I am SO glad that I'm not the only one whose brain works like this! LOL I just cut up a dress to be used in a quilt someday. I haven't gone thrift store shopping for fabric YET... but it's on the agenda! I also have done a couple of jean blankies, and plan on doing more. I have gotten more jeans given to me, of course a lot of them I only get a couple of good swatches, but still, ask and you shall receive :)

I'm currently looking at my old Sag Harbor wool blazers that I can no longer wear because my girth has widened.

I think they would make a nice "manly" quilt.

Such a shame I can't wear these anymore, but after 4 years of not being able to...

All the time. I've been known to buy lots of dresses and skirts, when the thrift store is having a sale, before we moved, I went through them all and decided that I would donate them to the Humane Society, since I really have plenty of fabric, although I'm not against getting more, but dh says I'm on restriction for buying fabric.LOL

I just went to the thrift store today and came home with 20
yd's of fabric in several colors and 10 nice blankets to use as batting and two nice table cloths to cut up and two cute scrub tops to cut up and all for thirty bucks and my daughters MIL. gave me a lawn bag full of Fabric yesterday, I just adore that sweet lady. So now I have a pretty good stash going and it hasn't cost me a arm and a leg either to do it, I'm a Happy Quilter today for sure. :D

Unique....that's what I like about foraging for fabric..and free or cheap is a sweetener. I too see patterns and shapes that inspire my quilting....my husband paints (when he can) and I really want to make a quilt inspired by his market scene he did a couple of years ago. And of course, the amazing Vincent (my favourite painting of his is my avatar)....definitely quiltworthy.

Yes, it's an excellent idea. Have you checked out www.quiltville.com? Bonnie is an avid believer in using clothing for quilt scraps, she even has tutorials on how to disassemble a shirt, etc. for quilts.
Kind Regards,
MaryAnna

I always check the buttons on old clothing for something unique. I also buy clothing at local thrift store during their $___ a bag sale and pick up old clothing made from cuordory (different wales ?? spelling), velvets, unique embroidered or appliqued items, etc to use in crazy quilts. You can get some neat stuff for crazy quilts by doing this. And some of the folks have posted some real neat memory quilts on this site made from family's clothing such as ones who passed away or their kids clothing when they were growing up for off to college quilt, etc.

When I first started quilting (as a single mom) I would buy mens shirts at yard sales/thrift stores to build some "stash". You can get quite a few pieces from a long sleeve. I've always wanted to do a flannel quilt and will probably do it this way so I could get large variety. :)

YES!!!!!!!! i do that all the time :thumbup: seriously, i was putting together log cabin strips and my little brother says "that fabric looks very familiar" it's also a green way to add to the stash.