Karen, that's totally wacky that it costs less for your mom to ship you thread from America that's made near you! Who knows about marketers? And I'm guessing they sell those things, or else they'd lower their prices.

I was really annoyed a few years ago when the going price for DMC floss went up from about 25 cents to 35 cents. Then I kind of had a reality check and realized how far you could stitch on 35 cents!

I do a lot of quilting, and I don't understand how JoAnn's can charge $2.99 per yard for cotton calico, and Hancock's about 1/4 mile away charges $5.99 for the same stuff.

Donna

I try to buy my floss when it goes on sale and I can sometimes get it for 3/1.00 if I am lucky. I carry a sheet in my wallet of all the DMC numbers and when I buy a skein I cross that off the list so I always know what I need or what I don't have.

I also used to work in a stitchery shop that my friend owned on weekends and instead of being paid I worked for supplies. I think I got the better end of the deal. LOL

I don't buy kits so I really don't know how much they run. The one and only time I bought a kit there was not enough floss to finish the project and that turned me off of kits.

My linens I get cut to the size I need so there is never any waste and I don't pay for what I don't need.

I have spent a lot of money on charms, beads, trims and fabrics though.

Anne