How to Save Money on Craft Supplies... That You Actually Want

One of the biggest things that always gets said when people find out I make clothes is some variation of, “You must save so much money!”

I still haven’t figured out how to answer that because it’s a really complicated thing and at some point, I’d love it to be a post in its own right because I have a lot of thoughts. One thing I do know is that when you look at the quality of fabrics, yarns, etc. that I use… Well, I do manage to save a lot of money and am quite proud of that. I see so many people who are starting out in crafting or who are picking it up after a long time and are shocked by the cost. So, here are my best tips and tricks for saving money on craft supplies.

Separate Cheap From Value

Notice how I’m calling this how to save money, not how to get cheap craft supplies? Things can be very expensive and be bad value, and cheap things can be good value.

I think the best example of this is wine. Let’s talk champagne- champagne you could go to your local liquor store/off-license and buy right now for drinking right now, not the whole sphere of collecting. Look, if you have fun collecting wine then do your thing but if I have wine I want to drink it.

Wine is a very variable product. Weather and environmental factors can make all the difference in quality, even at an amateur tasting level. It all comes down to how good the conditions were for growing wine grapes that year. This is why it’s so interesting that the cost of a bottle of well-known champagne has only fluctuated by about €50‎ over the past few years. A 2019 Champagne is considered amazing, whereas 2021 had some not-so-great weather that definitely will affect quality, so why will these be sold for a very similar shelf price for ready-to-drink bottles? Most people associate the brand name with a constant value, whereas those doing a little research will learn that 2019 is a better value.

To be clear, neither of these bottles is cheap. I’m talking €200-300 per bottle range, so it is worth a quick search to get a better bottle at the same price.

This is why I don’t tell people to drop quality. I’ve been accused of beating up on synthetics a lot, and I do because for me a synthetic fabric tends to be bad value. A lot of them aren’t as good quality and don’t last as long, I don’t like the feel of a lot of synthetics so I have less fun creating with them, and… I’ll just be honest, I sweat a lot so they feel and smell awful after about an hour of wearing. I have a few scarves made out of synthetics for when I’m gardening in the winter because washability is the most important thing but in general, for me, a cheap synthetic will make something I never use. Even if I’m only paying €3 a meter or a skein it’s just not worth it.

Value is also deeply personal. Let’s go back to wine for an example: my mother would find more value in a $15 bottle of good Shiraz than in a $400 bottle of champagne because she doesn’t like sparkling wines. Just like I would find more value in a €31/meter 100% wool than I would in a €20/meter polyester heavy wool blend. Knowing what gives your own personal supplies value will save you money because you won’t be buying things that you won’t use and enjoy.

Make a Date With Your Stash Plan

I’m a serotonin shopper and will buy just about anything because “it looked fun!” Then it will go into a box that is out of sight, completely out of mind, and the process will start all over again.

Until you move. Then you’ll be confronted with what feels like every decision you’ve ever made in one gush of emotion because, man, you bought that cream linen twice.

I’ve found the way to get over this is to keep your stash accessible. Every so often I like to pour myself a prosecco (champagne is a good example, but we’re living in the real world here) and pretend I’m in a fancy boutique buying things that I just so happen to already own. This should be fun, this should not be cleaning. You’re looking to be inspired and fall back in love with what you have.

During your stash date, it’s also good to formulate a stash plan. If there are a few things you have earmarked that you want to make actually physically write it down in a project journal, or pin a piece of paper to it with the pattern you want to make. Make a note in your phone or a notebook you always have on you of what else you need for that project so when you go into a fabric shop and feel like shopping you can get stuff, but it’s stuff you’re actually going to use for a project that’s on deck. What you want to eliminate is mindless shopping and mindless making. If you notice you have a lot of scraps you can look up projects that might use them, if you notice you don’t love the fabric you have you can look at ways to modify it or find swaps in your area.

I know it feels like a cop-out suggestion to use what you have… but, I’ve yet to meet a person who crafts who doesn’t have a large store of absolutely beautiful things that they completely forgot about. By keeping your stash joyfully fresh in your mind it’s easier to think of it first for new projects. If you’re just starting your crafting journey having a plan of how you want your next steps to go can help make your stash a fun thing instead of a monument to your hoarding tendencies.

Modifications Make All The Difference

Fashion is a bit of a wild industry, especially when it comes to colour. Craft supplies tend to follow the trends. Unfortunately, dark neutrals rarely go on sale, but paler trend colours do. I was able to snag some light green wool/cashmere/silk yarn for about €15 a skein after tax and shipping. The only issue and, in my opinion, the reason the yarn was on clearance? The colour. Wool, cashmere, and silk are all natural fibres that can be mordanted with white vinegar and literally dyed with food colouring or acid dyes. The person I’m making the scarf for looks amazing in grey so for a few minutes of my time I saved a lot of money and got great value. Dyeing is also a great way to make things in your stash more you and it’s honestly a really fun process.

I’ve also been known to use clay to change the shape of buttons or beads. The world of upcycling is great for this. Have a leather bag that’s seen better days but has great bits of leather and amazing hardware? That could easily be the start of a sandal or a leather-covered button set. The hardware can go towards your new bag. A dress that has amazing fabric but is just too short? It could be a new top whether by way of hemming or by taking it apart and laying it out like fabric by the meter.

Thinking of modifications to not just already made things but also to your supplies as a little craft side quest can end up being a whole lot of fun. Definitely pay attention to structure and washability though. To close out on one last button thought if I was to do a leather-covered or a built-up clay, or even a vintage button that was made before our modern, super harsh laundry detergents, I’d do a double row of buttonholes and attach the buttons to a ribbon that I can remove when I wash it. This also means you can change the buttons out and get multiple looks from one garment which changes a look a lot more than you’d think. Two looks in one blouse instead of buying double the fabric and remaking it with different buttons? Also a big money saver.

Good Old-Fashioned Discounts

Another reason to have a good stash plan is that when there is a big sale you can stock up. I know I’m tough on pins so when a sale happens I buy a good amount. Same with brown and burgundy dyes. I’m talking about the summer sales, the Black Fridays, and the Boxing Days.

If you are going on a sort of, “I have this pattern, I need fabric” trip or search, start in the clearance section. I always thought this was just the way to shop but apparently, it’s just a my family thing. If I have the opportunity to fall in love with a fabric that’s 50% off that’s what I want to do.

Also, follow your favourite designers and fabric shops on Instagram. I had a place by me that with a student card and a follow gives you 20% off on Saturdays. That adds up. Now, I know not everyone has a student card, and this one is a little extreme, but let’s say you want to take a class in something- say you want to learn Italian- check to see if a local college does it and if it works for your schedule. A lot of them will give you a student card for taking one class, and the classes tend to be cheaper than a lot of private ones.

To be abundantly clear:

I am not saying go to craft shops and ask if there is a discount for nothing.

I am actively saying do NOT do that.

What I am saying is to look at things you’re already a part of or associated with and make sure to take advantage of the benefits you’re being given.

A Note On Secondhand

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with secondhand items. I’m two specialty sizes so thrift shopping is basically impossible; honestly, it’s become an exercise in frustration. I’ve often heard of people finding amazing craft supplies in thrift shops and looking at the huge thrift shops I grew up with in Canada I can see that being possible. I haven’t seemed to have the same luck in Europe. I’m always on the lookout for questionable pieces with cool trims or buttons. So, while I haven’t had any luck if you find yourself at a thrift shop it’s worth a look.

When it comes to saving money it really comes down to making good, informed choices.

I wish I had some sort of cheat code that got you tonnes of shopping sprees for nothing or some sort of phrase that would get you in at the coolest discount places. Just like the boring but reliable practice makes perfect, the best way to save money is the old-fashioned way: save for the things you want and ignore the things you don’t.

…unless you have that cheat code then please share!