I shop Goodwills, other junk stores, used book stores, and the Kidney Foundation Community Thrift Store. The "kidney" store has the best buys of all. I recently bought 3 book cases with beautiful finishes (each 35" wide with deep shelves, about 6' tall). One of them has doors in the middle where I am going to put my TV. I paid $85 dollars for all 3 and I couldn't have bought one for nearly that. I bought a almost new 21-speed, aluminum bicycle for $70 for my son. I have wanted an cotton eyelet blouse which I couldn't find in a store but the other day in the junk store I found 2 new cotton eyelet curtains of good quality. The material will make a perfect summer blouse for our hot weather. I have bought a microwave, diamond (real) heart-shaped pendant on a 14k gold chain, small Singer machine kinda like a Spartan or 99, scissors, T-square, material (cotton, wool,) thread, Cuisinart bean grinding coffee maker ($2.99) and the list could go on an on... I try to only buy something if it's needed and not just wanted anymore and I also think of where I will put it in my house or am I going to use it now. You can find things if you take you time and look and not just run in an out like I did when I worked. Now I am retired so it's a lot more fun but I have less cash flow...

Well, gals! After reading this thread on the 25th, I decided to make the trip to the larger GW store (which moved since I was last there). I didn't find anything there but I will return in a couple of weeks.

I hated coming home empty handed, so I decided to stop at the library and see if there were any quilting books that might interest me. Nada. BUT! On the way home there were signs leading to an estate sale. I've never been to one before. I was late, of course, and much of it was picked over, but as I walked through the house, I opened a closet door and found these three large storage drawers sitting on the floor...covered in filth. I got the three of them for $5 and they cleaned up beautifully. I filled two of them with Thimbleberries FQ's (which is one of my favorite lines).

I'm now encouraged to watch for other estate sales.:thumbup:

Our thrift stores seldom have anything sewing or quilting related. The used clothing is sky high ($3.98 for a man's shirt) that I can get fabric at my LQS for about the same price. Haven't found any machines at any of them yet, but still looking. Maybe one day soon, I can report a great haul!

I bought my 3' X 5' sewing table, a whole bolt of Kona black fabric, lots of fabric at garage sales, the curtains that cover a bookcase that holds part of my stash is a fabric shower curtain that I cut in half...works great. The silk flowers that sit on the deck that leads to my quilting shed, two Singers, a Viking off Ebay, a Bernina (older) that I traded some quilting for, a desk for my computer and another desk for my embroidery machine. A recliner for $20 that raises to help you get up (don't need the help yet, but it was a good buy). I re-purposed a 6-drawer vanity dresser and made a 6' ironing board out of it. The best bargin I've ever gotten was a copier for $2. The lady said she didn't think it worked. I tried it, it did, and her DH made her give it to me for the $2! Great for making copies of PP templates. I'm always on the look out for garage and estate sales and I make regular visits to the GW stores in my area.

For those who cannot seem to find quilting supplies in your local thrift shops, ask at the counter if they get quilting/sewing supplies.

I have had good luck just asking at the Sally Ann or Lion's Thrift Shop for different things I was looking for. Sometimes they have a box of fabric in back that they do not know where to put.

I love that purple bear! I must find myself one.

I check my local thrift stores every week on Fridays when they put new stuff out. I almost always find some good fabric..couple yards for a few bucks. Just this Friday I got 3 yards of a purple dot for 1,99 and 1 yd of maroon with small white dots for 99 cents and another yard of a small print fabric for 99 cents. All totally usable for most anything as you can do alot with a yard!

I recently found an entire set of BOMs from JoAnns with the complete setting kit for $6 at a local thrift store. It finishes 87" x 87". I couldn't believe my luck. Ocassionally I find fabric but not often. Several years ago, when my daughter needed to do student teaching and needed cloths other than jeans and t-shirts we got cloths at a local thrift store at their end of month $4 bag sale over the summer. She spent $40 and since I could do a few alterations, change buttons, shorten hems, etc. she had an entire wardrobe including 2 wool skirts, 1 wool pants, and a beautiful silk dress for special ocassions.
There has been a few times I have purchased an ugly blouse with beautiful buttons for less than a dollar. My SIL likes tropical print shirts and I found a brand new one for $3 in his size. He loves it.
We have a donation table at our guild. I have gotten books, fabrics, patterns, magazines and they just ask for a donation that goes into the guilds general fund. I recently got an out of print book I have been wanting for ages that is way expensive even on Amazon. I gave a good donation for that one.

I found a practically brand new horn cabinet with an extension table in back and on the side. It was white and fits my sewing room wonderfully. I got it from the Goodwill for $79.00

Thanks, I really enjoyed hearing about all the great things you have found at thrift stores. Made me feel as though I was shopping with you. Over time I have also found some great finds. Have fun looking over all your "goodies".