Why Is Quilting So Expensive?

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When women first began making quilts, it was not necessarily expensive. However, now it has become more of a hobby than a necessity, and this fact alone has increased the costs of making quilts. If you want to learn a few helpful tips that will allow you to enjoy quilting without paying an arm and a leg, then read further to gain useful insight and tricks that will help you cut costs.

A Brief History Of Quilt Making

A quilt used to be made from leftover scrap materials that were too small to use for any other projects. Remember that a quilt was made out of a need for blankets, and women made their families clothing at home. They had varying types of fabric scraps, and in the end they created beautiful blankets to keep their family warm.

Quilting As A Hobby

If you are interested in making a quilt, then start small to save money. You do not have to go out and buy expensive fabric, threads, or machines to help you create a beautiful masterpiece. Instead, consider collecting scraps, investing in less expensive fabric, and use old methods versus new age methods that require costly machines.

What You Need To Invest Into To Start Quilting As A Hobby

Different scraps of fabric- look at resale shops, discount fabrics at a craft store, old clothes, etc.
Durable thread
Batting for the interior of your blanket, or scraps of fabric.
Needles
A good quality machine- this is optional, because you really only need a place that you can leave your project out while working on it.

Do not expect to have a professional looking quilt on your first attempt. It is important to remember to be patient with yourself, and learn from your mistakes. If you will use scraps instead of investing in high quality fabrics, then you will find that you can save a lot of money. It is also important to listen to others, but do not allow them to critique your work so much that you give up.

There are many different types of quilters; beginners, mid-grade, and experts. However, this does not mean that they know all of the tricks and secrets of the skill set.

You can learn helpful advice from listening to a quilter that has been creating collage style blankets for a long time. However, it is important to understand that they have accumulated their supplies over a long period of time.

Tips For Savings

Use coupons- online and in stores.
Utilize discounts
Swap fabric with other people.
Join a group- that way everyone brings their own fabric. This is also a great way to learn from others as well as share your knowledge.
Do not pay more for a fabric because you like the color; consider dying fabric instead.
Buy fabric in bulk.
Purchase fabric that is on clearance.
Use leftover fabric for batting versus buying batting.
Do not throw fabric away- start a scrap pile specifically for making a quilt.

Instead of running out and investing thousands of dollars, consider the fact that you can start making a quilt and watch it grow. Once you learn the basics, you can gradually incorporate better fabrics and supplies. This will help you keep your interest versus splurging and then giving up. If you decide to start selling your creations, then you will need to invest into costly fabric.

Once you begin to quilt on a regular basis it is wise to invest in bolts of fabric at affordable prices. Consider building a stockpile of various fabrics that have different designs, colors, and textures. Remember a quilt does not have to be just one type of fabric. If you can not find colors that you like, then consider dying fabrics to create your own unique color combinations.

It is helpful to look at the creations of other quilters, however, do not push to recreate their design. The best part about becoming a quilter is it allows you the chance to express your own creativity.

Therefore, watch your masterpiece grow as you create it. As you begin to excel in your craft, consider sketching out a unique design. Take your time gathering all of your necessary supplies as you work on your design.

Learn about your new interest by reading books and magazines, talking with other quilters, watching how to videos, or joining a class. The more tips and secret you can learn, the less costly your new craft will cost you.

Make sure that you save every single scrap of fabric that you come into contact with. If a piece of fabric is not suitable for the outside of your quilt, then consider using it for batting on the inside. This is actually an old technique used in quilt making.

There is much to be learned from the original method of quilt making, and it is far less complicated than what many quilters are familiar with today. Just remember that your masterpiece does not need to be fancy, and that you want your quilt to stand out from others.

You can easily do this by adding your own personal touch. Remember that old techniques tend to have a way of coming back around, and you can very easily bring back the old style of doing things.

When you opt to create a quilt that is not like all of the rest, then you can expect for others to admire your work. However, it is helpful to remember that not every person likes a rustic-looking quilt. Nonetheless, do not let this deter you from spending less to create a great work of art. Use your imagination, and do not overly invest into your newfound passion.

You will be amazed at the fact that you can create a beautiful quilt with minimal supplies. Start small with creating a baby quilt versus going all out and making a huge comforter. This way you will have a better chance of completing your project, learning from your mistakes, and saving money. After all, practice makes perfect, and there is no need to dive right into the quilt making industry.

Use your quilt making time to relax, learn, and grow. Before you know it, you will be making a quilt like a pro. Do not harshly judge your skills, but rather, learn from each stitch you make. Try different fabrics, threads, and quilt designs to create unique patchwork blankets that will astonish even the most avid quilter.

For a truly unique touch, you may even want to consider creating a quilt that tells a story. Just remember that there is no correct or incorrect design when it comes to creating a unique quilt.

In The End…

If you have been looking for something to help you relax, learn new skills, or allow you to express your own creativity, then you may want to consider becoming a quilter. It is a great past time that is immersed in history, and it is a skill set that many people no longer possess. You do not have to be a woman to create an amazing quilt, and the skills that you will possess will help you with many aspects of life.

Just think, originally a quilt was made because a family was in need of warmth and had left over fabric. If you can harness this thought process, then you will find that it does not have to cost a lot of money to create a quilt that will keep you warm.

Invest slowly, and allow your supplies to build over time. This will help you enjoy your new craft versus over spending and having to push your new interest aside due to cost. After all, a quilt does not have to cost hundreds of dollars to make, and believe it or not, some of the best quilts were made by hand.