The Cost of Quilting ...
July 30, 2012 ... can be surprisingly and sometimes even painfully high. Ya know what I mean?
But you guys, making this quilt isn't costing me a single penny!
Lemme 'splain.
As all quilters know, there are special ... um ... "financial exemptions" allowed when calculating the cost of making a quilt.
For example, once fabric goes into the scrap bin it is determined - by definition - to have "no financial value".
In other words ... it's FREE!
Which is why we don't feel so bad when we donate our scraps.
Or - perish the thought - throw them out! Gasp!
But if you read Sunday Morning Quilts you will NEVER throw out ANY fabric scraps ever again. EVER. You will also know how to organize, store and USE them. Just think of all the free quilts you can make!
PS: If you're an accountant, I apologize if my logic causes you to hyperventilate. Just breathe slowing into a paper bag with your head between your knees ... it works for my husband.
PPS: I will neither confirm nor deny reports that I ... liquidated ... any fabric from my "valuable" stash yardage for this quilt.
Reader Comments (26)
Yummy!!!!
Oh how I cringed when I read that title. I very purposely never purchase everything I need for a single quilt at one time. I don't WANT to know the total material cost of my quilts!
Ah, but as an accountant, I would expect that anyone worth their salt would do a cost benefit analysis. The cost of fabric is actually pretty insignificant when compared to the cost of medical care. And if one does not have an appropriate outlet for their creative energies, they end up with all sorts of stresses. Stress does terrible things to the body and mind which results in trips to the doctor and medications. If the stress persists without release, higher levels of intervention are required, at higher cost.
So, in reality, your purchase of fabric keeps your physical and mental health at an optimum. That's my story and I am sticking to it. Now tell your husband to take his head out of the bag and rejoice with you in your good health!
Lee, This is me giving you a big hug and a kiss! I TOTALLY agree with you. :)
I enjoy your blog so much. And, I am loving this quilt. I want to make one! Need scraps though. Guess mine won't be a free quilt, but.....well worth the price. And yes, quilting can be a very expensive hobby. But, oh how we love it.
Isn't every single piece in your stash free fabric? Because you don't have to buy it anymore for making a quilt? So, if you have a big stash actually you have a lots of free fabric ... works for me;-) Hildy
Your blog is so much fun, and your quilts and sewing are lovely. I also love pink and, especially, rosy pink floral prints, with cream or white backgrounds and small pink or red flowers. You have so many lovely ones, which leads me to ask a question: Is there a certain company or designer that you've found who specializes in these old-fashioned floral prints? I pick them up when I find them, but I'd like to have more. I've ordered groups of prints online, but when they arrive, there are only a few of the prints I want in these groups and the rest are large floral prints or in colors (like dark blue) that aren't appealing to me.
Keep on quilting!
I love your theory and Lee's explanation - I'm adopting them as my quilting/financial motto!!
I think your logic is absolutely spot on.... I'm loving this 'free' quilt.... very pretty!
I probably have a few 'free' quilts brewing in my cupboard, I can never part with the leftovers.
Aha!! Not all scraps then Miss Kristyne! ;)
V x
We are all really happy you have come to our way of thinking too! :-) Yes the fabric is free and the best part is it multiplies in the cupboards and closets when you attempt to put it all away! :-) So when you go to make a "free" quilt you are astonished to find that you can make a second one and a third.... Love your blog- Really does improve my life, especially increasing my laughter quotient for the day. :-) Keep it up- K-
You have the most beautiful scraps....sigh...
The quilt is turning out so beautifully and I completely agree with your reasoning - it's been my philosophy all along.
This is such a refreshing blog Kristyne! We all seem to think alike!! We all love our quilts,and free is the best one of all!! Your scraps are just beyiond fabulous!!!
I like your thought process on this and my prediction is, there will be a lot of "free" quilts coming down the pike...with the stimulation fom this book!
Your blog is such a delight to read and your logic makes perfect sense to me. Can't wait for my book to arrive. Your (free) scraps are so pretty !!
Your logic makes perfect sense! I always say once fabric gets used for one quilt, it's free each and every time I use it for another. That's why it's always good to buy a big chunk ;)
Quilting can get very costly, I have bought fabric in bulk hoping to save money. I really love it when I have the fabric for a quilt that I don't have add fabrics too. The way you describe the book it seems like this is a true solution to using your scraps.
1/4" hexies. Yes Kristyne Sue Daley (Oz) has precut packages. So, I ask how small is a "scrap" of fabric before.......Love the 'scrappy' quilt. That book is on my wishlist.
Ooh! I like the way you think, girl!! My kind of logic!
I like the way you think ... and quilt ... and save money! Thanks for the great daily pleasure of reading your blog!
I really need to get this book!! Your quilt is already so pretty!! xo Heather
Just got the book delivered to my iPad and I'm betting my scrap stash is pretty impressive after 30 years of patchwork. Love the idea of sewing slabs of fabric then making quilts. Let's see what I can come up with.
Always love what you make!
I apply this math to yarn and buttons...works perfectly every time. Just finished a 6' scarf out of scraps...free! Oh and the needles were bought ages ago...double free!
I totally agree! It's even better when you make something out of old sheets or clothes :)