Fabric from the thrift store

The one thing I always check for is restaurant style napkins, the heavy cotton type with a nice edge on them -- always around 12" square. I use them for foundations for crazy quilts. Perfect size, perfect weight and already sort of square.

Sunny

I use those table cloths in the kitchen! They get cycled on and off the table every time they need laundering. I have a few 'new' cloths but I really love the vintage ones with the old 50s designs, along with of the woven checkered style. We sometimes use placemats too. PAT in VA/USA

i love old table cloths. my XDH thought i was nutz to buy them. i got most of them from antique stores and flee markets (the ones that have antiques) but i am also a doily and hanky fan. just gotta have that bit of feminine in the house.

our local senior center sometimes has great old clothes for quilting. and i'm always on the lookout for velvet and silk, etc for my "future" crazy quilt. the local Sally Ann's (salvation army store) also is a great place to find vintage fabrics from clothing.

great topic.

amy in CNY

I'm so jealous. None of the thrift stores around here have fabric, or even good clothing that could be used as fabric...unless you wanted to make something out of ugly polyester!!!

Anyone up for a quilt made of ugly stained pilled polyester? Anyone? I can't seeeee you....

Well, I guess nobody here wants one so I won't bother.

Dragonfly (Pam)

In the Uk there is a business run by some folk from near here. They recycle old fabric and sell it.

They're very popular. All the hard work done for us.

;-) Nel (Gadget Queen)

I see they are near me - Ipswich. I imagined that you were 'up north', but perhaps you are a near neighbour?

Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

Sartorresartus wrote:

In that case, they must have moved, because I thought they were around the Thirsk area. That is quite close to me, I live near York.

Never used them, they always seemed a tad dear, but their Liberty fabric might take a second glance.

Nel... in the rainshadow of the mighty Drax ;-) (Gadget Queen)

Sad to say, Nel, I had a note that the nice ladies have retired. It might only have been one of them, but I had the impression it was the whole enterprise. I'd be so glad if they were carrying on. They were marvellous at finding Liberty lawn for me. . In message , Sartorresartus writes

I wonder if the original ladies sold out to the two in Ipswich who have the ragbags e-mail addy? Their site says that Ragbags has been running since 1999 but doesn't say where.

Glad you had a good holiday Pat.

Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

Patti wrote:

Thanks Sally . I wondered that, when I saw the Ipswich addy. I thought I might try to ring sometime, to find out. I suppose it could have been the other ladies, with a slightly different name, who started up quite recently? At least, they were only at Malvern recently. Wish I could remember their name. I might try Googling recycled quilting fabric to see what I can find. . In message , Sally Swindells writes