Thrifted Finds

This post is a part of the Stash Stories, a series about fabric, creativity, and the stories behind what we save. Each post explores a piece of my fabric stash- where it came from, why it matters, and what it’s teaching me about making, memory, and possibility. 

Fabric stores aren’t as prolific as they once were. Perhaps that’s what has led me to look for fabric in other places—and in different forms. Our lives are literally surrounded by fabric: the clothes we wear, the beds we sleep in, the chairs we sit on, the linens that cover our tables, and the pillows that decorate our homes. The list is endless.

From this realization comes the idea that fabric for sewing can be sourced far beyond a traditional fabric store. Recently, while planning a project with wool, I remembered that I already had my own stash waiting—untouched for years. That wool has now been pulled out of mothballs—literally—and is finally ready for use. It made me pause and ask: how can I upcycle what already exists rather than buying new fabric?

Fabric can be found in the most unexpected places. While browsing an antique store, I discovered a linen tablecloth that my friend will now use for embroidery. That single piece of fabric may become pillows, wall hangings, or something else entirely. Linen, which can be difficult to find, was right there—unused and waiting—disguised as a tablecloth.

I’ve also found beautiful homespun fabrics on sale racks in small Wisconsin towns and in thrift shops run by Mennonite communities. Those are often the best finds: inexpensive and just as lovely as fabrics I’ve paid full price for.

Not only is thrifting fabric easier on the environment and the wallet, older textiles often have a quality that’s harder to find today. The difference shows up in the finishing, the materials, and how the fabric was made. It’s a win-win.

So if you’re out and about, take a closer look at clothing, table linens, and bedding. What something is today may become something entirely different once it’s in your hands—and that transformation might surprise you.

Stash Stories is an ongoing series about fabric, creativity, and the stories behind what we save. Each post explores a piece of my fabric stash—where it came from, why it matters, and what it’s teaching me about making and memory.→ Read all Stash Stories