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Saturday, September 26, 2015
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Homemade gifts cost way more than buying a gift from a mass marketed store. So, the next time you get another scarf, blanket, bar of soap, or picture to hang on your wall, just remember that. I am not talking about the time it took to make the item. I am talking about just the supplies to make the item. Although, I always pour my heart and soul into every item I make. Let's take a crochet blanket as an example. First you need a pattern. Although, the internet is full of free patterns it may take weeks of searching to find the exact pattern that is close to what you want to make. It is always easier to buy a pattern book that you like and pick from that book. Although, looking is half the fun once you have settled on a pattern you need supplies and of course enough time to actually make the item. Supplies for your blanket: Hook - $6.99 30 oz of Yarn - $34.90 (cheapest / per skein / 3 oz per skein so 10 skeins) So, for a simple ripple afghan with a free pattern, it will cost you $41.89 before tax. Now I know that a lot of afghans cost way more than that as I have one ongoing project that required 19 skeins. But, let's move on.... What about a cross stitch picture? Hmm. I know I have given tons of these as gifts over the years. I love doing them for my friends and family. It is hard if not impossible to find a free cross stitch pattern that you are willing to stitch. So, let's say you buy one. But what supplies other than that are needed? Supplies for your picture: Needle - $3.17 (I use roughly 2 per picture) Thread - $0.33 per skein. (Let's say 15 skeins per picture) Fabric - $23.00 for an 18 x 24 piece of silk weavers reflection Q-snap - $13.49 for an 8 x 8 frame Fray-check - $3.49 Air erase ink pen - $6.49 So, for your cross stitch picture, you have spent $57.76. But, let's move on to quilting. Very few patterns are free for full quilts online. So, let's do a table runner. Yes, you can find free patterns for them. But, I usually get my patterns for things like this from magazines. Let's assume that the sewing machine is a given. Supplies for a table runner: Magazine - $6.99 Thread - $7.99 Fabric - $2.49 (per quarter yard / 1 yard required) Batting - $19.99 per yard Rulers, cutting mat, scissors, ink pens, rotary blades, stencils and quilting pens can be used and replaced as needed but I would say it averages $10 per project. So, for your table runner you have just spent $54.93 before taxes. In conclusion, I hope the next time someone gives you a homemade gift you remember that it is not the cost that matters but the heart and soul they put into it. Otherwise, you would be receiving a doily from Hobby Lobby for $3.50 or a quilt from Walmart for $29.00. Or a picture fromTarget for $15. Me and my fellow craftsmen,give from the heart.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Monday, September 7, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Friday, September 4, 2015
Chris, isn't this what the. Craftsy class was using?
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