Craigslist finds? How do you do it?
 

What do you type into the search box when looking for fabric/sewing mahcines/longarms,etc on Craigslist? Some you find such great deals. I will type in fabric, quilting fabric, quilt fabric,etc. I have found no good deals. It seems like different parts of the country have more fabric and sewing stuff listed.

I either type in "sewing" (gets me machines, etc.) or "quilting"... :) I sometimes will type in "fabric" if I'm curious to see what's out there, but that usually gets me all sorts of furniture descriptions as well...

I checked it out a couple times, but I'd have to travel so far to even get anything that it isn't worth it for me to even check it out. My friend found a sewing machine for free in a cabinet but she had to travel 4 hours away to get it(she had to take her hubby to a dr. appt in that town so it was worth it). She said the machine works great!

I usually just type in "quilting" That will bring up anything in sales or yard sales with quilting in the description which can be books, magazines, machines, fabric, pattern, tables, etc. Sometimes I don't find anything, but I just keep checking every day and have found some great bargains.

I usually type in sewing machines. Sometimes Singer Sewing Machines (as those have been the type of machines I have been after). While I do find many listings in my area, I think most are overpriced. Rarely does the fantastic deal pop up in my area that others have found (under $50 sewing machines that actually work for the most part).

I type in sewing or quilt or quilting.

I usually check Crafts and Antiques. I rarely see anything of interest. I don't think I'm in a good area for quilting and sewing things. There have been some vintage sewing machines, but usually dirty and obvious missing parts. It's fun to look though.
Skue

Usually I check "antiques".

I've never logged on to CraigsList but have been tempted. I know a lot of people that buy from E-Bay and find things that are fairly local so they can just pick stuff up. I know that's how Craigslist is suppose to work Might go onto it just for the fun of it.

I search: quilting, sewing, knitting. We live in a small town of 45, 000 so there aren't a lot of items that match. People in major metro areas do better because of the sheer numbers.

I also post on freecycle that I am looking for fabric and craft supplies. Additionally, our local auctioneer posts upcoming auctions on his website in a searchable database.

Same here. There are actually quite a few listings that are reasonably local to me or in places that I'm willing to travel for various reasons. Occassionally I will also type 'quilt' just to see what's out there even though that comes back with lots of things that aren't what I'm looking for. But you learn pretty quickly what to scan through and what to actually read. I'm also in a very densely populated portion of the country which I think makes a big difference.

I agree with you that it seems that some sites (locations) are better than others. The one where my son and family live is very active and they can find almost anything. Ours doesn't have that much, but I did sell some furniture on it.

I live in a very small town and Walmart is my LQS. Other than that I drive 80 miles. But I found great stuff on CL that makes it worthwhile to drive if I have errands, sometimes not. I got a car load of batting for $70 and am getting some quilt store quality fabric at 3.50 a yard next week. The woman I am buying from got what must be a truckload of fabric at an estate sale. Most of it still on bolts or in huge boxes of FQ. I have to go past her on an errand next week and wow, better than a fabric store. Also I furnished my house, mostly, with CL, free wooden table and chairs (originally Pier 1) free. Grandfather clock $50. You just have to keep looking, make it a regular schedule and don't get distracted by, Oh I can use that. NOt if you weren't looking for it or it's not a list I keep. I type in quilting. Have fun and you'll have some great finds out there.
Khadija

I search "sewing" "quilt" "quilts" "quilter" "quilters" "quilting" in the search box to search all "for sale"... my browser is set up to make a pulldown list after the first time you type them in. So when you put in "q", it brings up all these words (except "sewing") so it's not as daunting as it sounds. Most of the searches bring up children's bedding!! But if you do it consistently, you'll figure it out and it only takes about 5 minutes to do it once you've done it a few days. You'll see a lot of the same ads over and over

I check crafts, then antiques, then household, then free. You just never know how someone will describe their item. Got my eye on an older Kenmore with cabinet and chair and shelves now.

Craigslist is just for sale-----------no bidding woes

I type in sew, sewing, quilt, quilting, fabric, cotton - it has worked for me. I typically do this under arts & crafts. I got a vintage machine for $5 and a big box of scraps for about $10 (that included shipping). I also check other surrounding areas if I will have time to drive there. I check a few times a day usually.

I love Craigslist, and I check it almost every day. There is no "logging on" to it; you are just looking at ads. I usually type in SEWING in the search box, because if you just type in SEW, you get lots of things like houSEWares, and others that don't have anything to do with sewing.

craigs list
 

I've bought some wonderful stuff on Craig's list, but have interested a scammer when I tried to sell something. If it sounds fishy, it is a dead fish.

I agree, I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I find nothing worth bragging about. I do Chicago and find all kinds of good deals and tell my brother, he said ok and never go. I found a featherweight in good condition for $20. Did he go, no. I almost want to go home just to get some a good deal. You are typing in the right thing and you are right; it all depends on where you live.

Ms. susie-susie-susie, I do agree; rarely find or see anything of interest. Although my friend seems to do quite well!

Well let's keep trying
Lana
the Quilting Dreamer
Lansing, MI

People can post their ads under different categories on Craigslist. For example, a sewing machine could be listed under "Arts & Crafts," "Household," or "General." I usually click on the "For Sale" heading on the home page which searchs all the categories. Also, don't forget to search for misspellings - "sowing" and "sawing" for sewing. I rarely see any fabric for sale, but lots of sewing machines.

I found my 1961 Singer 500 Slant on Craigslist about a year ago. It was in good condition and came with a cabinet, feet, cams, and manual for $100. Not a deal to brag about, but a reasonable price, I felt.

Tate

I use the craigslist app on my phone. I set up various searches for whatever I happen to be looking for at the time, and then I get updated notifications every half hour or so. I have made some amazing finds via CL, not just for sewing/crafts but for my home as well. I attribute that to having the info as soon as or almost as soon as it is posted. On CL it really is true - you snooze, you lose. If you want something and have the $$ in hand, contact the person immediately and let them know that you are willing to pick up immediately. They will respond to you over people that sound wishy washy or ask tons of silly questions, even if those people have responded before you do. Be willing to search in the next town over, because some people will cross post in other cities.

Also, most of the things I get from CL are free. You would be surprised what people will give away or put on the curb!

I recently purchased a Pfaff sewing machine from Craigslist. You can set up a search and you will be notified by email every time there is a new listing for that item. Saves a LOT of time and you don't have to worry about checking it all the time. You get an instant notification so you don't miss out on a good deal.

I have never checked Craig's list for quilting goodies. After seeing all the great finds on QB I'm going to search CL.