How to Find Luxurious Fabrics at Thrift Stores

In today's economy, the price of everything has increased, including the cost of fabrics for seamtresses, designers and crafters.

Now is the time to get creative and hunt down bargains in fabrics, trims, buttons and other goodies!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1. Locations of local
• thrift stores.
• 2. Sharp scissors
• 3. Comfortable walking
• shoes.
• 4. Imagination and
• creativity.

1. When entering thrift store offer a friendly hello to cashier and clerks.
   
   This will help them to remember you on your next visit and will sometimes lead to them saving items for you and maybe a special deal on your purchases.

2. Head straight to the dress and blouse section.
   
   Remember, plus size ladies like to dress up too. Check out large and plus size dress, blouse, skirt and coat racks. You will find lovely silks, wools, knits and even furs.
   
   The bigger the garment, the more fabric you will have for your next project.

3. 
    
   Keepsake Bride Doll, gown designed from recycled wedding dress

   Some thrift stores also sell wedding gowns donated by angry and vengeful divorcees and they have sequined evening dresses donated by socialites and "party girls" who can't fit them anymore.
   
   These items can turn many sewing projects into something fabulous!

4. Strut to the men's section to pick up, leather belts that can be used for handbag shoulder straps and leather bracelets which are all the rage.
   
   Grab a handful of wide, loud, obnoxious, outdated and downright ugly neckties that at one time served as a birthday, Father's Day or Christmas present. They can transform into colorful straps and belts.

5. With a smile graciously pay the cashier and tell her to have a great day. Also mention that you will return at another time.

6. Upon arriving home, get out your scissors and merticulously dissect your "founded treasures". Skirts and blouses will transform into big swatches of fabric to become pillows, curtains and other decor items that would be quite expensive in fancy retail stores.
   
   1. Carefully remove dainty laces, trims and buttons.
   
   2. Try to keep collars and pockets intact, later, you will be pleasantly surprised at how they can be incoporated into some of your creations.
   
   3. If you also make jewelry, save unusual belt buckets and use them to create beautiful one-of-a-kind, bracelets, pendants and necklaces.

Tips & Warnings

• Before dissecting the garments, wash them on the gentle cycle, using cold water and a mild detergent and separate dark and light colors.
• Cut at the seams of the garments, so that your fabric pieces are uniform in size and shape. ie. cut skirts and dresses at the waistline and hems.
• Don't be tempted to save a garment to wear later because it is "so pretty" and happens to be your size. GIVE IT UP!
• Cutting fabric can be boring and tedious.
• Get out your MP3 player and pop in the earphones, the music will be soothing and will probaby stimulate your imagination and give you ideas for future projects.