tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107700310049751921.post1317113801129750583..comments2022-12-25T13:15:53.511-07:00Comments on the rainbow revolts: Budget Quilting, Part One: The ToolsGwendellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04032867679293152334noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107700310049751921.post-23173961267871471632013-06-14T14:42:08.805-07:002013-06-14T14:42:08.805-07:00Hi I just wanted to add about rotary cutters. They...Hi I just wanted to add about rotary cutters. They are really a personal preference. I have several different "makes" and I usually use just the one I love the most. In my opinion there are several on the market with lower prices that are very good. A self healing mat is a MUST for quilting, which I see you purchased, as I did from JoAnn's with my 50% off coupon. If you ever frequent thrift stores or Goodwill , every now and then you will find one that has not even been used for a steal, but don't wait for that, if you find one stash it for later when the first one wears out, as they do WEAR OUT, with much use. I say spend your money of the best you can afford, fabric, tools etc. You will be happy with the end result. Also you can find many free patterns on the web. I particularily like Quiltville Quips and Snips blog since she has so many good free patterns. Enjoy the journey. crazy quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05732146613926403990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107700310049751921.post-59143312665980360752013-06-04T13:47:42.970-07:002013-06-04T13:47:42.970-07:00That's what I love the most about quilting - t...That's what I love the most about quilting - the roots are so humble and so expressive. I used to hate the look of scrappy quilts, until I realized that the look isn't really the most important part of the quilt, it's the meaning behind it. The journey of taking what you have and assembling it into artistry is very applicable to my everyday life, and I like thinking that I'm carrying on a thrifty tradition :) Plus, I think it's a little easier now-a-days to get caught up in wanting more "things" for your hobby - being new to the scene, it can be overwhelming a little. At least it seemed that way to me! It took me a while to reconcile want vs. need when I wasn't very educated in quilting.<br /><br />Investing in good quality is very important, it's true. I didn't buy a cutting mat until I could get like, a huge self-healing one, which took forever but was completely worth it! What rotary cutter do you have? I have a fiskars, it probably was one of the cheaper ones, and I can't decide if it's any good or not (which probably means it isn't very good, huh?). It works though!Gwendellynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032867679293152334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107700310049751921.post-52905863063487154042013-06-04T12:32:38.445-07:002013-06-04T12:32:38.445-07:00I feel you on the expense, but then I think back a...I feel you on the expense, but then I think back and our grandmother's didn't have loads of money to blow on a "hobby" either, they used bits of fabric or flour sacks and still managed to make beautiful things. <br /><br />I love scrap quilts, and save almost everything since I feel like throwing the bits away is like tossing out money. I don't have lots of fancy rulers, notions either, but my only recommendation for saving money is to save for the good stuff if you do buy anything. No sense having something that's not quality that you will have to replace/fix because you use it all the time. Might cost more up front but it will save in replacement costs (I bought a cheap rotary cutter. It sucks). Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00945396892040718620noreply@blogger.com