Thanks again to everyone who has commented, it’s a pleasure to hear from you. I’ve finished another quilt. My daughter took her quilt home with her on her last visit, so her bed ‘at mum’s’ is bare. I’ve just finished the top of another quilt for my daughter’s single bed. All sorts of bits to make this one, shirts, a skirt, cheapie fat quarters from the South West Quilt Festival. I shall spend this evening on my hands and knees with duck tape basting this with adhesive spray, which is not frugal, but makes it easier to quilt.
I am sure, but I’m probably wrong, that some people ‘go shopping’ as they don’t have anything else to do. Cutting up old duvet covers and shirts is really satisfying because it fills hours of my life. I am in my own little world when I’m sat at my sewing machine. I’ve also spent time explaining to people recently, why I make quilts. I want to kick back at the mass produced, at the ‘cheap’, at the sweatshop made. I’ve got the point now, that if I want something, I check where it is made. I then research whether workers in that country are paid a living wage, whether they have rights………whether human or worker rights, whether there are adequate health and safety laws, I check whether unions are allowed, that female workers have maternity rights. If they don’t….i.e….it’s made in China, then I don’t buy it!!!
I am sure, but I’m probably wrong, that some people ‘go shopping’ as they don’t have anything else to do. Cutting up old duvet covers and shirts is really satisfying because it fills hours of my life. I am in my own little world when I’m sat at my sewing machine. I’ve also spent time explaining to people recently, why I make quilts. I want to kick back at the mass produced, at the ‘cheap’, at the sweatshop made. I’ve got the point now, that if I want something, I check where it is made. I then research whether workers in that country are paid a living wage, whether they have rights………whether human or worker rights, whether there are adequate health and safety laws, I check whether unions are allowed, that female workers have maternity rights. If they don’t….i.e….it’s made in China, then I don’t buy it!!!
I know I could buy a quilt, or blanket, or duvet cover really quite cheaply but I actually want to fill my home with the up-cycled, re-cycled, re-purposed, second hand and well cherished. The backing for my latest quilt is a 1980’s flowery duvet cover in rusty yellows. I always buy Hobbs batting from America as it’s not been outsourced to where labour is cheaper, but it’s made where it’s always been made. I try and use old clothes for the most part of my quilts to save them from landfill and to save me money.
I love reading all of your blogs, where you’ve cooked something homemade, where you’ve knitted, crocheted, quilted, crafted, grown, raised from a chick and where you’ve just generally made it yourself. I love your re-cycling, up-cycling, bike riding, rambling, camping, youth hosteling and money saving. I love our little blog world where we don’t fill our time with shopping but do something a lot more meaningful instead.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxxx
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Those quilts are a treat on such a rainy day 🙂 I can't understand why people like to shop. I've always found it a bit of a torment and deciding mostly not to was a huge relief.
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There's nothing quite as satisfying as creating something that's beautiful and useful with your own hands! You put a bit of yourself into every piece. Beautiful quilt!
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It looks amazing froogs.
X x
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I couldn't agree more! From all points of view, an afternoon of crafting or cooking or just chatting is infinitely preferable to trawling round shops!
blessings xx
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Quilt looks great.I agree with you about blogland,you get to chat with like minded people who don't think your strange for not spending a fortune in the supermarket or not hitting the high street every Saturday.
x
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Beautiful! x
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When my Mum died I felt lost and turned to sewing to help me through a difficult time. Just thinking of my little hobby helped me get through the lonely times without her. Ive made about 6 or 7 quilts now and I agree nothing can beat the cutting, piecing and sewing together. Ive also started crochet !! there are just so many great websites now to check out these crafts. I loved your quilt by the way.
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oh wow!that is spectacular!must get that fabric to you…x
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Another beautiful quilt - you're really on a roll! I'm still busy crocheting granny squares for my blankets. Each one is made from pre-loved or un-loved wool. All the blankets I've made so far are used and each brings back memories of the making. They will also in the future bring back memories of the using. Yes, we've got our lovely little bloggy world where everyone seems to understand each other.
Love from Mum
xx
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I love the way you are so prolific ; I don't know how you do it ! Reading your post is like having a daily dose of medicine that will guard me against shopping and waisting time and money. I'm sure you help a lot of people along the way ; Thank you !
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Beautiful quilt and a great post, FQ! Good for you!
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I've had a spend free day today - actually its the 2nd in a row!!
MrVV has spent less than £4 - some on the only newspaper we buy all week and some of a bag of chips for an ever- hungry teenager this afternoon whilst we were at a free event!!
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I really love the colours in this one, looks fabulous. I just wanted to say that I received the sewing box today - thank you so much it is so lovely and will be cherished. Cx http://frugalupnorth.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Gifts
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Sorry if I'm being a bit thick (that's NFM), but where do I click to message you direct?
[email protected]
Arwedd xx
P.S. That Quilt looks absolutely fabulous!!
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The best things in life really are free aren't they?
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The best things in life really are free aren't they?
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Yes, doesn't it give a great deal of satisfaction to make something useful rather than the quick-fix of throwing money away.
After 35 years in the rat-race, since leaving it, I really enjoy making things. I've surprised myself with my unexpected abilities in the kitchen, most of the things I've learned how to make turn out well,better than the super-shed stuff.
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Looking gorgeous Froogs - well done you've taken to this like a duck to water
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Really nice post, I love reading this blog and seeing all the lovely things you make. We have always been quite thrifty but recently I have been really inspired by so many bloggers and am hoping to get a sewing machine for my birthday so I can start making lovely things for my family and home. I have noticed so much recently that many new mass produced things in the shops are not only overpriced but lack quality and certainly lack character. I have started upcycling old things and sourcing older items which are so much nicer.
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Idea for blog post - you invite me to SLEEP UNDER one of these lovelies, and we can blog about it on both blogs!! (I'll bring the wine, we can share dinner with the menfolk!)
What do you reckon? LOL
FM xxx
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I love the colours of this quilt. I knit through my dramas. The more complex the pattern can give those in the know a clue as to how bad I feel.
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I never go shopping unless I just really need things. Shopping is not entertaining or pleasurable at all.
I also don't understand being bored and having to find something to do. I think I was born busy and never wonder how to fill my time.
I like your scrappy quilt and I imagine your daughter will know she is sleeping under a blanket of love.
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Great post. I love your quilt!
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I've been avoiding “made in China” for the last decade. Too many jobs are outsourced there. Some people have decided it's racist but hey, I'm in a union and support unionized businesses as much as I can.
There is no need to ship everything half way around the world.
This week's snow has finally melted and I was able to dry my first lot of washing on the line today!
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Wow!!! This quilt didn't take you very long!! Nice job 🙂
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I read your blog on my phone right before I go to bed. I wish there was a “like” button for blogs! You are making me get back to quilting!
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Beautiful quilt! x
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I have been following your posts about quilting with interest. I usually send old clothes and sheets to the charity shop but I think I would like to keep some garments.
When my mum asked e to take som eof my dad's clothes to the charity shop when he died I sneaked out my favourite shirt. I didn't know what I was going to do with it until Christmas when I made some heart shaped decorations for the tree from it. I gave some to my mum and she was deeply moved.
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A beautiful quilt and a wonderful post.
Our little Blog world is brilliant, full of like minded souls who have or are about to 'jump ship' and leave this rat race of commercialisation behind.
When adverts come on the tele now I sit back and marvel at the items shown. One that springs to mind immediately 'star shaped baked crisps'….do we NEED another form of mass produced, highly priced nibbles for our kids to eat and get fat with, clogging up the supermarket shelves. Choice, sometimes I think it's gone to far, how nice to make our own, re-purpose what we have and generally live our lives OUR way.
You've really got me thinking, thank you.
Sue xx
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A brilliant post!
Old towels also make great quilt batting. So so charity shop eiderdowns, and 2 duvet covers. :o)
Happy sunday FQ. It's brilliant to see you sewing and quilting!
xx
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lovely quilt, they are all lovely, yes I totally agree with you about recycling/upcycling, been recycling for years, most of our furniture is second-hand from ebay/hospice furniture shop and most of what I make/try to sell is recycled fabrics, but only the other week there was a snidy comment on twitter about quality not quantity, it really upset me, made me feel worthless, oh well sod them it's not me that's got a big expensive credit card bill from buying expensive designer fabrics!
Josie x
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O how lovely they look..i agree that some folks shop out of boredom..i personally love to do things with my 2 littlies that don't cost the earth..like today its miserable outside so what are we doing..we are de-coupaging a crappy box to make it look nice.so they can keep their beads in it..cheap and educational..
love
sara
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Love that quilt! Gorgeous!
I agree with the blog world! The amount of stuff people waste their money on at work is crazy. They spend their breaks on ebay looking for cheap things to buy. Just DON'T BUY IT!!!
I am not perfect, but I absolutely HATE wasting money on clutter. I have been purging my stuff in a big way ready to move to Bristol in September to start my PhD.
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exquisite!
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AMEN!! I totally agree with you - I have a quote on my blog sidebar about how much more poetic and creative thrift is.
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completly in love with all your quilts wish i could make one for my DD xxx
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Hi Jane I have recently started quilting and love it, I made the mistake of buying fabric from a craft shop and it cost me £49 for a pram sized quilt. I will now buy as you do and enjoy watching something be recycled.
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It can be expensive, look out for the big regional stitch and hobby craft shows or big quilting shows, get there early and buy for the future. I buy fat quarters for 15 for £10 and I buy cotton at £2.50 a metre and mix that with recycled. I use quilt covers from charity shops as quilt backs too
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Thanks for the tips Jane, Happy quilting. x
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