Doesn't Grow on Trees

When I was a little girl, I was frequently annoyed by a particular expression my mother used. "Do you think money grows on trees?" she'd ask (rhetorically, I believe). I didn't think that then, and I certainly don't think that now.

"You don't talk about money," my friend Nancy has said. And I've always thought she was right about that. But now we do. Everyone does. Most of us in very general terms, alluding to "the economy's being what it is," and statements of that nature. Conspicuous consumption is out; frugal choices are in. Last week I deleted a blog from my sidebar; the author used to write about her quilts and they were darned nice quilts. But in recent months all she posted were pictures and more pictures of her extravagant new home. I just couldn't stand another shot of her bazillion kitchen cabinets! Maybe deep down I'm jealous, but I don't think so. It just seemed tasteless for her to flaunt her wealth when so many people are dealing with frozen salaries or lay-offs.

In our quilting world, Bonnie Hunter's book is selling like hotcakes, in part, I believe, because Bonnie doesn't urge us to go out and buy yards and yards of fabric (which at many shops now starts at nine dollars per yard) but instead has designed patterns to use our fabric scraps and even cut-up clothing. My big problem with Shirttails is deciding which project to do first!

This morning when I was running through my sidebar blogs, I came across one of the cutest patterns in a long time. Immediately I thought of someone who would love this quilt. And then I thought of someone else! I followed the links for purchasing the pattern and stopped dead in my tracks. It was one hundred dollars. For the pattern. No fabric. Just the pattern.

Oh, well.

Money doesn't grow on trees.


Comments

dianne said…
no ... no, it doesn't ... and one hundred dollars for a pattern is - i dunno which word i am grasping for - insane? unless you are gonna use it twenty or thirty times...
Helen said…
One hundred dollars? Really, one hundred dollars? For a pattern?

Good gravy, that's just ludicrous!

Hugs
Unknown said…
You know the longer I look around blogland amongst all the different designs the more I'm convinced that there's absolutely nothing new that's never been done before. All patterns and designs are generally subtle adaptations of someone else's. $100 could probably buy a family's grocery basket - it's obscene to charge that for a pattern no matter how original the idea might claim to be
suz said…
It truly amazes me when items are so foolishly overpriced - including $9.00+/yard fabric. I recently went to Quilt Market and saw what the prices are, and there is little on the market that truly justifies $9.00+ in a shop right now. "In this economy" quilters are going to become cautious consumers and look for the best price and those shops selling at high prices are going to price themselves out of business. I recently went to a shop where the owner was complaining that her business was drastically reduced and I wasn't surprised. Her prices were just about as high as she could make them. While I know it's costly to own/run a quilt shop, one has to be reasonable, I would have spent money, but I really couldn't justify her prices to my current budget. We have another shop about 35 minutes away that has reasonable prices - I'll give her my business first. For large amounts of yardage, I surf the web.
arghhhh! The $100 beats the Canadian shop who asked if they could *USE* my Double Delight Mystery...and I found out later they were charging $10 a clue for my FREE mystery!! What's up with the world anymore?

PPPPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFT!

Bonnie
Anonymous said…
I know the blog of which you speak. I used to enjoy it, but lately I've gotten the same reaction you have. I AM a little jealous. But I also think it is tasteless to flaunt luxury in the face of hardship.

I buy most of my quilting fabric at the thrift store. I buy excellent condition flat bed sheets for backing. No complaints from anyone so far, and no quilt police heeded.

Susan D.
Do you have to shop at a quilt shop? Could you not find some fine fabrics for quilts at a plae that sells fabrics, or are there not such things any more? You know, like Sears used to have when I was making clothes for my children? There are JoAnn Fabric Stores here, but I haven't priced their material. It's probably gone up, too, because they cater to hobbyists and crafter types. Maybe you'd better get a loom. Or - here's a thought: Goodwill for old clothes! You'd gert that nice antique-y look.
WV - dedmi - an exclamation interruupted by the prone animal rising up and attacking.
Barb said…
Oh my word!! There is just not enough times that I would use a pattern to justify $100. I am guessing that designer has lots of patterns sitting on the shelf waiting for buyers! Have a great evening!
Gari in AL said…
Oh, my. I even balk at $9 for a pattern. I get most of my quilt ideas from magazines and/or out of my head. And I do try to avoid $9 a yard fabric opting for what I can find on sale. I don't want to have to quit quilting so I look for bargins wherever I can find them.
Salem Stitcher said…
I used to go to the quilt shows and buy everything I saw that I wanted. That stopped a couple of years ago. I look at all the books and fabrics I have in my sewing room and realize something has to be VERY special for me to purchase it now...and NOT $100. Sheesh!
*karendianne. said…
I'm thinkin' we're living in an Era of defining "needs." Not a need man, you're right!
Karen said…
$100? I wonder if she got carried away with the zeros and maybe it is only $10?
Aischa said…
Dear Nancy, usually I am a lurker and enjoy reading about what you are working on and LOVE your quilts!! I rarely comment on blogs...but today I feel I have to say something and please do not feel offended, just a short remark, delete the comment if you feel it is inappropriate.
I think I know of whoms blog you are talking but please Nancy, dont you realize that some people have worked really, really hard to achieve the place where they are? I am only 30, starting a family and working hard. When I retire I also want some things to enjoy. Some travel, others build their dream house. The economy is bad, yes, but those people have probably worked hard and saved every penny for centuries??
Also, do you realize that out of your last 4 blog posts you yourself wrote about buying fabric? I am living in Europe and I can only dream about 9$/yard of fabric. Here we pay 16 to 18 EURO for one yard!!!!! You can probably imagine how much fabric an average quilter in Europe can afford? And the 100$ for the pattern....maybe you forgot to add that this is not a simple patchwork pattern with 2 pages, but probably a BOM with a LOT of instructions???
Again, please, delete the comment if you feel my reaction is inappropriate...Aischa
Tricia said…
Hi There! I reall enjoy reading your blog. Partly because of my proximity to Phila., your blog list on the side bar, but I also love to see what you're working on.
I used to purchase all of my fabric on sale at JoAnn's. For me, sewing was about doing something I enjoy without spending alot of money. You used to be able to make things for cheaper than you could buy them for...not so much anymore. I've recently discovered a local quilt shop, and Amy Butler and MODA fabrics (I guess I lived in a cave all this time) which are around $10/yd. It's insane! In this economy and with the fear of being layed off soon, I can't afford to spend that kind of money on fabric. I still shop at Joann's (pay $3-6/yd) but I do feel a little embarrassed when I see everyone else in the blogging world is using "the good stuff." I buy some of the higher quality fabric, but not very often.
I think $100 for a pattern is ridiculous. Maybe it's a typo? $10?