Used dryer sheets work really well at getting gunk off of your iron. Heat the iron up and just run it over the used fabric sheet.

Yes, I need no more quilting toys either. Once I got my pegboard up and saw everythng that was on it, I was cured! ha

I too wash baggies. Hot water and dish washing soap can do a tremendous job. I rinse then well and they're good to go.

I don't even look at the quiting gadgets anymore. Definitely I wouldn't be without the rotary cutting system but everything else is just a way for quilters to part with their money. Give me fabric, thread and batting and I'm ready to roll.

Ha,ha Lynn,I'm with your daughter. Depending on what was in the bag(not meats or something disgustingly greasy)I quite often wash them out and reuse them.Frugal or cheap? Its a fine line....

Used dryer sheets are great for getting stuff off the bottom of your iron. (I admit it - I am sloppy and fusing stuff sometimes gets on there). Just iron the sheet and the stuff comes off.

While I love spending money on fabrics, I am always surprised at all the little toys and templates and re-inventing old ideas so there is a new product to buy.

When I used to ride horses there were always inventions that would "help you learn to ride better". They never worked because the only answer was tons of hours of riding. The quilting industry wants their customer to keep buying and buying so they push easy, easy quilts that can be done quickly (requiring you to buy more fabric) and lots of simple but expensive little tools that can do one little thing.

OH, I think my thoughts are good enough to actually post elsewhere.

I also repurpose all old batting and have put it in quilts if I know the quilting will be more dense so tht it can't separate. I love scrapping! Makes me feel close to my Mom and Dad as they lived thru the Dirty Thirties and the Great Depression AND rationing in WW2.

I don't however, wash out baggies etc. in the kitchen to re-use ....... but my 40 y/o daughter does as she is an environmentalist and re-uses everything!!!!!
Lynn

Dryer Sheets and Quilting--I use them in applique. Needle turn and I don't get along so I place the dryer sheet on the front of the applique piece , stitch on the line, cut at about 3/16" seam allowance, both pieces at the same time, cut a slit in the dryer sheet, turn it inside out, tug the slit together and press. The piece is now ready to applique by hand or machine but without the worry of it losing shape. I have seen demonstrations where they were selling thin interfacing for the same method.

Others use dryer sheets as the base for crazy quilt blocks.

My biggest use for dryer sheets is to rub them on my hot iron to remove fusible web gunk. Then I wad a number together so I don't burn my fingers in the process.

Is this confession time? I had read of a use for used dryer sheets, so have been saving mine. I just can't remember what I wanted to do with them. I know you can use them to give a quick shine to your shoes, and I have used them to remove pet hair off of something, unless it is too hairy. Does anyone have any quilting related ideas for use of used dryer sheets?

I also piece together batting to use in quilts, espcially for wallhangings and the 3 tree skirts I made a couple years ago. I like Bonnie Hunter's site and have been more frugal about saving scraps since I saw what she does with them.

love the site, tnx
i had a blog that show all kind of low cost quilt accessories, but cant find it at the moment, promise when i will find it again i will send you all the link.
enjoy quilting

excellent site - thanks

Very interesting site. Thanks for sharing that.

I agree with all of the above.I save everything.I think you would enjoy Bonnie Hunter's website http://www.quiltville .com as she has all kinds of ideas for making blocks with all of those little scraps.When I have nothing else on,I sit and piece her wonky stars and mile-a-minute tiny blocks and one or these days I'll have enough to put a quilt top together.

Lorchen wrote:
I also purchase men's cotton shirts from the Salvation Army, when they go on sale for 3/$0.99. I don't bother to open up the seams, I just cut them off. I've now got a bag of about 40 shirts already cut up and another bag of almost 30 shirts yet to be cut up. I've figured out a way to cut off all of the good parts while leaving all of the seams, yokes, collars, cuffs and button plackets of a shirt all still connected in one piece. I'm saving these parts for God only knows what, but I plan to use some of the front pockets for an advent calendar.

Occasionally, I'll find a lovely piece of vintage fabric or a vintage 100% cotton sheet at Salvation Army. Rarely, do I pay more than a couple of dollars for them. I've been very lucky to have inherited some lovely vintage decorator fabric samples from my great aunt who once worked in the upholstery department of a local high end furniture store. Several of these vintage fabrics have been used in my quilts.

My quilt guild also has a FREE table and I've scored many great fabric finds there, including some from the stash of the late Cuesta Benberry. So, if your guild doesn't have one, why not initate one?