Addiction to the Quilt Shop!
I just returned from the local quilt shop where they are having their annual Fat Tuesday Fat Quarter sale. This was such a huge sale that I actually had it marked on my calendar to go, almost as important to me as a doctor or dentist appointment would be. Truthfully, perhaps even more important!
Anyone who has ever visited my site before knows that I am a sewer. I don’t quilt, but I love the quality fabrics that are sold at quilt shops and use them to make my fabric bags, including the ones I currently have up for auction. The only downside of buying quilt fabric is the price, it can run almost twice the price per yard of the fabrics you will find in other fabric stores. The quality is quite noticeable, particularly when sewing it, and it is well worth the money.
I try to not go to the quilt shop unless I absolutely need fabric or a specialized item that only they carry. However, last week, I was there for a bag sewing class which cost me $25 plus the cost of all of the supplies to make the bag, approx. $50 (I can make two bags from that supply). Following the class, I did purchase more yardage for other bags I plan to make, spending another $50. Today’s shopping trip was specifically to purchase fat quarters, pre-cut pieces of fabric measuring 18″ x 22″. These are not on sale too often, so it was a stock up spree for me. I purchased 42 various fat quarters at a cost of $1.75 each, regularly $2.50 each. I also decided to join a Block-of-the-month club for making a Beattitudes quilt. The blocks themselves are very reasonable, $12 each. I had to buy both January and February’s blocks for a total of $24. I also had to purchase the instruction book, a one-time purchase of $16. If you were to add up all of those numbers, you would come up with a number totaling almost $140.
Needless to say, I’ve spent quite a bit over the last month on fabrics. I use my money that I earn online and from selling my bags to purchase all of my fabrics and notions. I feel this is fair to not take money from our household budget to support my fabric and sewing addictions. I pay for all of it using a debit card attached to my own personal account, I never have to feel guilty about what I’m spending. This is how I deal with debt management for my sewing business. By using a debit card rather than a credit card, I don’t have to contend with credit card debt management which can be stressful if not handled correctly. I want to enjoy my sewing, not have to worry about how I’m going to pay the bill when it comes in the mail.
So, I have now built up my fabric stash to a level that I should be able to make quite a few fabric bags in several different varieties. I’m looking forward to making each and every one, they are all as individual as we are! 
