Would you believe me if I told you it has been 15 MONTHS TODAY since I have bought ANY fabric?? Yep, NOT ONE THREAD!!! I really can't believe the time has passed so fast. JoAnn and Hancock Fabrics even took me off their mailing list. HA!
I won the Trip Around the World blocks on the Block Lotto a few months back and JULIE over at JOE TULIPS BLOG reminded me yesterday that I hadn't posted a photo of my TOP. I have seen a few of these Scrappy Trips around blog land lately and they are really great!! JULIE has made one too, go HERE to see hers. MARIT over at QUILT IT BLOG has one too. Go HERE to see hers. I LOVE how we all used the same block design yet they all look different.
I haven't done this for economic reasons or anything like that, I have done it as sort of a REBELLION against the high fabric prices, much of which was unfounded. I refuse to give 13.99 a yard!!! Heck, even Kona solids jumped 2.00 a yard at JoAnns. ME thinks fabric buyers have had the wool pulled over their eyes. Right here I could insert my SPEECH on the USDA's report on the average price of cotton per pound being LESS THAN 90 cents a pound (87 cents) these past two crops.....NOT THE 1.50 per pound that was being used as the excuse in a lot of shops for the new HIGH prices. OK OK OK....I'll stop!
It really wasn't hard after a couple of months to not shop. I retrained my thoughts to the fact that I was going to use what I had on hand and NOT run to the fabric store. JUST say NO!! HA!
After all, it's not like I NEED ANY. As it stands there is NO WAY I could possible sew up all the fabric I have stuffed to over flowing in my sewing room.....BUT, I may have to succumb, I'm ALLLLLLLL out of Red and there is a Red/White quilt I have my mind set on making!!!
I won the Trip Around the World blocks on the Block Lotto a few months back and JULIE over at JOE TULIPS BLOG reminded me yesterday that I hadn't posted a photo of my TOP. I have seen a few of these Scrappy Trips around blog land lately and they are really great!! JULIE has made one too, go HERE to see hers. MARIT over at QUILT IT BLOG has one too. Go HERE to see hers. I LOVE how we all used the same block design yet they all look different.
If you would like to make one too you can go over to BONNIE'S website QUILTVILLE to get the pattern.
Congratulations! This is really something to celebrate. Just my personal opinion but I think this is a GREAT example to set. Wow! Just Wow! Thanks for sharing this super day. Enjoy the red and white purchase. Yippie!!!
ReplyDeleteI am VERY proud, and envious of your resolve! I've tried, and failed, but just say one word in public about "could use some fabric" and the gods will dump on you MORE than you ever thought possible!
ReplyDeleteI WON the fabric basket at Guild (over 7 yards) and was GIVEN scraps from my LQS (over 8 yards) -- and I didn't even ASK.
BTW, I really LOVE the scrappy bargello - excellent use of scraps and gives me more ideas!
It's beautiful! I've been trying to use up what I have also...but I can't say I've refrained THAT much from shopping for more!
ReplyDeleteWe are on the same bandwagon. I will not pay 12.00, or more, a yard. When the cotton prices went up, the fabric prices did, too. When they went down, well, we just get gouged. If it's not on sale, I don't need it, and even then! My stash could supply several quilters, and it is fun to sew from the shelves (and boxes!). Went to a quilt show last weekend, and spent $9 - two vintage pieces and a fat quarter.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you've been able to go for so long without fabric purchases. I wince everytime I see the price per yard, too. Love the Trips blocks. Bonnie's instructions are so clear and simple.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. What resolve!! I just barely got home from a LQS where today only their clearance rack is $3.00 a yard. I wasn't planning on going to town, but I had just looked at their clearance rack yesterday and I knew there were some great pieces there. I won't admit how much I bought. : )
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Scrappy trips quilt. I love that pattern! Was it stipulated in the swap to use black or very dark through the center?
I love your Scrappy Trips quilt. I just made one and it was so fun to do. Love how you used the black--wish I would have thought of that!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm not buying any more fabric. I think I could be busy for the rest of my life with the fabric I have already. When friends invite me to go to the LQS with them, I JUST SAY NO! It's really a lot more fun (and cheaper) to "shop my stash", and it forces me to be more creative in my fabric choices. Which is what it's all about anyway.
I am very impressed at your self discipline. I am a sucker for new fabric - especially reds! Maybe you could swap with someone to get the red you need?
ReplyDeleteI love the scrappy trip - I'm going to make one... someday... :0)
I could not agree more. the cost of fabric is way too high. I try to only buy what is on sale. JoAnns and Handcock fabric stores are getting expensive too.
ReplyDeleteI can remember when it was cheaper to make your own clothes...not any more!
I found a nice little fabric shop around 20 miles down the bayou in Cut Off. Her fabric is very reasonable. She does not have all the latest fabric but her fabric is still nice and she updates as often as she can. Her shop is in her garage converted into a nice shop. She does long arm quilting there too.
I have lots of fabric in my sewing room too but sometimes you need that one color to get through a project!
I love scrappy quilts and your "Around the world" quilt is so pretty. I may have to try making a few of those blocks.
I enjoy reading your blog..
stop by mine sometimes and say hello.
hugs from Louisiana
beebee
wonderful! I've fallen off the no-buying wagon I'm afraid. Prices in FL had crept up to $11.25 a yard, but not as high as $13. aiyee.
ReplyDeleteWow, no fabric bought. I just keep getting a fat quarter here or there. And the occasional sale. And Connecting Threads had a good sale so I bought a bunch of fabric for backings.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I have sat and stared at your picture. It reminds me of the granny squares, sort of, or a crocheted afghan. LOVE it a lot.
Wow, I'm impressed! I try to not buy any more fabric, because Lord knows I have plenty, but I REALLY have a hard time resisting, esp. when at a quilt show or good sale. But I do try to only buy what I need for backs or borders. *wink* Yeah, right! Not so much lately. But fabric prices are through the roof and it's interesting to hear how it's really not justified. Kind of like gasoline too, huh? We must really be suckers for them to keep telling us the same lies all the time.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your scrappy trips! You lucky duck to win all of those!! The top looks so good. Did you have to make any blocks to finish the top?
I need to do the borders for my QATW Halloween top. I know what I want to do, finally. Just gotta get in there and do it. Oh yeah, AFTER I make some blocks for this month's Block Lotto! Don't you find it difficult to sew with your fingers crossed? I know I do. hahaha!
I mweant TRIP around the World, not Quilt around the World. Duh!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt top is great,makes you happy to have won the block lotto, huh? I sure like the black squares that divide it.
ReplyDeleteYour will power is to be commended, also. I usually make it for a month or more between purchases, I can't say 15 months. That would be a challenge, but like you, I have more than enough to sew. Remember, use those coupons when you can, I've learned to even look up discount codes before purchasing online, like fabric. com. Oh, and needing RED would have me going shopping, for sure!
:-}pokey
I love this pattern, and it works out great with any type of fabric. I need to pull my blocks out and keep working on mine.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is on my list too. I should stop buying fabric for a while. I have a ton. I admire your will power.
ReplyDeleteYes, fabric prices have gone up a lot! I have stopped buying fat quarters because the per yard price at $2.65 or more per FQ is too dear for me--so I only buy either 1/4 yards or 1/2 yards, lol!
ReplyDeleteLove your scrappy trip--I want one of those too. Have had it printed out and read it over many times over the past several months!
Hear! hear! I agree 100% with you about the cost of cotton! Who is making the money here!?
ReplyDeleteLove your newest quilt!!
I succumbed yesterday and bought 2 FQ's from a lovely lady on Etsy. They were a must have. However, that's all since goodness only knows when. Aren't I a good girl!
ReplyDeleteYour TATW is gorgeous!
What a great quilt - lucky you to win the blocks. The black is perfect. Congrats on your will power, I'm trying. I've made 3 or 4 "free" quilts lately - all from stash. It feels so good.
ReplyDeleteOh, I really like that quilt and I think it is fine that you haven't bought any fabric in over a year. I think all of us quilters could do the same thing as you because we have our stashes. I have been trying to not buy anything either.
ReplyDeleteHi! Don´t complain if you must pay 13.99 pr yard!! Here in Norway we pay 27$ pr m !! Can you belive why I shop online from US?? :-) Happy Easter!! Anne, Oslo Norway
ReplyDeleteI too have just quit the "cutsie" quilt shops and now shop on line. Check out www.connectingthreads They frequently have great material with a flaw, which I've never found, at under $2.00 a yard. Yes, you read it right. Most of their nice material is around
ReplyDelete$6.oo ar yard for prints, less for solids! Yesterday a Wally world I found $6.00 a yard on sale for $1.50! If we all rebel at the prices, they might go down. After all, they can't eat their surplus! Good luck with your search!
I'm proud of you for not buying fabric for so long! I've only bought fabric for over a year now if I needed something for a backing. I LOVE using up my stash! :0)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! You do have great willpower, I must say. I'm discouraged with the high prices too, but from a shop owner point of view. I rarely sell my fabrics at the suggested retail price....it's just way too high!
ReplyDeleteBut since you haven't bought fabric for a while, would you be up for entering a giveaway to have a chance to win some? Visit my blog! :)
Wow that is a long time to go without buying fabric. More time to quilt though! I won't pay more than $10 for fabric and have only been shopping sales for the last year or so. I've managed to pick up some great bargains at garage sales too.
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt. It reminds me of the granny square afghans. So cute!
your top is great! I'm in the no-buying club too, and with the prices, it has been easy :)
ReplyDeleteI am beginning this week with the "no more fabric buying"; I'll NEVER use all that I have in my lifetime!! I love your idea and your "Trip Around the World" a la Bonnie Hunter. Love your site Julierose
ReplyDeleteI hope you will also post your top on blocklotto.com -I am sure that everyone who made the blocks would love to see what a great job you did of making them play nicely together.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is so gorgeous, I just love the punch of black. Good to hear you're making use of the stash, I'm amazed that you've gone so long without buying. I drastically cut back too and we pay double what you guys pay.
ReplyDelete$13.99 wow that is so cheap........we pay up to $26.00 a meter.......for Kaffe.....most of our fabric is priced between $22 - $26.........I bought some fabric from Hancocks, of Kaffe's latest range and it cost $43.00 in postage.......love your trip around the world quilt......
ReplyDeleteWell done, that's a long time not buying fabric...I try, but fall by the wayside after a couple of months...Here down under it's way much more than you pay there..
ReplyDeleteJulia ♥
Good for you!!!! I fully understand your position too - it is unbelievable how much the middle man is making on most things these days.
ReplyDeleteI realized just now that I've not bought much fabric for the past year - and I don't have a big stash - just haven't needed any, as I'm on a bit of a quilt vacation. And my limit on price is 9.00 - I refuse to pay a cent more for any fabric - if I really like it - too bad for me - the inner "Cheap Me" just won't allow it.
Love the quilt!
Well if anyone would know about cotton, you would. I agree with your rebellion. You just have way more self control than me. I wish I could do that. Darn it. I hate the inflation of fabric.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous quilt...love it! You are so right about the prices of fabric! I admire your resolve and discipline!
ReplyDeleteLove, love your Scrappy Trip! O.K...where do you put the black fabric on the blocks to make it come out like yours? Can't see it yet! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI have been here and admiring your scrap Trip Around the World blocks. I'm making one using Japanese fabric. After seeing yours I will make one of this one days!!! Hope you well - Hugs Nat
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