Christians needing money...a possible answer

[Soldier4Christ]

When I say they aren't pieced I mean that I buy bolts of material and use the full lengths I need without cutting them into small pieces. Sometimes it may be necessary to sew to lengths together to make for a proper width but that would be the extent of any piece work involved. I can sometimes find entire bolts of material for only $1.00. It is rare but it brings the price down tremendously. I got some yellow material with "Oh Henry" designs on it that way with enough material to make three quilts, both front and back with it.

[Debp]

When I say they aren't pieced I mean that I buy bolts of material and use the full lengths I need without cutting them into small pieces. Sometimes it may be necessary to sew to lengths together to make for a proper width but that would be the extent of any piece work involved. I can sometimes find entire bolts of material for only $1.00. It is rare but it brings the price down tremendously. I got some yellow material with "Oh Henry" designs on it that way with enough material to make three quilts, both front and back with it.

What do you stuff them with?  Do you machine stitch patterns in them to hold the stuffing in place?  The ones I bought are lightweight quilts....a little of that "white stuff" in them.  They've lasted several years which is good considering we machine wash them.  Also, I have 2 cats....one of them sometimes likes to try to scratch the quilts....luckily not too often!  Now and then a little bit of the seams pull apart and I stitch it back up.

[Soldier4Christ]

If I can afford it at the time I use store bought batting. I have used old blankets or extra heavy weight material that I have gotten at low price. Some have no stuffing that we use as summer quilts.

I only use the machine sewing to finish off the outside edges of the quilts. All the rest are either hand stitched or tied. The following is a close up picture of the one quilt that shows the tying with yarn a bit better.



I still have a number of quilts that I made 15 yrs ago. We machine wash ours also. I also have some quilt tops that I refuse to finish. They were my great grandmothers. She passed on before she could finishe them. The material is still quite good even though they are slightly yellowed from age.

[Debp]

Thanks, Pastor Roger, it's very interesting to hear about your quilting.

We have two crafts stores in Glendale, CA.  I haven't been there for awhile (takes about 45-50 minutes on the bus to get there).  One is JoAnn's....it has materials as well.  The other is Michael's which is much, much larger and has about everything imaginable in crafts.  Around Christmas I usually do some beaded ornaments which are just for my own use and pleasure to do.  I did give two away last Christmas.

[Soldier4Christ]

We have several JoAnn's in this area. I rarely go to them as they are fairly high priced. I get my sewing supplies from WalMarts $1.00 bin, garage sales, estate sales and an unclaimed freight store. My wife and I occasionally go to Hobby Lobby for patterns and material when they have a really good sale.

My wife makes a lot of clothes with the patterns and material for the entire family. We have also given some of these things to families in need like fire victims.

[Debp]

We have several JoAnn's in this area. I rarely go to them as they are fairly high priced. I get my sewing supplies from WalMarts $1.00 bin, garage sales, estate sales and an unclaimed freight store. My wife and I occasionally go to Hobby Lobby for patterns and material when they have a really good sale.

My wife makes a lot of clothes with the patterns and material for the entire family. We have also given some of these things to families in need like fire victims.

Do you sell your quilts?  I just checked a few websites that sell quilts....some were even $850.  At another site, one on sale was around $130.

Here in Los Angeles we have the "fashion district"....it's 50 city blocks (or more) that sells all sorts of things very reasonably.  One area of the fashion district sells just materials.  I once took someone there that sews....she went crazy over the huge selection....block after block of materials.  I don't go there very often but it's a fun place to visit.  Some vendors buy things there and then sell them on the streets here.  (I once bought two umbrellas there for $2 each!  That's really, really cheap for L.A.)

[Soldier4Christ]

I have never sold any of them. If not as a present to a family member then it has just been to give to someone needy.

It takes me a very long time to get one finished. My handicap does not permit me to spend a lot of time on one to get it finished quickly enough to sell. I used to be able to put one together in about 6 to 8 hours. Now it takes me about a month, sometimes longer.

[Debp]

I have never sold any of them. If not as a present to a family member then it has just been to give to someone needy.

It takes me a very long time to get one finished. My handicap does not permit me to spend a lot of time on one to get it finished quickly enough to sell. I used to be able to put one together in about 6 to 8 hours. Now it takes me about a month, sometimes longer.

Well, it's a good hobby....anything that you enjoy like that is good.

[Soldier4Christ]

Well, it's a good hobby....anything that you enjoy like that is good.

Yes, it is. It gives me time to be with the Lord and it is relaxing as I don't have to strain my brain on it. 

[islandboy]

I found this topic quite interesting, as I have been and am in that condition. When I was younger and in better health I used to wash windows. I did not buy anything. I took rags and a bucket and some dish detergent to clean the windows, then a roll of paper towels and Windex to make them shine. I advanced from that point into doing housecleaning for people letting them buy the supplies they needed and wanted used in their homes. I charged by the day instead the hour, which kept people from glancing at their watch everytime I stopped for a drink of water or to rest a moment. Now I am unable to do manual labor, so I earn pocket change by having yard sales in which many times my friends donate things to me to sell to help me out. I also do crafts, such as painting and woodburning and jewelry making and sell these at craft shows. I sell everything for $10.00, or less. People feel they are getting a item at a reasonable price and I make enough to cover my expenses and still make a profit. There are lots of jobs out there if you have the nerve to just ask somebody. Elderly people need help with shopping, shoveling snow of their sidewalks, transportation and etc.. The simple things you do for yourself are often the type of things others need help with.

[nChrist]

Hello Islandboy,

We've been missing you, and it's nice to see you back on the forum. We have quite a few on the forum who are ill or disabled and limited on what they can do. I'm one of them. I enjoy serving the LORD with most of my time, and we've been fortunate to have our needs provided by GOD. If I really needed to make a few extra dollars, I would probably use my computer. I'll just give thanks to GOD that we don't need or want much.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 3:20-21 NASB  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

[islandboy]

Thanks Tom.
 I have dropped by a few times but didn't have time to post. I get involved in helping others  doing the Lords work trying to make someone else's day a bit brighter. My craftwork keeps my mind off my health and getting out of the house in among the living at craft shows and keeps depression at bay. I tried using my computer to earn some cash, but didn't have much luck with it. I have a website, but it is just for entertainment. I don't sell anything on it nor do I get commissions. The links just go to interesting sites that either I or friends found on the web and shared with me. Making a living off the web is hard and can be expensive. I think it is easier to deal with people face to face. When talking face to face with someone about a job, I could tell right away if I got the job or not. On the internet it is hard to know who you are talking to and even if the job is real. But everyone has different talents and I applaud those that make a living off or on the internet.

[nChrist]

Hello Islandboy,

We are all different, and we all have different abilities. I'll just give thanks that GOD has something for all of us to do, regardless of health or wealth. We have a range of members on both ends of the spectrum and everything in between for health and wealth. Most of us can get out and do many things, but some can't. GOD has plans and a Purpose for all of us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 4:4 NASB  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

[islandboy]

I agree totally with what your saying. I wish I knew more about computers and the talents needed to develop websites or create banners, or the countless other ways of earning money with a computer. I didn't have any luck with what I tried, but that doesn't mean what  your doing won't make money. But I do enjoy my simple crafts and like I said it gets me out of house a few times out of the year. I am still waiting on my SSD trial, its going on five years now. If nothing else it has taught me how to live on next to nothing, although, I don't recommend it. So if your looking for work see if your neighbors need help.  Ask around. Be creative. Start a new hobby. Do things that you really enjoy and things sometimes have a way of working out. Best of luck and God Bless You All.

[Maryjane]

I really enjoyed these post....

Maryjane