Question about downsizing how's
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 926
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,167
I've had several quilters families give me their mother's stash to send to the right groups. I worked in a quilt shop for 16 years, so have lots of contacts. I give fabric and notions to a humanitarian group where I work. We use many types of fabrics -- knits for baby gowns and hats; flannel for receiving blankets, burps and bibs; cottons for quilts of all sizes (we need the batting as well); knits for children's shirts; clothing fabrics for pants, skirts and dresses. I know someone who does Ryan's Case for Smiles (pillowcases). I can donate to theater costuming. I know someone who uses wedding dresses and similar fabrics to make bereavement quilts for infants. What I can't give away, we have a woman who sells on Ebay to raise money to buy materials for the humanitarian center. I hope you are able to get the help you need to down-size.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10,668
I've heard there are services that sell things on eBay for you, but I have no idea how to locate them. Also, keep in mind that you will get a low price for them so that the person selling them can make a profit on their efforts. It might be financially advantageous to donat them and take a tax deduction.
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 186
Are you looking to make money from this, or would you be happy to just be rid of the stuff?
I have a neighbour who hosts a yearly yard sale, and I’ve often given her items like you describe to sell. Since she goes to the trouble of setting up and advertising the yard sale, and sits there all day, I tell her she’s welcome to keep all the money that my objects bring in. She’s doing me the favour of getting rid of my stuff without me feeling guilty about it going in the garbage, so I feel it’s a fair deal.
Whatever doesn’t get sold, she arranges to have picked up by a local charity.
Maybe someone in your area does a similar thing?
I have a neighbour who hosts a yearly yard sale, and I’ve often given her items like you describe to sell. Since she goes to the trouble of setting up and advertising the yard sale, and sits there all day, I tell her she’s welcome to keep all the money that my objects bring in. She’s doing me the favour of getting rid of my stuff without me feeling guilty about it going in the garbage, so I feel it’s a fair deal.
Whatever doesn’t get sold, she arranges to have picked up by a local charity.
Maybe someone in your area does a similar thing?
#15
I have seen a number of people 'sell it all".
I used to make 1/2 of my income parting out estates (not all the clothes and crap, just the single type stuff, and have done a number of quilt rooms) I charged on a sliding scale. today I wouldn't start anything for less than 20 dollars, no profit for anyone after ebay/paypal fees.
The ones who've sucessfully 'sold it all' at once take lots of photos, to show value and list them on Craigslist or local marketplace or state/regioin FB groups. . One bank check takes all. You won't get retail, resellers expect to get 50-60% of retail so need to by for 20-30% value to make their time and effort worth it.
I can share a lot more about ebay if anyone is interested in a ton of work, but you will get quite a bit back.
I used to make 1/2 of my income parting out estates (not all the clothes and crap, just the single type stuff, and have done a number of quilt rooms) I charged on a sliding scale. today I wouldn't start anything for less than 20 dollars, no profit for anyone after ebay/paypal fees.
The ones who've sucessfully 'sold it all' at once take lots of photos, to show value and list them on Craigslist or local marketplace or state/regioin FB groups. . One bank check takes all. You won't get retail, resellers expect to get 50-60% of retail so need to by for 20-30% value to make their time and effort worth it.
I can share a lot more about ebay if anyone is interested in a ton of work, but you will get quite a bit back.
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2024
Posts: 215
I'm not looking to make money from this for the most part, but would like to recoup at least something. I'm talking about the multiple of quilting rulers. Quilting rulers like these - the entire sets of like Circle on Quilts, and Spin-E-Fex designs, to name a few lines. Plus quilting ruler sets like those from Sew Steady but are from other companies. I'm talking sets or singles that run from say, 9.00 and up for a single design, to close to 100.00 for rulers that have multiple sizes/designs to make when buying the full set, and I usually bought the full set. All are like new, have the instructions with them and have all the pieces including the keys (keys are the small piece that is removable to get your quilting presser foot into and out of the design) All of these quilting rulers are for high shank machines.
I'm keeping the ones that I frequently use, but the others, and I'm talking probably 30 to 40 different sets plus, I'd keep them rather than give them away for free. The other notions that I no longer use, I just added to the clean out, a couple of them are around 40.00 while the rest are basically pocket change in original cost.(few dollars here and there).
I was thinking in thoughts of how much I would list them as one bulk buy, at around 3 to 4 hundred, especially when I feel that a reseller selling them separately for 50-60 percent off, would generate possibly a couple of thousand.
There is no fabric, just the machine quilting rulers and notions.
Since I'm so rural, I really doubt I'd be able to sell this type of item in a yard sale. Basically yard sales around here are few and far between with little traffic going to them.
I'm keeping the ones that I frequently use, but the others, and I'm talking probably 30 to 40 different sets plus, I'd keep them rather than give them away for free. The other notions that I no longer use, I just added to the clean out, a couple of them are around 40.00 while the rest are basically pocket change in original cost.(few dollars here and there).
I was thinking in thoughts of how much I would list them as one bulk buy, at around 3 to 4 hundred, especially when I feel that a reseller selling them separately for 50-60 percent off, would generate possibly a couple of thousand.
There is no fabric, just the machine quilting rulers and notions.
Since I'm so rural, I really doubt I'd be able to sell this type of item in a yard sale. Basically yard sales around here are few and far between with little traffic going to them.
Last edited by quiltingcotton; 08-28-2025 at 03:49 AM.
#18
that info helps a lot. First look for a FB group that covers that interest and do sell as sets. as long as it's about 20% under retail, or a little less than the best sale price you've seen they will probably go like hot cakes.
Shipping can be tricky now because it's by zip zone again, so someone in your state will pay less shipping that someone across the country.
When I put stuff up for sale on my regional FB sales group, I choose the price I want, add shipping and list "with free shipping"
WAY less complicated in so many ways. Unless you use the free Priority Shipping boxes, chose the size box from your pile that closest fits the ruler set, can be padded, but no bigger than needed. You are charged shipping by weight And size, so a great big box can add $$ for shipping air.
Best wishes, sounds like a great plan going forward, and Way better than family giving them away when you are gone.
You could even start here on our sale page, I've sold and gifted and bought lots of stuff successfully here. Just take plenty of pictures, and they don't have to be arty like Etsy. And you won't pay 15-20% commission!
Shipping can be tricky now because it's by zip zone again, so someone in your state will pay less shipping that someone across the country.
When I put stuff up for sale on my regional FB sales group, I choose the price I want, add shipping and list "with free shipping"
WAY less complicated in so many ways. Unless you use the free Priority Shipping boxes, chose the size box from your pile that closest fits the ruler set, can be padded, but no bigger than needed. You are charged shipping by weight And size, so a great big box can add $$ for shipping air.Best wishes, sounds like a great plan going forward, and Way better than family giving them away when you are gone.
You could even start here on our sale page, I've sold and gifted and bought lots of stuff successfully here. Just take plenty of pictures, and they don't have to be arty like Etsy. And you won't pay 15-20% commission!
#19
#20
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 25,186
It used to be - way back when - fun and easy to sell things on this site.
Now one would probably be better off using other venues.
I tried offering "everything" to a parochial high school - and they said "no, thank you."
If someone would have been willing to do some work, they could have recovered a lot.
I do understand that a check is much simpler, but - - - -
Now one would probably be better off using other venues.
I tried offering "everything" to a parochial high school - and they said "no, thank you."
If someone would have been willing to do some work, they could have recovered a lot.
I do understand that a check is much simpler, but - - - -

