If you sew a lot like I do, this will save you not only money but time. Quite often I find the larger spools usually sold for serger use on sale for $1.98, less than the large spool of regular thread. I just sit it in a container run it up through a hook that I tape to the lid of my sewing machine and thread as usual. I wind my bobbins with the same thread so I don't have to adjust the tension and the thread comes in tons of colors.
By Ann W. craftingtales.com from Loup City, NE
This page contains the following solutions.
After removing blue and white checked curtains and shades in my kitchen and laundry room and replacing them with blinds, I snipped the curtains in two to make valances and used the remainder of the fabric to make quilted place mats, oven mitts, and pot holders.
I love fabric crafts, but often want many different fabric materials, patterns, and colors. I now go to the Thrift Store (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) and look at the clearance rack for shirts, pants, or skirts made of fabric I can use in my crafts.
Interfacing can be expensive, but I have found that landscape fabric is the same thing as sew-on, black, light weight interfacing. It comes in different thickness', too. Landscape fabric is made to keep weeds from growing through your garden.
I find a lot of beautiful fabric in the charity shops and thrift stores. The fabric is in curtains, bed linens, and clothing.
Our ancestors were very frugal and remembering some of the penny pinching ideas they employed is helpful even now. Gram Mac was as tight as bark to a tree, but remembering what she would have done ha saved me a trip to a store recently. How?
I have been using an empty lint roller as a darning 'ball'. It works very well. I have never found refills for it. I think they are wasteful, anyway.
Join a local sewing group, such as a Quilting Guild or American Sewing Guild that meets in your area. They usually have a free table with all sorts of free things members don't want anymore or just want to clear out the clutter.
When you need templates for any kind of crafting; plastic sheets are available at most craft stores. However here's what I discovered: go to any "dollar" store and buy a pkg. of cutting board sheets.
For my 6 year old, I have found patterns on sale at fabric stores when special sales run for half price if not .99 cents. I have saved many of my old denim skirts, or can even buy them at thrift stores, take apart at seams, and use for making capris, shorts, and skirts.
