Buying Supplies from Thrift Stores – a Great Way to Save Money on Quilt Notions and Fabric

I have found that going to thrift stores and garage sales are the perfect place to find quilt notions and fabric – and save you money!

I’ve been an avid yard sale buyer for years…. years! I love them. I love the hunt, the driving around, the digging through piles and boxes and finding those little or big treasures.

In fact, one of my best finds was getting a Featherweight sewing machine for $15.

Using men’s dress shirts, skirts, scarves and other clothing is a really great (and cheap) way to find yardage of quilting cotton fabric. I have made plenty of quilts using cut up clothing. They are so soft and wonderful and perfect to snuggle with.

This past week I hit the one thrift store in town because I’m going on a quilt retreat in June. During retreats, I love to bring fabric that I can kind of explore and sew using the Gee Bend or Improv style.

How Thrifting Can Save You Money

If you haven’t noticed already, but the cost of a yard of fabric has gone up. It’s becoming quite expensive to buy fabric for your ever growing quilt list.

For a lap quilt your fabric alone could cost you over $120. This does not include the machine quilting! Or even your time. So, I am always on the hunt for ways to save a little $$ around here.

Not only am I able to save money on fabric, but I have found irons, notions – like new zippers, scissors, rulers, yarn, thread and even sewing machines while shopping thrift stores and yard sales.

If you are looking at saving a little money – then this may be just what you need to explore.

This is what I ended up getting when I went the other day to the thrift store. A bunch of goodies!

Let’s unpack and show you what kind of quilting notions and supplies you can pick up super cheap.

What quilters should look for at thrift stores

I hit all the places in the thrift stores.

I always check the random crafts area, the bins that have zippers and yarn and crochet hooks. I check the racks of clothing – including shirts, pants and pajamas.

I love digging through the books and have found some incredible ones in the past. You name it, I look. Bags, purses (you can use the zippers for other projects).

Bedding area with sheets and pillowcases (sometimes you find embroidered ones)

I do take my time and don’t feel rushed. I give myself the time needed to really sort through what I want.

Finding cotton fabric in the clothing dept in thrift stores

Buying shirts for quilting cotton

When I first began my quilting adventure, I picked up men’s dress shirts, or button up shirts from yard sales – I tried to keep them all 100% cotton.

After you cut up your shirts, you actually a pretty good amount of fabric. I typically cut the buttons off too and add them to my button collection. Nothing is tossed after the shirt is cut.

I do have to say that the larger the shirt, the better! You get more fabric from larger shirts – so try to not fall in love with smalls or extra small sizes.

Skirts for Fabric Yardage

Skirts are another place to check for fabric. I typically run my hand around and ‘know’ the feel of the fabric. When I hit something that catches my eye, I’ll double check the label to make sure it’s 100% cotton. If it has something else, I typically pass on it.

Skirts have A LOT of yardage! You can unpick the gathered waist bands and ruffles and you’ll end up with at least one yard of fabric. I love checking the skirt and the dress racks for good fabric.

Check the Scarfs

Scarfs are another spot where you can sometimes find beautiful cotton fabric. I’ve even found 100% silk or linen as well. They sometimes have very different designs because they are a scarf and can be a lot of fun to use in your quilts or other projects.

Check the Linen Area

The linen area in the thrift store is another place you can score some good stuff. Look at the NEW towels – those would be great for a new project. Also, if you are needing terry cloth for a project, this is a great place to grab some pieces.

You may find a really nice cotton table cloth that could be cut up and put into a quilt as well.

Random Fabric Bundles

My thrift store has some random fabric bundles ready to be bought as well. Some are not 100% cotton, but this is a great place to check if you are wanting to sew a scrappy quilt.

These bundles have different sizes of fabric pieces as well as what they are – I see flannel, fleese, table cloth material (you can use this for a design wall) and knits.

Pillows for pillow forms

The thrift store really is a great place to find pillow forms! These pillows can be either taken apart so you just use the form underneath or you can toss them into the washer and recover them with the fabric you’d like.

There is usually a variety of sizes and shapes as well. I’ve seen pillows that had those poly beads inside and have bought those to reuse in another project. It’s a super cheap way to get the form or the filling that you need.

Organizing Options

Baskets and Bins

Don’t forget to look up! You may find on a shelf or hanging from the ceiling baskets and bins that will help organizing your sewing room easier.

I’ve picked up great containers for a few bucks or less that have been perfect for what I wanted or needed.

You’ll want to double check that the handles are still there and that if they are wicker, that they aren’t missing some parts or holes in the design before buying.

Hooks and Shelves

I’ve seen some great shelves or other hooks and such that would be great for hanging your rulers and storing your supplies on.

These suction type hooks can hold a pair of scissors or hang a specialty ruler on the side of the cabinet like this.

Sewing Kit Tins

You know the joke about the old lady who buys the tins – not for the cookies, but to stuff full of sewing supplies! Well, there are always a good amount of tins that you can use for sewing on the go.

If you have a collection of buttons or snaps or something similar, these would also help in keeping those little bits and bobs organized.

Embroidery Hoops and Hand Sewing Notions

Thrift stores are great for picking up hand sewing hoops for embroidery.

Zippers and Buttons

I have found A LOT of zippers in this drawer! It’s the perfect place to grab random colors and sized zippers. There really is no reason to buy a zipper brand new if you can use your thrift store as your main buying source.

Also, if you don’t find what you need there – look at the bags hanging on the walls. I have taken apart bags or backpacks for their zippers.

I test them first, but you can find some really nice, heavy duty zippers in great colors in the bag department.

Sewing Patterns and Books

The second hand store is the perfect spot to find sewing patterns and even quilt or sewing books. You can usually find the ones that have not been opened yet – but even if they have been, they typically are good enough still to use again.

Quilt Patterns

In the area of the patterns, I found a bunch of quilting books and pamphlets. I would browse through these and find or buy anything that I could use again. Maybe a template for an applique or machine quilting design. Because they are such a great deal you can take it home and then tear out and organize what you want and get rid of what you don’t want.

Ribbon, Yard and Thread

Next to fabric, I can always find ribbon, yarn and thread at second hand stores. I’m not worried about if they have been used – there is usually enough for a project or two left.

Sewing Machines and Parts

Many times I have seen sewing machines, sewing machine feet and other parts for machines at the store. These are great to pick up for little sewers in your house.

Don’t be afraid of asking to test the machine prior to buying as well. Make sure the bobbin parts are all there and that it sews nicely.

Random Craft Items

There is always an area filled with random craft items. I have found stamps, note cards, paper, fancy scissors, punches and more here. If you are like me and many other quilters, you may like to collect these as well!

I’ve used many of these supplies for quilting.

Take a look at my haul video

There are soooo many things you can buy at a thrift store or at a yard sale that will save you money.

You name it, you can usually find it.

Take the time to look around and use the store as a resource for your quilting hobby. Quilting doesn’t need to break your bank!

I love the quilts that I make using clothes just as much as the ones I buy new fabric for. If you are looking at saving yourself a little bit of money – then you should run on down to the nearest thrift store and check out what they have.

This is a great way to buy duplicate notions as well. I have a second rotary cutter and rulers just for taking with me to sewing days. I love having them! I don’t forget things when I go on retreats. Here’s a look inside my kit I travel with.

More Quilting Notion Resources

• Back to school supplies for quilting
• 3 ring binder pencil pouch
• Oliso irons for quilters
• Sewtites for quilters
• Fat Quarter storage containers

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