5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Crafts and Fabric ♥ Fleece Fun

I am here to enable your crafting addiction! Here are 5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Crafts and Fabric that I’ve picked up over the years. These tips are simple, and only require a little extra effort to save you some hard earned cash. While I love sewing, it’s not the money saver that it was for generations past. These days you need to be smart with how you spend your money.

5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Crafts and Fabric:

1. Check the remnant bin

Most of the patterns on this website currently require a yard or less of fleece (like the basic fleece pant or the Parade scarf). This is perfect for remnants! Most stores consider a yard or less on the bolt a remnant.

Now here’s the big secret and this has worked a couple of times for me at the local Joann’s. If the fabric is on sale, then you get to use both discounts.

So for example yesterday I picked up 1 yard of remnant fleece. The fleece was on sale for 40% which knocked down the price to $6.60. Then because it was a remnant and additional 50% was taken making the final price of the yard $3.30 (WOW such a great deal!).

Store policies vary so be sure to check with the store to see if it will work for you. But always check the remnants first – there is usually a decent selection and you’ll save your hard earned cash!

Most stores now have an app (like Joann’s or Hobby Lobby) that have coupons and special savings in them. If you have a store that you regularly shop in – make sure that you use their app!

2. Repurpose and Upcycle Materials

Crafting on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity. One way to save money and reduce waste is by repurposing and upcycling materials for your projects. Look around your home for items that could be transformed into crafting supplies – old clothes, jars, or even cardboard boxes can find new life in your creations.

Get creative with how you reimagine these materials. Turn an old t-shirt into yarn for crocheting or use tin cans as planters for your DIY garden. Not only will this save you money, but it also adds a unique touch to your projects that store-bought supplies can’t replicate.

By thinking outside the box and seeing the potential in everyday items, you’ll not only cut costs but also contribute to sustainable crafting practices. Embrace the challenge of repurposing materials and let your imagination run wild with possibilities.

3. Host a Crafty Supplies Swap

Have you ever had this happen to you? You get all excited about a craft – buy way too much material and after making a few have a lot of supplies left over? Or maybe you needed just a little bit of some sort of special glue but ended up with a whole jar left over? I have a fun solution for you! Host a craft supply swap!
Gather up all those still useful supplies and tell your friends to do the same. Invite them all over with their supplies for some chatting and munchies. Then bargain and swap craft supplies!
You get new supplies and don’t have to be wasteful with items that you aren’t going to use. Plus any excuse to get together with friends and eat chocolate is good right?
Not only will you exchange supplies, but ideas as well. Be sure to ask what they bought the item for and any tips they have. It’s also a great way to get to know the crafty side side of friends better.

4. Shop Online

Did you know that you can save over 40% on retail fabrics by shopping online? And bonus no dragging your kiddos around the fabric store (always roll their eyes when they find out where we’re going).

One of my favorite places to shop is Fat Quarters Shop – they have a massive selection. And while we’re at it why pay for a pattern when so many sewing blogs (like this one) offer free patterns and tutorials ( you can see all the free sewing patterns Fleece Fun offers here).

5.Buy in Bulk or Share with Friends

When it comes to saving money on crafting and sewing supplies, buying in bulk or sharing with friends can be a game-changer. Purchasing materials like yarn, buttons, or fabric in larger quantities often comes with significant discounts per unit. This not only stretches your budget further but also ensures you have a stockpile of essentials for future projects.

Consider teaming up with fellow crafters to split the cost of bulk purchases. By pooling resources and dividing the supplies amongst yourselves, everyone can enjoy the savings without having to commit to large quantities individually. Plus, sharing materials can lead to collaborative projects and fresh creative ideas that might not have surfaced otherwise.

Whether you’re stocking up on beads for jewelry making or investing in a variety pack of paint colors, buying in bulk or sharing with friends is a savvy way to maximize your crafting budget while fostering a sense of community within your creative circle.

Bonus Tip: Thrifting for Craft Supplies

Thrifting for craft supplies is a hidden gem in the world of crafting. It’s like going on a treasure hunt, except the treasures are affordable materials waiting to be transformed into beautiful creations.

Explore thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales to discover unique fabrics, trinkets, and tools that can add character to your projects without breaking the bank. You never know what you might find – from vintage buttons to quirky ribbons or even old sewing machines just waiting for a new purpose.

Not only is thrifting budget-friendly, but it also gives you the opportunity to repurpose items in creative ways. That dated sweater might have the perfect yarn for your next knitting project or those mismatched plates could become a mosaic masterpiece.

By incorporating thrifted finds into your crafting arsenal, you not only save money but also contribute to sustainable practices by giving old items new life. So next time you’re looking for inspiration and affordability, don’t forget about the thrill of thrifting!

More How to Sew Lessons:

Working With Different Fabrics:

2 Comments

maureen says:

November 2, 2019 at 7:34 pm

Thanks for the quick email delivery of the pattern for the fleece hat. My brother is undergoing chemotherapy and will lose his hair. He mentioned he would be needing hats so off to the fabric store for fleece followed by the printing of the pattern. I made a few plaid and solid hats, but couldn’t resist the sock monkey fleece, so I made a hat for him and all his five little grand kids from that. I know he’ll get a kick out of it and they’ll all wear them. together

Lynn says:

March 17, 2022 at 5:23 pm

You are so right about crafts costing more than you make selling. I love to sew but now I am downsizing and it’s sad to get rid of it all. A lot I will have to give away.

5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Crafts and Fabric