The cost of quilting is getting absolutely scarey. I'm frugal to the core and want to keep quilting long into my golden years, however I'm having to make some major changes when it comes to quilting.
Here are the breakdowns of the cost of material where I live:
- flannelette is now $9.00 a metre
- quilting flannel..between $14.95 - 17.95 metre
- 100% cotton...anywhere between $14.95 - 21.95 metre
- the type of batting that I use....$9.99 a metre
And the costs continue to rise. In fact, I was talking to a quilting store owner and she was saying some the material being sold now to quilting stores is poly/cotton because of the cost. I'm a cotton gal through and through...I don't want to have to use poly/cotton material in my quilts. Quilting stores are closing because the costs of material have gotten so high that quilters just can't afford to keep quilting. Personally I think as a quilter, we can continue. We just need to be more frugal.
This same owner told me that many quilters have switched to making pillowcases, purses and smaller items, such as wall hangings and placemats. I don't want to be making wall hangings (how many can you truly put on your all) and how many placemats can you use. My dream is to continue to make quilts for charity, for little ones that need them. Tomorrow I'll share how I'm becoming more and more frugal in regards to purchasing quilting supplies.
4 comments:
Its the same here in the UK prices have rocketed and like you I am not sure how much longer I am going to be able to carry on, I have switched to lap quilts, the friendshop braid was the last bed quilt I made and I had said that was it.
I am lucky in that mats, pot holders etc seem to go will. I neeed my new machine to pay for itself so am taking on what ever is asked for.
It will be interesting to see hoe the first craft fair goes....
Sometimes its possible to find cotton fabrics in charity shops, even if one has to cut up a garment!
I haven't bought quilting supplies in a while. I didn't realize how much it had all gone up. I buy my batting out of Michael's with the 40% off coupon.
Gill
With the cost of everything rising, it's a challenge in many respects not only quilting. I'm constantly on the outlook for bargains, but like you there are somethings I don't want to cut back on. It'll be interesting to see how you do with yours.
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