Cotton Prices
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 9:05AM For the last year, everyone seems to have been focused on stash busting. I thought about jumping on that band wagon, since like everyone else, I have some fabrics in my stash that no longer really appeal to me… and of course fabric just keeps getting more expensive!
;)
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But instead, I found myself stash building! I’ve been buying nothing but blender fabrics, mostly Moda Marbles, some solids, and a few batiks. Lots of threads on large cones, and a ton of batting. Does this count as a 401k plan? !! I’m avoiding prints because at some point, they always get dated, or we just get tired of them. Most of my fabrics will work fine for clothing if need be as well.
Now that they’re talking about cotton prices going up and effecting the cost of just about everything a seamstress or quilter uses, from fabrics, to threads and batting, I am so glad I did! I only wish I could have bought more!
Which brings me to my question. With the cost of fabric, thread and batting getting so prohibitive on top of the already high prices of machines and equipment, where do you see the sewing and quilting industry headed? In my area, quilt shops can’t stay in business because people can’t afford (I assume) the cost of good fabric. Hobby Lobby and Walmart do a thriving business in their fabric sections.
Will Americans stop sewing? Or will they continue to buy more and more inferior materials due to cost increases? What do you see happening?
Of course, the same could be said about food. I’m shocked every time I go to the grocery store, and always grateful for my well stocked pantry. Buying in bulk saves us quite a bit. Will Americans stop eating? Of course not. Will they try and raise more of their own food? Eat more and more junk that’s devoid of nutrition, but filling?
I’d struggle more with food than I would fabric. I like to eat well! Speaking of which, yesterday’s chicken breasts turned into quite a tasty meal, which I shared in the Recipe section. Enjoy!
Reader Comments (18)
I know for myself, when there are sales on fabric I stock up! I can't stop sewing it keeps me sane and I don't think most of us will stop sewing. We may have to settle for less qualtiy of fabric and might even hit the thrift shops for old clothing but I think we'll still sew. I'm betting most of the Walmarts are now wishing they hadn't gotten rid of the majority of their fabric departments.
I have noticed that in 2010 that so many bloggers have been stash-busting too. I guess I'm quilty of "your problem" which I do NOT see as a problem. I have been purchasing fabrics, especially on clearance - all good quality fabrics from Moda and the like. Infact, yes, another box arrived yesterday FULL of fabrics.
I also did some stocking up on Isacord 5000 M spools from I-machine when they had their sale at $5.60 a cone. Sheesh, that's cheaper than the local Bernina shops charge for a 1000 M spool. Why would anyone buy elsewhere? I'm finding myself buying in "bulk" for better prices.
I know it takes "space" but I find alot of "creative" ways to store. After Christmas, I will be doing a major hauling out of my sewing room closet as well as the other closet I keep and doing some serious rearranging of fabrics/patterns/threads/ etc.
I've often wondered how quilt shops stay in business when one can order on line cheaper with no shipping and no taxes.
Being a seamstress for many years and now a quilter as well - I've seen where garments have become cheaper to buy than to make - but the "quality" is also cheaper
Back to my small corner of the world where I find TOTAL contentment in my sewing space I call "MINE".
Happy Tuesday to everyone.
I know I stock up when fabrics are on sale, but nothing like the stash I see in your garage! Wish I had thought about starting that when I was clsoer to Hancocks of Paducah. I'll bet we adapt as quilters, but I hate to see shops closing because they can't sell enough due to the high prices!
You have your very own fabric store right there. Maybe when I need some I can just come break into your garage and help myself??? LOL
Stash-busting & stash-building go together.....use up the older fabrics & replace them with new. I really don't care if i have all the newest fabrics, I judge more by color and can usually find something on sites like Thousandsofbolts and Marshall Drygoods & a few others. I like to patronize quilt shops but when the prices hover around $10 a yd. I really can't afford it.
I stick with buying fabric on line on their sales and clearance - I don't buy many prints but also stick with the blenders - I have a lot of prints in the stash to blend them with. I can not store a lot so can not buy as much as I want but because I hand quilt, hand piece and hand applique (sometimes machine piece) I do not make as many quilts as some do so a smaller stash works out well for me.
Prices are going up on everything it seems and I guess we will just get used to it - I do not see quilters not buying fabric - they will just look for more bargains.
Because of the cost of fabric though at quilt shops, I'm afraid that if we did have a shop open locally I don't know if I would buy from them because of the availability of lower prices on line for good quality fabrics. Why spend more when you can get the same quality on line - the Fat Quarter Shop is terrific just to name one - look at the sales! Hancocks of Paducah has great on line sales as well and there are a ton more out there. All have the same fabric as you buy in the quilt shops. Great in my book.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I'm impressed CJ with your Bolts of Fabric. The only time I buy that much fabric is when I buy muslin for string quilts. While I like solids, and tone on tone type fabrics, I can't ignore all the beautiful prints available, and I find not buying and using them in my quilting makes my quilts look somewhat boring. Of course I was, and still am the child that loved the big box of Crayolas! The box with all the metallic Crayola colors! I love all your thread stash too!
I recently visited a discount fabric warehouse and noticed ~$2/yard price increase over where prices were earlier this year. Many customers were talking about it too. I'm not certain where the price will fall in 2011, but I suspect we'll all notice a sizeable increase. I will still buy, but I will try to buy primarily for when I have an actual project whereas I now buy to add to my stash when I see blenders too.
Ultimately, my fear is that this may cause more quilt shops go out of business. I'm very hopeful that will not be the case.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
At our group's Christmas party, one of our members went to the Houston quilt show and she shared with us an article written by the person that put on the event -- what WE as an industry spend .. something like 3.6 BILLION on fabric, and the statistics of who is a quilter, and what we will do to get good fabric to go with our artistic talents. Needless to say .. we will HOARD what we have and get what we want !
And if we need some blendable, we know we can call you LOL
BTW, I was wondering just what I would make for dinner after I finish the cookies .. thanx for the chicken recipe ... just what I needed !
My problem is space to store the hoard. I ran out. I've trended into buying for whatever project I'm starting
I'm currently trying to get rid of some of my stash & found someone who needed fabric to make quilts with some inner-city youth (Hartford, CT). What an opportunity--can't throw it out. I think I will be more selective in my purchases, but will buy quality fabric. When you consider all your time put into a quilt, I can't buy cheap fabric. I too will probably buy only for a specific project.
Great recipe, CJ. Thanks.
I am mainly a garment sewer. I find myself stash busting too. When I do succumb to new fabric it is better and more appropriate for garments I love. (Sewing Workshop) So - silks, double faced linens, washable wools. We have an excellent garment fabric shop in Madison -- Gayfeather Fabrics -- so my temptation is always tested!
I don't think stores have figured out that they need to keep up with notions. My local stores do not carry any of the threads, stabilizers, scissors, needles, or decent quality notions that most people want. While fabric is readily available, good notions are hard to come by and that's when I have to shop online.
Just a quick note to let you know that the chicken was another hit :D So, I've gotta print that one out !
Our LQSs here have some bolts from new lines, but there is a lot there that has been on the shelf for quite awhile. When I heard the price of cotton had risen to its highest ever, I started to buy..not necessarily one thing but Kaffe's, repros, backgrounds, etc. I usually pick up a spool of Auriful each time I go, too. I don't see how the shops will compete with on line pricing. I had one shop owner tell me their cost had gone up 75 cents/yd so we could most likely see near double that. Oh, and I will ask my husband if my stash counts as a 401K plan, and I'll let you know how long it takes his eyes to stop rolling around in his head.
I have this theory, probably only belongs to me. Material needs to become known as "fabric". Homemade need to be "custom". Maybe then people would consider the quality of fabrics and and the finished products. "Homemade" (except in food) and "material" has this sound that indicates shoddy. We need for sewing to make the comeback that knitting did. I make soap, homemade soap, that has the label to it like great gramma made, it'll burn the hide right off you. With today's available gourmet oils, digital scales, knowledge, scents and on line lye calculators, you can make better soaps than you can ever buy in the stores. People don't seem to want to let go of negative pictures they have developed. They like buying cheap at Wal mart and have no concept of quality or construction. In a world of instant gratification, high speed connections and uber expensive sewing machines, it is a shame that sitting on our butts doesn't have a better outcome.
Here here Reeter! WELL said! I couldn't agree MORE!
I'm still busting because I have more fabric than I'll use in my lifetime. I'm very thankful that I stocked up on fabric when I did. I'll still buy when I find good fabrics on sale but seriously, there's no way I'll run out of fabric. I used over 550 yards this year, added about 170 yards for a net of about 380 yards and didn't make a dent.
I have no idea where this will all shake out but like you, am very thankful for the food I have stored, the fabric stash and a good garden spot.