Does anyone else use their local thrift store as a source for fabric? I'm big on recycling and once a month we can get a trash bag full of clothing for $10. I grab all the jeans and shirts I can.

celticlady, you are a woman after my own heart. One of my daughter's loves to do this, as well as I do, we have lots of it. My other daughter, who embroiders, doesn't like it, because she says that I hoard it. I have alot of it, but don't have room for it, it is in my storage shed. She says that I should donate it to the same thrift store I got it from. HaHa. Well, if I can ever get well enough to make the things that I want to, before I leave here, then the collecting of it was worth it, but best layed plans don't always work out. A flower for you.

They also have great paper patterns and wool and knitting patterns, backs of embelishments, etc. All sorts of craft stuff. The most precious thing I had as a little girl was a shirt in the same print as my dad already had. I was about 5 and made my mum buy it for me. Lived in it, but looking back, it was the most dreadful paisley print ever. LOL. but I have found some lovely fabrics on occassion. It's amazing what people throw out. Well, if they can afford it, we can embroider it.

I didn't before, but I will now for sure. Thank you Celticlady. Flower and XoXo

Good idea! I just found out that my neighbors out here in the 'sticks' are part of a system that collects clothing for floods, hurricanes, etc. She said they get a lot of stuff that can't be worn, is stained or holey. Wow! I never thought of taking that stuff & using it for just the good part of the material. Now, do I really need to collect more 'stuff'? You betcha!!! Thanks for making me think out of the box, CelticLady. Marji

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by marjialexa 30 Mar 2008

Oh, my nearest thrift store is 20 miles away, with the price of gas not so thrifty nowadays. The neighbors are closer, hee hee hee.

i find materials and there is one opp shop i go to they actualy bag the materials by colour you may get 4-5 pieces in different tones of one colour. Is this another addiction that many of us have also.

Yep! I find many fancy mens dress shirts that I can 'spiff' up with embroidered logos for my boys. If they are small enough I sometimes even make them fun by adding cute designs like butterflies or lady bugs for me to wear in the garden over a t-shirt
If they are made of really soft materials, like the faux suedes, I can make them into sleek nighties too with just a little bit of embellishment! Denim shirts and denim jackets are great items for theme embroidery projects. Many people either get tired of their clothes or fashions change and give away things that often look like new that with just a little bit of embellishment can make wonderful additions to many people's wardrobes.

I regularly do the local thrift stores with my sister. It serves two purposes because not only do you get a bargain but you're also supporting local charities at the same time, so you help others less fortunate than yourself.. I have bagged many bargains of leftover unused material/remnants that in some Doll and Craft Shows would sell as 'Vintage" for 10 times the price... Worth thinking about. cheers & cyberose, Meganne

celticlady, my local thrift shop people know me by my first name, haha!!! Does that answer your question? I just love thrift shops, flea markets and the like, I love to see what other people throw away, it's staggering! Hugs and a flower sweetie.

I have actually done this b4. I have got some really good finds on some very unique cottons and all it cost was a trip, a few $$'s and a load thru the wash machine. *4U

I have not done this, but I am not lucky at finding many things like that - I had a friend who was always getting great things there. My daughter got a vest for her daughter - paid 50 cents for it, and it still had the original price tag on it - $70.00! I put dragonflies all over it for her. Turned out really cute.

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by joaniessw 30 Mar 2008

One time I went in and bought a brand new dress (with original tag of $85) and kept it for myself :D *4U

my sister and mother do that - I don't! But I think it is a great idea. I want to make a demin rag quilt - so I will be doing it now that you have said this. Hehehe! *4U

Good idea.

celticlady , Yes I have done the same thing I have found shirts and skirts ( a lot of material ) are great to cut into strips for crazy patch purses. Also formals are a good source for silks,and satins for crazy quilts. I have also found good buys on fabric and batting. A flower for you.

I go to the second hand shops and get material. Never thought of cutting up jeans for craft * 4 U

sounds great, I like to go to fleamarkets and sometimes one finds nice things, table linen is my favourite but I have even got fabric at a good bargain. we don't have thrift stores in the area and I've still to visit the second hand clothes shop. flowers for you

Then I cut the jeans apart to make purses, pillows, towel toppers etc. Silk ties are another good find but not so readily available up here in farm/cow country.

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by lbrow 29 Mar 2008

I get anything I can get my hands on. Cotton prints to use for string quilts.. Mens vests to make over with patchwork for women . Jeans for purses, pillows etc. I grew up inh an era when everything was recycled.