Readers Respond: Your Favorite Frugal Quilting Tips

Responses: 160

By Janet Wickell, About.com Guide

See More About:

I like to use cotton batting for most of my quilts, and I save the scraps. I then recut the scraps, butting the straight edges together and using a large zig-zag stitch, stitch them together. I then use the pieced batting for wall quilts and small to medium size baby quilts and lap quilts. I found that using the zig-zag stitch created a stronger, flat seam and is much faster than basting by hand. I save money and help the environment as well.
—Guest MargeD

Buttons! And zippers etc. Many of these items can be re-used...and very often they are much cheaper than new bought. You can often find very unusual buttons/closures to really make something *pop*.While looking for sheets etc remember to check out the purse section also, different fabrics there that are not always found in the clothing section. I LOVE the 2nd hand stores LOL Sherri
—Sherrisews

My granddaughters have made their quilts from my scraps but their brother was too young so i let him glue the scraps onto a wooden board. He loved it, and got a feel for fabric, and has a hanging quilt.
—jekpoppy

I always carry with me used dryer sheets to every quilt retreat or gathering. I collect pieces that would normally get throrwn away and sew them into a 'crazy quilt block' using the dryer sheet as the foundation. It not only uses scraps, but used dryer sheets too that would normally be thrown. People are more than happy to give me their scraps, as they are excited to see part of their work in my next CRAZY QUILT. I've got some beautiful blocks - and very colorful too - No cost to me (just time). And I'll have a really interesting quilt full of quilt retreat memories!
—Sewwhatnow

I save all scraps and make hair scrunchies, Barbie & Ken clothing, doll clothing and blankets for my grandaughters, pillows, etc., there is so many possibilies for scraps, I can't throw any out! One of our local thrift shops offers a free clothing rack every Saturday and a 50c rack everyday. I have been saving material for a denim jeans quilt this way. I just dismantle whatever garment I chose, saving as much as possible. Pockets can be used for inside pockets for purses, or organizers for a bedroom. I also go to thrift stores for flat sheets for backing fabric. Rummage sales are also a great place to find fabric, and patterns. I also make templates from margarine lids.
—Guest Karen Dunlop

I save absolutely all batting scraps that are left over from trimming my quilts. If they are big enough I cut them into squares to use for rag quilts and the little bitty stuff I use to make stuffing for a pillow.
—latterbe1

Well since I have shelves and tubs full of fabric I really don't need to buy any more fabric. So what I've been doing is making quilts with what I have, shopping my stash, and making many scrap quilts. I'm making baby quilts and then when done with new family members I'll be doing them for charity. I don't want to be the lady who dies with the most. And I've finally figured I don't have to save every little scrap. As for backs, well I piece them together and make the backs as interesting as the front.
—WORKMOMFOREVER

when i sew fabrics together and cut off the corner, i sew those together to make a half square triangle.. i trim it up and store like sizes together...i have used them in doll quilts, borders, and making squares in scrappy quilts or table runners. no triangle is too small. they range from 1" to 4" in 1/4 increments. Note from Janet: for beginners, Nancy is talking about tips from the technique used to make quick Snowballs and Flying Geese.
—Guest Nancy

I use margarine lids to make templates, and before I had a rotary cutter, I used a single edge razor blade. On my first alteration job, I was taught to use them for ripping, and since then I rarely use a seam ripper. I use the blades also for cutting paper, they are cheap and easily available,
—Guest sooze

My immediate family knows that they can't throw away 100% cotton shirts because I try to take them apart for quilts. I'm getting my mom and dad and inlaws in on this too - Save everything for Donna! - and they come down with a box for me! I try to use as much as I can and throw nothing away until I am so sure that it can't be used- and sometimes I save it anyway. :-)
—FLDonna

I turn all the triangles left over from mitred corners on napkins, placemats, quilt borders into pinwheel blocks which I then make into potholders. I hate wasting those lovely triangles, and I love the energy conveyed by pinwheels! I use Insulbrite batting and that silver heat-reflective fabric as the backing. Potholders are giftable, useful, and quick to sew up. Better yet--they are Eco friendly as they reduce the world's excess of stray, homeless triangles!
—Guest Lynn Mullen

I found 3 for $1 stick-on linoleum tiles at the dollar store-cut them to the size of the quilted bag-stuck 2 together and have nice sturdy flat bottom bags now. Be sure you line them up perfectly cause once they're stuck-they're stuck-lol. Enjoy!
—Guest KathyB

I regularly search the local thrift stores for garments that I can take apart and use in quilts, miniature ones and full-size quilts alike.
—Guest Lois Wymer

I use whatever I can for scrappy quilts, as I'm sure everyone else does, but you know those itsy bitsy scraps that definatly can't be used? The edges of squares, triangles or less than a couple of inchs or so in width? I save them in a bag until I get a fair amount and toss them into an old pillowcase or one I might get at goodwill,(or make my own), and make dog or cat beds for the unfortunate animals at the local shelter. The staff apreciate them along with the dogs and cats. Just be careful that there are no pins mixed up in the material. Merry
—Guest merryreader

Backings take a lot of yardage and can add up to a lot of money. I do a number of different things to keep the cost down. #1 - Thrift Stores are a great place to buy flat sheets. #2 - I cut 10 1/2 inch (10 inch finished) squares, stitch together into a checkerboard (lt-dk-lt-dk). It's great because if I need a backing for a 72 x 83 inch top I simply round up so I would piece the squares 8 x 9 (80" x 90"). #3 - I piece "tops" using Christmas prints and then use them as backings which makes the quilts reversible. #4 - check with local the hotels/motels. They usually buy new bedding and throw the old in the trash so if you can, grab the bedding before it ends up in the dumpster.
—Guest Virginia

Previous136-150 of 160Next

Janet Wickell
Quilting Guide