| Author |
Nifty Thrifty:  Thrift Store Fabric  |
|
lilliesfarm
Farmgirl in Training
43 Posts
Lillie
Jones
OK
USA
43 Posts |
 Posted - May 18 2009 : 6:58:48 PM
|
Not long ago I was very disappointed when I walked into our local Walmart and saw that they had done away with their fabric department. I use to buy my fabric there all the time, as well as other sewing and craft supplies.
Last week I decided to visit another fabric store and was shocked by the high prices on their fabrics. I thought to myself. How in the world can a person afford to buy fabric here?
It was then I decided I was going to do the thrifty thing about fabric. I did some shopping at one of our local thrift stores and noticed a wide variety of dresses that were made from all sorts of beautiful prints and patterns of fabric as well as solid colors. My mind was made up, and I knew that if I looked hard enough I would surely find all the craft fabric I needed. These old dresses would find new life in my crafts. Not to mention all the assortment of old blue jeans I could use to make frayed denim quilts.
Problem solved thanks to thriftiness!
I just love it when a plan comes together!
God bless |
|
|
Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 04:31:45 AM
|
I see a lot of women when I'm at the thrift loading up their carts with pretty sheets and curtains and quilts, they are for the most part buying them to cut up for other projects.
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
 |
|
|
Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 06:44:39 AM
|
We did that not too long ago. I wanted cute curtains for the babies' room, but Walmart had little left to choose from. We went to the thrift shop and found adorable sheets in a kiddie print. I took them home,chopped them up, hemmed them, and now we are all set! :)
Desperate times call for farmgirl creativity!!
hugs
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
"You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all."
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
CalicoCat
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
April
Oakland County
MI
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 09:23:44 AM
|
I've got an online buddy who recently made killer pillows from old skirts she nabbed at a thrift; they have such a cool vintage look!
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
|
|
|
|
Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
|
|
Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 09:35:44 AM
|
I love the idea of re-using. I always check out our local thrift store for buttons and clothing for fabrics.
Wouldn't be great to have a Field Trip to the Thrift Store? :) The only thing is we would probably be reaching for the same things 
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2009 : 12:10:37 PM
|
Great idea! I love it that you have the vision to repurpose these old garments and fabrics. I sure wish I was a seamstress...maybe I will be one day when I grow up!
On another note, I need to go to the thrift for clothes! I can't wear anything right now!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
|
|
MicheleyL
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Michele
Naples
Fl
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 7:18:23 PM
|
I love to make olde world Santas. I use old scarves (the wool kind) I buy at the thrift store to create Santa's outfits. Each scarf is usually only a dollar and sometimes only .50 on half price day. I also often use coats to create Santa jackets. And the coat fur trim works so well and is so much more authentic.
Lovin' Country Prims... |
|
|
|
sharikrsna
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Shari
Carthage
Illinois
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2009 : 09:09:48 AM
|
Yep, I just made the cutest apron with a skirt from a thrift store. I loved the fabric, but the cut was just hideous! So I cut it into quarters, using the extra for a ruffle and long ties that wrap around so the bow is in front, and I still have the back half of the skirt left to make one for a friend!
Shari
Farmgirl Sister #607 |
|
|
|
lovelady
True Blue Farmgirl
533 Posts
Toni
Indiana
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 10:07:28 AM
|
| I have just started going to the thrift store with my sole purpose being to look for fabrics to use for my sewing projects. I have several cool vintage curtains that I am going to turn into aprons, a couple pillowcases for tank tops, and sheets for other projects. I am going to make an outdoor quilt for my boys to lay on and play while I am gardening from a couple cool sheets that I found. That way I don't have to worry about them getting a quilt I worked hard on dirty. I am also not very good at following patterns, so I thought I could practice with thrift store fabrics, then I wouldn't have to waste my "good" fabric if I messed it up! |
|
|
|
greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 12:23:31 PM
|
My problem is I like to actually make my clothes. I make some pretty fun skirts - but I like long skirts. I've modified one pattern that requires four pieces to put the skirt together so that I add in four triangular pieces about halfway up the seam - giving the skirt a lot more fabric and give (and femininity). But I can't find fabric! The stuff in stores is so expensive - how in the world can they charge so much for unimproved, often less-than fabulous fabric? I wouldn't call any of that stuff anything to write home about. It's just price gouging, that's what.
I also like making my own rip-offs. I simply adore Ralph Lauren and Anne Klein, but i sure can't afford those prices! So I take a good look at something I like, and then I go off and make it. Only now - I can't find convincing fabric - and if I do, it would cost the same to make it as to buy the outfit and have the fancy label.
I have been redoing old dresses and making them into presents for people - I make bags - but as to my own clothes, I'm having to get more creative. |
Edited by - greyghost on Jun 19 2009 12:25:12 PM |
|
|
|
sharikrsna
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Shari
Carthage
Illinois
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 4:42:24 PM
|
Here are some possible ideas...Check the remnant bins, I have found six whole yards of fabric before. Check the swap meets, there's usually someone selling fabric! And yard sales are great for that sort of thing. People cleaning out their craft rooms/sewing rooms etc.
Shari
Farmgirl Sister #607 |
|
|
|
1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 4:56:09 PM
|
greyghost, i have bought alot of really good fabric on EBAY, also at yard sales, and I watch for estate sales, one I went to a few years back, the women who passed was buying fabric on the bolts and never got around to useing it, I paid $5-$10 per bolt and bought a $100 dollars worth and still have tons that I use to make quilts from.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
|
|
|
Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 6:00:38 PM
|
We have great thrift stores...My favorite is St Vincent DePaul...I have been there on odd days..mid week and have gotten loads of fabric very cheap. I also love that tey have 1.00 items that are usually name brands.
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
|
|
|
cdmcan
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Diane
Homer City
PA
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2009 : 12:40:24 PM
|
Our thrift store is not inexpensive being close to a college town, but I do still get a few good bargains for repurposing..
I suggest yard sales too... people are always willing to get rid of clothing etc at an inexpensive price = these items are not big sellers.
I love using old wool sweaters to felt and make handbags, etc.
Lover of Siamese Cats |
|
|
|
Claude09647
True Blue Farmgirl
761 Posts
Claudia
Our Dairy Farm
Pennsylvania
USA
761 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 12:57:16 PM
|
wow what a great idea! I would have never thought to go to the thrift store to look for fabric.
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." |
|
|
|
HeatherAnn
True Blue Farmgirl
187 Posts
Heather
Rancho Cucamonga
CA
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2009 : 08:41:27 AM
|
A few of the craft stores in my area offer coupons if you get on their mailer list. I get 50% coupons at least once a month. Which REALLY helps, but I try to only go when I have a coupon or when things are on sale. I knit too, and sometimes the yarns are also half off. But yarns, like fabric, can get very expensive but I've found both at thrift stores too!
"You got to look at all the good on one side and all the bad on the other and say 'Well, alright then.'" - Aunt Eller, Oklahoma
www.plumblossomknits.etsy.com |
|
|
|
StitchHazel
True Blue Farmgirl
50 Posts
Kylie
Rome
NY
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2010 : 8:52:18 PM
|
I costume shows for a local theater company, and thrift store sheets and curtains help our budget quite a lot. We just did a traditional period production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience, and the cost of costuming the 28-person cast with multiple changes was only about $300. :}
Kylie
"It's wonderful what we can do when we're always doing." -George Washington |
|
|
|
farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2010 : 05:27:14 AM
|
What a great thread!
My sister works at one of the thrift stores here, and they always have tons of fabric there. But even if they didn't....I love making my own clothes, and I'm finally able to start looking at pre-made clothes there that I don't like for some reason (but are priced cheap!!) and figure out how to make them work for me. :) Now that's power!!
I agree that fabric in stores is WAY overpriced. I remember ten or so years back when I wanted to make a quilt because I naively thought that it would be a "cheap" way to make something for the bed. HA!!! Not unless you're using scraps from someone else!!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 11:43:33 AM
|
So glad this Thread is back up...
yep, I peruse the Thrifts for sheets (rag rugs) wool coats & jackets (penny rugs), jeans (denim quilts & aprons) and if I spot a garment that has really awesome embellishments or buttons...I will 'harvest' them from the garment,,,with the price of buttons these days, It's almost cheaper to buy a dress for a dollar or two and re-purpost the fabric, and buttons....
Thrifts are a great resource...and most of them have 'special sales' days....but just get there early...
Remember, being a "Second Hand Rose" is a Good Thing!
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
|
|
vintage saver
True Blue Farmgirl
323 Posts
oleta
wheelersburg
ohio
USA
323 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 9:47:07 PM
|
| Our WalMart is still selling fabric, but they told me they are going to quit. They don't sell embroidery thread anymore either. Boo! I also repurpose clothes from thrifts and especially yard sales which are usually cheaper. I have bought wool skits to cut up for material for old fashioned comforters. I feel kind of funny cutting up a good skirt somebody in the world could be wearing, but I do it anyway. I have a white Crhistmas tree I keep up all year in my bedroom with pink, peach and gold ornaments and I found a peach satin bridesmaid dress for a$1 with a beautiful lace collar that I was able to fold around for a tree skirt. |
|
|
|
beadbabe
True Blue Farmgirl
148 Posts
Therese
Valencia
California
USA
148 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 10:29:43 PM
|
When my daughter was a baby, I would buy old large dresses and cut them up to make her clothes. She had very sensitive skin, and the old clothes were already so soft, it was perfect. I could sometimes get more than one garment out of one dress!
Therese
Farmgirl Sister #1217
If you ask me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud. ~Emile Zola |
|
|
|
misspittypat
True Blue Farmgirl
102 Posts
lila
osceola
mo
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - Mar 18 2010 : 5:35:03 PM
|
One day I was in a thrift store-- I purchased some small dresses (I"m a big country girl) anyway the checkout lady -- said Lila you cant wear those!! I said I know I buying them for the fabric to make a quilt! There were two ladies there that took off running and said "we never thought of that" as they are racing to clothes!
I have made dog jackets from fleece pajama tops; curtains from sheets; mini blinds from bedskirts; potholders, blankets & burp clothes with used mattress covers inside; a purple hippo for my niece for Christmas and tea dyed I don't know how many white cotton sheets for dolls and sheets/bed skirts for crochet rugs.
Lila |
|
|
|
Nifty Thrifty: Thrift Store Fabric |
|
Thrift Store Fabric
