I’ve been picking things up all summer from the local thrifts and yard sales. It all gets laundered. All of it- suit jackets too – but I don’t put them in the dryer.
When I hit a thrift store hunting for fabric my first stop is always the xl men’s long-sleeve shirt section. Men’s wear in general is rich with possibilities.
Feel is important. This pin stripe shirt is worn to perfection but not falling apart. The cotton is excellent. There are a few stains and little holes but that’s easy to work around. My first project was an elephant rag doll. The sleeves were more than enough for one doll.
I used a bit of another striped shirt for her cap and a mr. socks’s doll.
I love this wool but I’m not seasonally prepared to work with wool just yet. I am planning on owls and owl ornaments and something for the tiny rag doll. And definitely some vessels. Stay tuned – I’ll be posting more finished projects through autumn.
Are you up for a thrifty challenge this fall? It’s super simple. Just take a photo of what you made, and let us know (or even take a photo of) what you made it from. And you don’t have to buy anything – you’ve probably got stuff lying around. Tag your post with #thriftysewingchallenge – you can also tag @annwood in your caption on instagram.
Where to post? Instagram, facebook and in the stitch club community.
fall approaches
I’ve got ambitious late summer/early fall reading plans. First up, Lonesome Dove. It’s giant.
try this
Edward Gorey House is hosting an all ages envelope decorating contest! They’ve just announced the theme – Evil Garden.
So good. Find all the details here.
I am very bummed that I just missed my favorite thrift stores 75% off sale. Last time they had it I picked up the nicest men’s shirts in cheerful ginghams. The quality of every one was exceptional. I made a practice piece of a very basic top with each piece made from a different shirt. I thought I’d never wear it out of the house. Every time I wear it out of the house, someone comments on how much they like it. I laugh every time and feel great. 🙂 Sewing with such fine fabrics was an exciting experience — very different from the quilting cottons I generally sew with.
Nice! You can really hit the jackpot on fabric quality.
Just finished The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods – magical. As was, in a very different way, Still Life by Sarah Winman. All of Sarah Winman’s books are exquisite and she reads them for Audio books and, as an actress, does a grand job. Unmissable ❤️
An absolutely magical book!
I loved this book! We need a little magic in our lives.
I love doing this stuff, wondering where you all get patterns for the dolls, I would like some free ones if that is possible, love the elephant!!!! I have some Tommy bahamas shisrts from husband that I would love to make into some tops for me!!! Made one but not really happy with it!!!
I sew regularly with articles I pick up at thrift stores. Denim is a favorite and I make many denim bags, all sorts. I also love upcycling men’s shirts. So e I use for linings in the denim bags I make but I have made two tops for myself. Each wearing gets several compliments.
I like to make things without patterns, trial and error. I use a msn’s shirt when applicable so if it’s a loss, I only spent a little for it. I usually get men’s shirts for under $2.00.
Oh I forgot, am ready Woman, it is about the Vietnam war nurses!!!!
Excellent read.
I check out my local MCM thrift store for fabric on a regular basis. I also check out their sewing notions, thread and patterns. It is my first stop when sewing before local fabric or quilt shops.
I recently finished the book “The book club for troublesome women” by Marie Bostwick. It was wonderful! It made me think about what my mom went through as a young woman. Loved it!
Book rec: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, so so good.
I’m just finishing a lightweight cardigan/coatigan using a thrifted quilt made from barkcloth strips (pattern is the All Well Cardigan Coat). I find it so much more satisfying to “make it work” using thrifted materials!
I do the exact same thing you do by going straight to men’s xl shirts. Then I make my way to the back wall with all of the suitcases. I’m always looking for the small hard sided travel train cases. I love them for portable project storage. Yesterday when I returned home, my husband asked if I bought any fabric. I said “No, I got an old peach crate on wheels to use for storing fabric, a basket for my sewing table and a skein of wool yarn.” He said “Yarn counts as fabric.” Ha! Busted.
Yes, I too thrift men’s XXL shirts for the fabric! Chambray blues & woven cottons are my go tos and of course the buttons are put to good use also 🙂
Oh please read Theo of Golden, a book about kindness, with so many threads to follow through the book that are surged together by the beautiful ending. A coffee shop and small town life give the characters the immediacy of the here and now.
I read and loved Theo of Golden earlier this year. I might be my favorite book ever, at the very least it’s one that has stayed with me.
I love Thrift shopping. I have been “rescuing” cotton shirts, wool jackets, lightweight leathers and denims for years. I am a teddy bear maker and costume many of my pieces with thrifted fabrics and make many different critters. It makes my heart pitter pat to find a wonderful piece of fabric (it’s what I consider my finds to be – fabric)
btw – I read or listen to books by Jennifer Chiaverini – all are wonderful
I am a regular thrifter although in Australia it is more commonly called Op Shopping. I have a huge collection of “rescued” vintage linen, I wear a lot of my clothing finds which are often designer brands picked up for under $10AuD and I use shirts, denim, cottons and wool in my hand stitched art works. I love repurposing fabrics.
Thanks for the wonderful idea of using thrifted men’s shirts for sewing projects!
Love the thrift shops! I’ve gotten prom and bridesmaid gowns that are like brand new to use in making doll clothes at thrift shops. Lovely fabrics at an unbelievable price!
I just finished Daily Rituals by Mason Currey. He writes short chapters on the creative habits of dozens of successful creative people (composers, writers, artists, etc). I found it a great read!
Have you posted about those octopi lurking on the chair in the background of your photo? I’m intrigued!
All of my fabric comes from the thrift or yard sales. Sometimes it’s unused yardage but often it’s clothing. Even when we had a fabric store, there weren’t fine fabrics like wool and silk that I’m needing for natural dye projects. I’ve recently picked up some fun striped denim and a very old pair of men’s wool trousers, for when it’s seasonally appropriate to sew with wool. Soon now I hope.