I DO shop thrift stores, goodwill etc. I have found some family member's discontinued dish pattern on more than one occasion. I have not yet found a sewing or craft "find", however I do re-purpose at home. If a garment is unfit for donation and must be tossed, I remove the buttons, zipper and if it has nice ribbed cuffs in good shape them too. Jeans beyond repair? Cut the legs off and make denim squares from the parts that are still in good shape. Shirt buttons are fairly generic. I remove the whole set and put them on a large safety pin or paper clip so the matching buttons stay together.