Sometimes it’s worth it to indulge in several yards of expensive, luxurious linen to sew the jumpsuit of your dreams. You’ll shine whenever you wear it. And sometimes, the pair of pants you made from bargain denim that you got for two dollars a yard at your local thrift shop gives you just as big of a thrill.
Here are ten tips for finding super cheap fabric. Even if you don’t use this fabric for your final garments, it’s a fun, affordable alternative to muslin. If it’s not your style, you can always give your wearable muslin to a friend who might enjoy it!
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Check the linens section at thrift stores. Look for tablecloths, sheets, or curtains in addition to cuts of fabric donated from estates. Quilts are a bit of a hot topic in the sewing community, as some believe they should remain quilts, whereas other makers honor the original quilter by turning their work into a new garment.
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Upcycle from your closet. If you have garments in your closet you don’t wear but like the fabric, see if you can turn them into something else. For example, you might have enough fabric to turn it into a shirt if it's a dress or a skirt. Or maybe it’s something you can lengthen, shorten, or alter to appear new and fresh. Sometimes you can even cut patterns for children out of your unworn clothes.
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Have a fabric swap. If you know people who sew, organize a swap at a local park or someone’s house. If you don’t know anyone who sews, post in the Seamwork Community, and you can make new sewing frinds! There is a board dedicated to fabric and a local sewing board where you can connect with makers in your area.
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Shop linen sales. Look for sales at department stores, or check the linens section at stores like Target or World Market for deals on sheets or duvet covers with fun prints. This is a great way to source extra wide fabric for projects like circle skirts.
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Shop in garment districts. You’ll most often find these in large cities, but some suburbs are home to warehouse-style fabric stores that carry deadstock fabric. If your city has a garment district, it’s a great place to look for affordable textiles.
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Go straight to the back of your local fabric shop. Most fabric stores have a little section in the back—or sometimes a remnant bin right up front—where you can find discounted yardage. Also, shopping off-season is a great way to take advantage of sales. So the next time you go to a fabric store, find the sale section and start there before you look at the rest.
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Ask about coupons. This might not apply at your local independent fabric shop, but some larger chains, like Joann, will match coupons or prices from competitors. It never hurts to ask.
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Always brake for yard sales. If you see a sign for a yard sale while you're driving, stop! You never know what you will find.
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Check Etsy and eBay. Get creative with your search terms and look for vintage textiles, specific yardage, or the colors or fibers you want. You can also use their filters to narrow your search by category if you aren't getting good search results.
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Shop your stash. Having a fabric stash is not bad, especially when you wake up early one morning before any stores are open and you just have to sew something. If you have fabric in your stash that isn’t quite your style, try dyeing it, adding embellishment, or shirring it to change the textures. The cheapest and most sustainable fabric is already in your stash.
One more thing. If you’re a Seamwork member, you get up to 20% off at some of our favorite fabric shops all around the world. Just log in and shop the member deals page. And if you find something great, be sure to post a picture on the Community to show it off!
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