Pinching Pennies for the Big Day

Bret and I are in save mode! We have 13 months until are wedding day, and we realized that we are FAR from where we need to be in savings. The problem is we spend what we make, so we haven't done a good job of adjusting to my job. But the spending stops here! Here are a few ways we plan on saving money.

Using Fewer Disposable Goods

Use fewer paper towels, plastic water bottles, etc.

Spend Less on Services

Instead of spending $50 on a haircut, visit the local hair academy and get it done for $12. Inexpensive alternatives can be used for other services, including mani/pedis, eyebrow waxing, food (cook rather than dine at a restaurant), magazine subscriptions, etc.

  

Pack a Lunch, Snack and Beverage
Rather than spending money at a restaurant, convenience store or vending machine, buy these during your normal grocery trip and then pack them each day for work.

T-Shirt Quilt

I had seen it done before but had no idea how TOUGH making a T-shirt quilt would be! After stringing the project out for eight months, I finally finished. Looking to make one yourself? Check out this post below for the steps I used (and how I would have done it better)!

Step 1: Gather T-shirts
For four years, I saved all of my KU T-shirts because I had this quilt in mind from the start of college. When I met Bret, I started saving his as well.

Step 2: Decide on a design and size
I sketched out what I wanted my quilt to look like. Based on the color of shirts I had, I decided to alternate blue and other colors creating a 7x7 quilt with each square being 12x12 inches.

Step 3: Cut out the squares
Since T-shirt material tends to stretch when you cut and sew it, I needed to iron on interfacing to each square.

 

Step 4: Plan the top layer and sew squares together

This was tough because there was so much material that had to go through my sewing machine. But it is a good feeling when you see the top layer done! (Side note: You sew the squares together with the backing still on the squares.)

 

Step 5: Add batting and back layers

Next I had to buy quilt batting and material for the back of the quilt. I chose white felt for the back of mine, which gave it a heavy and warm feeling. You can choose lighter, airier materials if wanted. 

I then sewed the three layers together.  Then I used white thread to hand stitch some of the images in the squares to hold the three layers together from the inside. (Side note: Next time I quilt I will sew the inside squares before the outside to avoid billowing material and creating a messy look.) (Side note: I will definitely buy a large loom to make this process easier and cleaner for my next quilt.)

Step 6: Sew bias tape to outside edges
The final step in completing this quilt was sewing white bias tape to the outside edges of the quilt. When I finished, it was messier than I had hoped but it looks complete! The bias tape is folded in such a way that you only have to sew it on to get a complete look (no folding then sewing then folding and sewing again).

Hope this helps if you are considering making one yourself!