Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Do any of you buy clothes or sheets at the thrift store to use in quilts? >
  • Do any of you buy clothes or sheets at the thrift store to use in quilts?

  • Do any of you buy clothes or sheets at the thrift store to use in quilts?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 03-26-2015, 08:39 PM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Feb 2015
    Posts: 637
    Default Do any of you buy clothes or sheets at the thrift store to use in quilts?

    I did on my last quilt. It would have been far too expensive if I didn't.

    I used three cream colored bedsheets in my last quilt. I only paid a few dollars

    I bought a dust ruffle and a crib sized duvet cover thing to add to pink fabrics for my daughter's quilt that I'm planning.

    I struck out on black bedsheets though. Maybe they'll turn up after I get caught up on chores. I got a little behind schedule trying to finish a bed set...
    DresiArnaz is offline  
    Old 03-26-2015, 08:44 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2009
    Location: Perth, Western Australia
    Posts: 10,357
    Default

    All the time. I am currently working on a baby quilt for my grandson, the basis of which is a large size, unworn, batik shirt. It has elephants on it, the rest (yellow and white) is from my stash. The only thing I purchased new was batting. Most of my quilts/waggas are made from 'found' fabrics, offcuts or items of clothing (clothes which are too 'out there' or damaged to donate to charity). I even found a use for 'high visibility yellow' from my husband's old work shirts.
    earthwalker is offline  
    Old 03-26-2015, 08:45 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2013
    Location: Tulsa, Ok
    Posts: 4,582
    Default

    I buy both white, ivory and black sheets for quilt backs at the thrift store whenever I can find them. They are soft and work great!
    Jeanne S is offline  
    Old 03-26-2015, 08:48 PM
      #4  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Feb 2015
    Posts: 637
    Default

    I saw some really wild fabrics in the mens shirts today. If I wasn't already working on a couple of small projects or planning the next quilt I would have bought them
    DresiArnaz is offline  
    Old 03-26-2015, 10:22 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    mom-6's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Texas
    Posts: 6,395
    Default

    I have mainly done mine from yard sales - same concept. Lol!
    mom-6 is offline  
    Old 03-27-2015, 02:59 AM
      #6  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Posts: 246
    Default

    I have used shirts and sheets for backings. Even have used a heavy flannel sheet and a mattress pad to use for a light batting. Gotta save somewhere!!
    schoolteacher is offline  
    Old 03-27-2015, 03:17 AM
      #7  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,510
    Default

    Yes - suitable fabric is good fabric!
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 03-27-2015, 03:24 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2014
    Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
    Posts: 1,271
    Default

    I do a lot with sheets and various repurposed fabrics. I love to use a flannel sheet as the backing on a quilt, it's so cozy.
    KenmoreGal2 is offline  
    Old 03-27-2015, 03:34 AM
      #9  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Posts: 80
    Default

    Yes, I bought a few pairs of old jeans and made my DGD's tote bags to take to school. They came out great and very sturdy.
    seaside quilter is offline  
    Old 03-27-2015, 03:40 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    leatheflea's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: martinsville Indiana
    Posts: 4,461
    Default

    Yep I sure do. I put a stitch in anything that will take one! Some people seem to forget that quilt fabric manufactures tell you should only use designer quilt fabric because... it's what they sell. It's called marketing strategy. Some say they've had trouble quilting sheets. That just tells me that they haven't done enough research to see what needle and thread would work best for a higher count fabric. Someone put a seam in that sheet before selling it so you should be able to sew it too! However I will say that I try to stay around 300 thread count or less. My LQS sold extra wide designer backing fabric that was 300 count. So why do most designer fabric manufactures say that their 80-90 count is the best? I think some quilters just want to say what they paid for the fabric or that it's designer. And what about the gorgeous silk quilts you see at the quilt shows? Are they 80-90 count and made by one of the major quilt fabric manufacturers? I don't think so. But that's ok, the more quilters that don't buy sheets or clothing from Thrift shops the better, it leaves more for me! Now I'm not saying I don't buy designer fabric because there's one designer that just rocks my quilty world. However due to her outrageous prices I buy very little. I usually buy a bundle and mix in my thrift fabrics to make as many quilts as I can with one bundle.
    leatheflea is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    suspendedglass
    Main
    12
    02-16-2019 09:48 AM
    DresiArnaz
    Main
    4
    03-29-2015 09:47 AM
    jemsister
    Main
    37
    02-09-2014 05:30 AM
    ohiobuckeye
    Main
    19
    07-20-2011 03:45 AM
    Joanie2
    Main
    85
    04-23-2011 03:45 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter