Recycling Fabric

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06-19-2011, 08:15 AM

#11

Favorite Fabrics

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Join Date: May 2009

Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)

Posts: 3,884

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan

I have used scrubs purchased in a thrift store for projects. Cutting the fabric into charm packs would be a lot of work and you would have to sell them for less than "new" packs. (little profit)

I would agree with this. Many years ago, I tried making charm packs (from new fabrics) and selling them on eBay. They did all sell, but I decided that it was really not worth the time spent.

Had I not spent the time washing the fabrics first, and then having to iron them, well then it might have been worth it, at the time. Now with eBay's fees so high, I can't see that there's much point to selling low-priced items.

I know that charm packs made by the fabric manufacturers are not pre-washed/pre-shrunk... but on eBay, is it the same case? Or do the charm packs made by individuals consist of pre-shrunk fabrics?

06-19-2011, 09:38 AM

#12

quiltinghere

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Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana

Posts: 3,398

One time I hit a resale shop that was having a $5 bag sale on clothing...:) :) :)

It was amazing how tiny I could roll XXL men's shirts!

06-19-2011, 10:03 AM

#13

pocoellie

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Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: Alturas, CA

Posts: 9,393

I buy clothes all the time and cut them apart for quilts.

06-19-2011, 10:28 AM

#14

RUSewing

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Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: In the middle of an Oklahoma wheat field

Posts: 840

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocoellie

I buy clothes all the time and cut them apart for quilts.

I haven't yet, been shopping in my stash, but will soon.

I think making/using/buying precut, recycled squares is a good idea. After reading the Classified rules, maybe you could make up some and try it here. Dunno

06-19-2011, 11:32 AM

#15

LivelyLady

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Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Western MA

Posts: 2,720

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb44

I use recycled fabric, but I would buy it myself from the thrift store and cut it myself. I would not by precut used fabric. My experience with charm packs is that half of them I will never use so I don't buy them.

Same here and I agree with you. I've only bought one charm pack and used only about a third of the pack.

06-19-2011, 12:23 PM

#16

M.I.Late

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Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Spring, Texas

Posts: 2,032

I don't think many people would buy charm packs of used/recycled fabrics. Remember that often times charm packs are made to introduce an entire collection of coordinating fabrics.

Now if you cut that stuff up and made rag quilts - you might be able to sell those as finished quilts made with previously loved fabrics - and of course they would be great for charity quilts.

06-19-2011, 12:27 PM

#17

bamamama

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Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Madison, AL

Posts: 1,998

Yes, I've been collecting mens shirts for a quilt for my Dad. You can't find a good variety of masculine plaids and stripes in the fabric stores lately.

06-19-2011, 12:47 PM

#18

scraphq

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 605

You might be able to sell charm packs at a local craft show where the customer could examine the pack. I would never buy them sight unseen. There might be a huge difference in our opinions of "slightly used".

06-20-2011, 03:55 AM

#19

Agatha

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Join Date: Jun 2011

Posts: 79

I agree with the others. I wouldn't buy charm packs made from used clothing. You don't really know just from pictures what the quality of the fabric is.

By the way, good Pictures of the scrubs. The fabrics are very unique.