Estate sales
 

Does anyone else find quilting stuff at estate sales? I love going to them but only find my kind of stuff every once in a while. When I do, I have a fun time getting the bargains. But then, my mind wanders and I wonder what the person was going to make with the fabric I find or ...... why did this person's loved ones decide to get rid of the treasures they loved? It makes me feel kinda sad. The person died before she could get her projects finished..... she still had creations that needed to be made. I hope I can do justice to her precious fabric and I cherish the tools because I imagine she cherished them.

My DS says that when I die, people are going to go crazy over all the stuff I've collected. Neither my DD nor my DGD quilt... or sew much for that matter. My DSs don't even know how to thread any of my machines (I have 16 at last count). I know, I should have taught them. I guess I need to get busy and quilt more..... so I can use up all the fabric and wear out the sewing machines and tools. I think I have a plan..... gotta go get busy.

I am in about the same situation. neither of my daughters sew and they have no interest so hopefully I can use up most of it so they will not just throw stuff out when I am done. I do not find a lot of sewing stuff at sales but when I do I go thru everything and see what I cannot live without. I did go to a sale yesterday and I thought the fabric was rather pricey for a garage sale.

I am 74 years old and quilt nearly every day. Then I look at my fabric stash and wonder if I will live long enough to completely use it. I have greatly cut back on my fabric and sewing machine purchases. I have about 42 sewing machines and I find it very difficult to part with any of them but I must rethink this because I am sure they need to be used and I simply can't use them all. About 5 of them are really antique ones so they are not to be used. And, yes, we do go to estate sales and I always look for sewing things myself. I just truly enjoy visiting with the people and finding out a little about the person who left it all.

Any one of your comments would apply perfectly to me. I love this time of year because of the estate and garage sales. I always find good quality fabric that I can't live without for less than $2 a yard. I haven't managed to get any of my kids or grandkids interested in my passion but I have made sure that everyone knows to donate my stash, tools and machines to a local guild so they can find homes for it. I just hope that whatever I leave behind will be enjoyed by someone.

I don't go to estate sales. I would love to if I could get DH to take me. But..... I don't really need anything else. My two daughters aren't interested in sewing, but my two granddaughters love to sew with me. They are 4 and 7 years old and already making doll quilts on the sewing machine. They love it! I am so happy. They will probably inherit my sewing "stuff" now. My friend and I always had a pact that when either of us dies, the other takes a truck to the house and loads it all up. We laugh about it when we meet at sewing group.

I have decided where my fabric is going and that is to to my favorite group of quilters that make charity quilts and to a few of my friends. I have no children so we all must decided where we want out precious fabrics and DSM to go. There is always a need for charity quilts here (especially when you see people home destroyed) or abroad so each of us should make the decision where we want our precious fabric to find a home.

I go to estate and yard sales, and quite often find items for quilting. I really don't need any more fabric but that didn't stop me from buying more at a yard sale Friday. LOL I also don't need any more machines but if it was the right price I would probably get it, especially if it's old. My granddaughter(21) hasn't expressed any interest in learning to sew or quilt but my dh knows who to give my sewing/quilting stuff to, so I'm not really concerned that everything will either be sold or tossed in the trash.

I go to estate sales and garage sales every week if they are easy to get to on my way home from the gym. Estate sales are interesting to me because they usually consist of a house tour too. I rarely find anything related to sewing or quilting. I rarely buy anything. But it is a fun way to pass a little time.

I love estate and yard sales. I found a great deal on an entire roll of Warm and Natural batting at a yard sale! I've been quilting off that roll for several years... Also have found feedsack fabrics at one sale. Yes, it's rare, but so much fun when you find it. You never know what you are going to find, for pennies on the dollar. It's a treasure hunt in your own backyard!

I got my backup Kenmore at an estate sale, two bins of quilting fabrics (one red fabrics, one blue) at another and am always looking forward to each weekend's hunt. Thanks to the poster above who said that her quilting items would go to a local quilt guild - I'll let my children know that's where mine should go if they don't want it.

We used to go to a LOT of estate sales, getting there at 4 AM to get on "the list," then waiting in the car for it to start. Kind of a big adventure. I've gotten 2 Singer Featherweights that way, for reasonable prices. You need to be one of the first group to go in otherwise the good stuff gets grabbed up or saved right away. I've only found actual quilting fabric or books a few times...really great prices though. There are many nice things at sales but it's sure easy to become a hoarder!

I have seen so many unfinished projects, or quilts that no one in the family must've wanted. I've snatched up quite a few. It's kind of sad. My daughter said she'd take my stuff, but since she doesn't quilt, I suppose she could just be saying that. I'll tell her about a local guild. Whoever gets my stuff will probably be very pleased! I used to fret about it and think I needed to use it up as fast as I could, but it's not going to happen. So whatever happens, happens.

Recently on the internet I saw 68 boxes of someone's fabric at a quilt shop for $1200. I would hope mine would fetch more than that!

"I hope I can do justice to her precious fabric and I cherish the tools because I imagine she cherished them."

I have felt this way after buying at an estate sale. Once I was going through a quilter's stash at a sale and found a lot of the same fabric I had collected over the years. It made me feel like we had the same taste, and I felt honored to be using her fabric to make new things.

I love estate sales and thrift stores. The last estate sale I went to I was able to get a vintage Singer buttonholer and some other accessories at a really good price. I didn't see any fabric though. I've bought a lot of small fabric pieces at thrift stores and most of my sewing machines are thrift store finds too. About a week ago I bought an unopened queen-sized roll of Mountain Mist cotton batting for 99 cents and a nice 10" square acrylic ruler for $4.00. The batting has a free quilt pattern on the label and the most recent date I found was 1987.
I really want to hit an estate sale with a quilter's stash.
Rodney

I have a trust account. In it are pages of what I want done. I have assinged a best buddy quilter to be in charge of the disposal - sale and donation - of all my sewing/quilting/crafting items. Neither of my grown children really have a clue and it would hurt to know they just donated or sold them to someone only interested in making money and not 'art.'

I do go to the estate sales that send out notices on the net. I first look at the pictures and decide if it is worth going to. I bought my FW at an estate sale. Also a dress dummy and other items.

Brought home a box of fabric for $13. After washing and folding I estimated over 52 yards of fabric. Also found a Husqvarna machine for $40. Another time mats and cutters for $3. Just enjoy finding a good bargain. If I can't use it I'm sure I'll find someone who can. Half the fun is finding it and bidding!

I go to estate sales and garage sales specifically for the quilting items. I couldn't afford to make as many quilts as I do without the opportunity to get much of my fabric at a discount.

We rarely see sewing/quilting stuff at sales, but we have bought a few things. My parents go to sales for fun, and they call me and text pictures if they see anything we might be interested in. We hope to build good quilting memories with Emmaline so she will actually want our stash and other stuff.

Please make arrangements for your quilting 'stuff' in your will. I find beautiful custom wall hangings, quilts, fabric and other sewing related items in Good Will and buy them for almost nothing. It breaks my heart to think that someone put their effort and love into these things and no one who loves them wants them.

My DH has strict orders on how to distribute my 'stuff'. Now I have to take my own advice and update my will.

To all of you who have great quilting stuff but no kids to leave it to, I am a "kid" (ok, it's been a while since I could have been called a kid) with a mom that doesn't quilt! Anyone want to adopt me? Hahahaha!

I check the local craigslist listings to see if there is something interesting. Or if I happen to be passing by. I don't buy fabric - only tools, etc. or if I find a good deal on a specific machine. We just don't have room for me to to do anything but that. Otherwise I don't bother. As to what I have on hand when I go...at least my younger sis is knowledgeable and will make sure that things are handled appropriately. And DH has a clue for any of my local friends. As long as my stuff will go to someone that will use it, I'm good with that.

Do your giving
while you're living
So you're knowing
where it's going.

I love estate sales! Sometimes you'll find excellent scissors, fabric and they're always an excellent source for thread. You can't beat a bag full of thread for $5 vs $3-$10 a spool new. Two really stand out in my mind. The first was the estate of a quilter. The entire second floor was full of quilting stuff -- as was the first floor. Members of her guild were on hand to help and it truly looked like a quilt shop! I got my hard wood cutting table there. The second one was a tag sale at the home of a fabric designer. An INSANE amount of fabric -- and cheap, cheap, cheap.

As for my will -- I was actually just preparing an update and decided to give my machines and fabric to the local guild. My son actually asked me if I'd mind if he kept them! I was happy to do that.

Putting myself up for adoption now ..you can pick me please LOL Im in the same boat..all my kids like what I make but none interested in making things :(

I used this idea a couple yrs ago and gave alot of my jewelry to my 2 daughters

I was depending on my younger sister to take and distribute my "stuff", however a heart attack took her some years ago. My oldest daughter is interested in quilting but works such brutal hours she has not time. The second daughter was never interested in sewing/quilting but has developed it on her own. She sews, makes lots of quilts, does machine embroidery, and just bought a sit-down quilting machine. She has been doing machine quilting for about four years and does a fantastic job. She will be the one to be in charge of all the stuff I have accumulated through the years, as well as distribution of my quilts when I am gone. The third and fourth daughters do not sew at all, but do like the quilts. No grandkids expressing interest at least not at this time.,

Maybe you could donate to a Charity that teaches Young women/Teens/Moms to sew and mend... As long as the sewing machines are in Good Working Condition. Hey even ask at local High School/Vocational School if any of the Gals would be interested in a Sewing machine for a low cost.. better than letting them sit and not be used... I got 3 sewing machines at an Estate Auction for $3.00 each and they run like a deer....

miriam had to laugh at your rhyme. but it makes sense. i always said my kids are gonna pull a big dumpster up to the front of the house, open all the front windows and throw everything out. they dont sew, they dont collect, they just dont....so its all my "junk." as for garage sales, dont find any quilting stuff in this neck of the woods. only had one where it was the quilting teacher from a group, she passed away, and her family put her stuff up for a sale. but that was it. probably just as well or i'd have double the amount of "stuff" that i have now. and for sure i'd have to move.

I "resemble" everyone who has a passion for quilting, but no other family member cares to learn. I tried all my daughter's lives when they lived at home to get them to learn, and they absolutely refused. One daughter said, "I'm going to marry someone who is rich and can afford to buy me clothes." Out of the mouths of babes! ha Now, two of them have started sewing, and the third one wants to learn, so I'll give her a machine when we move back to TX. But, all of them are basically learning on their own because they didn't glean the experience they could have had.

I LOVE going to estate sales, yard sales, garage sales, and prowling around on CL for bargains.

My DD learned the basics then when she really wanted to sew she went to my mom. I'm teaching the grandkids. LOL
I'm also teaching the 4 and 7 year old how to clean and oil a sewing machine. They have that down fairly well. We are into taking apart the bobbin area and putting it back now. I kind of have to wait for them to grow up a little. But they love spending time here - well so far... The DGD who loves to clean is pictured in my avatar. That was a really dirty old Singer 66 we restored. She took apart that dirty old tension and I showed her how it went back. It now glows. She was not up for the shellac work but she helped on the rest of it.

When a member of a local guild passed away, guild members went into action following a plan she had set up ahead of time. First members of her guild were allowed to "shop". Then, for many weekends (at leas 6 that I know of) her friends sold her quilting and needlework supplies at her home. Books were $2.00 each, fabric was $2 or $3/yd (they estimated the yardage no cutting), and some items were marked individually. After everything that could be sold in their time frame was sold, representatives of groups doing charity quilting were allowed to take what they could use for free. The money raised, ~$9,000.00, her husband donated to the Heart Fund. Even at those prices, I managed to spend ~$700.00 over two visits. Not only does everything go to those who appreciate it, it makes a wonderful means of celebrating the life of the deceased.

There is a document called the Quilter's Last Will and Testament" that is meant to be a funny/serious statement of where you want your items to go. Even though it is not a legal document, there's no reason, it can't be incorporated into a will or trust.

My daughter used to tease me with the dumpster comments: first the books, then the fabric, then the whales collections. So, now my intentions are in writing, down to who she should contact. They will know what to do, because we have all talked about it. Joyce in Delaware

I was at an estate sale and I overheard a couple of ladies talking to the person that was running the sale. They commented that they knew the woman was a life long quilter and were very surprised that there were no fabrics and tools offered. The answer was, "Oh yes there were rooms full but I didn't think anyone would be interested." Her whole stash was sent to the landfill, horrifying.

I have not found much quilting stuff at estate sales. I also love kitchen tools and feel like you do about the quilting stuff - these were someone's often used, loved tools. I have quite a few vintage things in my kitchen, nothing fancy, but they are my favorites.

I was not interested in quilting until my mother died and all her fabric was gone. I got her scissors. So just because your daughter's are not interested now, doesn't mean they never will. Life is funny......

LANDFILL!!!???? Yes, HORRIFYING! How could anyone be so stupid??? Did her relatives think she was the only quilter in the world????? Think of the good that could have been done with that stash!!

That is true! My thoughts. Not very smart relatives, IMO.

Here in south Texas estate and garage sales are held all year round. There are a couple websites that I go to and check their schedules. Often they will have photos of some of what is being sold. I definitely check out clothes for the yardage. I have come away with really great deals. My last one was my Singer Slant-o-Matic for $150.00 in a desk cabinet. DH wasn't too happy with me but he was mending his denim jacket with it the next morning and has used it often himself since. Found out his mother has one just like it. had all attachments.

My MIL passed away recently and I went through her quilting stuff. A few things I kept but the bulk of it is going to a local quilt group that has made and donated over 25,000 quilts. I think this I a good use.

I love finding stuff at garage/estate sales, I get so sad when it's an estate sale and I see the deceased persons whole life spread out at a sale!!! My husband says I am too sappy, but it doesn't stop my from going!! I can't help but think someday my whole life will be spread out in the driveway, an I do have a DIL who sews.

asking members to give up 6 weekends of their life. I don't even have any family that could go that far, regardless of where the $$ go. Plus the time to set the sale up...

i am so fortunate that both my darling niece and her daughter have caught the quilting bug from me. But I do need to tell them what to do with any fabric they don't want. Thanks for the reminder!