During the current financial doldrums, many people have had to curtail their spending significantly, and we are all feeling the financial pinch to some extent. Magazines tell us that ‘Staying In is the new Going Out’ and we are urged to have ‘staycations’ instead of vacations. At least we cross stitchers can feel happy that we can indulge in our favourite hobby without breaking the bank.

I have thought hard about some more cost-cutting tips for stitchers. They have worked for me. I hope they are a help to you too:

1. Delve through your pile of unstarted kits and UFO’s (unfinished objects.) Yes, we all have these lurking in our cupboards and this can be a major cause of guilt. Gather together your UFOs. Decide once and for all if you are honestly going to finish them, and if the answer is a ‘no’, then store any of the unused fabric and threads. Perhaps you can cut up the fabric for a smaller picture or stitch some motifs on it to make cards. The unused threads can be useful for this, especially for small motifs that will just use up a few lengths of thread.

2. Look through your stash for any duplicate items. Do you really need three pairs of embroidery scissors? (The answer is ‘no’, and do not convince yourself otherwise.) Gather all your duplicate items and spend an evening at your local stitching club swapping with other stitchers who have brought along all their duplicate items too. You may well end up with lots of new stash without spending any money at all.

3. Collect those unwanted free cover kits from magazines, never sewn up. Again, you can use the fabric as a basis for a card of your choice. You can even use the threads to stitch a motif, and if you pool all the free threads together, you may well have a lot of colours to choose from.

4. Another option for unstarted kits or cover kits is to give them away to a charitable cause. Many hospices and good causes need these, and can make money for good causes. Don’t forget those charities are feeling the effects of the credit crunch too.

Any regular readers of this Blog will predict that one item that I never recommend economising on is a daylight lamp to illuminate stitching. Eye health is so important, and you cannot put a price on that. Look out for bargains, and remind yourself that you can share your lamp with other members of the household. These lamps are invaluable for reading, any sort of close work, crafting etc.

Another investment is membership of Patterns Patch club . As a member, you will never have to spend money on charts (patterns) again as there are hundreds to choose from, at no charge. And there is much, much more too for every member!

Please share with us your cost-cutting tips too.

Happy Stitching!

Iona