our St Vincent de Paul here in Hattiesburg, everything is free and we have a University that just had a yard sale men's shirts were 50 cents and I got 17 of them. I have made 3 quilts out of men's thrift store shirts. leave some of the pockets and labels on them it gives it lots of character. Happy quilting.

Church rummage sales are a goldmine! If you go later in the day (before closing) they often let you stuff a grocery bag for $1 or $2. Not all are 100% cotton tho, so read the labels.

I get my shirts at goodwill on Wednesday which is quarter day in our town. I also pick up blue jeans on that day for denim quilts. I bring them home and wash and dry them then cut them. The shirts pieces are pressed and wrapped on comic boards for later use.

IMHO, Goodwill is way too high on almost everything. Salvation Army is also going up, but still cheaper than GW. They also have a color tag day and that is when I buy the men's shirts. Have been collecting for several years now. I don't get to many yard sales, but they would be less expensive if you find them there.

Hi Profannie. Not sure about Canada, but in my area we have what are called "The Bins". It's part of Goodwill, but unlike the Goodwill stores The Bins sell close by the pound. I have gotten fabric items from them for a number of years (you get a lot for your money). The other places that are good, going to estate sales and garage sales too. You might find that it takes you a few trips, but you can get a lot. Most garage and estate sales have 50% off on the last day (because they want to get rid of stuff), you might also offer one price on a lot of shirts at one of these sales too. Good luck

It really depends on your area. As you have learned Goodwill is not a bargain and don't get me started on their other issues. Usually the smaller the thrift store, the better deal you could get. I work at a dog rescue shop, Luv-To-Save Thrift Shop for Boxer Luv Rescue in Phoenix. After so many days, we discount items as low as $1. Everything at our store is donated and everyone is a volunteer so all the money (minus expenses, rent, electricity) goes to the dogs.

One more thing! Have you seen Bonnie Hunter's deboning shirt video? She can completely disassemble a man's shirt in about 7 minutes! That will help save you lots of time. Here's the link:
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/...irt-movie.html
Hope this helps those of you who are in the amazing "recycle cotton shirts for quilts group" who haven't seen it. Also consider that there are other clothing items that are all cotton, the right weight, and suitable for quilts. I have recently lost 130 pounds (bariatric surgery) and bought thrift store clothing as I rapidly descended in weight. I chose pieces that I could recycle into quilts wherever possible. And I have some nice textures from light weight cotton pants that will give an extra sensory touch to these quilts. I do a lot of tops for Project Linus and comfort quilts for the wheelchair bound. Reginalovesfabric is spot on about leaving the pockets, labels and buttons on as it does make the quilt more fun and more sensory. I always try to make my quilts as touchy feely as I can because often recipients are stuck in bed, in wheelchairs, or are visually impaired.
What a great thread!!

I am with the majority of you, I will not pay $6-$7 for a shirt...when I can find a yard of fabric on sale for less. I do browse through thrift stores, yard sales, and other venues 100% shirts, curtains, bedspreads, pajamas, ladies skirts, ladies dresses, night shirts, etc. I've found several 100% cotton ladies long dresses, of which I can glean several yards of useful fabric.

I approach it as a treasure hunt. I know where the senior discounts are and I go for the discounts. I'm not picky it might take me a little longer but I will hold out. Last summer I went after bluejeans for a quilt. I got two full paper bags for $1.
Then I went to our recycle and by the end of summer I had more than enough for the quilt. Patience and persevere:D

This is actually a misconception about Goodwill. Their mission isn't to provide cheap goods for those in need, rather their mission is about job training for those disabled or disadvantaged. They use the profits from the retail store to fund the programs, as well as having a retail outlet where they can employee (for ridiculously low wages) people during job training or who might otherwise not get employment.