MrA is addicted to charity-shop shopping. Me, not so much. Things have changed since I started sewing though. Instead of hanging around outside impatiently waiting I’ve started looking for fabrics.
I’ve had a few good fabric finds in oxfam stores recently. I thought I’d share a few makes and plans.
I love this fabric, it’s not really what I wear, the colour or the pattern, but I love the gold in the design and I always take it on holiday. It’s got a nice soft linen collar.
This pink one was a tablecloth I think. £3.50 for the equivalent of about 3m. I made the shirt to wear on holiday in Thailand, long sleeves for the temples. And I love the summery colours.
It’s not my best collar, but I get a lot of wear out of this shirt.
This was a great find from an Oxfam in Cornwall. It’s the exact same M&S duvet cover that MrA and his brother had in the 70’s/80’s. His brothers was this blue version. MrA had the green one. The polyester content makes it a bit springy but it’s surprising comfortable on a hot day!
I also found some nice navy corduroy in Oxfam in York, enough for trousers, £4. I’ll make them towards the end of the summer I expect.
And this embroidered duvet cover for £5 is going to be a Stevie Nicks style summer dress for my oldest (longest!) friend MrsH. If I ever get on with it!
It feels good to make the donation. It feels good to get more fabric. (It feels good to not be waiting outside in the inevitable cold/rain.) Win-win (win!). Have you had any good charity shop fabric finds?
Happy hunting!
That M&S duvet shirt is amazing! I wish London chairty shops focused on haberdashery and fabric but the best charity shops (with the best prices) are always outside London. Great finds!
Thank you! I must admit, my best finds have, so far, been out of town, but I always have a look now… There’s usually an old curtain on a hanger in the corner rather than a haberdashery section per se, but always worth a look!
I gave up going in charity shops for awhile but I need to get back into looking! 🙂
Shame I can’t add pictures but I’ve just found a few scarves and sarongs in my local charity shop that will make lovely summer tops for some of you friends. Some prints could make really interesting linings for waistcoats or even ties for even more hubby points for you 😉
Said ‘hubby points’ might even earn you a nice sewing cabinet or chest maybe. I’ve seen some amazing ideas made from wardrobes or even small closet cupboards. A little ingenuity with shelves and storage ideas and you’d be amazed what you can do in a small space 😀
Lainey x
Great ideas, thank you. I’ve asked him to look out for oxfam clothes to upcycle/ alter for me, like he needs more reasons to charity shop!
Your sewing room looks great, it’s about the size of my lounge!! … I’m due another re-sort & condense of my sewing things! … Isn’t that part of the fun though?
A x
I have two fabulous pair of curtains. One pair will make a lovely Chinese cheongsam dress and the other pair consists of a fine sheer layer with ribbon flowers one that I intend to turn into a 50s inspired wedding/prom dress. Both pairs together cost me less than £12. I’ve brought a heavy lace jacket too that will make a nice overlay on a dress at some point in the last few days. I often look at the clothes just to see what I can turn things into. I have two old dresses I was given too that will be up-cycled in the near future 😀 Its a great way to shop for fabrics
Lainey
Wow, you’ve got some sewing plans! They all sound great. It’s rare for me to find ‘man’ fabric, but I like the way that pushes me to be braver! I wish I had the stash-space to keep more ‘ideas’ , but I guess it’s for the best! X