Broke the budget..how about you?

Well, this past week, actually just the past two days, I have bought more fabric than I ever buy at one time.
A friend of mine needs a tshirt for her sons 2nd birthday, with the number 2 appliqued on and his name embroidered. She showed me one she likes so I'm going to duplicate it for her. It is Thomas the Train theme so that started my spending. I found a fat quarter on Etsy so I bought it. Then in my travels through Etsy, I found a shop that will be going out of business. I ordered more fabric and she even refunded me $8.40 on shipping! More money for fabric. The biggie was when Susann started a thread trying to find out the name of a certain fabric. She posted a beautiful quilt. I fell in love with the fabric and the quilt. Well, we found out that the fabric was American Jane Punctuation by Moda. Well, this fabric is OOP, so it was difficult to find. I found two shops that sell it so between the two I was able to get all the ones I wanted for making this quilt. I did have to get one of them on eBay. I did not want all the fabrics in the line so the few layer cakes I came across was not an option. Anyway, all these packages should be here at the end of the week, just in time for my anniversary. I have now spent my fabric budget for awhile so please don't show me any more! LoL.
Have any of you spent or overspent your budget lately?

Um, always.....

Budget? What budget? You mean we have a budget? LOL !! ALWAYS

I can report that I am under-budget at this time! I am saving those $$ for October at MSQC!

I just did it AGAIN!! (went shopping here) It's a good thing I don't have a budget .. I never would stick to it.

Not lately, but it's only because I haven't made it to the local fabric store. I planned to go on Wednesday but ended up taking Jakie pup to the vet instead.

I wasn't supposed to shop at all. Except for the NQ3 swap. And then todays DD came up, and M* got more $$ from me. But not a huge order - just the DD, a pair of snips for Mom, and a charm pack. But then there's the items at CT that I want.....uh oh.

I have a certain amount each week to spend without having to explain it to the family budget. This week I am a whole .10 under. I use my fun money for mostly sewing stuff and fun things for the kids. Sometimes I hoard that money for something special but not often.

For 20 yrs I have not spent change. I wait until my purse is heavy then I used to roll it up and cash it in. Now I take it to a coin star to cash it in. About 18 months ago I started not spending $1 bills in addition to that. That works great except for when the little ones want to go to the dollar store or Five Below, then I let them take the ones and divide them up. I want to some day not spend five dollar bills. I like having little stashes of money around.

I don't exactly have a budget for fabric, but I did spend more this week than I should have spent! I bought fabric to make a queen size quilt as well as a couple templates, mini charm pack, and yardage to complete my dd's birthday quilt. I'm really trying not to spend money on fabric anymore without a specific project in mind. I'm sticking to it.....most of the time ;)

Years ago my DH wanted a John Deere tractor. My response: "Sure, go ahead honey, just remember I get whatever I want for the rest of my life!" He claims I have spent the equivalent of that tractor cost on my sewing hobby/addiction years ago. My response, "I didn't say I got what I wanted until I spent the equivalent of what that tractor cost. I said I get whatever I want for the rest of my life!"

Budget??? Um, no budget....but I keep track (in my head) of what the credit card balance(s) are. Some weeks I really blow it, other weeks not so much. Did some damage this morning at a Quilting & Knitting expo.....going to "try" to save (refrain from buying) until we go on vacation in Sept. There is a wonderful quilt shop (The Cherry Pit) in downtown Sevierville, TN that I want to spend some "quality" time in. :D Keeping my fingers crossed that DH will let me go by myself (have checked & it's not too far from the cabin we are renting & with the GPS I know I can get there & back). He is very protective of me going places by myself, esp if we are away from home....gotta love him for that. Have been to this shop one time before, he took me & waited in the car. I "felt" rushed, even though he told me to take my time and I knew he meant it. The shop even has chairs/magazines etc for hubbies waiting on their wives while they shop. They have thought of everything! But I know my DH, he wouldn't go in.....he would rather sit in the car. :icon_rolleyes:

I don't have a budget established, but I do try and watch what I spend so there's enough leftover to pay bills..lol. I did spend quite a bit recently to get enough fabric to finish a quilt for my husband's birthday since I drastically underestimated what I initially needed. I have items in my M* wishlist so that if I see a DD that I love then I can add a couple items to it. I was really bad when I started on M* and the forum and I have most of the templates but there are a couple out there I still need that are in my wishlist. I already had today's DD. What saves me is the only shop locally is Joann's and the closest actual LQS is about an hour away so I've only been there 2x. Joann's has some good deals this week and so I couldn't resist--their quilt fabric was $2.49, the blizzard fleece is 70% off, and there's some drapery linings on sale & some quilt backing that I need to go back for this weekend before the sale is over. THEN, I should be done for awhile. I have some projects I want to do for Christmas presents but I should have enough in my stash to get them going. (I stocked up on the warm&natural batting when it was on sale last time and have enough to finish my mystery quilt, my husband's quilt & 1 more, so I will need more for the Christmas projects, sigh).

I don't have a budget but I do have 3 questions I ask myself whenever I feel the need to "shop"
If there are more than 2 "YES's" then I have to buy - the questions are :- 1) Do I like it 2) Do I want it 3) Can I afford it
It never fails me, I always get 2 Yes's
LOL

If you really do want to spend less on fabric, my advice is to write down what you are buying and what you are spending. I have a page in my Daily Planner for this. Money you save by not buying fabric can still go to support your craft. You could save it to go away for a weekend to a quilt show (which is what DH and I are doing this weekend), or upgrade to a better sewing machine or any number of things you might have on your wish list that are big-budget items you might think you can't afford. I get a "high" when I buy new fabric and when I eventually come down from that high I need a new "fix." I went through a bit of withdrawal when I stopped buying lots of fabric but now feel so good about saving that money. Keep track of what you're spending, writing it down in one place, for three months, then you can make a decision about what you are spending compared to what you'd like to be spending.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening!

Cil, I can't wait to see what Punctuation fabrics you bought!
I don't have a budget per say - I used to just always tell myself no to buying the DD
But since I've started saving $100 a month to go back to Hawaii, I now have a cushion and I allowed myself to order the
Sunnyside charm pack and mini charm pack - only $12.08
I can replace that money in September - so now I can't order till next month....
well we'll see.....ha!

I really don't budget either. But I slowed down quite a bit. I needed to get fabric for the Christmas stocking group (25% off) and I bought some containers to organize my scraps into colors. $1.11 each sounded good at good old Wally's :)

My husband says I have a budget, but his idea of one is not mine, so I spend the money and he tries to act like be doesn't notice or care. He is so good to me. :)

Thanks ladies, now I don't feel too bad. I can't say that I really have a fabric budget and my hubby doesn't ever say anything about what I spend cause I'm usually really careful. As long as the bills are paid, he doesn't much care after that.
I had said I wasn't going to spend any more after a couple of weeks of "stocking". Two weeks in a row, Joann's had a 15% and then a 20% off entire purchase including sale items. Those weeks I stocked up on flannel, backing fabric and batting...and a few other cottons. I was really good and haven't been for two weeks and didn't spend anything online either! Then Susann had to post the beautiful quilt with such wonderful fabrics and I had to have it. That and finding the store at Etsy that is going out of business. I'm hoping to order more from her too, but not right away. I ordered smartly from her. i got 6-7 different fabrics and coordinated them to be able to make two different quilts. I'm hoping she keeps the 12% off total order sale, or more would be nice. That and the fact that she refunds overage on shipping was great. I got $8.40 back, which means she was able to stuff all my fabric into a small flat rate box. Some of them say they will refund the money but never do. She did the very next day!
Kathy, I will be sure to take pictures of all my fabrics when they come in. I can't wait!

Terri,

I used to live near Sevierville; I know the shop. If you have time for a "shop hop", my favorite one in the area is Pappy's. It's on Highway 411 (AKA Sevierville Rd) south of Sevierville. I hope you have a great time in my old stomping grounds! (And if you're interested in buying a horse farm, ours is on the market, 2 minutes from Pappy's!)

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Originally Posted by Terri

Budget??? Um, no budget....but I keep track (in my head) of what the credit card balance(s) are. Some weeks I really blow it, other weeks not so much. Did some damage this morning at a Quilting & Knitting expo.....going to "try" to save (refrain from buying) until we go on vacation in Sept. There is a wonderful quilt shop (The Cherry Pit) in downtown Sevierville, TN that I want to spend some "quality" time in. :D Keeping my fingers crossed that DH will let me go by myself (have checked & it's not too far from the cabin we are renting & with the GPS I know I can get there & back). He is very protective of me going places by myself, esp if we are away from home....gotta love him for that. Have been to this shop one time before, he took me & waited in the car. I "felt" rushed, even though he told me to take my time and I knew he meant it. The shop even has chairs/magazines etc for hubbies waiting on their wives while they shop. They have thought of everything! But I know my DH, he wouldn't go in.....he would rather sit in the car. :icon_rolleyes:

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My Mastercard told me he needed a rest. So I am going to give it a nap for at least 2 payments and then WATCH OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Madeforyouinma11

Thanks ladies, now I don't feel too bad. I can't say that I really have a fabric budget and my hubby doesn't ever say anything about what I spend cause I'm usually really careful. As long as the bills are paid, he doesn't much care after that.
I had said I wasn't going to spend any more after a couple of weeks of "stocking". Two weeks in a row, Joann's had a 15% and then a 20% off entire purchase including sale items. Those weeks I stocked up on flannel, backing fabric and batting...and a few other cottons. I was really good and haven't been for two weeks and didn't spend anything online either! Then Susann had to post the beautiful quilt with such wonderful fabrics and I had to have it. That and finding the store at Etsy that is going out of business. I'm hoping to order more from her too, but not right away. I ordered smartly from her. i got 6-7 different fabrics and coordinated them to be able to make two different quilts. I'm hoping she keeps the 12% off total order sale, or more would be nice. That and the fact that she refunds overage on shipping was great. I got $8.40 back, which means she was able to stuff all my fabric into a small flat rate box. Some of them say they will refund the money but never do. She did the very next day!
Kathy, I will be sure to take pictures of all my fabrics when they come in. I can't wait!

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A better deal than 12% off is going to thousandsofbolts.com, right now they are having a $3.67 a yard sale. We are talking Windham, Benertex, top brand stuff and the shipping is really reasonable. I love ordering from them. Frankly here and thousandsofbolts.com are my go to places.

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Originally Posted by Lisapc

A better deal than 12% off is going to thousandsofbolts.com, right now they are having a $3.67 a yard sale. We are talking Windham, Benertex, top brand stuff and the shipping is really reasonable. I love ordering from them. Frankly here and thousandsofbolts.com are my go to places.

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Thanks, I'll have to look and make sure my card is not close by...lol

Lisapc is such an enabler!!!!

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Originally Posted by bkthomas

Lisapc is such an enabler!!!!

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The better the deal the more quilts and crafts. Better for all of us right?

Oh lordy, I wish I had a budget! Maybe that would help slow me down. Spent $100 today impulsively. Still, I bought all the fabric I need to make a quilt I promised my son. And at least I purchased for a planned project, versus the times I buy fabric just because it's pretty with no project in mind.

I also bought a new bookshelf this weekend. As soon as my hubby puts it together, I'm going to organize all my fabric. Can't wait!

Unless it is a blue and white floral I never buy just because I like it. This of course doesn't include the DD. I just know once I have it in my sewing room I will come up with something great.

I am doing the black and white charm and strip swap this month in groups. I knew right away I wanted to do a black and white Jelly Roll Race and applique some big flowers on it. The charms? No idea. I am hoping inspiration will strike soon.

I really try to only buy for projects in mind.

I overspend on fabric constantly. It's an addiction....right?

oh my yes! When I began to learn quilting I realized all my stash was solids!!! Ok you could make a quilt from all solids, but... I got addicted to the pretty prints right away. Told myself I have enough to last my life time now, and have tried to slow down. Since I'm heading to MSQS in October, I am trying hard to not look at ANY fabric - but watch out those 4 days I'm going to try to budget myself then to $100/day but to be THERE in their great shop and see all those lovely pre-cuts.. *sigh*... Addicted - a good way to put it!

I am doing better this year than last year but only because Steve promised I could go to MSQC if I didn't buy fabric except for the neccessary stuff; thread and batting and backing and borders...so far I have done pretty good...slipped a time or two but not for allot! I am hoping with the money saved from not smoking I will have a little stash to spend when I get there in October

Only once or twice....


...a week.:icon_confused:

And my daughter brought it to my attention that a new "Sewing machine/fabric store" opened within a mile from home. Great.

I have a monthly budget I put myself on and I'm doing pretty good. Sometimes a girl needs retail therapy though

Thanks for the info! Will definitely look up Pappy's. Always ready to visit a new quilt shop. :D As for horse farm....um, that would be no. :lol: My little 17-18 lb dog is all I can handle! Beside that, my DH has extremely bad allergies and one thing that really sets him off is hay! We had an activity with our Sunday School class years ago and it included a hayride...that we had to pass on due to his allergies. :(

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Originally Posted by Quilted Fantasies

Terri,

I used to live near Sevierville; I know the shop. If you have time for a "shop hop", my favorite one in the area is Pappy's. It's on Highway 411 (AKA Sevierville Rd) south of Sevierville. I hope you have a great time in my old stomping grounds! (And if you're interested in buying a horse farm, ours is on the market, 2 minutes from Pappy's!)

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Maybe I hang out here too much, but while at this quilt show I've thought of all of you hundreds of times while looking through the vendor markets. Being able to see and handle the fabric makes it so much harder to say no! And the books! You should see all the quilting books one vendor has. That's my weakness. I'm being very good so far...but there is one more day of the show to shop!

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Originally Posted by cyndiofthevortex

Maybe I hang out here too much, but while at this quilt show I've thought of all of you hundreds of times while looking through the vendor markets. Being able to see and handle the fabric makes it so much harder to say no! And the books! You should see all the quilting books one vendor has. That's my weakness. I'm being very good so far...but there is one more day of the show to shop!

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Who are you trying to kid? I saw your thread purchase! He He

I don't really have a fabric budget either. I buy when I need to. Sometimes, I may go to the shop and spend more than I want, but it isn't that often.

I don't really have a precise budget but since I am the one that handles the bills around here I do know when to stop. Unfortunately I know my Visa number by heart.:icon_heh:
I did kind of blow my budget last week though, I went to Joanne with a gift card and bought some backing and a couple of other things and when I checked out the card was no where to be found. Luckily I had my debit card with me and found the gift card when I got home. Now I can go and spend it again, LOL.

Love the responses.
I probably spend more than I should but have really cut back and watch where I spend my money. There are so many places in Lancaster, PA I can get to that I will not pay more than $7. a yard for fabric.
I do believe that next year I am going to try my best to not buy anything until we get our Visa down some. Don't put any kind of fabric/quilt things on it - but when all the kids moved back home, it seems to go up. If I had the cash for that instead of the fabric/quilting - I'm seeing the balance go down. I certainly have enough here to last me the rest of my life that I honestly don't need to go out and buy any more. Of course, I know I will see something I will want (not saying need) - so I know I won't be 100% deprived.

Hugs,