I couldn't resist....I saw a listing for an estate sale with fabric, and I had to go. I came home with a large tote full of material, a beautiful cross stitch bag, a box with some yarn, a half worked afghan and a Carter baby blanket (the girls have already taken that, lol) a sewing box full of threads of all colors, zippers, needles, buttons, etc. A small carved carrying tray...lots of stuff. There was also a pair of embroiery scissors and a pair of pinking sheers. I spent $30 for my "grab bag". Someone had already bought the sewing machine.

I freely admit I don't know what half of this material is, lol. I do have a large piece of banana yellow that I know from feel is polyester....and cannot for the life of me think of anything I would want to make of it. There is a yummy knit, 8 ft long, 4 1/2 ft wide that makes me think of a red desert sunset over an Indian Village. I have never worked with knits, but I really want something for me from it. I am thinking a nice wrap, because I get a chill sitting here at the computer when the ac kicks in.

I don't know how to tell what some of the materials are, and don't know if the people at JoAnns would be able, or willing, to tell me, if I take a sample in. Some were purchased there. I can tell that because of the writing in the salvage.

I have one nice piece, white, with black flowers, that says 1999 Copyright, Sherry Fran, Inc. design 9910360. The flowers are tulips. I tried looking it up, but no luck. I believe it is a knit. And of course, not a recent purchase, lol.

There are two pieces that are heavy, floral, and from JoAnns. I thought they would make perfect chair covers, lol, and one is 24 ft long. I do know that the woman made dresses and clothing, because she had a bag full of patterns in the closet. I can't recall the last time I wore a dress, so passed on them. What would be the best way of identifying some of these materials that I have no idea what they are?

And does anyone want a nice heavy banana colored piece of polyester?

I did get scads of thread, including some beautiful metalics. Later today I will sort thru all of them, and try to arrange them in some sort of order. She also did cross stitching (I need to photograph that bag for you), knitted, and some embroidery. We would have liked her. I found a label, so apparently her name was Susan.

Sounds like you got a good deal.

Congrats on your grab bag of goodies!
Yard/estate sales are so fun!

To distinguish cotton from poly, burn a small test scrap. Poly sort of melts and goes hard, cotton produces soft, grey ash.

(Wool would have distinctive burning smell).

Remember to think outside the box. Fabric of questionable content can still be used to do the clothesline baskets or cut into strips for crochet or hooked rugs. Does anyone want to be a Banana for Halloween? How about making a over the door hanging pocket thingy for putting tools in? How about a thread catcher or pin cushions? Yellow would be good for the crayon and colouring book carryalls for kids. I think there's a tute on QB? Do up some dog pillows for the animal shelter. The dogs won't care if there yellow.

good deal!

That's awesome! :D Maybe post a pic so we can see your goodies? ;)

Sounds like some great stuff.

I think "susan" would be happy that her things went to someone who really appreciates them. Good for you!! Nice find.

here is a great link that provides some good information about burn testing fabric.

http://quilting.about.com/od/fabrice.../burn_test.htm

Shot--Susan is sitting in crafters' heaven and smiling down at you. It doesn't matter if that ugly (to you) yellow ends up on the backside of a kid's floor quilt, YOU recognized and appreciated HER crafting skill. You did a good thing today. And I think you got a really good deal!!

I tried the burn test on some of the fabrics, and came to a couple of conclusions. One of the fabrics is really dangerous around any flame. WOW. Went up in a second and GONE! Not melted,either, just gone. Burned bright, fast and gone.

And what ever the yellow material, which doesn't seem quite as banana yellow outside, .....well, probably the safest material ever. Cannot get it to burn. Barely can scorch the edge of it. I suspect this is surplus from what Superman made his suits out of, only in yellow. THIS is what you want to make your kids clothes out of...they would be fire proof.

So, will probably still take some to the store, lol, and ask them what some of them are. Darn, I really like that black material with the butter cookie shaped white flowers on it...not for quilts or clothes...but thought it would make something interesting. Do you think that fire retardant stuff really works? I wonder what she was going to use it for, and if she knew it was so flammable?

poly knits would be great backings for charity quilts....will not wear out and wash up great