When beginning a new quilt, the best and most fun part is going to the store to pick up some new materials and materials. But the costs can all add up fairly quickly, so to help your credit card survive your next project, here's a few tips to help drive your dollar further.
Saving While Shopping
Check for discount bins each time you visit a craft store. Many stores have the discount bins near the entrance, but don't stop looking there. You will usually find one or two spread around the store in different areas. So keep your eyes open!
You might find the very thing you need, or did not know you needed.
If you are there to buy materials, and you have noticed that they are close to finishing a bolt, ask if there is a discount for finishing the bolt. Many stores are more than happy to give one so that they don't end up with tiny bits of material that they can not sell. Nobody is going to want to buy half a yard of a rose quilt design or custom printed material, so it benefits the store to sell the rest of the bolt at a discount.
Another fast tip for shopping - its OK to use polyester batting. A few people are against it, but actually there's nothing wrong with polyester batting, you buy what you are able to afford - so don't be put off!
Also, its perfect if you are making a blanket that is to cover a couch or for occasional use. No point spending more for something you will likely only use every once in a while.
Spend More Time Looking At Your Fabrics
Many fabrics can quilte regularly cost over $10 a yard. But some fabrics can cost just below $3 a yard. Folks usually accept that anything at the bottom of the price bracket will be a bad quality material.
This isn't always correct. A quilter with an good eye for detail can find a deal in the reduced price fabrics. Sometimes even great fabrics don't sell that well, stores are all about moving stock fast so if it does not move off of the racks quick enough, they're going to discount the price regardless of the quality - so keep your eyes open.
In the subsequent article, we will be looking at some alternate approaches you can take to economize and different places to get some more quilting supplies.
Saving While Shopping
Check for discount bins each time you visit a craft store. Many stores have the discount bins near the entrance, but don't stop looking there. You will usually find one or two spread around the store in different areas. So keep your eyes open!
You might find the very thing you need, or did not know you needed.
If you are there to buy materials, and you have noticed that they are close to finishing a bolt, ask if there is a discount for finishing the bolt. Many stores are more than happy to give one so that they don't end up with tiny bits of material that they can not sell. Nobody is going to want to buy half a yard of a rose quilt design or custom printed material, so it benefits the store to sell the rest of the bolt at a discount.
Another fast tip for shopping - its OK to use polyester batting. A few people are against it, but actually there's nothing wrong with polyester batting, you buy what you are able to afford - so don't be put off!
Also, its perfect if you are making a blanket that is to cover a couch or for occasional use. No point spending more for something you will likely only use every once in a while.
Spend More Time Looking At Your Fabrics
Many fabrics can quilte regularly cost over $10 a yard. But some fabrics can cost just below $3 a yard. Folks usually accept that anything at the bottom of the price bracket will be a bad quality material.
This isn't always correct. A quilter with an good eye for detail can find a deal in the reduced price fabrics. Sometimes even great fabrics don't sell that well, stores are all about moving stock fast so if it does not move off of the racks quick enough, they're going to discount the price regardless of the quality - so keep your eyes open.
In the subsequent article, we will be looking at some alternate approaches you can take to economize and different places to get some more quilting supplies.
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Curious about more rose quilt design concepts? Then head on over to Jane Green's how to make a patchwork quilt site now!