Thrift Store Shopping--are you picky in what you buy?
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Vancouver, Washingrton
Posts: 417
I used to do that. Now I usually ask myself first if it is something I just want or need. A lot of times what I see is something I want but not really need it. It is very hard to turn my back on a beautiful fabrics especially the ones with the bright colors.
#22
I shop in thrift stores, but am a little bit of a fabric snob. I don't like to buy from the thrift store as I don't know how the fabric was washed, or even if they take the time to wash the fabric before I buy it.
I do have that problem at garage/ estate sales. If I see fabric at one of those I have a very hard time NOT buying anything. I feel more comfotable buying there as usually the previous owner is there and can answer questions about what I'm buying.
I do have that problem at garage/ estate sales. If I see fabric at one of those I have a very hard time NOT buying anything. I feel more comfotable buying there as usually the previous owner is there and can answer questions about what I'm buying.
#23
Originally Posted by Joanie2
So, I am a thrift store junkie and proud of it. I have often found some really neat things. I've been reading a lot about some of the fabric finds you all are picking up and so I have a question for you --- are you particular about what fabrics you find and purchase at thrift stores or do you simply say to yourself "it's fabric! I have to have it! I don't need it for any project I'm working on but I simply can't pass it up. Surely I will find a use for it." ? I am starting to view my shopping in a different way in that I no longer purchase all the fabrics I come across just because the price is great. I look it over more carefully and ask myself if I will actually use it and I no longer buy it just because it's there. I'm getting more particular and thrifty with my thrift store shopping. How about you? Are you buying just to buy?
I passed up about 4 yards of grey/black/white herringbone wool a while back and I'm still thinking I severely screwed up leaving it in the store.
#24
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 49
I go to St Vincents. They sell their fabric in clear bags. I stick my fingers in to feel. If there is enough peices I can use I buy it. It usually runs $2 or #3 per bag. I use what I want and I can return the rest back to the store later for someone else.
Last week I hit the jackpot. I got 2 boxes 12x 10x 2" full of cotton 2" squares. Plus a big piece heart fabric and more I will return later. All for $2.19
Last week I hit the jackpot. I got 2 boxes 12x 10x 2" full of cotton 2" squares. Plus a big piece heart fabric and more I will return later. All for $2.19
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere in Time
Posts: 2,697
I only purhcase cotton or wool. Most of my cotton comes from men's shirts. But my problem is I love wearing oversized men's cotton shirts around the house or to sleep in -- so they seldom make it to the stash. Love the plaid men's shirts and their labels. In the beginnining I removed the labels, I now leave them attached and include them in my quilts.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Kansas City, MO
Posts: 561
Don't know whether I'm classified as "picky" or not, but here's my method. 100% cotton; Dresses, blouse and men's shirts; large sizes (more fabric); fewest battern pieces (less fabric waste; and prints and stripes; Children clothing (only with licensed characters that can be used to set a theme.
Some thrift shops have plastic bags of sewing/quilting scraps. I look for bags with 100% cotton; large scraps, and interesting prints. I stay away from bags with poly, satin, or other fabics rarely used in quilts.
Am I "picky".
One more thing, I always visit these places before I hit Walmart, JoAnn, Hancock, etc. I could quilt the rest of my life and never use the stash I have, but I keep buying. Being 70 years old and the mother of 4 sons, I've made it clear that #3 inherits contents of quilt room. Since I've been disabled, he drives me all over and he'l learned so much about fabric that I even trust him to go get "fat Quarters", colored batiks, 30s repos, Civil War repos, etc. He helps me spray baste my quilt sandwiches, etc. but he draws the line at siting down at the machine LOL. I haven't given up hope though. Each of my sons have their own special place in my life and heart, but every mother should have one of these.
Some thrift shops have plastic bags of sewing/quilting scraps. I look for bags with 100% cotton; large scraps, and interesting prints. I stay away from bags with poly, satin, or other fabics rarely used in quilts.
Am I "picky".
One more thing, I always visit these places before I hit Walmart, JoAnn, Hancock, etc. I could quilt the rest of my life and never use the stash I have, but I keep buying. Being 70 years old and the mother of 4 sons, I've made it clear that #3 inherits contents of quilt room. Since I've been disabled, he drives me all over and he'l learned so much about fabric that I even trust him to go get "fat Quarters", colored batiks, 30s repos, Civil War repos, etc. He helps me spray baste my quilt sandwiches, etc. but he draws the line at siting down at the machine LOL. I haven't given up hope though. Each of my sons have their own special place in my life and heart, but every mother should have one of these.
#27
Picky? No! I shop the thrift stores for sheets and tablecloths, books, teapots and VCR's and never walk out empty handed. I get more fabric in one sheet than in 5 men's shirts and it all matches ----- use them for backings ----- and each sheet costs me a grand total of $1.50. Some of the fabric is cotton/poly and it wears like iron and is no problem handquilting. I'm always amazed at the brand new items that people simply throw away ......... unbelievable! The one thing that I do is to donate a large trash bag stuffed full of goodies on each day that I go "treasure hunting" ...... makes DH happy that way.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DC metro area
Posts: 1,286
I've really toned down my bargain fabric shopping. I don't have any thrift stores around me that have fabric.
I keep an eye out at garage sales, rummage sales and such, .
Since I make quilts for children and soldiers, if I find something that is good for either I'll pick it up only if I know it will match something I have at home or there is enough to do a complete quilt top. Or if it's enough for a back. If it's patiotic fabric I pick it all up. If it's good quality. If it's only one fabric that I'm not sure what I'd do with it I most likely won't pick it up.
I have such a stash that I haven't decided to use clothes in my quilts yet. Maybe once I run out and fabric prices stay high I may go down that road.
I keep an eye out at garage sales, rummage sales and such, .
Since I make quilts for children and soldiers, if I find something that is good for either I'll pick it up only if I know it will match something I have at home or there is enough to do a complete quilt top. Or if it's enough for a back. If it's patiotic fabric I pick it all up. If it's good quality. If it's only one fabric that I'm not sure what I'd do with it I most likely won't pick it up.
I have such a stash that I haven't decided to use clothes in my quilts yet. Maybe once I run out and fabric prices stay high I may go down that road.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DresiArnaz
Main
71
04-07-2015 03:24 PM
Happy Treadler
Main
17
07-13-2011 06:01 AM