Purchasing scraps
 

Ok. I have only made quilts with selvages with some wide enough to use for paper piecing. Reason? That is what was given me and so I work my way through them. I now am getting low and am ready to move on to scraps. I really would get lost in over planning if to buy fat quarters and stuff; plus cost. My question is what is a good price to pay on ebay for scraps, from cat-free, smoke-free home? I have tried to study the bids to decide but there really is quite a range in the final sales. Per #? Or per flat rate box? I am talking about scraps 3" square up to maybe 6" square (but in all shapes not perfect squares). Not big pieces. I have been keeping my eye out at Goodwill but the staff said one of the workers buys the fabric when it comes in.

I don't know about prices for scraps, sorry. But check out the shirts at Goodwill- lots of nice cottons you could cut up yourself. Jeans too for rag quilts.

I have the opposite problem from yours - I have way too many scraps. I would love to pass some on to you for just the cost of shipping if you are interested. Just let me know what kind of scraps you are interested in, kids, solids, flowers, etc., I have it all. It would probably be into January before I could go through them as this is such a busy time of year.

Just for fyi Goodwill employees are not allowed to buy anything on days that they work nor are they allowed to hold back product for themselves or anyone else. These are rules from their corporate offices that apply to all Goodwill stores.

Really? I will message you. Only kind I would not use would be kids stuff although I have put some kids selvages in the quilts I have made; the color stood out more than the designs. I have a lot of children and have only gotten three of them quilts made. They grew up without quilts and always wanted the beds to have them on them as most of their friends had quilts. I would hate for them to have mommy issues that they were the ones without a quilt from mom! I call their quilt 'blankets' as they are more practical than art pieces but to them they are warm and wonderful. I started looking at scraps because I would like to make a block a day with all the wonderful blocks I see around here and have discovered most of the stuff I am drawn to is with scraps and/or paper piecing. I make a at least one selvage block most mornings but would like to get just a tad more creative and it is a grand way for me to start my day. This will push me to complete current selvage 'blanket' in the next month; have something to look forward to. Thank you!

Well, I hope for the worker's conscience she/he is coming in on day off to purchase and maybe getting there first because another worker calls her/him or something. I know I would feel yucky the entire time using the fabric if gotten from breaking rules of my employer.

I would hope that most employees would be honest but I guess there are always a few that would do it.

My daughter had a friend in school (just a couple of years ago) that her Mom worked at Goodwill and her Mom always brought bags of clothes home that she picked out of the donations before they were put out on the floor. Don't know if it is true or not, but the daughter said her Mom didn't have to pay for any of them. That is why I donate to KARM (Knoxville Area Rescue Mission) which is a local homeless ministry here.

Our goodwill where I live never has that 50% off Saturday like all the rest in other cities. I never see fabric there or jeans of a well know brand. It makes me wonder??? I don't donate to them any more. I give my donations to the food mission here.

I have also heard that the workers are not allowed to buy. (But I think that often that rule isn't followed.):)

So, my advice, unless you are from a very small town, and very small towns don't usually have Goodwills, find other thrift stores in your area and/or another GW (my mom calls it G & W Clothing).

Find "Fill a bag for $1" deals--and fill it with all cotton clothing/shirts/skirts/kids clothing--you will get a variety of neat scraps from that a a very reasonable outlay.

I do what justflyingin suggested and buy clothes to cut up. I don't buy from GW because they are too expensive so look for other thrift stores if possible. I have a thrift store nearby that has 50% and 75% off items every week so I pay $1 - $2 per item and I know the clothes I buy have been there for 5 or 6 weeks and are heading for the dumpster. A lot of the men's shirts are 100% cotton and I buy women's jumpers for all my denim. I do find handmade dresses a lot for some reason and it goes without saying the larger sizes yield more fabric. I go to another that marks down every week for 3 weeks before the clothes are pulled. Just ask what days they markdown and they will tell you, it is usually Monday and Tuesday. Yard sale clothing is usually pretty cheap too.

watch the offers here on the board- often as we have a box of scraps ready to go it is offered for the cost of postage to get it to you- the scraps are free. one of our local quilt shops always has a large basket of scraps on the floor- from cutting kits, making shop displays, classes---along with the basket is a box of quart size ziplocks- you can have as many as you can stuff into the ziplock *& close it* for $5. check with your local to see if they might be willing to start doing something like that. but here on the forum you can often get free scraps--for postage

Now isn't really the time for yard and garage sales, but you can find really great deals there, lots cheaper than paying postage on free scraps, actually. If you have a quilt guild nearby you can join, often members bring in fabric and other items they no longer want and give them away to whomever wants them. I know we do in ours. You can also get a couple of yards of fabric in a large size 100% cotton woman's dress at Goodwill for about $4.

Lots of good quilting materials available at thrift stores, however I do not go to Goodwill. They are twice the price of all the other thrift stores in our area and no sale days here. Men's cotton shirts, ladies full skirts or dresses with lots of fabric in them can be good buys. Tell your friends you would appreciate any clothing or fabrics they don't want any more. Watch the garage sales in season. They can be a great source. If you attend a church let it be known that you are looking for good used or new fabrics for quilting. You will probably get some stuff you can't use, but sort it and use what you can. You don't have to buy $10 a yard fabric to be a terrific quilter. Check out Craig's list if you have a computer as well as Freecycle.

I love Whittles fabric online. Fabric is often only $5 a yard. You can get a pack of fat quarters there 10 for $12. It's a great way to build fabric. I am a a thrifter and often find fabric at thrift stores. I have a friend who buys LOTS of fabric through Craig's List.

I do not donate...or go in to ANY Goodwill...they will not even discount merchandise for destitute people...My husband worked for a social service agency years ago, had a family that had NOTHING

My gs's other grandmother used to work at Goodwill and she would periodically send him boxes of NEW toys from Goodwill. The stores in that area donated their damaged or open boxes or items they didn't sell or when they got new items in & had an overstock problem. The employees got first choice & I don't know if she paid for them or not but he got Christmas several times a year from GW. Do you all know about the web site: shopgoodwill.com it has lots of fabric & machines for sale, cheaper than ebay, & not bidding against a zillion people.

I also have stopped giving to Goodwill and that other, large Christian based charity which runs thrift stores. Had an employee take my donations which were supposed to go on the collection truck directly in the store, am sure they went home with her. I wrote the area corporate office and received no response. I will put $1 in their Christmas kettles, but no more donations of clothing or household stuff.

I often wonder how much of each $1 collected (through their stores/kettles, etc.) actually GOES to helping the people who truly need the help. I know GW/Salv.Army/Savers, etc., have overhead...rent, heat, lights, salaries, insurance, etc., so how much of that $1 goes to the "poor"? Makes you stop and think...

Anita

I live in a very small town but we have a Re-Sale shop here. The other day I saw a rack of clothes handing outside with a $2 sign on it. I got three men's XL flannel shirts. When I told the owner what I was doing with them she let me go through the bag headed for dumpster and I found two more men's all cotton shirts. She says I should come by every month & see what she has because she often gets damaged clothes or they're out of style & can't be sold. I think I hit a gold mine. yea for me. I agree with what's been posted too, if you let friends/relatives know you're making quilts out of unwanted clothes I'll betcha you get a lot of stuff.

I donate cash when I can to the Salvation Army in my area. At Christmas time, they are involved in Toys for Tots. I used to belong to a group that made crocheted and quilted blankets for needy children in our area. Just found out that the woman in charge was taking the best of the blankets each month and selling them at craft shows. I still like to make charity quilts and crocheted blankets but I don't know where to give them. And for scraps, don't forget old sheets. I do starch them heavily before using and they work well.

this thread seems to have been highjacked into a discussion about Goodwill - so I'm bringing it back to the original issue. And I have a question. When you say you make "selvage" quilts - do you mean you only use the woven edge of the fabric, also known as the "selvage" or are you saying "salvage" as in pieces left over, in other words, scrappy quilts. I have been saving selvages with the thought of making something out of them, and if you have been using them I was hoping for some photos to give me inspiration.

I don't donate to Goodwill. They have high paid corp officers. I use to work for Salvation Army and every penny but the basic operating costs go to people that need it. No corp officers getting big salaries. No one is turned away at Salvation Army in need if there is one crumb left to share.

Ahh. Jumpers instead of pants for jean material is good suggestion.

. Selvage as in the end strips. I am on little phone but when get to computer will find link where posted some here in the caverns of the Quilting Board.

Great suggestions for scraps here. I mentioned to a friend that I had been cleaning out closets and he said he needed to do the same but just couldn't get motivated and that he had a bunch of cotton shirts he needed to do something with. I jokingly said he should bring them to me and I could use the fabric in quilts. Next meeting we had, he brought me over 20 shirts. His wife was delighted to get them out of the house! I plan on making him a lapquilt from some of them.

My favorite quilt store stocks only 1800 reproductions. I've been on the fabric wagon since 2001.
Some times I go in just to fondle the fabric and touch bases with the owner (we both had breast cancer the same year)

This summer I got the brainy idea to ask her if I could buy her scraps :) from her home sewing.
Not a chance. I live in hope though. a girl can dream.

I would put a wanted ad on craigslist in the Arts and Crafts section. You never know what quilter out there might be cleaning out. Be sure and ask that they contact you via email with a description of what they have. Then you can screen them by calling. You can always ask to meet at a store or coffee shop.

I met the most wonderful quilter answering an ad.

I also suggest seeing if there are any quilting groups around. Sometimes they can hook you up with someone or a quilt bee that has scraps they dont want. I know several ladies who do not like using scraps. I adore scraps.

I volunteer at a homeless shelter that also gives away clothing and food, we never charge for anything. I don't see how Goodwill is helping anyone with the prices that they charge.

I put some pics up on this thread and their are some pics from others. Mine are sort of amateurish as made by teens in house (guys) who could not walk by without putting one together. Blocks not so square but I love them. Nicer, more controlled by me don't have pics of. :( http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...220131-11.html

I agree that this thread has been hijacked...but I have to put my two cents in, nonetheless! My impression of the Goodwill we have here is that the retail portion subsidizes the community outreach: They offer an enormous array of job training courses at very low prices; they hire and train people who have had difficulty getting into, or staying in, the workforce; and they provide a conduit for recycling clothing that otherwise might end up dumped. I have not looked into their corporate structure (and might indeed be horrified if I did!) but the on-the-ground work I see them doing in my community satisfies me that they are helping people who otherwise might be in much worse shape. We have a few other thrift stores that appear to be entirely for profit, despite relying exclusively on donations...

And I love love love your selvage quilts, yobrosew!! Beautiful!

Alison

Project Linus would love to take your charity crocheted blankets and your quilts! Do a google search to learn about it and see who to contact near you. If you have a quilt guild nearby, they may participate with Project Linus and be able to help you.

Just be sure to check the cost of shipping and the additional fee for handling. The shipping I understand, but the handling fees are way out of line. Be sure you know what the final cost of the item will be before bidding.

Just keep quilting...you'll have plenty of scraps in no time. :)

~ Cindy

Ask your friends and acquaintances for clothes. A lot of people donate clothes and don't care what shape they're in. You can always cut around holes or worn areas. What clothes are in your closet that you have no intentions on wearing. Check out the remnant bins at the different stores. Garage sales are great. Especially, MWC estate sales that have plus -size. I've gotten as many as 10 shirts and blouses and cotton pants for $10.00 or less. That is a lot of fabric.

EmployeecPurchSING FROM Goodwill
 

I know first hand that an employee cannot purchase while on the clock,while in uniform or hold back stuff for themselves, Several women have lost their jobs here for trying to do that. They also do not get their purchases free. They have to pay. Perhaps you should do everyone a favor and talk with the manager about what you have heard goes on in your area. Good will is a good industry because they employee our neighbors and they have a job center to help people get jobs in other industries. I didn't donate to them for a while, until I asked a manager where my donations went. I think that if you rethink it, you will be more generous in donating to Goodwill.

Our local quilt shop has many classes, any scraps (including those selvage ends) that we don't want to take home are thrown in basket...upfor grabs for those of us there for the class and then are put in bins and availabe for purchase by weight. The shop goes through and sorts out the useable and separates into colour families. Please check with your local quilting. Shop to see if they do similar.

One of our quilters who took a work assignment up north (further north then where we are - so really north) decided to do a postage stamp quilt by hand while she was away. We all put one inch scraps of unique fabrics in a separate basket for her and the shop kept mailing them up. You never know if you support a local shop and ever need a favour they will look out for their own and try to help.

Hope you find what you need.

I have heard the goodwill is owned by a multimillionaire and he makes a fortune every year off the donations.:thumbdown: