Eileen, from The Artful Crafter, contributes some of her frugal finds to the ongoing series here at Quilting and Patchwork.  Quilters and fabric artists, throughout the years, have been noted for reusing fabric, salvaging old clothing, and finding ways to be creative with various odds and ends.

Eileen has some great ideas:

• I always rummage through the remnant bin when I shop for fabric.
• Friends who don’t sew anymore know I will gladly help them declutter and take their leftovers.
• Friends who have curtains made or furniture upholstered keep just a few scraps for repairs and matching, then give me the rest.
• Out of date upholstery books

Do you have some frugal tips to share with us?

(c)2008

Post from: Blisstree

Frugal Quilting Tips from The Artful Crafter

FRUGAL  or  “GREEN” QUILTING TIPS

Since “green,” recycling and frugality are buzz words these days, I’m collecting tips from quilters and fabric artists that reflect these.  I think quilters have always been frugal and used and re-used their supplies. 

However, it’s fun to see how others are using up and re-using.

Jean Murray, quilter and b5 blogger at Small Business Boomers,  gave a tip when she commented on my post, Great Tutorial on Binding a Quilt.  (I give you this link so Jean’s tip is in context!)

This is a great tutorial. It also answers my question about bias vs straight binding, and the method she’s using doesn’t take as much fabric.

I always buy extra fabric, and I never want to use it all – for SOMEDAY I might want to use it again. How about a post on how frugal quilters are – we save scraps!

Yes, I agree.  Quilters save scraps.  And bits and pieces of embellishments.  And bits and pieces of “stuff” that might possibly be used somhow, some way.

For an idea on how to store those scraps and bits and pieces, check out Patti’s suggestions in A Reader Shares Her Sewing/Quilting Room Organization.

Also check out Karen Weideman’s guest post, 10 Ways to Save Money Quilting.

Share your frugal or “green” tips with us.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Frugal or “Green” Quilting Tips