Do you think this 60mm rotary cutter is made of precious metal? I know the plastic isn't worth the $45.00 retail price at Joann's! Thank goodness for the 40 percent off coupon. I know I complain about the cost of quilting paraphernalia a lot but I just don't get it. This is one of the new cutters with the simple blade changing feature and partial blade cover. If I wasn't so afraid of that little round shiny thing I wouldn't have spent the money. Fear drove me to it.
These days I don't spend a whole bunch on my hobby, what with fabric running $9.00 a yard, books in the $25.00 range and the sewing machine I want totalling $3,500.00! Of course I have a room full of fabric, more books than I can keep up with and I love my machine. I'd boycott something if I wasn't afraid it wouldn't be there when I want it. I'm cheap, what can I say.
Now, this is free. What is it? It's a bag of scraps from my cutting table. After I cut down my leftover fabric to the last little smidge of 1 1/2" (for my 'future' postage stamp quilt) and nothing usable is left I keep it in this bag until I need stuffing for a pillow or something. Let's see, I save about a dollar by doing this? Oh, well. It makes me feel good.
I promised you a picture of the Tootie Babies at the zoo. Here is a better one...all dressed up in their little vests and shoes ready to go to the zoo! Mommy said they could have gone on a really long walk around the neighborhood and been just as happy. LOL!
Its really just a supply and demand thing and the economies of scale. How many quilters are there in this country, and how many of them will want to buy this tool. Its a product that can't easily be mass produced, therefore your fixed cost factor into each individual product much higher. If there were more quilters, then the demand would be higher, more could be produced and the supplies would cost much less for the end consumer.
ReplyDeleteYes it sucks.
I have not seen this rotary cutter before. Do you really like it? I agree that this quilting hobby of ours can be a big expense. How did our grandmother's do it in the olden days without all these wonderful tools?
ReplyDeleteKJ..I just had so much fun going through your blog. I love the Chili Peppers. I really broke out laughing they were just to cute.
ReplyDeleteI have discontinued buying gadgets like you the cost is getting astronimical!! When I get my blades I buy in bulk it is cheaper. I have also got a blade sharpener for both 45/60mm blades. I will let you know once I use it how that works!!
Well, some things, like a good rotary cutter, are probably worth the money. But lots of quilting gadgets are just gadgets that you can buy at a hardware store or an office supply store repackaged as "quilting" supplies and sold at a higher price. I think Fons and Porter are the champs at this scam.
ReplyDelete(Sorry to appear out of nowhere and make such an opinionated comment as my first comment on your blog! :) )
LOL..that big ape is so funny. The tootie babies are as prescious as ever. Grandbabies are the best and not sure if I told you or not - but I have another due in March. In my small quilt club of 14 members, 4 of us all have grandbabies due next year...mine in March, and the other three all due in May, and one of them is having twins. Life is so good!
ReplyDeleteThe girls are adorable. They looked so different when they were first born but I think they are looking more and more alike!
ReplyDeleteThe babies!! they are soooo cute!!
ReplyDeleteOOOH what pretty creations I could make with your scaps! We should find something worth swapping for your scraps!!
Hugs!
Tracey