How to Thrift Successfully! - Share your stories

[jillenium00]

I am addicted to thrift stores. I work downtown and there are 3 on my street alone, plus another one beside my house. I generally visit a thrift store 2-3 times a week, mainly for the exercise during my lunch break. After several months of this I have become a bit of thrift store expert.

By far, some of the best deals in thrift stores can by found in the sewing sections. Elderly ladies, the kind that sew and save everything, generally hoard collections of sewing and craft materials all their lives. Then they unfortunately pass away and their families end up dropping all of their things off at good will.

So here's some advice from my own experience:

- Bed sheets usually aren't worth it. They are usually stained and/or faded in the middle and are almost always more expensive than bolts of fabric that can be found in the same thrift store.

- If you knit, everything you need can be found at a thrift store...even oddly sized needles and such. People usually snap up the high quality wool quickly, but plain, chepaer wool is always available. Perfect for beginners

- All buttons, zippers, lace, and other such notions are always abundant. never buy them new. You can also find really neat stuff. I've noticed that lace trim and brass buttons with a coat of arms on them are very common.

- Fabrics like linings, plain cotton and felt, are generally always available. But high quality, expensive fabrics like denim, silk, fleece, canvas, and suiting material show up pretty often. Interfacing is also quite common.

- Drop-offs tend to come in all at once, so ask your thrift store when they put their new stuff on the shelf. If you meet a really friendly volunteer who is amazed that a young person is interested in sewing, she may even offer to contact you when a large amount of material comes in!

-Patterns: check inside to see if anything has been cut out. Often they've never been touched. But if they have, you risk having a piece or two missing. Most often these are small, non-essential pieces, so weigh the risk against the price. If patterns are 25 cents GO NUTS! Also, be sure to check the sizes.

- Avoid Value Village: their prices are ridiculously high and they are a subsidiary of WalMart. Enough said. With St Vincent's/Sally Ann's/Hospital Auxillary shops you are donating directly to charity through your purchases at shop run mostly by volunteers.

- Get organized. Once you start thrift shopping you will end up with more fabric, notions, and patterns than you know what to do with. I recommend bins or boxes. Fold the fabric up until it is the length of the box, then roll it up, wrap it in an elastic, and label it (how wide and how long the piece is). Then store it standing up in the box. This way you can see the top of all your fabric rolls as soon as you look in the box and don't have to dig through.

I guess one day I will get around to taking a photo of some of my best finds. But I was inspired to write this today after I found 2 full metres of uncut black lace fabric at lunch. This probably would've cost $25 at a store and there's so much I want to do with it, most of which stems from so awesome 70's patterns I scooped.

Finally, if you know of other people in your community who sew, perhaps propose the idea of a swap meet. It's a great way to get rid of old clothes and fabrics you have no use for and acquire some new thread! You can even do it virtually through system like freecycle and facebook groups.

Anywho, if you have great tips for acquiring supplies, or want to show off an awesome free/thrifted find, please do so in this thread! I would like to keep it active, since acquiring materials is half the battle of a sewing project!

Happy Hunting!

[thestupidlittlegirl]

Hey these are some helpful tips.

[anomalie]

Nice list, thanks! The one thing I'd add is try to go to thrifting with a specific item in mind. Let it be serendipitous! It often works out better that way, hehe.

Value Village is pretty much all I've got within my city (the other place I know of is... unpleasant). As far as I know, though, the one I've gone to was donating to the diabetes association (which is an important cause for me - my boyfriend is diabetic). Plus I've never found their prices to be that high - though maybe it varies? I dunno. I tend to favour garage sales when they're around! (This summer I got two floor length vintage evening gowns, what looks like a naval jacket, and a bunch of scarves for $15). There are some great thrift/vintage stores in Toronto that I always hit up when I'm there - unfortunately that's rare now.

[Ms. MaCabre]

wow
i had no idea value village was a walmart cousin. well i guess i wont be going there anymore. thanks for the heads up

[The Angry Hippie]

why is it no matter where i do there's never any craft supplies??
i hear everyone talk about the fabric and knitting needles in huge baskets but in all my years i've never seen it.:(

[madonnaontherocks]

ditto!

[superh2ogirl]

The craft stuff is limited at my thrift store but I always find something useful when I rummage through it. I find embroidery hoops there ALL the time... so for you embroidery hoop screen printers, the thrift is the place to find them... CHEAP!

I also bought a HUGE bag of thread for $2... that's how much it is for 2 rolls!! AMAZING!

My advice... know what's popular at your thrift stores. I can only go on Saturdays so I get there right when it opens at 9 am and check out the shoes and boots before ANYTHING! Everyone swarms there first... it recently paid off to do that because I found some AWESOME brown italian leather riding boots in GREAT condition for $8/ NOW THATS a FIND... and I had been searching for some forever!!! And... they're a hit! I get compliments all the time!

Also... I've been thrift shopping since I was a kid... we didn't have a lot of money at one point so my mom showed me the ropes... when you look at clothing... you need to look at EVERY single piece! Don't just skim throught the racks... slide each item down and go one by one.

The GREAT thing about the thrift stores I go to... they color coordinate EVERYTHING making my shopping experience quick and efficient!

OH p.s. I'm a part time massage therapist and I go there to find twin sheets sometimes... I've actually found clean cheap sheets... I think the people who put the merchandise out knows that no one REALLY would buy stained sheets...

If your going to buy electronics make sure they have plugs to test them out. AND.. one last comment... some stores have %50 off certain tags... like "everything $50 off except green tags" something like that... so make sure you see if they have a sign or a screen that tells you the deal of the day!

Can you tell I love it! MUUUUAAAAHHH!

[jillenium00]

Yes, I suppose it varies from place to place. I think commercial property rates are really low in my area so thrift stores can afford to stay open. Plus its a boom and bust resource town where people come and go all the time, and always end up leaving multitudes of clothing and bedding behind. Garage sales are great too! And I love tag sales!
...and someone just informed me that VV is not owned by Walmart...but there is some connection in terms of investment...I dunno.

[sarathelaundress]

With sheets you can still use some of the fabric, though. I picked up a super cute vintage sheet (light blue with a daisy pattern) I'm going to make into a flowy top for my niece. Just never rule anything out, always keep your eyes open and check back regularly.
At my local St Vinnie's I find a lot of cool housewares; vintage Pyrex (which I collect), Noritake china (gonna put those pieces up on eBay), a lacquer tray from Korea, wrought iron magazine rack, awesome vintage sewing machines, etc...

[superh2ogirl]

Just never rule anything out, always keep your eyes open and check back regularly.


I think that's the perfect advice!

[madonnaontherocks]

i've never found vintage patterns in any thrift store ;/ butttt i have found real vintage ones in a super amazing WonderBook, i love that store...

..i can't wait to make myself some hiphuggers

[SewingBoi]

Try checking out the Value Village - Wal Mart link. Just doesn't seem to be true... The only place I found any linking between the two was here (http://www.newwinnipeg.com/community/comments.php?DiscussionID=4012&page=2) , and if you read all the way through, it is debunked.

[peglegparadiddle]

why is it no matter where i do there's never any craft supplies??
i hear everyone talk about the fabric and knitting needles in huge baskets but in all my years i've never seen it.:(

Generally when i find that kind of stuff, its at a thrift shop that has its own crafting section. goodwill and salvation army dont usually have a section like that, but privately owned places do!

[anomalie]

Try checking out the Value Village - Wal Mart link. Just doesn't seem to be true... The only place I found any linking between the two was here (http://www.newwinnipeg.com/community/comments.php?DiscussionID=4012&page=2) , and if you read all the way through, it is debunked.

Thanks for looking into that!

[AwayFromTheLight]

This isn't exactly a tip, but this is my thrifting story for today;)

I went into the thrift store monday with like 4 bucks in my pocket, because I love love love the thrift store & I need to go in when I'm in the area. So I bought a flannel and a tshirt for a buck each, but I saw these gorgeous drapes with pretty pink flowers all over them for 6 bucks. I was so sad. I really wanted them!

Today I had some extra cash, so I went back hoping that these beauties were still there. When I got to the curtain section there was this lady looking at yarn like 10ft away from the curtains. I finally find the drapes, kind of hidden and pushed back. I grab them & walk to the sheet section. This crazy lady starts yelling that the drapes were hers. I calmly say "They're in my hand, you weren't even over here, they're mine". Then she freaks out screaming and obviously employees come to see what the commotion is. We both explain what happened (she said she hid them there for herself and I stole them), and they said if she wanted them she should've had them in her hand, they were rightfully mine to purchase.

She then proceeded to follow me around the store giving me angry looks. I got to the register and they were 1/2 price. 3 bucks! Plus they're fully lined with a cream fabric! Score!

My prettiest thrift store find:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/HeidiLynne/halloween.jpg

[ladyjanewriter]

That's not a crazy lady, that's a person with crappy Thrift Store Etiquette. But, yeah, exactly!

I haven't been to a thrift store in ages - I should really go to one. None of the ones near my neighborhood are that good.

So, I guess I'll list a few thrifty options for people with crappy thrift stores. Selection of "good stuff" varies by your area, of course.

Yard Sales

Craigslist - they have an arts and crafts section!

Checking near dumpsters (this especially works for me because I'm in a university neighborhood, and students are moving in and out all the time and throw away good stuff!)

Oh! I'll give an example pic of someone who dumped stuff - I found out later she listed it as "free stuff" on craigslist - good for her! (I'm assuming it was a her b/c it was lots of women's stuff. This is June 16th of this past summer:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2583501093_a0f87a2b35_o.jpg



I wound up taking the suede coat and mailing it to a pal, and I took the COOL Cracker Jack shirt that was way too small for me, and made a toddler dress and am using the remains for patches for my patchwork skirt. :D

[superh2ogirl]

Wow! In all my years of thrifting I have never had problems with anyone!

She was CRAZY and RUDE and I'm so glad you got what was rightfully yours!

[ladyjanewriter]

Wow! In all my years of thrifting I have never had problems with anyone!

She was CRAZY and RUDE and I'm so glad you got what was rightfully yours!

:D I have. The old ladies in my hometown area were mean ol' biddies. Same with clearance shopping.

Sooo, I've learned to be a "Defensive Shopper" and not to put anything down because of it. And I also look for the hiding technique.

There's this especially legendary story I keep hearing about the fist-fight that broke out with the ladies in Hess's Bargain Basement sometime in the 1940's or the 1950's (Yes, they had to call the cops.) So, yeah, those old gals were TOUGH.

And kind of sneaky sometimes.

MY 100% TRUE IT-TOTALLY-HAPPENED-TO-ME MEAN LADY IN THE BARGAIN SECTION STORY:

Once, in the bargain section of the Boscov's in Easton, PA, I had a lady admire my pair of black crepe pants - I had the last pair in my size, was polite in explaining "Oh, sorry, it's the last one left!" and she offered to "hold it for me." Oh, you know, to keep it safe. With a smile as sweet as pie, but I knew it was a big fake Cheshire Cat smile. Keep in mind she looked like a sweet lil' granny type in cute top and matching slacks.

When I said I was fine, I'd hold it, she called me a little b*tch and glared at me the whole time. Including when I was paying at the cash register. Best $8.00 I ever spent. I wanted to smash the pants in her face at that point, actually. Like it was a cream pie. *moosh* "HAH! MINE!!!" :D


Sorry, I guess this went on a tangent. But it's a great story.

[batty]

we have a saint vincent de paul's near us with very low prices (about $3 at most) however, they don't have the widest of selections, mostly "granny" clothes. i find it best to just walk down the aisles and feel everything (yay for knowing how to sew). hopefully i'll be moving into a city next year, so i can find some more interesting and exotic things on thrift

[jillenium00]

Ha ha. Old ladies, of all people, should know the unspoken rules of thrifting!

[superh2ogirl]

:D I have. The old ladies in my hometown area were mean ol' biddies. Same with clearance shopping.

Sooo, I've learned to be a "Defensive Shopper" and not to put anything down because of it. And I also look for the hiding technique.

There's this especially legendary story I keep hearing about the fist-fight that broke out with the ladies in Hess's Bargain Basement sometime in the 1940's or the 1950's (Yes, they had to call the cops.) So, yeah, those old gals were TOUGH.

And kind of sneaky sometimes.

MY 100% TRUE IT-TOTALLY-HAPPENED-TO-ME MEAN LADY IN THE BARGAIN SECTION STORY:

Once, in the bargain section of the Boscov's in Easton, PA, I had a lady admire my pair of black crepe pants - I had the last pair in my size, was polite in explaining "Oh, sorry, it's the last one left!" and she offered to "hold it for me." Oh, you know, to keep it safe. With a smile as sweet as pie, but I knew it was a big fake Cheshire Cat smile. Keep in mind she looked like a sweet lil' granny type in cute top and matching slacks.

When I said I was fine, I'd hold it, she called me a little b*tch and glared at me the whole time. Including when I was paying at the cash register. Best $8.00 I ever spent. I wanted to smash the pants in her face at that point, actually. Like it was a cream pie. *moosh* "HAH! MINE!!!" :D


Sorry, I guess this went on a tangent. But it's a great story.

THAT WAS A GREAT STORY!!! Laughing my butt off! seriously! Keep 'em coming!!

[1/2jamaica]

my tips for thrifting:
look at EVERYTHING
wen a fabric catches your eye CHECK IT OUT i found a long coat for $14 just cuz i glanced in the right direction

Just because you dont like the fit of something but you love the fabric OR the other way around DONT PUT IT BACK you may be able to use the ill-fitting shirt's fabric or that ugly-patterend dress for a pattern

That's my advice for today :)
HAPPY THRIFTING!

[Azuris]

I've always found that the sale racks have some half decent stuff. But I tend to stay away from clothing that has already been modded, I find doing much with it is always too risky.

[lizzymahoney]

If you want stuff like embroidery hoops, patterns, knitting needles, fabric, and notions, you kinda need to be aware of all the thrifts in the area. Some will be better at it than others. Some will be way higher priced, or have very little in that area.

People tend to donate more of the same stuff they see to a given thrift, and some thrift managers will encourage certain types of donations more than others. Most thrifts will have clothes, but there are thrifts that don't want them, for instance. Some managers look at a box of notions and buttons and think it's useless junk, but others know there are good things in it.

Almost all of my local thrifts have some sewing patterns. One has a lot more, and they are continually selling and adding more. That shop is also more likely to have rug hooking canvas or fabric paints or a box of bobbins because the manager knows there is a market among the regular shoppers. The thrift right next door is not going to have anywhere near as much needlecraft supplies, but they do have tons of books that the first one doesn't. These stores don't trade the items to each other, but people bring in what they see the stores sell.

Stuff like knitting or crochet tools may be iffy. The tools are often good, sometimes bent or nicked or paint spattered, but people will buy the whole lot of them, and then there won't be any more for weeks or months. You just have to keep on the lookout for them everywhere you thrift, and really keep a sharp eye on the one or two places that have similar items.

Sheets really do have to be inspected for stains and wear. Plenty of usable material, but people donate stuff that should be burned all the time. Always be wary of what you are buying from a thrift. That discolored mark on the folded yardage might just be dust, but it could be a rust stain that goes all the way through. The ball of yarn might be a single piece but could also be a rewrap of fifty, yard long lengths. The bag of grommets might be mismatches in three different sizes.