Quilters and Patchworkers

That's the problem isn't it ... Only so many quilts and then what?

The only time I might buy unplanned fabric is if it is what I might use but more important is if it is well reduced.
My family and I have all the quilts we can manage to house so now in order to get my P&Q 'fix' I make quilts for Project Linus. They are all scrappy quilts so that I can TRY and reduce some of my stash. I too buy from charity shops especially for backing fabrics (duvet covers are good buys).
However when I am holiday abroad I am always lured into fabric shops and rarely come out empty handed. I then have to wait until the inspiration for another quilt comes to me. I am still waiting to use the fabrics from India (3 years ago) and Australia (3 months ago). Any ideas ?

I often buy fabric as a souvenir on my hols if I can find a shop. I do have an awful lot of material but once DH retired I realised my life would not be my own and have been very glad I bought so much as I rarely have to buy extra. I've been backing quilts with fleece which is large and cheap for lap quilts. I send the finished ones to a hospital friends shop to fill up their shelves and raise funds. We have a very good fabric shop in our local market .

Stair carpet? My goodness! How?

I've used bed sheets too, good to know it's not just me... I love hand sewing and patchwork, or my variations, allows me to sew and use some lovely fabrics. I think I need to go hunting old fabrics as that would be even better...

I've done large scale Rag rugs - and that's all with recycled stuff, I've heard of some folks buying fabric especially to make the which seems most odd to me. Must admit my DD is also very gifted and making things on a budget - she has a very smart set of sitting room curtains using cheap plain fabric that has a deep panel of expensive designer fabric at the bottom. The effect is very classy.

She is currently making her own staircarpet.

mollie Entirely for my own use. I am currently making new bedroom curtains from embroidered tableclothes.

DD is the real sewer and recycler in the family. She makes Kirsty's Homemade Home look half-hearted.

I always have a project in mind when I start out buying material. I am quite excited by the mixing/blending of colours and choose my fabrics with care - so this makes it difficult to just go for scraps, as the colours might no do it for me, or accord with the wishes of the person who will be the recipient of the quilt.

There are lots of good YouTube videos that show different techniques, and I am signed up to an email that sends me new patterns and ideas.

I too use bed sheets as backing.

Interesting, Monica - for your own use or for resale? Hadn't thought about eBay but will take a look now...

I am more into recycling vintage and leftover fabrics than doing patchwork, although patching fabrics together plays an important part in my work.

Fabrics come from all over. I visit a lot of vllage hall auctions and quite often a there will be sometimes be Lot of fabric remnants, usually curtain fabrics, the remains from other people's lifetime of making their curtains and having bits leftover. I go to chaity shops and I buy online. Ebay is full of people selling odd lengths of fabrics and leftovers.

The fabrics I and DD collect get used for a huge range of products from curtains, to cushions and bedspreads, dressing up clothes and upholstery

Ah, HildaW, a lady after my own heart. I like using old fabrics too but sometimes it's hard to find just what you want without resorting to brand new which can be expensive. I threw away lots of material a few years ago in a mad fit of de-cluttering and regret it now.

Mamacaz you've hit the nail on the head! My home decor doesn't exactly welcome the bright, jazzy projects but I love some of the new designs and have to resist or I'd be forced to redecorate too!!!

I try to stay true to the idea that Patchwork is all about recycling and reusing rather than just creative (which also requires a large budget nowadays if you stick to 'quilting' supplies.

I scavenge charity shops - there are a couple in Herefordshire that specialise in fabrics and crafts rather than just the usual fayre - I also use fabrics left over from other projects ( I do costumes and other dressmaking projects from time to time) as well as cutting up old garments if suitable. Every now and again I will buy from a specialist shop, especially if in the U.S. - I will then choose something really unusual and make it a key element of a piece.
If I need a large piece of fabric as a lining for a quilt I will often buy a decent quality bed sheet in a sale...as the fabric is often of excellent quality.

Well, there's different sorts of projects... If you have a pattern / design / colours in mind then new fabrics bought specifically are lovely. It's useful to have a look at some books / websites for ideas and quantities needed. If you want to use up some bits and bobs you already have there's some good ideas for scrap quilts on quiltsville.com. The most amazing quilts are those that have been planned.

I usually buy with a specific project in mind, though I might buy more fabric than I need if it's one I particularly like and can imagine myself using it in other projects in the future.

Occasionally, when I'm just browsing, I will see something that inspires me, and will buy it on the spur of the moment. That happened last week - I saw a pack of fat quarters in Hobbycraft in on-trend colours that I really liked, and I instantly wanted to use them in some cathedral windows cushions that I've fancied making for some time. Unfortunately, the colours wouldn't suit the present colour scheme in our lounge, so I've also been out and bought some new paint and will have to redecorate the lounge to match. Talk about making work for myself! .

I now try to avoid buying fabric unless I have a project in mind, having already accumulated several yards of fabric bought at the local market and that I haven't yet found a use for.