The Sewing Mom

I’ve tried and tried to do Wordless Wednesday, I just can’t post without words! So, this is my version, Words on Wednesday.

I actually snatched this photograph from my sister Karen at Winding Threads. The photo shows the two of us in front The Cherry Pit quilt shop in Sevierville, Tennessee. This shop must have had thousands of of bolts of fabrics to choose from and a lot of fun block-of-the-month kits hanging all over the walls. I had so much fun visiting that I went back a second time during our 5 day stay in Pigeon Forge last month.

Tags: quilt shop, sewing, The Cherry Pit

I am so excited!  My daughter and I were out running errands today and we headed to the quilt shop to get some fabric and supplies for my fabric bags.  We then headed to my daughter’s guitar lesson.

I was driving in from a different direction than if we had come from home.  When we arrived, we were on the opposite side of the building than where we usually park and my daughter casually mentioned that there was a quilt shop right across the street.  I said “WHAT”!?  I couldn’t believe it.  She has been going to this guitar studio for about a year now and I drive her there myself once a week.  I have NEVER seen this store.  I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to go check it out.

It wasn’t an overly large shop, but they did have some nice fabrics and some good information.  I learned that they had been in their location now for about a year and a half.  I just couldn’t believe that I had not found them sooner.  I also learned that there is a quilt show this weekend in Mesquite, TX which is only 25 miles from where we live.  I might just have to go check it out.

I bought a kit to make a tote bag from blue and brown fabrics.  It’s really pretty and can’t wait to get started on it.  I think it will be a great bag for grocery shopping.  It also has quite a few pockets in it so it will come in handy for many other uses. I think I need to go get started, I’m anxious to put this fabric to use!

Tags: fabric, 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!

Tags: credit card debt management, debt management, fabric, money, quilt shop, sewing