Thrift Shop Savvy for Sewing by Betz White

If you are a crafter that is familiar with repurposing, then you already know what a treasure trove a good thrift store can be for "raw material". Sometimes though, even seasoned thrifters have a little trouble seeing past over-stuffed racks or hideous styles on their quest to find that diamond in the rough. Because it is easy to get quickly overwhelmed with the abundance of  "stuff"  I have developed a strategy that works for me.

First of all, I make sure that I am fed and not feeling rushed. I want to be able to focus without having to worry about hunger or time. I have a list of items I want to look for so I don't forget anything. I grab a shopping cart, if available, and start filling it with anything that might be a possibility. When I'm done shopping, I roll the cart over near a window and sort through all of it in good lighting. I remove anything that I discover has damage or I decide is overpriced. 

These are some of my favorite areas to scope out:

Sweater Racks:

Being an avid felter, I hit the sweater racks first in search of wool sweaters to felt. If you are familiar with my first book, Warm Fuzzies, you know that there are so many things that can be made from felted wool, such as scarves, bags, and mittens. Be sure to visit the Mens, Women's, and Kids sweater racks. Be on the look out for moth holes as they will not close up during the felting process. Lucky you if you come across cashmere! Although it doesn't felt on it's own, it does wash up nice for baby items such as the Luxe Baby Hat and Puppy from Sewing Green.

Skirts:

Long flowing skirts with minimal seaming have lots of continuous fabric that can be easily reused for a variety of projects. I like to look for better materials such as linen, suede, velvet and other fabrics that would be costly to buy new. Check for excessive wear and stains, especially for materials that can't be laundered.

Bags Belts and Accessories:

If you make totes or bags, you'll love reusing belts for handles and shoulder straps. My favorite belts to use are karate belts as they are super long, nicely stitched and padded. I also look at purse handles for those that can be easily removed and attached to one of my own bags.

Linens:

Soft sheets with fun florals are one of my favorite finds, especially for making my Lounge Pants. Pillowcases are great for repurposing into bags, skirts and girls sundresses. Vintage table cloths that are damaged can live a new life sewn into Vintage Napkins or a Reversible Wrap Skirt. A chenille bedspread makes a great bathrobe and I am always tempted to bring home a crocheted afghan to make into pillows.
 

Craft Supplies:

Skeins of yarn, bags of ribbon and trim, even zippers and thread can often be found amongst the clutter in the craft supply aisle. I find these for a buck a bag or less! 

Visiting the thrift store in leu of the fabric store is an exercise in creativity. Finding a new purpose for a discarded item is a challenge that I enjoy and I hope you do too. Not only is it satisfying to create a one-of-a-kind item, but you can also feel good about treating the planet (and your wallet!) right.

(photo credit John Gruen)

For the chance to win a copy of Sewing Green leave a comment below before April 30th.

Comments

[Limor]

This sounds like a great book. I'm always looking for new idea and inspiration. I LOVE the belt into purse strap idea.

[Karen]

I do all of those things but one thing I do is that I look for 'damaged' goods first. I think thrift stores or Good Will stores serve the underprivileged and if the items are in great condition, those who are in need will benefit the most. Besides, "damaged" and unwanted goods are cheaper and I feel good about rescuing them from landfills.

P.S. I love Betz's work!

[Kit Knitty]

Fantastic! I just bought a stash of fabric from a nearby thrift shop (whole bolts for $5 each!) and have been looking for good uses for it.

[Nancy]

What I have been doing for the past two autumns here in New Zealand is finding childrens clothes that are able to be altered/mended and repurposing them for the those families that have just arrived from warmer climes.

It can be quite a shock to the system to come from a tropical clime or even summer in the Northern Hemisphere to a New Zealand Winter!.

I personally like to search for handmade sweaters and shrugs for myself and I do find heaps (they tend to last longer than store bought too).

I've got my children involved too and they now understand the concept of recycle, reuse, repurpose. Its a lifestyle for us.

So glad I've found all these sites and resources so I know I'm not alone

Peace
Nancy :-)

[Elise]

Thanks for the great ideas - if I don't win the book, it's on my list to buy!

[Rachel]

Good tip about moth holes in sweaters--I'm just starting to jump into the world of felting.
Thanks for the giveaway!

[Sandra]

Since our college-town thrift stores are pathetically sparse, your tips are especially helpful. We normally have to thrift out of town or go to estate sales in order to find the good stuff.

[julie]

Nice tip about the purse handles. It never occurred to me, but now I'll be adding that section to my regular "loop" around the store.

[Dana]

I would love to win this book! I'm an avid reader of Betz's blog, and enjoy all of her great ideas!

Thanks for a nice giveaway!

Dana
d09@goldingers.com

[ecky]

i love betz white and have been reading her blog for a while now. she never ceases to inspire me!! i'd love to check out her book!

[Antoinette]

Yay for thrift store shopping! Thanks for the giveaway.

[Purl Harbor]

I love your book WARM FUZZIES! I just converted a bunch of moth-savaged cashmere sweaters into easter bunnies using your pattern. Your new book looks equally yummy. Thanks for your great tips.

*ph*

[Beth of Jus Shar Designs]

I SO want this book!

Truth-be-told, I'll buy it if I don't win it. BUT I would really be giddy if I won. <3

Beth

[Wendy]

I've been shopping at thrift stores since high school, when I had no money, and I've gotten back into it more lately since I've been on this blog. The book sounds great!

[Whistlepea]

I'm so looking forward to this book!

[Jessica]

Great ideas! I'm constantly discovering new and interesting ways to look at 'old' objects - one thing that makes refashioning so much fun! Thanks for the tips!

[Quincy]

Great tips! I can't wait to see this new book. I LOVE Warm Fuzzies!

[Pauline Webster]

My two daughters(22 and 29)love thrift shops and have been bringing home items for about ten years now. Their favourite saying is "I thought we could alter it". Of course "we" means they provide the ideas and I do all the sewing! Love the tips about felting jumpers.

[Zanna]

Thanks for the great tips! Looking forward to checking out the book!

[suzy]

Those are great tips, and the book sounds wonderful.

[Jodi Mann]

There are some great tips there - thanks! :)

[Christy S]

Your book sounds fantastic. For some reason, I always forget about the sweater racks in the thrift store, but no more! Thanks for sharing your tips.

[Beth]

Love the tip about using belts...hadn't thought of that one. We have a local thrift store clearance center where you can buy clothing and linens for around a dollar a pound. It is a treasure trove for repurposing... I can spend hours there!

[Joanlil]

The book sounds wonderful. I am now regretting some of the things I have donated to op shops in the past - I had no idea about repurposing. I guess at least someone would have had good use of them.

[DrCris]

I really enjoyed this article - some excellent tips. I had often looked at martial arts belts and wondered what to do with them, but your idea has me thinking....

When I am op-shopping/thrift shopping, I tend to check out mens and plus size clothing. You don't seem to pay more, but they are often in good nick as there are lots more "didn't sell" donations in bigger sizes. They are then really flexible for refashioning.

I have started to pay more attention to sheets, since joining Wardrobe refashion, as there is just so much fabric, and you sometimes find them brand new. Napery generally is usually cheap, and I can often find new items. I have more success with new tablecloths and napkins than with fabric, which is often a bit variable.

And a final thing to add is to always check the magazine racks. Depending on what craft I am teaching myself at the time, I can usually find some recent back issues of an appropriate magazine, with tips and projects for less than 50c.

Thanks for offering this book to win. It looks really interesting!