Just so everyone knows, I was duped by this beautiful lady. She coyly asked me if I wanted to go to the hardware store, which of course I did, because I always want to go to the hardware store. Of course, when we get there, she tells me she needs quilt stuff. What a ruse. 😂
Hey, gotta let her be our smart wise lady in helping us viewers to get awesome great deal. Never in a million years i would if thought a hardware store!!!! She is a genius!!!!!. !!!! ♥️♥️♥️
The canvas from the hardware store is also paintable. If you do mixed media or paper crafts you surely have acrylic paint and stamps or stencils. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. 🎉
One resource for fabric that you overlooked at thrift stores is men’s dress shirts. There are some beautiful solids, plaids and prints to be found. The larger size the shirt, the more you can glean when cutting them up. Using only 100% cotton is the best option.
I remember my Mom telling how in early to mid 40s, she and her sister used to to SA and get Sailor pants. They had the wide flare enough for girls skirts and other things. Then they made their own dyes from plants to dye them. I was born just after so never got them.
I always look at the skirts in the thrift stores. There can be lots of usable yardage in those for making children's clothes, quilting, bags, etc. Also, I made an entire quilt using thrifted men's cotton Hawaiian shirts. Bonus was finding three XXXL shirts that comprised the backing. I look at the thrift store as one big fabric store!
My mother used to take my grandmother’s clothes apart and make them into clothes for my sister and me. We never got new fabric for school clothes until we were too big to use the salvaged fabric from my grandmother.
Another option for the drop cloth fabric: craft aprons. I made many as gifts one Christmas and personalized them with machine embroidery. Sews beautifully.
You can also make throw rugs out of drop cloth fabric. You can paint a design on them or applique with fabric, or even embroidery!!! The sky's the limit!!! Remember, you can also dye the canvas too!!! ♥️🍃🤗🍃♥️
@@donnanichols6838 This is a great idea! I remember investing $$$ in heavy canvas to do a stencil project to use as a rug, like the Early Americans did. There are tons more stencils out in the market to use now as well!
When you said hardware store the first thing I thought of was curtains. I have bought a couple of curtains on clearance at Lowes with beautiful patterns in a heavy woven cotton for about $5. Didn't even think of the drop cloths. I work with a dog rescue that also has a thrift store and when they get fabric in they call me because it just doesn't sell in the store. They called me one time and offered me 6 huge trash bags full of fabric for $30. Those bags had about $400 dollars in 10 different colors of minky. I also go over any sewing machines that are donated to make sure they are clean, lubed and work before they put them out for sale. Needless to say I make quilts and things for some of there raffles also. We don't have an art class at my school anymore and I was able to go thru the art classrooms storage room and found boxes of fabric someone had donated. There was enough printed canvas in those boxes for me to make about 40 big tote bags for the spring carnival. I bought a huge bag of fabric (sealed up bag) at a thrift store because I could see actual fat quarters in it for $20. Got it home and there was full quilt kit and pattern in it that had a price tag of $135 dollars on it. You never know!
I can't believe I didnt think of curtains! Thats a good idea too! Is the thrift store a way to raise money for the rescue? That is such a great idea if it is!
I’ve been using drop cloths for many years to make everything! Pillows, drapes, dust ruffles, slipcovers, tote bags, shower curtain. It has a linen look and is very sturdy. Using clips, rings, on a rod, you can hang a drop cloth with no sewing, just find the right size cloth.
A friend of mine chanced across this store, while going to estate sales, where they were selling rolls of canvas in 6-8 colors. A bunch of my quilting friends took her up on her offer to buy and bring them to us, since it was only $15/roll! I got a roll to use to make rugs. 😊
Harbor Freight sells the same canvas drop cloths for $10 when they have a sale (which is quite often) and it's 9'x12'. I paint so I have more than one. AND I used one to make a round tablecloth -which I stenciled - for a spring tea. It turned out lovely!
The Lowes tip was worth its weight in gold! Thank you so much. I'm a guy so I sew guy things. Floral patterns and such don't interest me much but cheap canvas that I can dye whatever color is seriously worth something to me. Thanks so much!
Don’t know if was mentioned but Harbor Freight has lots of things you can use for quilting. Magnetic trays for pins, drop clothes, magnet on a stick to pick up dropped pins and more just be open to using hardware items and you’ll find something neat. I bought a work bench to put my embroidery machine on, it is big and heavy enough to hold the machine with all the motion. It’s cost about 1/4th the price for a sewing cabinet.
@muttimerewifey Are they good quality? If they're poor quality, you'll ruin your cutting mat. Cutting mats are too expensive to ruin from buying low quality cutting blades.
I volunteered for a nonprofit local thrift store that had to close down in late 2022. I took over the linens and fabrics department after a previous vol passed away. There are so many items donated to charity that never see the sales floor unless you have someone like me who can see the value. An individual crafter won't have any pull, but if you have a quilting or crafting club, see the store manager and let them know what you are interested in purchasing. For example, we used to toss vintage chenille bedspreads that had stains/holes. Not me! I labelled and priced appropriately and these were always snapped up. I always had to wait 2 days to give customers 1st chance at merch, but I sure wanted to make a "jean jacket" out of vintage chenille. Pillow cases frequently don't make it to the sales floor, even if they are in good condition. Some are good for fabric alone. If your group is making quilts for the homeless, consider piecing pillow cases for those, and save your artistry for quilts that will be appreciated for the long haul. Again, negotiate with thrift management. AND, hold up your end of the bargain. Buy the merch as sales$ per sq ft of display space is an important metric--they can't hold merch forever--it's gotta move. Don't make business deals and fail to execute.
I DO have to make a comment about sheets that may have a stain or a small tear. If the fabric and color/pattern is what you want, you can use your rotary cutter. I've seen many vintage percale sheets that have 1 or 2 minor flaws but are fabulous for quilting. If you don't want to cut it up and want to use for a backing, be creative and use embellishments to cover the flaws. Again, if your group is making quilts to give away to needy people, they shouldn't care if you applied a patch or applique to a defect. I ran into this issue with a local church quilting group that only wanted pristine sheets for quilts the homeless would toss in the streets once they got dirty. For these projects, put your artistry aside and focus on utility.
Our Salvation Army collects all the craft items from donations all over the state and sells them in one big sale once a year. It is supposedly a mad house, but it is in southern Maine and I can never go.
Just stumbled on this video. Great info! I found cotton/ linen sheets at Ollie's in solid navy and solid white. $30 for a king set. That's A LOT of fabric. At least 5 yards in the flat sheet alone! Check the clearance at Kohl's and Target also.
I just buy flat sheets, skip the fitted. They are sold separately and you get more useable fabric from a flat sheet, with no hassle cutting them up. ♥️🍃🤗🍃♥️
Be aware that sheets have very fine threads in them. To get that high thread count they use extremely fine “yarns” to weave the sheets. Also watch out for poly cotton blends. The polyester is so strong it will cut the cotton and you will see pilling the more it is used.
I hit my local goodwill about once a month looking for used bed sheets. They've been washed so many times, they're nice and soft. Even if it's a poly-cotton blend, if it'll be used for backing I don't see a problem.
Great tips! The thrift shops also have good usable fabric sometimes in the arts and crafts section, usually bundled into bags of scraps of varying sizes, and sometimes on hangars in the same area as the blankets and sheets. I've also been known to buy big men's shirts, long skirts and dresses, curtains, drapes, and sheets to use for fabric. One time I covered my dining chair seats with denim skirt fabric. The canvas drop cloths I use for curtains, pillow inserts and furniture covers, too. The more you wash them, the softer they get. And, if you get the right kinds of dye, you can make them just about any color you need.
Lots of people use those drop cloths to make curtains or throw pillows with and even to upholster with - they come in different neutral shades and a variety of thicknesses so quite useful for many projects.
Fallon, you reminded me of something from 6 yrs ago. My sister-in-law made a cotton quilt that she decided to use as a beach blanket, and she went to the big box hardware store and bought that canvas for the backing!! That’s a great idea for shopping bags (or even a beach tote)!! Love it!
I’m always looking for something to “ repurpose “, I have been known to buy clothes at thrift stores and cut them up for other projects. My favorite is denim shirts and dresses, they are so much more lightweight than jeans. And I can get a lot more “ fabric “ from them for less money than buying denim yardage. Thanks for all your suggestions!👍
GREAT idea for a denim source! Never thought of that. I've usually used thrift stores for men's dress shirts. Now I'll be looking at the denim as well.
Great suggestions! Those colorful jean shorts would make a really cute jean purse and you could use the canvas for lining. The pink jeans would make cute straps.
I love looking in thrift stores (and my own closet) for fabric. Graphic tees are fun to make T-shirt skirts with as well. And old sweaters to felt and craft with. And drop cloths are awesome! My husband bought one for a painting job and I immediately thought “let me just cut a yard or two from this before he uses it” 😂 he never knew.
I think it's a great idea to use drop cloths for grocery bags. I bought some canvas bags online from a well known retailer. The bags started ripping at the seams shortly after a few uses.
Don't forget garage sales and quilt guild sales. Quilters buy something, decide they don't want it after all, so they sell it. Estate sales are good but you don't always know how old it is or if it's a poly-cotton blend. Some people don't care if it's cotton mixed with polyester; others consider poly-cotton almost a kind of outrage. You can sometimes get lovely hand made lace or other needle work which makes lovely trim for clothing. I've even seen quilts decorated with dollies and bits of vintage embroidery.
I went to an estate sale that was held at a warehouse because the house sold very fast. The lady was a professional seamstress and had 2 commercial sewing machines, 3 regular sewing machines, and tons of fabric. I bought about 80 yards of different fabric for $1 yard. I've used them for different projects, including 3-pocket waist aprons for my niece's special Ed teachers. She asked my mom about making them, and I dug into my supply to find a requested purple. We made them at mom's using her 2 machines.
Yes! I don’t belong to a guild but once a year the guild in our city has their quilt show and they sell bags of scraps really cheap. I take my husband and we buy as much as we can carry out. I look forward to that all year. It’s so much fun to get home and go through all my treasures!
I have used the canvas for years! Wash/dry it to soften and preshrink it. It can be dyed and used for children’s play clothes- durable! Aprons, window treatments (Roman shades), covers for furniture and beds (to protect them from pets/spills), the sky is the limit! I have even seen skirts for myself (simple A-line) from them.
We make things for craft shows that I don’t want to get scratched. I buy moving blankets from Harbor Freight and cut them down to the size to use in my rolling totes. Then I just use my serger to finish the edges. Or you could zigzag the edges. They are so handy.
A year ago I was making my nephew some things for his kitchen. I made him 2 shopping bags and an apron blus 2 pot holders and an extra long hot pad for his table. He is just starting out and I didn't want anything girly for him. I made it all out of a drop cloth, heavy duty from Lowes.
If you want even cheaper canvas drop cloths plus multiple varieties of sewing equipment try Harbor Freight. Storage, rotary cutter blades, you name it. Their magnetic pin dishes are the bomb.
If you live near a beach or park, you may have noticed an array of colorful tents, canopies and umbrellas. Not all of them go home with their owner. Many of the"left behinds" are damaged or for some reason are no longer usable for their original purpose. BUT if you are looking for FREE material to make bags, check out these locations, especially after a windy day. Umbrellas, especially beach umbrellas, canopies and tents have more material than you may expect and it's usually at least water repellant. One lady checks the beach waste containers for these treasures, quickly removes the metal and plastic parts and goes home with enough to make bags in assorted sizes. But you need to be there before the cleanup/garbage collectors make their rounds.
I had picked up canvas at an art supply store for a great price a few times when they were selling the end of the rolls. It actually cost less than the drop cloths I saw at the hardware store.
Tie dying the canvas would be fun. I have several slightly used ones in garage. Might let littles spray or splatter more on them and them make them bags. Thank you for inspiration.
Painter's drop cloths are a great source of sturdy fabric. I bought one from ALDI when they had them on a weekly special buy, I think it was around the $10 mark. I just folded it in half and sewed the bottom and side and put a cord through the pre-existing hem, to make a garment bag big enough for my D-I-L's ballerina skirted wedding dress. The fabric is thick enough to be protective, yet thin enough to pliable, especially after it's been washed to remove the fabric dressing. I even took the time to embroider her initials on it along with an applique using some of the scraps I had left over from her wedding dress. Over the years we've used them for all manner of things, like furniture under-covers; slip covers for outdoor furniture; replacing the seat of a director's chair; making Roman blinds for the patio,,, the possibilities are endless...😃
@@mwebb2162 I did indeed, it was soaked overnight in Epsom salts before having 2 rides in the splash 'n' spin and a good go around on the ol' Hills hoist...😃 🙃🐨🇦🇺
there is a beautiful quilt shop in Henniker NH. Their sale section, is located in their very large bathroom! It's hilarious as there are two long shelves of fabric and a big wire basket. The sales are fabulous, a color sticker shows you the discount. Last visit I came out of the bathroom with two fabrics, and they are so beautiful that other people in line wanted to get some of the fabric also! The shop has the most fabulous fabric, and the best selection of bag patterns, but their bathroom clearance is the best.
I have been sewing with canvas drop cloths for a few years now. I make artists aprons, drawstring bags, project bags, and other things with them. Sooo much cheaper than fabric store canvas.
For thrift store fabric, its worth your while to look at smaller, more rural stores. Many have a bag sale day once a month, during which you pay a flat fee for a whole sack of clothes. Its usually $5, meaning you could get several pairs of blue jeans for example for about .50 each. Skirts are great for large pieces and wool coats can be found. Dresses with elaborate beading make lovely purses, sachets, etc.
I like all your suggestions and I never thought of using canvas from the hardware store. That's a great find. I don't make bags just quilts but sometimes I will cover chair covers stuff like that. I love that you say sheets for backings cuz I've been doing it for years and it does save a lot of money. I buy flat sheets that are good quality and they make amazing backings and very cheap especially on half off day. I love all your finds.
One of my favorite places to find fabric is the remnant bin, especially at JoAnn! The one I frequent sells their remnants 50% off the marked price! I’ve been able to build quite the stash built up thanks to the remnant bin!
Great video! All crafting supplies are getting ridiculous in price. Don't they know crafty people will just find another way instead of continuing to pay more?
I am so glad I found your video. I am saving up fabric pieces for a crazy quilt. When I am ready to start working on it, I was going to buy some canvas material for the backing. But I had not thought about using a drop cloth! Like you said, it is much thicker and so would work better for my crazy quilt project. Thank you! ❤
You are so welcome! Have fun with your project! Crazy quilts are so fun! Did you happen to see the crazy quilt I found at an antique shop? My friend Kris from the channel Sew the Distance share it on her channel! It was amazing!
We think alike! I find lots of crafty notions at Lowes when I am following my husband around the store. I just grabbed some paint chip samples last time we were there and punched holes in them to make floss drops for my cross stitch floss. Freebie!! I also find fabrics and sewing notions at garage sales, church sales and estate sales. Love my quilt stores too but finding bargains is so fun!
I have purchased Painters drop cloth for my curtains in the living & dining room! They wash up great! I have cats, and they will destroy regular cotton/poly. I've had my curtains for 5 years now and they are lasting great! When they no longer look good or get torn, I will use again! LOL Yes it's still cheaper than yardage!
I just came across this video and watched because I had to find out where you found any fabric at Lowe’s. I really need to learn how to think outside of the box since it never occurred to me to use drop clothes for tote bags! I have several I was going to make into either curtains or slipcovers but never did. I was about to give them away but now I’m going to make tote bags! This is great for several reasons not the least of which is almost all my plastic store bags are worn out and stores aren’t allowed to use them anymore AND they charge for paper bags! Thank you, thank you!! 👏👍👌💕
I bought one of Harbor Freight's big red tool boxes for my sewing room. They also have magnetic hooks you can put on it to hang your various cutting mats and rulers. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us. God bless. 😊❤❤
Love this video! I love a deal and a discount...lol...and I never thought about getting different color jeans....I've been collecting for a future quilt...now I need to add some color! Thanks for the video!
I've been using drop cloth to line my bags for years. It has a funky smell, IMO, so I always pre wash it a couple times with vinegar. You can always use a cute cotton on the outside and line it with drop cloth on the inside.
You get a lot of scraps of t-shirt fabrics when you only use the graphics. I need to try making some instructions for some simple throw rugs I can make with those, because I have a LOT. (Or, you can use them for cleaning rags. But use them for SOMETHING!)
I completely agree. I cut the strips of leftover shirts thin and you can use it sort of like yarn. I have crocheted little pot holders with it. You just have to make sure they are 100% cotton if you set something really hot on them!
I hate cheap fabric for quilts! Burned too many times. I will say though, I've found some excellent, high quality king sized sheets for backings that are super soft & don't need piecing together. A win win! But, yaaay!! Your idea of home improvement canvas as a sewing medium is freaking genius! Tote bags, like you said, heavy-duty aprons, dyed to pretty colors would be so easy! Torn into strips & braided for rugs & placemats...thenk you for the inspiration.😊
Love love love the canvas drop cloth. I've been using these for a few years. I apholster my box springs with some, I have used it as curtains, and I even have it as curtains on the back to block the harsh desert sun, and the wind.
I’ve been buying painters drop cloths for several years, it’s strong and very thrifty, considering price per yard. I’ve used for many decorator and bag projects. They’re great for covering ottomans in rooms where casual is the theme.
I’ve got scissors in my head so any/all textiles are up for grabs. Thrifting is the best for that $1 Sale rack. Repurpose, reuse, recycle. Harbor Freight has canvas drop cloths too ($13?). 👍
Regarding thrift stores, you can probably find some really cool vintage table cloths to sew with as well. Several years back (2004 / 2005 maybe) I was making window treatments for my living room and found a beautiful table cloth and matching napkins on clearance for dirt cheap ($11) at Macy's. I got the largest table cloth for a huge table to cut the pieces out. The napkins were used for making matching pillows. I think thrift stores would have some nice ones too.
Hi Fallon, Gosh, I had no idea you could buy fabrics at Dollar Tree or Jute. Canvas is a great idea for using! It’s more durable and would hold up better. Great ideas Fallon❣️ 🥰 Chris
Thanks for sharing ...and all of your ideas were great - the tote bag idea I am definitely going to use!! It's fun to shop around and you really don't know what you'll come across!
6 years ago l made a 10'x8' footprint, 10' tall A -frame Viking Age tent with Lowes canvas painters drop cloth. It cost me about $80 for the canvas Vs over $270 plus if l had bought canvas @ Joann fabric store even with using 40% sales coupons! Also Habour Freight has fairly cheap drop cloth but not a true canvas fabric.
Estate, downsizing sales, bridal shop that makes ,also a friend started small then later contract to collect material used in banquet, parties,wedding etc. Reclaimes them into their products.
My cats' climbing tree was looking scruffy-- the carpet was all pulled and fraying. I bought one of those canvas drop clothes, and made "slip covers" to go over the pole-- just some rectangles with edges finished, and heavy duty zippers that open all the way. We got a couple of more years use out of the thing, being able to take the covers off from time to time to launder.
Wow! Thanks I wish I would have came across your video years earlier u could have saved a whole bunch of money I have been too some of these places, a never thought about buying fabric as I was shopping I'm going to be like Johnny quest from now on ❤no rock will be unturned 😅
I have used the drop cloths for curtains. Put cloth tabs at the top and you are good. I have gone to thrift stores to get vintage Bark cloth from old curtains. I also have a ton of vintage jeans. I have cut out so many zippers. I'm also a Harbor Freight fan.they
