Find Great Fabric at the Thrift Store: 15 Pro Tips!

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Did you know that my second favorite hobby (next to sewing) is finding treasures at the thrift store? There are several thrift stores on my regular routes around town, and I love to stop in regularly to see what’s there. Some of them always have fabric!

Here are my personal tips for finding and using second hand fabrics…

1. Shop Local

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Caroline said, “Whenever you see a small church or charity-run thrift shop, take a quick peek inside to see what treasures they have. It could be a big win!” It seems like the big franchise secondhand stores don’t keep the fabric that comes in. Look for the small stores instead, or set your sights on promising estate sales. They will usually have better crafting options.

2. Inspect Fabrics Carefully

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Unfold the fabric and check for stains or odd smells. Stain remover can usually remove coffee spills or a dusty smell, but a ‘light bar’ discoloration from fabric sitting on a shelf too long is permanent.

3. Check the Cut Edges for Fraying

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If the fabric is fraying excessively, that’s probably a sign that it’s old or low quality. Double check to make sure there is enough usable fabric to make your purchase worth it.

4. Look Closely at Fabric Bundles

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Many thrift shop and yard sellers put fabric pieces together in bundles for easy sale. Caroline said, “I always look through the bundles and examine each print. I usually end up buying the whole bundle just to get one print that I love. I then use the other fabrics in that bundle for practice.”

The heavy blue duck cloth on the car cozy above was made with thrifted fabric.

5. Look for Vintage Sheets and Tablecloths

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I’m sure you know that fabric can be found in other departments besides crafts. New sheets, curtains, and tablecloths can be hidden sources of lots of low-cost fabric.

The nap mat above came from a thrifted sheet. Soft vintage sheets are also perfect for quilt backings.

6. Get the Solids

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Sometimes solid fabric seems like a boring find, but you can make a good quality solid fabric look modern by mixing it with your favorite designer prints.

“The beautiful red knit fabric that I made this top from also came from a thrift store bundle. That ended up being a super find… about 3 yards (plus other stuff in the bundle), and I really like the quality.”

7. Buy Neutral-Colored Fabrics, Too

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Neutrals, like blacks, whites, or tans, are always a safe purchase so you should feel good about stocking up. Caroline told me, “They are so versatile that I never regret getting a good neutral.”

8. Check Labels and Do Research

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Check the selvages (or the bolt end) for information like fabric content, care instructions, and the name of the manufacturer.

“Once, while shopping at my favorite charity thrift shop, I came across a partial bolt of the fabric pictured above. It was a print I wouldn’t normally buy, but when I looked up the brand online, it was 100% cotton and made in Italy! Then I noticed the beautiful softness and drape. I bought the partial bolt for $10, and it was enough for the backs of 2 baby quilts!”

9. Plan ahead

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When shopping with a specific project in mind, always snap a picture of the pattern requirements so you can remain focused.

10. Bring a Small Tape Measure

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Bring a pocket measuring tape with you so you can check to make sure you will have enough fabric for your project. Thrift store don’t usually have a measurement on their fabric, and if you don’t get the right amount the first time you probably won’t be able to find any more.

11. Be Prepared to Walk Away

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Don’t be afraid to pass by the fabric if it’s not right for you. I know it’s hard! Thrift store inventory changes constantly though, so visit regularly to catch new fabric arrivals.

12. Wash it!

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There are two reasons to wash your thrifted fabric immediately. First, to eliminate any funny smells. And second, to find out how it will hold up. It’s logical if you think about it. Caroline said, “I want to know ahead of time if it can’t make it through one wash!”

13. Buy What You Love!

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If you do find a quality piece of fabric that you really love, go for it! Especially if it’s a great price. If you need a few minutes to think, carry the fabric around with you so that nobody else can purchase it before you decide. I didn’t do that once, and lost a great roll of fabric! If you change your mind, you can always put it back before you check out.

14. Carry Cash

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Keeping cash on hand can help in a few ways. It can help you budget. If you only allow yourself a certain amount of cash per week, it will help you make only the most perfect purchases. Additionally, a lot of thrift stores in my area offer a 3-5% discount when paying with cash (which means my fabric budget goes further!). And finally, cash is a great way to bargain at a yard sale. If all you have is a $5, they can choose to take it or leave it, but at least you tried.

15 Check out FabScrap!

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FabScrap sells NEW fabrics that are discarded from the fashion industry. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing fabric waste.

Caroline said, “I had a fabulous time visiting them in NYC a couple years ago. They now have locations in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, plus online virtual shopping by appointment. Learn more about my trip and how to shop there!

Bonus Thrift Store Tip: Look for Purse Handles!

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“I often find amazing purse handles at thrift stores too. I’ll cut the handles off an old bag and sew them onto a new one that I made. Here’s how.

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Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂