Best-Kept Sewing Secret: Look Beyond the Fabric Store

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Fabric shopping is a hobby in and of itself, but what if instead of heading to your local store before a project you check out these three options beyond the fabric store? All you need is a little bit of time, the right mindset, and the vision to look at the potential in fabrics from unlikely sources.

Another Sew Daily Best-Kept Secret? You betcha!

Thrift Stores

Besides a fabric shop, the most likely place to find yardage is a thrift store, but I encourage you to look beyond the fabric section. Looking through the bedding and blankets is a great source of large pieces of fabric. Just last week I found a queen-size duvet cover made from a linen/cotton blend. It is in great shape and leaves me with 4+ yards of usable fabric for less than $20. You can’t buy fabric for that price!

Have you heard about the new trend of thrift shops just for crafters? We love it! Do you have one in your community?

Take one of our thrifty challenges: The Dollar Store Challenge and the Thrift Shop Challenge! We had so much fun with these projects, and it’s a great exercise to help you think outside of the box for fabric sources.

Yard Sales & Estate Sales

Best-Kept Sewing Secret: Look Beyond the Fabric Store. Try estate and yard sales! — You’ll find all kinds of treasures at yard and estate sales. (Credit: Johner Images Collection: Johner Images Royalty-Free)

As the weather warms up people will start having yard sales, at least in my part of the country. The true find at a yard sale is a fellow sewist parting with their stash, but even if you don’t luck out with that bounty, look for bedding, large garments that can be upcycled, or even outerwear that can be made into bags. Think beyond the usual types of fabric and get creative.

Home Décor Discount Stores

Check the textile aisles at home discount shops instead of heading fabric stores. — Stalk the textile aisles at discount stores! (Credit: Eleonora galli Collection: Moment)

The last time I was in Home Goods, there were aisles and aisles of blankets, throws, sheets, curtains, and rugs. While I wasn’t there for textiles, I couldn’t help but think about all the things I could make with the materials around me. The key is looking for colors and textures you like, and then figuring out if there is a great way to use that in a sewing project.

What are your favorite fabric sources that aren’t the fabric store? I can’t wait to hear where you like to shop.

Sew Daily Resources for You

For more great sewing tips, we put together this guide for sewists on sewing techniques and we have an incredible selection of workshops, patterns, magazines, and more in the Sew Daily Shop.

And be sure to check out our Best-Kept Secret Portal — we share a new sewing secret every month!

Do you have a best-kept secret? Share it with us and we’ll put it on the Sew Daily site! Email us your best-kept sewing secrets at [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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