Tiny Tigger

Hello from mid Missouri! Growing up, I began to learn quilting from my great grandmother. unfortunately she passed away when I was about 14, and I eventually moved on to learning other things. But now at the ripe age of 50, I have decided to give a go at quilting again! With my situation, (single income household, no children, but hubby and I are helping a family member going through a tough time, which equals an extra mouth to feed), our budget is extremely tight, Some weeks, I do a joy dance when we have an extra 5$ left over lol. What is a good way to start building my fabric stash? I know we have a couple of local quilter shops, but yeah, I mainly just go in and sigh wistfully as even their clearance prices are way out of my budget. I've looked at walmart, and some of the fabrics there are sort of doable, but mainly looking for ways to build a stash without a big outlay of cash. Any ideas?

PamelaOry

We have a local consignment thrift store and sometimes I can find fabric there for sale cheap. Other thrift stores too often have a fabric area and also sometimes get in unfinished projects as well.

Tartan

Welcome from Ontario, Canada. Go to Bonnie Hunter's website quiltville.blogspot.ca and watch her video on how to debone cotton thrift store shirts for quilting cotton fabric. She also has a lot of free patterns under her pattern tab.

Evy

Welcome from Camdenton, MO. You will be surprised how quickly your stash grows when you start sewing. Thrift shops or Goodwill/Salvation Army type stores often have quilt scraps.

bjchad

Also look out for remnants at various fabric stores. Over the course of a few visits you can gather enough at reduced prices to make a great quilt.

ckcowl

Check to see if there is a local guild in your area- or sewing group. Quilters are very generous folks, chances are someone will be willing to take you under their wing and help you along. Our sewing group members often bring in boxes/ bags of fabrics they no longer want for anyone who wants any of them we also share- give away books, magazines, patterns. We recently had one member who’s sister is no longer able to sew- she sent up 15 large totes of fabric to give away. When they were brought in we were told- take what you want- any that’s left is just going to goodwill.
Also, check the listings here on the board- often someone is trying to get rid of stash / scraps

cjsews

Also check yard sales for both fabric and clothing that can be deboned for yardage. Welcome from Tennessee

SillySusan

Welcome from North Carolina. I wish you lived here. I'd give you a bale of scraps! The advise here is excellent. You'll have a stash in no time. Thrift shops, attic and yard sales, church rummage sales, people who sew,...

toverly

My advice is not to try to build a stash. It will grow with every quilt you make. Go to consignment and thrift stores and check out the clothes, not as clothes but as fabric. You will be amazed at the beautiful patterns that are available. Just stay away from polyesters and knits. You might also like to check out a few of the big name quilters that specialize in reusing fabrics, Bonnie Hunter is the one I can think of right now, I am sure there are others.

luvstoquilt

Garage sales, church sales and estate sales are good spots to look. When I was starting I went to a yard sale and I didn't see anything I wanted. The lady having the sale asked me what I was looking to find. I to,d her I was a quilter and was searching for fabric. She asked me to wait a minute and she came back with bags and totes full. It was her late mother's stash. I got several battings and nice fabric for $10. I learned that day to tell the seller what I was looking for! Good luck!