So, what are all these pretty fabrics you ask? These are my scores from my trip last month to the Goodwill Outlet in Minneapolis. It is a large warehouse with about 8 conveyor belts coming from the stock area. Shoppers (“stalkers”) lined up with carts up and down the conveyor belts waiting for the workers (“stockers”) to fill large bins with goods and roll them down the conveyor belts. We all waited patiently until given the go-ahead to start rummaging! It was good fun and also an enlightening people watching moment.
Aside from a few wool sweaters, I found these fabrics amongst the apparel. Most appear to be scraps from someone’s sewing projects as they are odd shaped pieces. The photos here are edited selections from my haul. I grouped them together by style and palette to see what I could come up with. I love working with such a random group of “found” materials. Sometimes a little limitation is all one needs to look at things in a fresh way. By the way, I added that Amy Butler stripe in the top photo from my existing stash. It just needed a little something.
I’m not sure I would’ve bought most of these fabrics had I been shopping at the fabric store. But I loved finding a mishmash of fabrics and I feel inspired by them. Besides, how can you beat buying materials by the pound?!
It’s nice to have so many of you relate to my last post. Thanks for all of your thoughtful comments. More on that subject…I was sorting through my boys’ clothes this weekend as the seasons change. Hand-me-downs go from the older to the younger. Clothes the younger has outgrown go into the “donate” pile. Although I made mention of the “dark side” of the fashion industry, I’m really fortunate I worked in it for the first 6 years of my kids’ lives. The company I worked for gave employees an excellent discount. Not only was I able to buy the clothes inexpensively, I was able to afford high quality. I think sometimes we all fall into the trap of “I’ll buy the cheap thing because he’ll just grow out of it”. But having 2 boys, we are all about clothes that last long enough to be hand-me-downs! I’m even finding that a few items, such as outerwear, continue to pay back at the consignment shop. Love that!
(by the way, any of you on RSS feed…you may have been sent an old post this morning! Ooops…I was fixing a broken link and republished my very first post. Didn’t know it’d send it on out to everyone! Gah! technology…)
Gotta love Goodwill! Though ours is not as fun. đ
No conveyor belt or fun starting lines. I still remember when my Grandma and her new husband took me out for the first time. He asked where I wanted to go I, of course, said “Goodwill!” His puzzled face was priceless. ;-P
~Amelia
P.S. He is a Goodwill lover too. He just didn’t expect me to like it too.
Miss Betz, I would pay you cash-on-the-barrelhead-money for that green & white print in your second photo! It PERFECTLY coordinates with two other fabrics I found at MY Goodwill, and plan to make into a tote bag for beach gear this summer. If you wanna’ talk, I’m all ears! ;o)
Oh I just LOVE that first batch! I wish I had a Salvation Army or Goodwill around my home to shop. You got some fantastic buys!
Your editor is very nice. We had a great time. Of course I brought you up to Jessica and she is very excited about your book. Maybe you’ll be in Lexington next year with with Warm Fuzzies!
It sounds like heaven! Here in Australia I haven’t come across any secondhand shop like that. All the fabrics you got are beautiful!
Terrific score on the thrifted fabrics!
I remember the Twin Cities had alot of great shopping opportunities and surplus stores. I remember this one thrift store N of St Paul that was the size of a supermarket from when I lived there.
Love your work, btw!
I love your yellow/green/blue fabric selections and the polka dotted fabrics at the bottom. The conveyor belt thing sounds fun, I wish we had that here. I would go just for the experience, though I’m not a crafter đ
Betz–I took my first trip to our Goodwill Outlet today….Oh my gosh….that is like heaven on earth for we thrifty girls! I got soooo much stuff…including SIX cashmere sweaters. I definately have a new addiction. Thanks for the tip… Debbie