Sewing on a Budget: 8 Tips to Save Money When Quilting
No one likes to use the “B” word when it comes to their favorite hobby, but today, I will share some of my favorite tips on supporting your quilting hobby on a budget!
Quilting is a rewarding and creative hobby, but the cost of supplies can add up quickly. If you’re looking to enjoy your passion without breaking the bank, there are several strategies you can use to save money on quilting supplies. These tips will help you stretch your budget while still creating beautiful projects.
One: Shop Sales and Clearance Sections
One of the easiest ways to save money on quilting supplies is to take advantage of sales and clearance sections.
Many fabric stores offer discounts on seasonal or overstocked fabrics, making it the perfect time to stock up. Just save the seasonal fabric for the next season!
Sign up for newsletters from your favorite stores to stay informed about upcoming sales and special promotions.
Two: Buy Fabric in Bulk or by the Bolt
Purchasing fabric by the bolt or in larger quantities can often save you money in the long run! Especially if it’s a bolt of your favorite brand of white quilting cotton! While the initial cost might be higher, the price per yard is usually lower.
TIP
Consider teaming up with fellow quilters to split bulk purchases if you don’t need a large quantity.
Three: Thrift & Upcycle Fabric
Don’t overlook thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces for affordable quilting supplies. You can often find gently used fabric, sewing tools, and even vintage textiles that can be upcycled into new projects.
Vintage linens can be repurposed into quilting material to make some of the coolest projects!
Projects with Upcycled Fabric:
- Upcycled T-Shirt Baby Quilt Tutorial
- Sweatshirt Blanket Sewing Pattern
- Upcycled Ribbon Zip Pouch
- Upcycled Candy Zip Pouch Tutorial
Four: Join a Quilt Guild
Joining a local quilting group or guild can provide access to shared resources, such as fabric swaps, bulk buying opportunities, and tool sharing.
Some groups also offer discounts at local fabric stores or host events where members can sell or trade supplies.
How to Find a Quilt Guild in Your Area
Check the National Quilting Organizations
Many national quilting organizations maintain directories of local guilds. Check these websites:
- Quilt Guilds Directory – A comprehensive list of quilt guilds by state and country.
- Modern Quilt Guild (MQG): If you’re interested in modern quilting, check out the MQG they have local chapters worldwide.
- American Quilter’s Society (AQS) (www.americanquilter.com) – Lists events and may have guild resources.
2. Visit Your Local Quilt Shop (LQS)
Quilt shops often have information about local guilds, sewing circles, and quilting classes. Ask the staff if they know of any groups that meet nearby.
3. Check Community Centers, Libraries, and Churches
Many quilt guilds hold meetings at community centers, libraries, or churches. Check their event boards or websites for any posted quilting group information.
Five: Make the Most of Your Scrap Fabric
Scrap fabric is a gold mine for quilters on a budget. Save every scrap from previous projects and use them to create scrappy quilts, patchwork projects, or smaller items like pot holders and coasters.
Organize your scraps by color, size, or fabric type to make them easier to use.
Have a pile of fabric scraps you don’t know what to do with? Check out our list of Cute Things to Sew with Scrap Fabrics!
Six: DIY a Quilting Notion
Some quilting tools can be expensive, but you can make your own with a little creativity.
For example, instead of buying a specialized design wall, you can create one using a flannel sheet or batting hung on the wall.
Use washi tape on your larger quilt rulers to mark lines, cutting/squaring up lines for smaller blocks rather than buying smaller quilt rulers.
TIP: I prefer to put the washi tape on the back of the ruler, so it acts as a stop point for my fabric when I’m cutting.
Seven: Prioritize Spending
While saving money is essential, investing in quality where it matters can make your quilting time a bit more pleasant.
A high-quality sewing machine, rotary cutter, and cutting mat will last longer and perform better, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
Balance your budget by spending more on tools that will get heavy use and less on items that can be easily replaced.
Eight: Use Free Patterns and Tutorials
The internet is a treasure trove of free quilting patterns and tutorials. Check out quilting blogs, YouTube channels, and crafting websites for free resources.
Our site is one of these sites! We know that not everyone has a large budget for quilting, so we are passionate about offering simple free quilting tutorials for you to use!
Quilting on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or creativity. With a bit of planning and resourcefulness, you can enjoy your hobby while keeping your expenses in check. Remember, the most important part of quilting is the joy it brings you, not how much you spend on supplies. Happy quilting!
