Hey there!
Today, I want to discuss how to save money on fabric and quilting supplies. The cost of everything is going up and fabric, in particular, is up to over $14/yard (if you buy it new)! So, you have this quilting hobby that was expensive, to begin with, and is just getting more expensive, how do you cut costs so you can keep quilting?
Here are some of my tips.
Tip #1:
Well, first of all, and it's rather obvious to me, is to find fabric on sale. Physical stores and online stores always have a clearance section, so go there first to see if you can find anything (I always do!).
Tip #2:
Thrift stores are a wonderful, inexpensive source for fabric. Think men's XL or XXL shirts, long cotton nightgowns, formal dresses, cotton sheets, and even some blankets (like baby blankets). These are great for fabric yardage!
I have a camping quilt I made years ago and the back is from an old soft cotton twin-size sheet. I still use that quilt on my bed and it just gets softer the more I wash it.
Tip #3:
Use social media. Facebook, for example, has swap groups and a marketplace where you can swap or buy fabric and quilting supplies. I've seen some great sewing machines on the marketplace selling for low prices.
Tip #4:
Estate sales. Sadly, quilters do pass on to the great sewing room in the sky and their families often sell all of their fabric and quilting supplies in estate or garage sales. You can pick up items super cheap this way. I've even had people gift me fabric when a beloved quilter passes on.
Tip #5:
Ask your family and friends if they have items from, let's say spring cleaning or moving, they want to get rid of and take them off their hands. Again, think sheets, blankets, clothing, even some curtains! Make t-shirt quilts from old t-shirts.
I had a friend who gave me all of her son's baby clothes and blankets and wanted a quilt made from them. I used only what she gave me with no other fabrics added.
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| The quilt I made from baby clothes and blankets |
Tip #5:
Clean out your closet! (Yes, mom). Go through your own closet (or your husband's and kid's closets) and look for old dresses, shirts, pajamas, nightgowns, and pants, and cut them up for fabric. I have even been known to buy shirts because I loved the fabric and knew that one day it would go into a quilt.
You have to think outside the "fabric box" to save money on fabric and quilt supplies. And no one needs to know that you cut up an old nightgown to save money on fabric. After all, quilting originally started in this country with pioneer women cutting up old worn-out clothing to make quilts.
Those are my tips, please comment if you have any other tips to start getting thrifty with your quilting hobby in this world of rising prices.
Here are some other great articles on thrifty quilting:
Happy Quilting and Sewing!
