A.J.
Publish time 2012-12-18 21:54
ebay all the way
catusiana
Publish time 2012-12-18 22:29
I buy my floss from internet (US$0,44) and thread from ebay :P
~Elle~
Publish time 2012-12-27 02:43
+1 vote for ebay. As well as for making organizers oneself.
Also I try to do as much price comparison before purchase as I can (say, if I'm looking for particular kit I'll try nearest off-line shops, on line stores and the site of a kit manufacturer, and the last sometimes is the cheapest option even taking postage prices into account). Sometimes subscribing to e-mail subscriptions of retailers and manufacturers may be helpful - they'll let you know about sales and promotions. Stitching technology is also important: I try to save as much floss as possible, less lose ends and so on. And socializing, too - having friends with the same hobby is really great)
stitchspider
Publish time 2012-12-27 21:34
I shop at secondhand stores for many of my crafting supplies. Locally they sell hoops for $0.10-0.50 depending on size. Needles and floss often in a bag labeled "assorted embroidery" and my fabrics and many patterns come from there. Just walk in and ask where their crafting stuff is.
bizzylizzy
Publish time 2013-1-2 22:56
Nice to share ideas!
My mother looks at the fleamarket, secondhandshop, garagesales. She always finds very neat stuff for me!
seb0357
Publish time 2013-2-15 17:31
I try to wait for the 30% off or more total sale items coupons from craft stores. A couple of times a year, your regular and sale price items will be discounted and extra 20 to 30% of total purchase.That's when I buy 2 sets of every DMC color they have! I can stitch for as long as I can see! :D
shiirley
Publish time 2013-3-9 21:50
I buy in bulk!
Blinne
Publish time 2013-3-10 05:42
langstep replied at 2012-8-17 16:41 static/image/common/back.gif
I purchased my DMC floss from ebay.I always shop around when buying kits or charts to compare pric ...
That's a great idea...thanx for sharing :)
karriboo
Publish time 2013-3-10 13:45
These are all great ideas. I also use coupons whenever possible and shop on eBay. Thanks for sharing!
tcca
Publish time 2013-4-7 13:00
I shop on ebay for bundles of threads - there are lots of sellers who sell 50 or 100 skeins for a set price, and you give them a list of the colors you need.
I bought boxes to hold my bobbins from the hardware store - they're made for holding screws and nails, and use scrap cardstock to make my own bobbins.
I make my own 'pako needle organizer' by using a sponge with strips of paper with the symbols drawn on them.
I use a hole punch and print off my own thread organizers for each pattern I am working on and cut 1 - 2 lengths of floss at the length I work with (usuallyjust 12" since I stitch on 28 count in heavy confetti patterns) and store those in a plastic sleeve with my pattern so that I don't have to keep messing with my bobbins all the time.
I buy needles in bulk (packs of 50 needles for about $10) so that I don't have to pay full price. I store them in altoid tins with a magnet in each tin so that the needles don't go flying when I open the tin.
I bought cuticle scissors to use instead of expensive embroidery scissors at the craft store - a great pair cost only about $4 and work just as well.
Use a 'cool' colorlightbulb in a gooseneck lamp that I can adjust instead of buying an expensive replacement bulbfor my ott light. 3 light bulbs only cost me $6 at walmart and I have been using it 2 - 5 hours a day every day for 6 months and the first one is still going strong.
I also make sure I use coupons to buy my fabric - joanns and micheals have coupons nearly every week. I also don't buy 'stash' just to have it. I have no more than 2 items on the go, and fabric for the next project I want to start ready so when I finish one I can start the next without having to go shopping.