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]

I recently got a huge box of fabric for $5 and in it was a brand new, in package template for a double wedding Ring quilt. Also on Craig's list got a brand new Singer sewing machine and a brand new serger paid only $200 for both. The fun is in the hunt.

I love the pictures. They really help in figuring how to organize my room!

I got a Kenmore with cabinet for $10 at a thrift shop and a 1949 White electric with cabinet for $25 at an estate sale. It is rare to find anything useful for quilting at our thrift shops.

I have an old drafting table about 20 $ for cutting table it is lighted and adjustable in height. also 5 metal cabinets about 5$ each with fabric. these came from where my DH works they have a sealed bid ever so often and I also have a 5 drawer pattern cabinet ( the most expensive 50.$) bought when an old fabric store was closing.

Nothing too exciting - but did find a whole bunch of small rulers and small cutting mats at a garage sale for 5¢ each - the "guy" had no idea what they were used for and what to charge - he thought that they were for "drafting". LOL

I love cruising the aisles of thrift stores to see what I can find.

* 6x24 ruler ... $2
* heavy duty wooden 24" shelf with a towel/quilt bar below ... $5 ... it;s now next to my ironing centre so the shelf can hold spray cans of water, best press, starch. The rod will either hold strips as I iron them. I'm also thinking of making a hanging bag with pockets for odds and ends of things. And the obvious use ... make a small quilt to hang from it!
* assorted quilt racks!
* sometimes fabric, but seldom ... I think those that work there grab it up any of the "good" stuff when they see it.
* yards of a autumn print that will be perfect for a OBW/SAW sometime (My one yardage score!)
* large plastic tote ... $2
* a huge bag of ties ... $2 ... one shop had a "stuff a bag for a twoney day" ... and I scooped every tie in site! I keep watching for that sale again

And how could I forget ....
....... crockpots!

IMPORTANT tool for a quilter ... it cooks, I sew! :)

I found 7 pieces of barkcloth (All the same pattern) 2 big pieces the other 5 panels (must have been some sort of curtain) for $1.00 a piece!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I am trying to figure out what to do with all of it. [ATTACH=CONFIG]369766[/ATTACH]

The print screams OBW ... though I'm guessing that barkcloth is heavy duty?

If so, What about outdoor furniture covers?

I went to our Goodwill 'Bin' store this past week and purchased five shirts that I parted out for quilt fabric for $3.75. When I take them apart, I save the cuffs - saw a cute idea where you can turn them into little pouches by folding them in half and sewing them together - using the button part as the flap and I save the strip of buttons (I use them to tie the bundle together after it has been washed and cut apart). I am collecing plaids for a scrappy quilt. I bought a very nice White Rotary Sewing Machine in a cabinet at a yard sale for $40 - it runs and is very pretty - made in 1929 in Cleveland, OH. I bought a Connecting Threads kit for a baby quilt for $2 at a yard sale this summer. It's always so much fun to get a deal!

well lets see.. I bought one of those white book shelves, its short has the top and bottom and one in the middle for $7 I've gotten some old tins for do dads.. for $1.. fabric bags .50 a bag in these bags there is usually cut up triangles squares..strips as well as pieces that are anywhere from a 1/4 yd to 2 yds. I got 3 frames for $2 each that my dh is going to make maginate boards for me .. I love going the hunt is sooo much fun

Heaps! Sewing machine for my husband, masses of fabric, batting, notions, a beautiful large vintage mouse (pincushion and notion holder), threads, needles, lace, ribbons, oh and plenty of really cool clothes and shoes (most never worn with the price tags still on). Oh and most importantly....lots of fun and the thrill of the chase:)

Some fabric, pink Atlas sewing machine in a cabinet for $10, handmade doilies and old linens. 2 wooden ruler holders with the grooves for $.59 each, patterns. Haven't been in there in a while, but I need to go and drop off some stuff this week, so I will cruise through and see if anything is calling my name.

Have ya thought about pawn shops for sewing machines? I saw one on Craigslist for the pawn shop for a Necci Sewing machine for 20.00.

Well as of the other day there was an Inspira quilt frame at Visiting Nurses in Centralia, WA for $200.00 had to leave that since my house is too small for my sewing already. But I have purchased lots of fabric at wonderful prices, a 301 for 9.99 a featherweight for 8.99, June taylors strip cutter ruler, a half frame for quilting edges, lots of thimbles I collect as well as sewing kits... I just have fun shopping

I am soooooooooooooooooooo jealous of you!

I loved all the pictures. Thank you!

I want to find something good at a thrift store too. (mumbled in a very whiney voice)

My husband and I love watching Storage Wars on A&E (I think) and HE spotted a box marked knitting and quilting tools before I did. I need to start watching the paper for estate sales to try and pick up supplies that an avid quilter or knitter had that the family can't wait to get rid of! I comb thrift stores around here but don't find many keepers.

I was in a thrift store in a few weeks ago, lots of fabric & scraps but gee what they wanted for them I could go to my LQS and buy for the same price. I was kinda shocked at their prices. I don't take the time to go to garage sales, just too busy but that is where I have in the past got great purchases. Really need to do that more. Today I am picking up a machine off craigslist like I need another machine :)
I am trying to get into a habit of stopping in the area thrift stores when I travel, but it is usually a time thing for me. Besides I got too much as it is, but who doesn't love a bargain :) Love reading this post

What a good idea. Thanks!

wow, i don't know how y'all find so much good stuff. whenever i go to my two local thrift stores, there is rarely anything sewing related.

I found my awesome ironing board (very sturdy metal frame) for .99 cents!!!! I also found my singer stylist 543 there for $24 great deals to be found! Oh also a bolt of Hanna Montana fabric which I will use for Quilts for Kids!

Wow!! I am envious of all the wonderful sewing and quilting items you all have found! The only thing I have ever found was a table top ironing board for .99 cents. But to be honest, I don't get to the thrift stores as often as I would like.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]370724[/ATTACH]I usually just drop things off at the Good Will store. But my last drop off I happened to ask if they had any vintage sewing machines? The lady said "Only that one over there" as she pointed behind me and I knew right away that machine was going home with me!! I named her "Grace" and she actually sews!!My dh made that base part with the carved, painted quilted storage area.

She came in an ugly sewing cabinet and I paid only $62.00 for her!

This is my $3 wooden caddy that I repurposed using paper fabric scraps cut from old Hancocks of Paducah catalogs & Mod Podge. It measures 6"x12" and holds my most used cutting tools and pens/pencils.

I found a wooden table and 4 chairs for $20. At the time, I only needed the chairs, but now I am glad I took the table, too. It is piled high with projects.

I've found lots of baskets in one of my favorite thrift stores. Also found two wooden file cabinets where I'm keeping patterns and notes.

Went to a quilt guild show yesterday and came home with an armload of fabric for almost nothing. They had boxes of fabric and patterns that the guild members don't need. I couldn't believe how much was there.

So jealous, guess I need to move to NC!! It's true all the pioneers left behind all the good stuff. I think they still do.