gzuslivz

I went to my LQS today and got several good buys. Every Friday they have baskets of $1 fat quarters. They also had a whole bunch of $5 a yard fabric. I got 2 yards to go with some fabric I already had.

Flying_V_Goddess

I've been getting quarter yards for various projects now that I have a boyfriend who is willing to take me to these quilt shops. I have a bunch of purples for a cathedral quilt I want for myself and greens for a quilt I eventually want to make for my boyfriend. Also have a collection of watercolor batiks for my Zelda project, some I haven't even color matched for the project but thought "That might work and if not I can use it". Blacks and whites. Reds and pinks. I spend like $30 max each time and I maybe go once every two weeks at most.

Since I started dating Joe I've accumulated 18 yards of fabric! Actually a little more...there's a couple of half yards in there. Let's round it off to 20. Also not counting the t-shirts for my Kittie quilt. With that kind of fabric that would be enough for a couple of decent sized tops or a lot of smaller projects.

So my method would be going into a quilt store at least once a month, going in there with a budget, buying only quarter yards, and seeing how much fabric I have in two months. $30 will only get me about a good 3 yards of fabric total, but if I do the quarter yards or fat quarters I can leave with 12 different kinds of fabric and I have more variety.

Also, one quilt shop I go to has Bag Lady Day every first Thursday of the month and any fabric you put into their reuseable bags is 20% off. Another store I go to has a rewards program where you buy so much and get something back.

thequilterslink

I get my fabric from all over too, the search is definetly part of the fun. We go garage saling every week in the summer and i am always looking for fabric, sheets and cotton clothes. So far this weekend, i got a pillow form, new in package for 10 cents and a pkg of jumbo rick rack for 50 cents.

ragqueen03

I too try to get fabric as reasonable as possible. The most I have ever spent on fabric was 1 yard of potato fabric - it was $10 a yard. made me sick so I just bought one yard. Figured out I didn't need to use the potato fabric for the inside where no one would see anyway so am getting twice the number of bags!! i love to go to rummage sales at churches. there is always fabric there plus clothes if you are into cutting them apart. Somehow I have always managed to get decent fabric the last day at rummage sales which is usually half price or fill a bag. If I mess up on sewing something with it i don't feel bad.

Val in IN

In these days and times, you gotta do (and MAKE DO)with whatever you can. I think that's what most of those pioneer women did too!

GailG

I dont know if I have a strange mind or what, but I can't see cutting up clothes that could be used by a needy person. I know when my sister and I had yard sales when our children were young, people came in early for the children's clothes. And I saw that same clothes at school the following year. Also, when we had things that didn't sell, we brought all leftovers to Goodwill or Social Services.
I have bought bedding for fabric.

fktsewing

I totally relate---my DH has been out of work for 2 years now with no prospects. It is really tough out there. I just cannot afford QS prices for all the pieces in a quilt. I love going to yard sales and thrift stores. The choices are greater and you certainly cannot beat the price. I mean if you cannot find the fabric at the sales, take a look at the clothes. I have found some gems.

PS Stitcher

These are some great ideas!! Thanks so much!

Weenween

AMAN WE DO WHAT WE LOVE AND STILL SURVIVE THESE HARD TIMES TO.

rexie

I buy from ebay and yard sales and local shops. When I see a good buy, I buy a lot.