Latest obsession is
 

Latest obsession is going to thrift stores and seeing how much fabric I can get for how little money

Earlier this week, I finished a WOF rag blanket from about $2 of fabric---------------not counting the cost of thread..I try NOT to know how much that costs.

Got a 5 store run mapped out for later today---------I've previously purchased fabric at each of the stores. Not that I NEED fabric, but the HUNT is the real game

it's a great game to find bargains and turn them into treasures

I use to be more able to hit garage, estate and thrift stores - now I am usually with the husband and he just isn't into more "stuff". Of course I am anxious to rid myself of things I need to dust for things I can just sew with.

I'm with you on this one! I used to love to collect knick knacks and now when I pick one up I think "dust collector" and promptly put it back on the shelf!

Sounds like a fun obsession - Hope you score often!

My DH is so NOT into stopping at yard sales and/or thrift stores :(

That's why I love Craigslist - I search for fabric under yard sales and arts and crafts and have come across some good deals. I'm supposed to meet with a woman next week who is going to be moving shortly and wants to sell off some of her stash that is in "bins and bins" in a storage unit. I'm excited – it could be lots of old, smelly calicos, or it could be a gold mine. Such is the thrill of the hunt!

That's why I love Craigslist - I search for fabric under yard sales and arts and crafts and have come across some good deals. I'm supposed to meet with a woman next week who is going to be moving shortly and wants to sell off some of her stash that is in "bins and bins" in a storage unit. I'm excited – it could be lots of old, smelly calicos, or it could be a gold mine. Such is the thrill of the hunt!

I hear ya! Every time DH picks up a beautiful treasure, I ask, "how can we use it, and are you willing to keep it clean?". He's starting to get it. I believe in beautiful things, but I like for a lot of them to have some use these days. Those, I don't mind cleaning. yes, I'm getting old ;-)

I leave my Husband at home when I shop, unless I want something from Home Depot or Lowe's.
I have lots of dust collectors, getting most in cabinets or stored away. Let my Daughter and Granddaughter decide what to do with them when I'm gone.

I've seen toooooo much over priced fabric on Craigslist. Latest one yard of 62" wide silk-------$45.

The first place I went I found 6 flannel sheets that I'll reclaim to use in rag blankets and for backing. One king sized beige cotton sheet that I'll save for quilt backing--------next to new. One nice dark red sheet of a solid. or backing. Then at second stop, several small pieces of fabric. Soooooooooooo I skipped the other 3 stops.

Oh, one great find--------lined white linen pants. Got them on now and they are very comfy. Don't know about outside in the summer. Also a cute dress for my GD. Another pair of pants and one pair of shorts

Going anywhere other than Sears, Lowes, Home Depot or Menards with hubby is out of the question. He did go to Goodwill with me about 5 years ago to get a used TV.

Sounds like you are having lots of fun!

And Craig's list can either be a gold mine or a good laugh. Like grandma's old Singer for $1500.

Or when we were looking for bulk glassware to use for candle making and the lady advertised "lots of glass" and when we called it was 9 pieces! However we did find some from a retiring crafter who had 3000 pieces of just what we were looking for.

Some gal had a old singer like I paid about $30 for priced at $600 for weeks.

BTW, I forgot to add one of my great finds was 23 qt. canning jars for $4.50

I, lately, in an effort to unload a few items I know I will never use (and yes, that includes patterns and some fabric), I give them to a friend that works in a thrift shop. I make sure she understands the value of some, as most of the ladies working to price items, have no clue of what to charge for "sewing/quilting" items. My friend works at a shop that carries a lot of higher end items and a lot of people shop there. She says people are always coming in looking for sewing items......

Don't forget to check out the estate sales, especially where they have big girl and big guy sizes. I got an old sundress (cotton) for $2.00 (size 22) and couple of blouses for $1.00 ea. Almost 9 yds of fabric.. Then at night I get out the seam ripper while watching TV. I save every piece. I've reused zippers on other items or trade with a neighbor. My neighbor crochets. She goes after yarn pieces. We trade because if we see something either of us can use we get it and trade. So much fun.

I am a serious thrift store shopper!! Even my adult sons, my daughter in-law and my grandkids have finally figured out the type of things they have there. Took them long enough!! The hunt is terrific!

I just spent $24 at a local charity thrift store on slightly used top sheets. I will be able to make at least 20 Princess Pillowcase dresses out of them. Most people must be like my husband who refuses to sleep under a top sheet. I always find a few of them everytime I go to that store. I stay away from the ones that are mostly polyester. The ones that have just a little are good because they look good after laundering without having to be ironed.

I have used top sheets for my quilt backs. They feel soft.

I just tried this for the first time and wish I lived closer to Salem, OR. A great fabric sale there!

http://corvallis.craigslist.org/art/3839071329.html

Oh, and I got a big sack full of yarn------------most skeins were close to full.

Will use on my newest way to waste time. I'm going to mix yarn and narrow strips of fabric to knit something. Maybe squares about 12" square. I find it hard to crochet with UN-STRETCHY fabric

Yep, I find sheets that are barely used. Once in a great while, I'll find a brand spanking new sheet.

Same here except I now know no one wants any of these "collections"so I am going to sell them and enjoy spending the money myself!

Sounds like fun and a great way to feed your habit! Good luck on your hunts!

I love the old calicos!! Throw them my way!! Have fun!!

I love this too!!

Me too! I picked up 17 skeins of the same color yarn at a local "antique" store for $5. I'm making baby blankets for the church. I've just started quilting, and don't have much of a "stash", but I did find some fabric that had been intended for square dance dresses that are going to become quilts!

You go girl !!!!

I shopped thrift stores looking for wool garments to cut apart, wash in hot water/cold rinse w/detergent to felt, and then use for wool applique. There were great bargains as two chains of thrift shops have quarter day each week in my area. I rarely go now as my wool stash is adequate. I had so much that I started a wool group and shared my stash with those members. Re-use and re-purpose are wonderful goals.

I happen to get lucky finding fabric yesterday while out rummaging. I got pieces of very nice quilting fabric. The 1/2 yards for 50 cents and 1 yard for 75 cents. I felt it was my duty to relieve this lady the burden of her having too much fabric. I also found lots of Rick rack, lace and bias tape. I sew a lot of AG doll clothes and can use all of these treasures. A good day for me....yeah

Way to go!! Check out yard sales also.

I have used old dresses for fabric for years now. It is the practical way to go and have fun. As a child during WWII I learned to use and reuse many items. I hate to see wasted fabric go to the city dump !!!!!!!! It yells SAVE ME!! hugs

When we were living in Indpls there were 5 Value Villages and I would hit them as often as possible.I always found fabric's. JoAnn's donated a lot of stuff they could not sell, mostly because it was to expensive. I scored really big once. Minnesota Fabrics went out of business and their entire stock went to V V. stores $5 for a grocery bag of notions-whole bolts of fabric and batting from $10 to $25 -I filled my little Astro van. DH had to help unload and he said I was more excited than a kid turned loose in a candy store.

GrannieAnnie......I have been doing this for years. I started doing it way back when I still had small children at home, then got away from it as money was better but have since gotten back into the hunt...thats the best part.
Have fun and congrats on your frugal quilts...as I like to call them.

Sounds like a real hoot! I can see why you enjoy finding bargains like that.

Stopped at a yard sale this morning - the person had a white Singer sewing machine for sale - said his grandma used it only four times! - (Wonder why!!!) - and that she got it in the 1990s.

It did have the power cord and control - but I passed.

I did get a good top sheet, slightly used long-sleeved Levi man's shirt, and two pairs of jeans to cut up (although it's really hard for me to cut up jeans that are still intact!) all for $1.00.

I am so happy to read your blog and the responders. I recently joined the QB and have been reading responses and looking at photos. I got the impression hat if I used anything but the "best" of everything, the quilt police would be watching for my projects. Glad to see there are real people on this board, doing real people things. Congratulations on your first and many finds to come.

My kind of game! lol

I have a wonderful husband who doesn't mind thrift shopping or garage sales. It's almost bad because I bring home so much I have no idea where to put it! Have to go on a "diet" from bargain fabric shopping and leave some for others like me.

There are some that can and do use 'only the best'

There are others that do the best they can with what they have