check out those thrift stores
 

I thought it would be fun to tell each other what finds we have made at the thrift stores, that we use for our quilting habit...........I just got a really large, 4 drawer desk, for $9.95 at a Salvation Army thrift store............I placed it at the end of the room, under the two windows............it gives a large area on top.........I have my big cutting mat there........and to the side, I have my home-made ironing board.............also, a lamp, and a small basket that catches the scraps from the current project.
From another thrift store, I found a 301A Singer in the cabinet........for $32.00........... it sews well, and I have done several quilt tops on it already (it is the light tan color) .
From a Goodwill store, I found a 2 1/2 inch by 16 inch ruler, for $2.00....from that same store, I purchased an old microwave cart($5.00).........that holds my radio on one shelf, and on the second shelf I keep my little plastic boxes with cut and measured scraps.
Last week, in a Goodwill store, I found a very clean, appearantly working Kenmore sewing machine for $8.00....I left that one for someone else, as I really do not need another machine (I have 4 already).
So tell us, what treasures have you found at your thrift store, for quilting..........

OK, let's see. All from thrift stores: Singer 401A Tan(50-60s) in cabinet for $30.00; Singer 185J Green (1954) in cabinet for $15.00; Kenmore 158.14300 Tan (1973-4) in cabinet for $30.00; Kenmore 159.262 shuttle Light brown (1987?) for $15.00; Brother VX 847 FREE (they said it didn't work, but it does now); White 45X Brown crinkle finish (1936) in cabinet for $15.00; Universal F/0009 (whatever that is) a blue Japanese Singer 15 clone (I think) in cabinet for $15.00; Morse TZ5 Turquoise for $15.00; Domestic JC7 in cabinet (1972) for $16.00. All of these purchased between January 2012 and June, 2012. Am still on the lookout for a redeye treadle and a 301. Have also purchased many sheets for backing and sometimes for piecing if good quality ($2.00 each), many of them good quality flannel and lots of large pieces of fabrics for $1.00 each. Isn't it fun!!!

I found wire letter/file holders for my rulers. Plastic drawers. A quilt with no batting in the middle but with 50's material, very cute.

I think I will have to move.. Our thrift stores arond here don't have much in the way of quilt or sewing things. I have found some pretty clothing I get for little of nothing and I make squares out of them, cut off buttons and save the zippers. I did find some cute rooster fabric, I collect roosters, a small table topper that needs binding, still basted from the quilting, and thats about it.

Not from thrift stores, but from on line auctions --- DH bought all the wall shelving that I have in my studio (it is the wire wall shelves from the Walmart stores that they took out when they remodeled 2 years ago) He also found a heavy/sturdy 8 foot table that he raised and I use for my cutting/work table. I also got the old metal pattern cabinets at the auction (from Walmart when they remodeled) that I use for my Longarm threads, patterns I've designed and sell, and other supplies.

Phyllis
QG

Hem gauge (old wooden) $1, fabric, 99K for parts and Singer slant needle sewing machine $5, Embroidery hoops, old hand sewn quilt tops, Old textile bobbins and spools, Bags of thread, Rulers and templates, 1/2 gallon blue ball jar full of buttons that was made into a lamp, Bags of thread, zippers, skeins of yarn, stool for cutting bench, old wooden ironing boards, old wooden spools, 2 metal thread holders ( the ones shaped like old sewing machines) $2 for both, various sewing machines for looks, to use and 1 for my daughter,...
One of my favorite items is a torso that I display my Mother's dress from a FFA/FHMA sweetheart banquet in 1962.
Don't even get me started on what all we have bought at auctions live and online. I know not all of this has to do with quilting, but a lot of it is decor in my 2 rooms. Looking at a lot of these items makes wonder what stories they could tell, and makes me want to be in the rooms even more.
My husband enjoys going to the thrift stores with me, we are both retired so maybe we have to much time on our hands.

Okay!! Okay!! This is a great topic for discussion. I love to buy at the thrift stores, and I currently have from Goodwill Stores in Denver, Colorado an antique Singer industrial (large head) sewing machine with the metal oval plate which says February 20, 1899 on it. I paid 1/2 price on a Saturday morning, paying only $120 for it. It quilts beautifully with the super power of an industrial strength sewing machine. The local industrial sewing machine shop (Ralph's Industrial Sewing Machines, 2030 Clay Street, Denver, Colorado) showed me how to change the throat plate, remove the feed dogs under the throat plate, and change the presser foot to the free-motion presser foot so that I can use this machine like the "GEORGE" long arm quilting machine. The sewing machine sits in a butcher block table surface, with cast iron frame. It is heavy. It's so perfect.... for only $120 from Goodwill Stores. I shopped Craigslist for several months before finding my industrial machine, and it has so much power! Go find yourself an industrial sewing machine. I just love mine.

My best was a practically new omnigrid 6x24 ruler for $2 and matching medium cutting mat for $3.

I also found a super heavy duty wood laminate shelf from an office supply company for $10. It fits my tv on top with storage in the shelves underneath.

Oh gosh, I can't begin to name everything. At least half my stash; most of the rolling storage drawer carts in my sewing room for $5 or less; most of the orphan squares I have bound and other items I've decorated my walls with; shelves, baskets, other storage containers plastic and otherwise; my desk for $20, already painted and stenciled; the cd holders that hold my FQs; the clock in my sewing room. I know there is much more, I just can't think of it all now. Here are some photos.[ATTACH=CONFIG]369634[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]369635[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]369636[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]369637[/ATTACH]