Shopping in a Fabric Store: 7 Smart Tips to Avoid Overspending

Shopping in a fabric store is fun until the pain at the checkout occurs. Whether you’re buying backing, stash fabric, or something for a new quilt pattern, it’s easy to overspend. Spending a lot is also simple when getting backing. This guide shares 7 smart tips so you can shop with purpose, avoid impulse buys and also make sure you love what you bring home. These hints, from taking samples to using a timer, will change how you shop fabrics without regret later.

Walking into a fabric store as a quilter can feel like stepping into a candy store with so much color, texture and inspiration all around. But just like a candy store, it’s easy to walk out with way more than you planned (and even some buyer’s remorse). Whether you’re restocking basics or picking the perfect prints for your next quilt, here are some tested tips so your fabric store trips are fun, productive and stay budget friendly.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THESE OUT!

After you read this post, make sure you also check out Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginners. It’s jam packed with information to make your first quilt. It also has links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. There’s lots of free quilt patterns that are great for beginners and all skill levels too. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!

Make sure you grab a copy of my free Quilt Planning Journal. It’s filled with graph paper and note pages to help you design at least 4 quilt or sewing projects! Use it to jot down ideas, fabrics, patterns and inspiration all in one place. Or create your own patterns and share with others. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process!

Shopping in a Fabric Store

I’m writing this today because my last two trips to my local fabric store were night and day. I spent almost $700 in May and wanted to cry. I overspent and had the worst buyer’s remorse when I got home. I was buying fabric for my handmade sewing items for my blog shop and Etsy store. The problem was I over estimated the yardage I needed because I was clueless and it cost me big time.

I returned to the fabric store yesterday and this time was so much better. I ended up spending $145. This may still sound like a lot but it includes six yards of backing fabric, fabric to make a new quilt, some restock fabric and new fabric for my shop.

Yesterday, I was determined not to make the same mistakes as last time. Here’s what I did and it worked really well. There were a few items on my list that I didn’t cross off, those fabrics can wait for another time.

1. Have a Game Plan Before You Step Inside

Sitting in my parked car as I arrived to the store, I decided spur of the moment to make a list of why I was there and what I needed. Notes is one of my favorite iPhone apps or Notions, both are always on your phone and easily accessible. If you have never used these apps, I highly recommend them! Write down what you need before you enter the store. You can do this at home or walking up to the store.

Just ask yourself these questions when making your list. Do you need fabric for a new queen size quilt you want to make? Do you need to restock on certain fabrics you already have? Do you have in mind a certain quilt pattern? Are you buying fabric up for it? Do you need backing or binding fabric for a finished quilt top? Maybe you just want to fill color voids you have in your stash and are looking for certain color fabric to purchase.

Fabric shopping without a list is like grocery shopping without a list when you are starving. It’s not a good idea and can leave a big dent in your bank account. So make a list, I use the Notes app on my phone or just send yourself a text with the list. Use this list when shopping. The list will keep you focused and help stop impulse buys.

👉 Do you plan on making a tote bag? Understand all that you will need before shopping so view my Large Patchwork Tote Bag Sewing Pattern.

2. Time Yourself (Yes, Seriously)

I don’t know what it is about fabric stores but I never seem to get out of one in under 1.5 hours, and I don’t like shopping. One time I was in there for over 2 hours. Set a timer on your phone prior to entry. This way you can avoid tiring choices, make faster decisions and you stay more attentive.

I used the timer on my cell phone alarm app and set for 30 minutes. While I knew that would not be enough time to shop, just hit the repeat on the alarm for another 30 minutes or whatever increment you want when it goes off. Yesterday I spent 90 minutes in there. Still too long, will have to work on that. I swear it’s like going into a black hole and forgetting about the outside world. Does anyone else have this problem?

3. Bring Your Quilt Tops or Fabric Swatches with You

Visit the store with your quilt top done or fabric samples so you can check backing, borders, or binding choices face to face. Check how it all appears together, putting your pieces out on the cutting table or just on top of the fabric bolts.

Now you might feel kind of weird taking your work into the store with you. I always bring my work in a grocery bag or a tote bag. But I’ve even carried it in my arms and just put it in the shopping cart. You will see lots of folks with WIPs with them.

4. Double-Check Yardage and Do the Math

Figure out how many yards of each fabric you need before heading toward the cutting counter. So you are not shocked at checkout, add it up inside your head or use your phone calculator. Once any fabric has been cut, remember that it is yours. No take-backs.

When in doubt with fabric, try to buy extra. When you buy from discount bins, there is no guarantee the fabric will be there next week or even the next day. Now if you do happen to come up short on your backing and can’t get any more, just make a pieced backing. It’s not the end of the world.

Do you want to get help calculating quilt fabric amounts for different sizes? My 5 Free Patterns and Simple Directions to Lap Quilt Sizes help you.

5. Set a Budget—And Stick to It

If you buy various fabrics, the costs can rise quite high. Set a spending limit before you leave. Keep a count going on as you shop. Decide what you can put back, if you go above but do it before you have the fabric cut. Or just tell them you changed your mind and they will take the fabrics you no longer want to purchase. No problem.

Your material shop isn’t closing soon so you don’t need to get it all now.

6. Listen to Music While You Shop

Please listen to me now even if this idea seems so strange. Earbuds can block things that distract you while shopping in a fabric store and help you stay focused. Choose something happy and bright. That choice turns your fabric search into a personal creative trip. I plopped one AirPod in and opened Spotify to my classical music playlist. Relaxing music helps me think when I’m shopping. It drowns out everything around me and I enjoy having it on.

7. Don’t Be Shy—Ask Other Quilters for Advice

Quilters love talking about fabric. If you want help about fabric color, or prints, for your quilt, ask someone that’s close by you on the aisle. You can tell who the experiened quilters are in the aisles. Most of them have brought their WIPs (work in progress) with them and are doing the same thing.

I’ve never bought Printed Christmas Fabric but knew I needed a dark print for the backing to anchor the light scrappy quilt top. I couldn’t decide on a backing fabrics, so I decided to ask the gals shopping next to me. I laid my quilt top on the two bolts of fabric I was looking at. These gals were super helpful and helped me make my fabric choice. Ended up getting both, one for the backing and the other for the binding.

You can also ask the workers at the cutting counters to tell you how much backing fabric you will need. They can only do this if you bring in your quilt top. I had to look up my own quilt backing chart to see what I needed for my Big Churn Dash Christmas quilt.

Fabric shopping should be one of the best parts of quilting, not a stress-fest or budget buster. With a little planning, a clear head and a good music playlist, you can enjoy the process and still walk out with what you need (and maybe just one or two extras… we’re only human).

More Resources

Still need some help with shopping for fabric? Read How to Shop Like a Pro, it breaks down four different ways to shop for fabric. Need more help with backing, then check out this post.

Online groups such as QuiltingBoard and The Modern Quilt Guild are good for comments too. Even so, to talk face to face with one who knows things is best.

If you like the denim beach tote, you can find the post here with all the instructions. It’s a fun way to use up old denim jeans and scrap fabric.

Do you need ideas before you go shopping later? Look at some of my free patterns like the Checkerboard or Bow Tie Quilt.

Looking for your next quilt project? Then head on over to my free “Pattern Index”. It’s a page dedicated to all of my free patterns separated by categories for crochet, sewing and quilting.

If you prefer an ad-free printable version, head over to my shop and browse the Digital Patterns. These are instant digital downloads you print yourself.

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ABOUT SEW NIKKI

If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! I’m Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here, you’ll find easy-to-follow patterns, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. Grab your fabric (or yarn), and let’s create something beautiful together!

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Share your best material buying tip in the comments especially if you had to take something back at the register.