114295
I'm not fond of the cheap stuff as too often you get exactly what you pay for. I wouldn't want a customer buying or using something I wouldn't use myself. I'm not saying to only buy the most expensive blanks there are but use some common sense as to what is reasonable quality and the best value for your money. Sometimes the dollar stores have decent products and sometimes they only have the cheap ones and they look like cheap ones too! You have to remember your customers have to pay more than you because of the embroidery and set up fees involved and a cheapie is still a cheapie when it comes to quality no matter how awesome your design is. My rule of thumb is if I wouldn't buy it or use it, then neither will a customer.
Meri
15572I buy good and expensive fabric and towels to embroider on.
29242I tend to buy both. Cheap and expensive. Cheap and good looking for me and nice for gifts. Suzanne
111087Hi Asterixsew, I agree with you i love to know that the quality of goods I use are satisfying for all, even if its someone else's you must always remember you present yourself in whatever you do and I can see you proud of what you do, yip its more expensive but sooooo much more satisfying to see the faces of those who receive the gifts, just my opinion, but all people have there own ideas. hugs Magda
2092If it's for my own and a bought a cheap but good looking and comfortable sweater ore somethinglike that, I like to pimp it up with an embroidery to make it more special. But when I do towels or that kind of stuff I prefer good quality, because it will be in use and will have to be washed many times. I think it's a waiste of time and material to embroider on bad quality. but sometimes you can be lucky and can buy good quality for a cheap price, That's what I prefer the most :)
by asterixsew
16 Mar 2014
Think we all love to get good quality at a cheap price. Thanks for your comments
740080A special is always welcome, but I agree quality lasts alot longer so the memory lasts that bit longer too..
45917I prefer to buy quality , but also hunt out specials ,then buy extras
23579My dad used to say you pay for what you get
but sometimes how the material feels is a good judge
by asterixsew
16 Mar 2014
I always 'feel' what I am buying which is one reason I am so hesitant at buying over the internet.
9459Quality over quantity every time - and it shows! Love Chris
234253It pays to know the normal price of a item ,so you know if the special price is really a special.I have bought cheap embroidery threads & have no trouble with them.The items on which I embroidered using these threads have been through the washing machine dozens of times using cold water (which can be warm depending on the seaon) & dried in the sun.Recently bought 10 cent zips some of which had been trod on they washed up like new.I am wary of things made in China ,more often or not cheap & nasty.If in doubt ,buy one wash it to see how it goes ,then go back & stock up if you are happy with the end result.
25212I purchase quality goods, but I buy in bulk when there is a sale. For instance I will buy t-shirts to embroider on at the end of the season (long sleeves now) and will get a really good deal. I purchase sheet sets and towels in January when everyone in the U.S. has their "white" sale.
by asterixsew
16 Mar 2014
Thanks, this is what I try to do but doesn't always happen due to lack of choice in the area I live in
158553One area where I will choose the middle quality rather than the top price is bath towels. The high quality get so thick and harder to emb. on. On kitchen towels, my rule is, I have to get the towel for $2 or less. Otherwise, in my craft booth, I have to charge more than people will pay with a design on it! On most things, I want excellent quality. Luckily, I live about 30 minutes from a textile outlet store!
by asterixsew
16 Mar 2014
Towels are always bought by how they feel. Just trying ot think how far I live from a textiles outlet store and cant get a answer
66502I love bargains but I will spend the time to feel fabric and check out the content before purchasing. I was out other day and hubby could not believe I took 3 hours for the fabric I brought home. Not to mention I hear the famous hope your got room for it. I do same with t shirts, towels,etc when giving I get better quality even if I have to dig for good price. I have bought expensive only to get some disappointments so I have taken time to learn what I felt would hold up. I practice on mostly cotton fabric.
by asterixsew
16 Mar 2014
Again a similar reply to myself and again I am wondering if we are related?
86901I Do my test out on cheap fabric or towels and if I like the design or item I will repeat it on good items. Happy Stitching Brenda Lea
9769The bad part is that price sometimes doesn't indicate quality, I've seen some pricey items that should have been better quality and it wasn't. You just have to watch what you buy, just because it comes from what we think is a better store is not necessarily the case. I like to also watch fabric content and thickness as in towels.
23281I'm a coward...................so before I answer, is your friend likely to read my reply? I know, I know...................but you can't be too careful these days!
by asterixsew
15 Mar 2014
I doubt it as she is going away for a few days to shop and she doesnot read here very often. Now please what is your reply to my question?
11929I find that cost is not necessarily an indication of quality. There isn't a lot of choice around her so I buy the fabric I like when I see it. Some is really cheap and some isn't.
Most of my sewing is either for charity or to test out my own designs so cost is an important factor.
I am intimidated by very expensive fabrics and garments I buy to embroider. I find I am much more likely to ruin them, probably because I am being too careful!
140716I have bought what I thought were bargains and embroidered on them only to find after washing I got what I paid for. So I wasted my time and thread , I will pay more for a quality product and be so much happier with the end result. Never would I give a gift made from cheap-o fabric.
67271I have always been taught to buy the very best that you can afford. It is something we still do today. Sometimes you get very good at very good prices & if not I like to wait for the sales when I can. I have however been know to buy fabric @ ridiculous prices just because I was drawn to it. I do have a rule that is if it is really pricey walk away & if I still really want it then I can go back the next day & more often then not I will not go back.
by pldc
15 Mar 2014
But sometimes I will just because I love it, then I save it because I am too afraid to cut it up LOL
by bevintex
15 Mar 2014
I have some like that,I have never used. Waiting for the right project to come along that is worthy of my nice fabric
by Patricia103
16 Mar 2014
That fabric in your stash that was expensive 2 years ago should be classed as 2/3 off now as it has depreciated in value since it was bought. That is what you do in business and for cars, etc. So go ahead and stitch on it (or cut it up) as it isn't expensive fabric anymore!!
299557Hi there, If I am making a gift, I use quality fabrics/ietems. Do embroidery on goods that the customers buy themselves, that way they get what they purchase them selves. Hugs Yvonne
132773Most of my hand towels are from Walmart and in my bush that;s the best you get.I have had no problems and some i wash weekly.
The nice towels i just did my applique on were thick and a better quality but still there only two dollars @ Giant tiger.I also look for the nice ones at the dollar store ,if u go in weekly you get the best .Hugs Carolyn
360368I mostly embroider gifts for family and friends. I would not gift a low quality item with embroidery to make it appear a higher quality. It's a waste of time. However, that choice is removed if sewing or embroidering customer supplied items.
7068Depends. I have a few things I get at a really good price. I've washed & washed them & know they hold up. I've also had some expensive items NOT hold up. So I guess you need to test them just like you do your embroidery?? I like the Gildan tee shirts sold at Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, etc as they really do wash well. AND don't draw up very much. Get them on sale & they are good.
by asterixsew
15 Mar 2014
Thanks Gerryb. I don't have the same shops as you infact shops are in short supply locally which is what set the conversation off in the first place as my friend is off to stay near shops and has a list...
by osueo
15 Mar 2014
I agree---Gildan tshirts are good quality and if you get them on sale they are a real bargain.
35675I agree with you,If you are going to spend your valuable time why not use the best qualtiy you can afford. I can never figure out why anyone would spend hours on a project that is going to last a short time!
8227It depends what I am embroidering. If for a present then I buy quality. If it is for my GC I am inclined to buy cheap as they grow so quickly.
253107I also prefer quality fabric and will wait for sales to purchase. We are all so much alike.
168887I prefer a bit better quality - too much work to put something on an item to have it not stay nice. I am a devoted bargain shopper - always watching for a sale or coupon to make the better stuff a bit less expensive. I sell primarily ITH things - which start with raw fabric instead of an "item". I generally stay with the mid-priced fabrics - and always watching for that sale.
by asterixsew
15 Mar 2014
Thanks pcteddyb. It is heartening to see that may of us have the same thoughts
11257The best quality for the money. I can't do microfiber or polyester at all so for me, the fabric is very important.
by osueo
15 Mar 2014
I do a lot on microfiber---BUT I really do not like the feel when drying hands or face----it looks nice but the feel is not what I like.
173580I buy cheap for practice or testing colors and expensive (on sale) for any finished project.
It is true that people where I live rarely want to pay what an item is worth. Sometimes I will have the person requesting the item -- go buy the towels or fabric and thread themselves. That way they get the quality they want as they buy it and the only expense they see from me is my time/skills spent. Separating it out seems to be the key in helping others see my time is worth something.
by asterixsew
15 Mar 2014
Oh I do like the idea of getting someone to buy and give you what they want sewing. Most of my sewing is fun and presents with the odd fair every few years
by kylasm
15 Mar 2014
YESSSS! Where I live everybody wants it for $10 or less like it is at Walmart. I make them go to the store and buy everything I need then say "how much of that $10 do you have left?"
by pldc
15 Mar 2014
this is just what I did for the Buffalo Bills fabric the client bought what they wanted & could really see that the cost was justified. Doesn't always work like this but I am very happy when it does.
by sewgroupie
15 Mar 2014
The only thing is, if you mess up, you may not be able to replace the item someone else purchased...
Suzanne
57608I try and get better quality towel and sweatshirts, but buy when it's a good sale. Material, I have cheap to good, but try and wash and see if it can be used. To much work to have somebody throw it away. I also think it shows in your work. I have been collecting craft supplies and material, zippers, buttons, etc., plastic canvas, snaps for years, so I'm lucky just to go to basement to sew. I do not sell anymore because people want the best for nothing and I don't have time for that. I have a basement full of stuff from 60's-70's up to now. You try and sell, they tell you its not worth as much today!!!Well it can stay in the basement tell my kids throw it away, or use it. I'm spoiled, but worked for years to get there. LOL!
by cfidl
15 Mar 2014
I am with you on that. I love vintage laces and ribbons and fabric, although they do not get incorporated into today's projects very often.
by asterixsew
15 Mar 2014
Just wondering if we are related as I think as you and have a collection of stuff going back longer than I care to think
by jmweller
15 Mar 2014
Well I guess I'm a sister from a different mother. My real sister looked at my shelves of fabric and said: "You win!" I didn't know there was a contest.....
Maureen
41781When you make something to give or to sell. you are representing yourself. If you want repeat customers You should sell quality work. The same with gifts, If you are making something with some ones name on it, maybe for a baby or a special occasion. They might want to keep it as an heirloom. Buy quality but look for it on sale.
by asterixsew
15 Mar 2014
Yes Jen I too look for the bargains on sale and still have bits waiting for the right time to sew out
6069Same here..I hate wasting my time on poor quality fabric or any other items...embroidery loooooks so much better on a quality item
4758This is variable, most times I`m looking for good quality because the embroidery takes a lot of time and stuff (thread, vlies) and so I think I have to take good fabrics to enjoy a long time.
But I buyed also cheap stuff, washed it and then I embroidered on, if it was ok after washing.
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