I never find any fabric or quilting/sewing items at all. And, I went to 3 different Thrift shops this past weekend.

I just buy cotton prints for quilts.

I use the scraps that I can. Then I think of ways to use the balance of material. Maybe you find a piece perfect to use as a base for a crazy quilt.

I use the scraps that I can. Then I think of ways to use the balance of material. Maybe you find a piece perfect to use as a base for a crazy quilt.

my DIL finds buttons and other notions for me..She loves to shop...never finds fabric ...

I think our thrift stores here are expensive also. The community I moved from was a more affluent community but their thrift stores charged less. I don't understand that. I have purchased matching cotton curtains and a dust ruffle for a bed that gave me yards and yards of fabric for about $5.00. I also purchase ladies dresses with gathered skirts, men's shirts, and womens blouses for about $2.50 each when I can find something I think will work for quilting. I estimate that it takes over a yard of fabric to make either and I can't purchase fabric for that amount. I seldom find yardage however I did find a heavy cotton green and white stripe that I am going to use to cover the porch swing pads with here in a month or so. That should brighten things up out there since we have green shutters on the house.

I have found wonderful "Fabric Finds" at our local Savers and also at Goodwill's. I always wash all fabrics as soon as I get home. I just love finding these treasures!!

My daughter used to make fun of me until I went to visit her and drug her with me to a couple of Goodwills. Well low and behold, she found a bunch of clothes (some even to take on her upcoming cruise). She doesn't laugh at mom anymore!! Ahhhhh..... paybacks!!

I sew with it - quilts, table runners, wall hangings, whatever I want to make. I usually pass on the really thin cheapy fabric but you'd be surprised what you find sometimes.

My grandfather was a cigar smoker and although a smoker herself my mother couldn't stand the smell of the house after he would leave from one of his visits (usually every Sunday for supper). Anyway just as soon as grandfather was out the door mother would get a dish towel that she had soaked in vinegar and wrung out. She would walk through the house flapping and waving that towel until it was almost dry. It worked every time and the vinegar smell didn't last but a few minutes. A few years ago Mother moved into a care center and I inherited many of her things. I couldn't believe how yellow and smelly everything was. Then I remembered the vinegar magic and washed everything before bringing it into the house (we are not smokers).
It worked like magic! Fabrics that had previously looked tea dyed were white as snow and nothing had that musty smell. Even the tea cup collection that she had on the knick knack shelf was yellow. I threw some vinegar in the dishwasher and they look like brand new.

I never seem to find anything to do with quilting or sewing. Sure wish I did. I've donated plenty though.

I keep watching my thrift stoers too. So far nothing, but one day I know I will hit the jackpot!

I got some great quilting books at the thrift shop!

I'm like a kid in the candy store when I get in a thrift store, and
I always find lots of fabric, then I have to go buy more plastic tubs just to put it all in,love my treasure hunting :D :D

I have found some quilting fabrics at thrift stores but not always. Did get a good deal last week. There was a basket of fat quarters and they were only 50 cents each. And to make the deal even better everything in the store was 35% off. I got 20 fat quarters for $6.50.

I went last Sat. to one nearby and found 17 Civil War Blocks, unsewn, each in their package, but all in a larger plastic bag - all for $3. Matching gold print for borders was $2. I hit 2 other ones and usually find fabric or small quilts. One I hit in the Lancaster, Pa. area always has fabric and I hit that one last month, got enough to make 2 Civil War quilts in the blues and browns. Then hit a Quilt store in the area and they had the Bonnie Blues and Windham for $2.59 a yard and spent another $75. Now I am going to the AQS quilt show in Lancaster and probably will not find any fabric that I like as well. I do a Show and Tell with my Goodwill and thrift store finds at our local quilt club. It really pays to go and I enjoy it a lot.

I buy only new fabric and cotton only. You can buy some good fabric at some thrift stores. The one I go to is mostly donations from churches and townspeople, so sometimes when people die, they leave new fabric behind.

I find some great stuff. Recently found a bunch of bags of what I thought were orphan blocks (400 of them), as it turns out they were all hand sewn with feed sack material and ended up being worth a small fortune.

Thrift stores rock! :)
-L

Me too!

Don't find fabric but fund lots of pretty dishes there to put samples of the recipies into, to give away as gifts.

I love thrift stores.We call them op (opportunity) shops here.
I never find any quilting fabric,but have fun looking for lots of other goodies.My niece has just written a book about the op shops in our area.

I forgot to mention that my quilts are pretty much small doll size! They are for my antique dolls, and so much fun to make.

Before I wash anything from a thrift store, if it can be put in the clothes dryer, I dump the whole lot in as soon as I get it home. With the bed bug epidemic, it pays to be careful. Anything that is in those finds will be killed by the heat of the dryer. And if there is animal dander or hair, it will be swept down the chute.

Oooooh, that's a very interesting idea. I volunteer for a charity here in Georgetown, Texas that includes a thrift shop. I manage their Facebook page. It would be fun to look for used clothes that I could make into a quilt, and then auction off the quilt and donate the money back to The Caring Place.

I'm getting ahead of myself here, since I haven't done any quilt at all yet. :lol: But it's a very fun idea.

Brenda, I am really intrigued by miniature quilts. I read an article about them once, and I thought I might try one some day. I thought that could be a hobby that travels well. You could sew by hand so you didn't have to worry about taking the machine with you.

Another thought on this is to foundation/paperpiece your quilt top. I find it's the ONLY way that I can get the corners to come out right...

My latest fun hobby is miniature items for my dollhouse. There is a fantastic online Free miniatures magazine where I can browse even their archived past issues... and all for FREE! Just discovered this yesterday and can't tear myself away from it yet.

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/index.html

Only one time did I find any fabric in a thrift store and it really wasn't a thrift store, it was for needy people, but they did sell things to the public.

I haven't had a lot of luck finding nice fabrics but I did find a huge cutting mat. Can't remember the brand since I'm not at home for now. It's too lg. for my cutting table so I'll get creative & figure out some use for it.

My friend and I went to a local thrift shop today and I bought a beautiful crocheted blue and white rectangular doily that will make a real pretty throw for one of my antique doll cradles. I'm so happy!

Hoard mostly-----------I do use some, but mostly hoard!

Then look for more.

(getting to be an addiction!)

I too never seem to find good fabric at thrift shops although I've found some lovely wool pieces. I go through the clothing a bit but don't have the patience to go through all the rows and rows available. It's a fun time out and does give one great ideas for new projects. Maybe I'm just the late one meaning others got there before me for all the goodies. I have found lovely silk threads, beautiful sheets and various accessories that I was pleased to find. I'm happy for anyone that makes those great finds.

I have never found fabric at the thrift stores in my area. My sis in Georgia finds it all the time. Maybe here because there are so many estate sales held by professionals. I have found fabric at those but it isn't always cheap.