Many don't know that the 99's & FW's are the same scale. I have 1 FW, and 2- 99's (each in cabinets) that I will need to combine to get just 1 good (99k) machine and cabinet.

I just picked up 2 packages of 10" squares for $3 each. They are the cheap thin fabric but perfect for foundation sewing! I am so pleases. I use selvedges and these are the perfect backing!

I have often found fabulous "fabric" at thrift stores that has already been made up into, what was at one time, expensive clothing! It's easy to cut apart the clothing and remake the pieces into wonderful quilts and craft projects.

wow, this topic turned out to be so much fun.........makes me want to go shopping tomorrow just to see what all is there now........I saw a nice Kenmore the other day, for 8.00........another shopper plugged it in, and it ran just fine...everything seemed loose and it was clean..... I was tempted, but I dont really have room for any more........we gotta keep shopping......and that pawn shop idea is really good ! I would never have thought of that............

I picked up a sewing table last weekend for $20. It has a recessed spot (with a cover) for the machine, 4 drawers and a cupboard, and the back has a leaf for quilting. I live it! I just need to find a chance to refinish it and add modern hardware so it's prettier and have dh make some inserts to fit my machines.

Now THAT'S the kind of bargain I would love to find!! I take stuff to my local GW Store all the time but it's really tiny and all they sell in that branch are books. You guys have inspired me to go a little bit out of my way to the large store "down the road a piece". I haven't been there in years.

Now THAT's CLEVER!!! Love it!!



Love resale shopping but I'm trying very hard to stay out of them now...too much stuff here already. In the past I've purchased sewing machines, storage shelves, sewing machines, quilty tools, sewing machines, cotton shirts, sewing machines, and nice quality sheets (not too thick/not too thin), baskets for storage...oh yes and more sewing machines. Need any sewing machines anyone? Hahahaha!

If you are lucky enough to have a Habitat for Humanity Store in your town check them out for storage. I have gotten paint, lighting fixtures and a eautiful antique solid oak door for $6. All I have used in my craft/quilting room.

I just sent a singer sewing machine in a plastic case to a lady in SD for her daughter. my sister came up and agreed to take it back with her. now my sick sister from Rapid city is in Mayo clinic so the lady will have to wait to get it til the other sister gets home from Mayo.

Found a big bag of 5 1/2 pre cut wool fabrics for $3.00. Great for primitive applique. I love searching for bargains.

I shop Goodwills, other junk stores, used book stores, and the Kidney Foundation Community Thrift Store. The "kidney" store has the best buys of all. I recently bought 3 book cases with beautiful finishes (each 35" wide with deep shelves, about 6' tall). One of them has doors in the middle where I am going to put my TV. I paid $85 dollars for all 3 and I couldn't have bought one for nearly that. I bought a almost new 21-speed, aluminum bicycle for $70 for my son. I have wanted an cotton eyelet blouse which I couldn't find in a store but the other day in the junk store I found 2 new cotton eyelet curtains of good quality. The material will make a perfect summer blouse for our hot weather. I have bought a microwave, diamond (real) heart-shaped pendant on a 14k gold chain, small Singer machine kinda like a Spartan or 99, scissors, T-square, material (cotton, wool,) thread, Cuisinart bean grinding coffee maker ($2.99) and the list could go on an on... I try to only buy something if it's needed and not just wanted anymore and I also think of where I will put it in my house or am I going to use it now. You can find things if you take you time and look and not just run in an out like I did when I worked. Now I am retired so it's a lot more fun but I have less cash flow...

Well, gals! After reading this thread on the 25th, I decided to make the trip to the larger GW store (which moved since I was last there). I didn't find anything there but I will return in a couple of weeks.

I hated coming home empty handed, so I decided to stop at the library and see if there were any quilting books that might interest me. Nada. BUT! On the way home there were signs leading to an estate sale. I've never been to one before. I was late, of course, and much of it was picked over, but as I walked through the house, I opened a closet door and found these three large storage drawers sitting on the floor...covered in filth. I got the three of them for $5 and they cleaned up beautifully. I filled two of them with Thimbleberries FQ's (which is one of my favorite lines).

I'm now encouraged to watch for other estate sales.:thumbup:

Our thrift stores seldom have anything sewing or quilting related. The used clothing is sky high ($3.98 for a man's shirt) that I can get fabric at my LQS for about the same price. Haven't found any machines at any of them yet, but still looking. Maybe one day soon, I can report a great haul!

I bought my 3' X 5' sewing table, a whole bolt of Kona black fabric, lots of fabric at garage sales, the curtains that cover a bookcase that holds part of my stash is a fabric shower curtain that I cut in half...works great. The silk flowers that sit on the deck that leads to my quilting shed, two Singers, a Viking off Ebay, a Bernina (older) that I traded some quilting for, a desk for my computer and another desk for my embroidery machine. A recliner for $20 that raises to help you get up (don't need the help yet, but it was a good buy). I re-purposed a 6-drawer vanity dresser and made a 6' ironing board out of it. The best bargin I've ever gotten was a copier for $2. The lady said she didn't think it worked. I tried it, it did, and her DH made her give it to me for the $2! Great for making copies of PP templates. I'm always on the look out for garage and estate sales and I make regular visits to the GW stores in my area.

For those who cannot seem to find quilting supplies in your local thrift shops, ask at the counter if they get quilting/sewing supplies.

I have had good luck just asking at the Sally Ann or Lion's Thrift Shop for different things I was looking for. Sometimes they have a box of fabric in back that they do not know where to put.

I love that purple bear! I must find myself one.

I check my local thrift stores every week on Fridays when they put new stuff out. I almost always find some good fabric..couple yards for a few bucks. Just this Friday I got 3 yards of a purple dot for 1,99 and 1 yd of maroon with small white dots for 99 cents and another yard of a small print fabric for 99 cents. All totally usable for most anything as you can do alot with a yard!

I recently found an entire set of BOMs from JoAnns with the complete setting kit for $6 at a local thrift store. It finishes 87" x 87". I couldn't believe my luck. Ocassionally I find fabric but not often. Several years ago, when my daughter needed to do student teaching and needed cloths other than jeans and t-shirts we got cloths at a local thrift store at their end of month $4 bag sale over the summer. She spent $40 and since I could do a few alterations, change buttons, shorten hems, etc. she had an entire wardrobe including 2 wool skirts, 1 wool pants, and a beautiful silk dress for special ocassions.
There has been a few times I have purchased an ugly blouse with beautiful buttons for less than a dollar. My SIL likes tropical print shirts and I found a brand new one for $3 in his size. He loves it.
We have a donation table at our guild. I have gotten books, fabrics, patterns, magazines and they just ask for a donation that goes into the guilds general fund. I recently got an out of print book I have been wanting for ages that is way expensive even on Amazon. I gave a good donation for that one.

I found a practically brand new horn cabinet with an extension table in back and on the side. It was white and fits my sewing room wonderfully. I got it from the Goodwill for $79.00

Thanks, I really enjoyed hearing about all the great things you have found at thrift stores. Made me feel as though I was shopping with you. Over time I have also found some great finds. Have fun looking over all your "goodies".

My best find is a featherweight table I paid $9 and change for.

Last summer was the summer of sewing machines. 2 vintage singer sewing machines, 1 phaff. 1 natiomal 2 kenmores and 1 singer touch n sew. All for $5 each. will clean up n decide what I want to keep then give the others to GW.Also a royal in a cabinet. now I need carry cases big time!

I love going to thrift stores, but have sworn off because I just have too much stuff already. I did go to look for mens shirts recently and they wanted $12.98 for the ones that looked good. That is just silly. You can buy a new shirt for less than that. I still like to look for the Ralph Lauren prints in 100% cotton. They are so pretty.

Thrift stores and yard sales---love em, love em, love em!!!! I have gotten 2 Sears Kenmore sewing machines that I cleaned and oiled and donated to the art school my grandaughter goes to. Another one I kept for myself that has the decorative cams with it. I bought all my plastic rolling carts there for $5.00 or less, as well as storage containers, various shelves, 2 wooden filing cabinetsl, 2 microwave carts that currently hold ironing board and steam press. All my wire and plastic office sorters came from there. I have gotten fabric, a army folding table--solid wood that my featherweight loves. A small 3 drawer chest of drawers, a wooden rolling card with 2 shelves that holds my books, some rulers, plastic mini drawer chests that are for screws, etc. 1 houses my jewelry findings, 3 tiny ones that hold my attachment feet for my Viking and 1 large one that houses all my buttons. I have seen many more sewing machines, but have resisted so far. I just love to repurpose items Yes, I am not only a sewing/quilting addict, I am a thrift store, yard sale junkie. Oh yeah, yard sale, this summer, that is where I finally got my 1948 featherweight for $15.00

Barkcloth is heavy. I would make a quilt that does n't need too much washing and leave out the batting. Maybe a great picknic blanket or backing for a quilt.

Wow....where to start...lots and lots of stuff!!! My favorite a really nice wooden CD holder for 15.00 that holds my Fat Qtrs. other selfs, wooden thread sppols, Serger for 60.00 (never have used it...don't think the person who gave it away did either.

My best yard sale find was an auction where I got a Singer 15-91 in a cabinet for $17 and two boxes of old fabric for $22. When I got home I discovered one of the boxes of fabric contained 60 full sized, uncut, feed sacks, three unquilted quilt tops, and a baby quilt that had been loved to pieces (literally). That box was dirty and dusty and no one had dug through it (including me) so I was just shocked to find that treasure. What a gold mine!
Betty

Floor model Ott light. $25. I bought it from my church rummage sale. All proceeds go to local xpcharities...i was thrilled!

Sandy

I got all the heavy duty desk tables at second hand stores ($20 each, except for one that I paid $5 for) ... fabric out to wazoo (never more than a $1 a yard, some stores sell it by the bag for $4 on occasion) ... a floor quilting frame with two sets of rails - 5' and 10' for are you sitting down? 99 cents. I don't hand quilt. I had gotten it for someone else but she's between houses so it's in my house. I'm going to use it to baste quilts I think :D I think it's going to have to stay here if I can figure out how to baste with it...

We've got a slew of thrift stores here and most of them have a craft section. I feel thrifty blessed.

I'm with you. Our area only has one charitable shop. Salvation stores within 25 miles are not very good. Maybe I don't go enough. I tend to miss out on good sales. I do buy some items for unusual buttons and some purses for 25cents that have the wooden handles to use on purses I make. I can't complain, my DH has purchased 2 featherweights for me, both under $40. He also found a solid mohogany office desk to which he added a drop in place for my sewing machine. The desk is large enough to quilt a large quilt. We found the desk at a garage sale in Houston in my son's sub division. Best $40 we ever spent. Good thing we had traveled in our truck and could bring it back to Louisiana. .

Goodwill here also sells men's shirts for about $4, but after items are in the store for a certain number of weeks, they get marked down to half price for a week, then marked down to 75% off the following week. When I am looking for men's shirts, I only look at the shirts that are 75% off, or selling for $1.00. I have found that I can get the equivalent of 1 1/2 to 2 yards of fabric out of 1 large , XL or XXL shirt. Last I counted I have almost 100 men's shirts waiting to be used! Guess I had better get using them!

I love going to thrift stores and rescuing things that need to be loved again. My best finds include a working flat press for 12.99, a brand new hand made baby quilt for 7.00, a brand new handmade christmas table runner for 2.99, a Singer 319 in cabinet for 35.00, a tabletop Ott light for 5.00. The list goes on, but those are the things I can remember right off the top of my head.

I just got a new cream wool blanket. I am going to use it for applique after I felt it a bit and for rug hooking.

I also got a brand new brown suede zippered vest that fits great. I love thrift stores.

OMG! I guess I'd better start frequenting Salvation Army and Goodwill! I've never seen a sewing machine there, but may be I'm not in there often enough, and ours is right next door to a Michaels Crafts (oh yarn and odds and ends), and the Goodwill backs up to my daughters favorite sports retailer (Big 5 for soccer stuff). To think I've paid full price for all of my rulers, mats and other 'essentials' ! Wow! Thanks, ladies, this is a great idea! I do use the wicker style baskets from the dollar store, but it never occurred to me that you could find quilting stuff at the thrift store!

I never find anything useful, but I think I don't go often enuf! And I'm always looking for older machines...someday

I have a funny story for you all!

I live in a very small town and we have a great thrift shop run by our Anglican Church. At one time, in the 90's I had them save me silk dress shrits to do a paper peiced wall quilt I wanted to do. (Sadly a ufo, my bad)
So a few years back I was sending some sewing and quilting stuff their way. My yearly summmer got to clear some of this stuff out.
Later on that fall I dropped in to have a look around, and one of our ladies was so happy to see me, they had saved a box of stuff for me!

Yep you guessed it, all my stuff save for me! We had a good laugh!

How nice of them to think of you!!! Thanks for the giggle!

I love going to the thrift stores.

Dee's Delights
 

Oh a subject I love....more like obsessed. I love to re-purpose stuff. My whole sewing rm is just about all thrift/yard sales, after all its a hobby so my intention when I moved my ladies cave from a small bedrm to the once never used formal living rm I needed to be creative, its changed a few times over the last couple years but I think I got it now-lol well until I find something I just can't live with out-lol

Not a great pic, grainy phone pic-sorry. I was going to show more but its not letting me. The red hutch was a curbside find, the long buffet cabinet was 8.00 Goodwill, the sewing table was a old ugly one my MIL had, painted blk to match, the wicker shelves-hmm I have been hauling those around for so long I don't remember, they have been repainted so many times...Spray Paint is my love. Love my thrift store finds....1904 singer 40.00 , 1948 singer 25.00 yd sale,1927 New Home 10.00, 2 Singers 401 & 403A less then 150.00 for both and they have cams. Singer 99-31 40.00, and my pride & joy 1891 coffin Top Treadle.

More of Dee's Delights
 

Hmm for some reason I was able to upload more then one pic this time....oh well here's more of the rm I spend the most time in.Thanks for looking and the topic.