Fabric for Less
There was a time when sewing was a way of saving your family money; you could purchase a pattern, fabric, and your notions cheaper than what you could buy the product. Unfortunately, that is seldom true today. With current fabric prices it can be difficult to save money by making your own items. If you are sewing to save your family money you may find the following tips useful.
Coupons
If you have not already signed up for them, you should sign up for all the online and mail circulars your local fabric and craft shops put out. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann’s Fabric, and Hancock’s all have online coupons and circular coupons that you may not even know about. For instance, at the time this was written Hobby Lobby had a coupon you can print out for 40% off any non-sale item in their store.
A quick word of advice; you will soon find yourself overwhelmed with flyers and emails from these places and if you are anything like me you will never have one when you decide to stop by the store. The best thing to do is to print and cut-out the coupons immediately, then place them in an envelope in your purse or glove box so you will always have them.
Here are links to the sign up locations:
Hancock Fabrics http://www.hancockfabrics.com/subscribemain.jsp?action=1
Michaels https://www.michaels.com/art/online/logonForm?url=http://www.michaels.com/art/online/mymichaels
Joann’s Fabric The following link is to their home page. The link to receive coupons via email is in the bottom left hand corner. http://www.joann.com/index.jhtml
Hobby Lobby Link to receive their coupons via email is on the top of their home page. http://www.hobbylobby.com/
Recycled Fabric
When trying out new patterns or sewing for my own family I often use items I pick up at second hand stores. I find the best deals at smaller less known thrift stores. Try doing a search on the internet in your area or check out your yellow pages. Then call them up and see if they have any weekly specials. Some thrift store chains have $1 days once a week where anything of a certain color tag is only $1. Other thrift stores have a different color tag that is 50% off each week.
Stop by on their sale day and browse their linens for items made from a good quality fabric in large-enough pieces that you can reuse it. Sheets, blankets, throws, even curtains can be cut up and reused. Need some waterproof fabric to line a car seat cover? Check out their used draperies!
Sheets
If recycled fabric isn’t your thing you can always look at single flat sheets at your local discount store. Wal-Mart sells their solid color twin flat sheets for around $4 each. Kmart has a wonderful selection of colors and patterns for around $6 each. Considering that a twin flat sheet is 66x96 inches that is 1.8 yards by 2.6 yards (almost 5 yards of fabric).
Upholstery Swatches
If your project can be pieced together or you are looking for good quality quilting fabric try asking your local furniture store(s) if they have any old upholstery swatches. Most swatches are updated 1-2 times a year.
About the Author
Misty Marquardt is the designer and owner of Make Them Yourself patterns. She has over 20 years experience sewing with all fabrics and is currently teaching classes on making leather shoes at the University of Texas. Visit her site to check out her pattern line: http://www.makethemyourself.com.
