'm hoping it will help me find or create quilts that will work for the type and quantity of fabric I have.
12-22-2016, 06:44 AM
#420
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL, USA
Posts: 376
For all the folks that remarked on the EQ (Electric Quilt) software. There is a place to take lessons online that are so helpful. I love my EQ and can sit in the morning design a quilt and be sewing it up right after.
http://classes.electricquilt.com/
There are also a lot of great free education on how to use the software on the EQ University website. They have challenges and quick lessons to practice with and clubs to follow.
http://classes.electricquilt.com/
There are also a lot of great free education on how to use the software on the EQ University website. They have challenges and quick lessons to practice with and clubs to follow.
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