Buying new fabric, especially online can be intimidating, even more so if you are new to sewing. The cost can seem overwhelming. Luckily there are alternative sources where you can explore fabric options. A great place to start is a secondhand craft store, or a thrift store (a goodwill type) or you can search for a fabric warehouse in your local area. The fabric warehouses will often have unlabeled deadstock fabric and notions. If you are in the Atlanta area, I have a live list of some of my go to thrift stores. Let’s go stop at some local spots!
My first stop is Scraplanta Creative Reuse.
“Scraplanta Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to promote environmental awareness, education, and artistic expression to the greater Atlanta community through the collection and reuse of materials for arts and crafts.”
This place is great if you want to try a new hobby or buy notions. I grabbed a mystery knit that was a sheer lacey look. I love a sheer layer for the winter. It was perfect for a simple long sleeve t-shirt. I also grabbed some vintage notions which is always fun.
Next up is a thrift store, Last Chance Thrift Store.
Thrift stores are a great place to look for sewing machines. I found one almost exactly like the vintage machine I inherited from my grandmother, and I hope that it found a good home. Bedsheets are great fabric for learning to sew and making toiles of patterns. A lot of great finds at thrift stores come from consistency and patience. I think that’s half of the reason why I love secondhand sourcing. It’s all about the thrill of being able to find treasures. On this trip to Last Chance, I brought home a plaid cotton blend that will be great for a spring top and some pillowcases that I am using as pockets in a pair of pants. I love adding uniqueness to my clothing with fun details.
Finally, I stopped at my favorite place for notions, Fine Fabrics.
Apart from notions, there is also a large selection of trimmings. Although I tell people that you can’t go there expecting to find something specific, this is not the case with notions. Instead, I take a square of fabric from the project that needs buttons and will most certainly find something better than I imagined in my head.
Another great place to look for fabric is at estate sales. I like Bennett and Sudderth in Atlanta for easy to find information on estate sales. Recently I scored a large bolt of wool blend coating for a steal because it was the last day of the estate sale, so they were taking offers on everything. That’s another great tip – go on the last day of an estate sale and you can probably barter more.
Alright babes, I hope that you enjoyed a little trip around some of my go to thrifting spots in ATL. My best advice would be to take time, go frequently and have fun. Please tag me anytime you thrift something amazing because I just love hearing about what people find second hand.
2 Comments
Fine Fabrics is seriously one of my all-time fave places. I remember coming across it for my senior collection in undergrad and literally started everyone from my university on going there to shop. I lose track of time every time I go there.
I recently learned about Scraplanta and would love to visit one day. It’s such a wonderful idea for a place. I’m glad that there are more thrust shops geared towards all things craft popping up.
You are singing my song! I live near Kansas City, and we have several similar places to go – ScrapsKC, which is also a creative reuse center (that’s the Google search string, for people in other cities), Fabric Recycles, and the occasional Fabric Grab at the Sewing Labs. But my faves are the estate sales, for sewing machines, fabric, sheets, vintage patterns, etc. Do you listen to the Check Your Thread podcast? She is singing this song too.