Frugal Quilting Tips, Anyone?

Good morning, my friends!

As some of you may've heard, my part-time job is closing it's doors. Besides the loss of daily interactions with friends & favorite customers, a social community hot spot, enforced exercise up & down the stairs in 4-hour shifts, I'm out some bucks (cash, moolah, greenbacks). My friend Allie has been cheering me up with helpful suggestions to economize my quilting addiction.

Unlike this picture below, I am ready to listen! I thought I'd stop a moment and share a list collected from Allie and other friends; figured in this economy others might have a need, too.

Ugh! Such an awful picture of me! My cohorts in crime are my sister Wikid Kriket and sister-in-law Rockin' Robyn

1. Pretty obvious but worth repeating: use the stash. Plus, make your own jelly rolls - you have the fabric.
2. (My favorite from Allie) Go to the thrift shops to buy flannel sheets for batting and vintage sheets for backing.
3. (From Lisa - who makes every scrap count!) If you are running out of certain fabrics, start making smaller projects (there's only 1 bed in this house - how many queen quilts do I need?)
4. If you need a certain style or color, swap with friends.
5. (Another from Allie) Enter as many giveaways as possible. There's some great stuff out there and it doesn't even cost you a lottery ticket!
6. Look for alternative tool sources (like amazing rotary blades a Harbor Freight Tools).
7. Sometime it's cheaper to buy in quantity. Buying that bolt of interfacing with my 40% off coupon is cheaper than individual trips for each project (also multiple shopping trips = multiple chances at temptation).
8. Don't have to take multiple trips to the library for books with patterns - seems like almost every pattern is free in the blog-o-sphere. Have you been to quilterblogs.com?
9. Wash your fabrics in batches - not when you need it. That water bill will add up!
10. If you do have to go to a fabric store, check their website for coupons (our local shop posts a new coupon monthly). Make sure you are armed with a photo of the fabric/color swatch and exact size to prevent unnecessary spending.

Ok, ladies... What else? I'm trying to stay positive and motivated!

Elisa

Hoping With My Fingers Crossed

I may have some good news - seems like there might be a temporary reprieve at the closing of my part-time job.  I'm remaining cautious but hope to hear more soon!

Took this photo on my lunch break today with my Hipstamatic app.  It reminds me of my mood - hopeful!

I'm hoping to have some completed stitching to share with you this weekend.  I'm actually catching up!

Happy Stitching!
Elisa