Smarter shopper
Indulge your creative side on a budget with these purse-savvy crafting tips
Cut the cost of your crafting hobbies with these hacks
SAVE ON craft supplies
Not only is making things by hand proven to be good for your mental health, it’s also a way to boost your décor with unique finished projects, too – and there’s no need to break the bank buying materials. Try these easy ideas for stocking up your kit on a budget.
Plan your project before shopping. It’s easy to be tempted by all the fabrics, yarns and trims on offer, but don’t buy anything unless you have a clear idea of what you’ll use it for. You’ll save by only spending on what you need, and you won’t have to buy any extra storage for an overflowing stash either – a double win!
Join an online craft swap group. Whatever type of craft you’re into, you’re sure to find an online community of like-minded makers – and that includes Facebook swap groups, in which members swap and sell supplies. You could find exactly what you’re looking for going for free or a bargain price, or make a few extra pounds selling your own unwanted kit.
Look in second-hand and charity shops. Most charity and second-hand shops will sell buttons, fabrics and other craft materials, but be sure to check out the bedding and curtains, too. These will give you plenty of fabric to work with for far less money than you’d spend buying it by the metre in a fabric shop.
Find free tutorials online. Learn new skills by searching for how-tos and patterns online – great if you’re trying a craft for the first time. Search Pinterest, Yourhomestyle.uk, and the blogs of retailers like Hobbycraft and Create & Craft to find a host of projects for free, many including printable pattern downloads.