Thread: Curbside Shopping

I know that many of you will shudder at this, but last night while walking our dogs my husband and I passed by a house with a big pile of stuff set out for the trash pick up today. There were two large fabric sample books -- complete with handles. I couldn't resist. Like I need more fabric -- NOT! They will make really terrific scrap quilts. I can't wait!

The Cover of One Book

A Little Sample of some yellows

More!

Fabric sample books make great purses, totes and placemats! As well as fussy cutting for applique'! What a great 'recyclist' you are!

That is just too much fun. Great find!!

Sounds like something I would have done. :-) I can't pass up a good deal especially free.

I would have done the same thing! My sister even stopped the car and took stuff out of other people's trash.

Once I get everything snipped out, into the washing machine they go! I love dog walking on that block. Last year I found a BRAND NEW Food Saver with several rolls of bags. The lady who lives there was a food editor who got all sorts of samples. Lucky me!

I LOVE curb side shopping!!!!! My Husband doesn't quite 'get ' it...
Great find you got! I used to work w/ a group of Designers & took as many sample books as I could store.. I have the nicest looking shopping bags in my area, my greyhound has custom blankets & a coat made from them. I used the fancies for Christmas stockings, applique,heavy weight ground quilts for picnics.. throw pillow covers when I wanted a change.... Atta Girl!

I would not have been able to leave them either. Great find!! Love the living green/recycle :thumbup:

I agree with Lori. Less for landfills gets my vote!!
Have fun with them :D:D

Well, they had handles, I don't know how you could have resisted... I love sample books. All the fabric is color matched or coordinated in some fashion making crafting with them easier. I got a heavy duty staple remover like this one. Makes it easier and safer to remove staples than trying to use a screwdriver. Also, I try to remove the paper backing by just peeling it off, but if I get one that's hard to remove, I just microwave it for JUST A FEW SECONDS. Usually comes right off.

Staple remover

What fun you're gonna have with all those coordinates! :D
Waste not, want not ... :mrgreen:

Lucky you!

Great find!!

Great Find!!!!!

Wow! What a find! "One man's trash is another's treasure!"

:thumbup: :thumbup:

years ago I went to a decorating store and asked if they had outdated sample books. They were more than willing to give them away. Good find for you.

I just looked through the second one and it is full of the most gorgeous damasks. I am sooooo excited! And to make matters worse ... in terms of too much fabric ... I just responded to a posting on Freecycle ... a quilter is clearing out her stash and offered two huge boxes of fabric. My son is picking it up now. I can't wait to see what's in it!

The one who dies with the biggest stash .... while I hope I don't die soon, I think I'd be the winner.

My favorite colors and free WOW

Originally Posted by PaperPrincess

Well, they had handles, I don't know how you could have resisted... I love sample books. All the fabric is color matched or coordinated in some fashion making crafting with them easier. I got a heavy duty staple remover like this one. Makes it easier and safer to remove staples than trying to use a screwdriver. Also, I try to remove the paper backing by just peeling it off, but if I get one that's hard to remove, I just microwave it for JUST A FEW SECONDS. Usually comes right off.

these are nice.. I have one at work!

boy you have been luckly lately!

Originally Posted by Krystyna

I just looked through the second one and it is full of the most gorgeous damasks. I am sooooo excited! And to make matters worse ... in terms of too much fabric ... I just responded to a posting on Freecycle ... a quilter is clearing out her stash and offered two huge boxes of fabric. My son is picking it up now. I can't wait to see what's in it!

The one who dies with the biggest stash .... while I hope I don't die soon, I think I'd be the winner.

you have to be kidding me!
wow what luck you have had....

Nice find! Have fun with it!

great find can make nice totes too

I think it's a wonderful way to collect things. Just think of it as recycling.

I have gotten sample books before. Depending on how much they fray you may want to zigzag the edges. I had threads everywhere. The threads hooked together and made balls of the samples and loose threads. You could, also, consider putting them in the bags used for lingerie.

Nothing wrong with that.....one persons junk is another's treasure!!!!