Where to Buy Cheap Fabric! | 9 Ways to Buy Quilting Fabric for Less

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Did I miss any great places to buy bargain fabric for quilting? Let me know!

[@Old_Scot]

Since you're in Scotland, Aldi have recently started selling bundles of fat quarters - a bundle of five for about £4. They had Harry Potter fabric a couple of months ago which I used to make a quilt for a young relative, and Winnie the Pooh fabric I used to make some baby quilts. It seems decent quality - none of the colours have run so far!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

@@Old_Scot I’ve not been to an Aldi recently good tip - eBay is definitely my first port of call usually. I am terrible for preferring to shop online, the opposite of most fabric shoppers probably!!

[@danalynn2404]

Our Aldi's in PA, USA doesn't have fabric yet but I'll keep my daughters looking for it. One does instacart and spends hours in Aldi's every day.

[@danalynn2404]

I went and checked out a couple of the sights you listed that were great deals for inexpensive fabric. OMG girl you made a addict out of me with the bonEful on Ebay. I've already won 452 bids and spent at least $200. But so worth it. Its quilt quality and for a scrap quilt junky like myself... buying Fat 8ths is a dream come true. It may not be the cheapest BTY, but I am living for the variety I can obtain for close such a low price if I buy enough to get the free shipping. Thank you so much for that tip. DanaLynn

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Yes it’s totally addictive! Sorry! Enjoy your haul!!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

Great ideas. A friend's sister asked if i wanted her scraps/yardage. I jumped for joy.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Good for you! I would have jumped for joy too 😂! Happy sewing!

[@SparkyOne549]

I lucked out with denim, my husband is a 300lb 6’7 guy, we cleaned out our closet and I ended up with 8 pairs of jeans he can’t wear anymore because he lost weight. I cleaned out the linen closet and got mismatched sheets from not cleaning it out before. I use most of the sheets for muslins before I make clothes, and extra stored for quilts. I find thrift stores are also great for sheets.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Amazing! I love it when my husband cleans out his closet…shame he only does it every 5 years or so 😂

[@MomAsol]

Thanks for sharing, 3 years ago I bought great bargain of Quilting fabrics at our community Facebook group. That’s my first time I start collecting fabrics for my sewing projects.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@danalynn2404]

Loved this episode. Being a ret vet on a budget I am not shy about using cloths to make scrap quilts. Last year walmart was selling mens dress shirts and flannel shirts all 100% cotton for $1.00 a piece. I bought 20 and spent a few days cutting the seams away. I used all the collar's and wrist pieces to make bath mats. I've got a 50 gal rubber made container full of all the jeans my daughters grew out of over 20 years lol. " some day it will be a quilt" I also don't shy away from fabrics that are not cotton. Slap some interfacing on it and it works great. Sometimes I think I quilt just so I can play with and buy fabric.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Love it! I hoard other people’s old jeans too 😉! I love a denim quilt!

[@Yodi430]

I totally love your comment! Great idea to buy men's shirts! I love to upcycle/recycle and LOVE LOVE LOVE scrappy quilts.

[@danalynn2404]

@@Yodi430 I'm trying to convince my daughters a trip to the salvation army thrift store on half off day is something we need to do. I love to comb threw the isles looking for cloths that the fabric calls to me. It usually ends up being some funky print from the 60's-70's or a mans striped stress shirt. You can get so much bang for your buck in a quilt when you use stripes.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

That is my idea of a fun day out! Have fun when it happens!

[@Yodi430]

@@danalynn2404 absolutely! Totally agree!

[@jilbertb]

Go to department stores (Kohls, JC Penny, etc...) and go to the big ladies clearance rack. I had bought a size 20 pleated skirt which was 100"+ wide, unpleated. I've also bought clothing fabric rems at Joann's and made a really nice crazy quilt. (Wash everything first!) My best "secret" is, if you buy from the same etsy store a lot (i do) ask them if they have any rems. I can sometimes score 2 or 3 for free with a purchase!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Great tips!

[@Amritadivya54]

I've got another option to add: volunteer to help teach sewing at a charity program. I teach sewing to mostly immigrent women who mostly speak Spanish or Chinese or some other language. Said charity receives lots of fabric donations. Turns out poor women from whatever country have something in common: they love bright colors. So the more subtle fabrics are offered to volunteers on a regular basis. I now (after 7 months of volunteering) have close to a life-time supply of fabric. Lots of them are 1/2 yard or smaller, but I like making crumb blocks so I'm happy. I also make some cat beds for an animal shelter(given to foster care or new homes).

[@AnitaSouthall]

Excellent chat, I repurpose lots of clothes for projects

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@familyof5514]

This is such a practical video with great information. So many of the you tubers use brand-new fabrics, and scrap quilts are their last thought. It's such waste. I enjoy scrap quilts and have made many. Thanks for sharing ❤️❤️

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! So glad you liked it. Happy Quilting!

[@NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen]

Wonderful, very helpful video! My 2 fav thrifty ways to buy/obtain fabric is... First is family and friend cleanups (often free). Next best thing is Thrift stores. (I buy lightly used fabric, clothes, sheets, anything I can cut up and resew). I donate a LOT of items in good shape to local thrift stores, and often barter with them for used textiles, or st least a good discount. One lady even calls me in advance if she gets a donation she thinks I can use. Sadly (but good for crafters), when grandma dies, families often box up her craft and sewing stashed and donate the whole lot. Last, and totally off topic, I was shocked to learn you were in the UK! I've been watching a couple of monthscabd never picked up on that!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Ha ha! Yes I’m in the U.K. but originally from Canada so my accent confuses people! Love your local thrifting connections - great when you have contacts!

[@AnitaSouthall]

​@@ScrapFabricLove Ah, Canadian Eh. I did wonder 🤔

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Yes - many people get confused by the location vs the accent 😂! I’ve lived in Scotland for 20 years.

[@tanyawales5445]

Army Navy surplus stores often have military twin size bed wool blankets. I have found the Army blankets (dark green) are better quality than the Navy (midnight blue).

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Good tip!

[@sewforlife5728]

I'm in the USA but lived in the UK for 7 yrs and I was surprised that there was not many fabric shops. I'm a tailor for 30 yrs now and I would find home decor fabric shops, but not dress making fabric shops. I also saw several India clothing fabric shops. Those seem to be plentiful. It was hard for me to make clothing for people because it was hard to find fabric. I did find one small shop hidden away that was close to where I lived in the east midlands. (Good thing I am a licensed hair dresser because I got a job in hair salon and sewed on the side.) Tons of knitting shops though..lol I'm new at quilting, well I been dabbling in it for a few yrs now. Lol there is also fabric manufacturers that have fabric sample books that they will give free or for a few bucks. I have gotten several of those. A lot of them are 15cm/6inch squares and I got some that were 12"/30cm squares and perfect for scrap quilting. I got some that had several patterns but each pattern was in 3 different color schemes which makes for some cool designs. I use to find lots of fabrics at car boots as well, but of course the USA don't have those. Side note: I miss the UK terribly. I'm jealous.😉 👍

[@ScrapFabricLove]

There are definitely pros and cons to the fabric scenes in both places! You definitely have more quilt shops where you are now! Enjoy!

[@deliad8826]

Hi Kristen, I am so glad to have found your channel. I am so inspired to use scraps as well as how to source quality fabric without breaking the bank thanks to you. Just watched this video last evening, and already have placed an order for "scrap bags" from a quilt shop here in the States. Great content and look forward to future videos.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab! Thanks! So glad it helped you!

[@gbyrd1970]

Dottie's scrappy bag from pineapple fabrics is really good to build your stash and it's only 18.98 a month. Look it up to get the details of you're interested. It's good quality fabric and good size pieces too.

[@deliad8826]

@@gbyrd1970 Will give it a look! Not familiar with that fabric shop. Thanks

[@gbyrd1970]

@@deliad8826 no problem. Hope you like it!

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

I like you! - Your presentation, your voice... Thank you for the great ideas!🥰💜❤💜❤💜❤💜❤💜

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much! So lovely of you!

[@kathleen.rogers1442]

Just found this video, thank you for this information, I am always looking for inexpensive fabric, my church makes girls dresses for shoebox ministry with Samaritan’s purse, each dress requires 1 yard so it can get expensive with today’s price of fabric!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab! Glad it was useful for you! Good luck with all your dresses!

[@annettegraff8323]

Interesting how others buy fabric now. I'm a touchy feely fabric shopper. I used to shop estate sales and flea market here in the states. I even worked in a fabric n craft store before the nasty bug hit I've retired and don't buy fabric as I've a huge stash . I used coupons and sales to get yardage plus my employee discount. I regularly shopped the remnant pile and discontinued section . My best deals were at fleas where you could fill a bag for $.50 or a $1.00 . I got so many antique blocks and tops that I enjoy working on . A shame families don't treasure al that work . Most of the fabric was better quality and color too ! I'm currently downsizing and need to be realistic about what I can finish. So I'm going to have to gift some things to family and focus on the fabric . I know here the thrifts don't get much and Goodwill puts it in recycle for stuffing or such . 🙄

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Have fun ‘shopping your stash’! Sounds like you bagged some bargains over the years!

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

My family has never appreciated ANYTHING I've made. They prefer a gift card or money. I just don't exchange gifts with the anymore. 🤷‍♀️

[@ScrapFabricLove]

That’s a shame. But you can make things for yourself and you don’t have to part with them!

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

@@ScrapFabricLove Yes! And give things to nice neighbors, friends, children in need...etc🙂😉

[@coreygilles847]

I love these ideas! I didn’t know some of these options!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab! Glad you liked them!

[@danalynn2404]

Since you turned me on to the list of cheaper places to buy fabric. I've become addicted to an Ebay seller called bonEful, She sells FQ but their very exspensive, but if you bid of her Fat8ths you get alot of variety and if your smart about it and make sure you buy 40 pieces then she removes the S&H. This has to occur within 4 days. As long as you follow the directions and read the descriptions you'll be OK. I have also found random folks selling fabric who will combine shipping, and if you really want a great deal, try putting the fabric in you watch list and alot of times they will offer a lower price. I recently bought 95 FQ for $78. + a free yrd of fabric. Fabric Warehouse has some nice quilting fabric $4.95. Per yrd

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Sounds like you’ve got your own system down now! Well done you! Happy Sewing!

[@sheilaisom194]

Thanks for the information, it will come in handy. I have bought remnant pieces for years from Walmart and joann's. I have quiet a collection from those. Blessings!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I love shopping remnants. So much fun!

[@janetcozens5756]

Hi there I'm also from the UK (Buckinghamshire) very nice too meet you 😃😃😃💐💐💐 I'm also a female love anything to do with crafts. I go too a local sewing group in My town and We just do any craft We like to do most of the Ladies that go are making Quilts but most of all We always have fun whilst craftting for a few hours. Almost of all a nice brew 🫖 ☕ maybe even a biscuit or 2 😅😅😅😅 By the way as you can see my name is Janet but I prefer Jan 😃😃😃

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Hi Jan! Thanks for introducing yourself! That group of yours sounds fab! I go to a quilt guild here in Edinburgh but I don’t have a little stitch group like that - maybe one day!

[@debsking8017]

Hi Kristen. How lovely to find a fellow quilter here in the UK. Thank you for sharing these tips. I'm so excited to get hunting now. It's lovely to hear how to QAYG UK style. I've tried to buy things they use in USA but not available here. But now thanks to you I can do it 😄🙂 xxx

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Aw fab! So glad it was useful for you!!

[@LDH_Crafts]

I lovvvvve me some bolt ends I can always find large bundles

[@marionbartley214]

Thank you Kristen this is great information for buying fabric and sales.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Glad it was useful!

[@gotyoubythezipper]

Low volume i think it refers to lighter in color

[@ScrapFabricLove]

It means ‘reads as white’ - as in from a distance you just see it as white or light background rather than a big bold print or something

[@marywoodworth395]

Great info. I like your down to earth way of talking. Have a great day

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much. So glad you liked it. You have a great day too!

[@danalynn2404]

If anyone loves to use quilting graph paper it can be very exspensive. I resently found a desk blotter filled with exstra large graph paper 50 sheets for $15.

[@danalynn2404]

Thats on Amazon

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Great find!

[@josiecalligaro5147]

There is a grid on reverse side of most gift wrapping paper that can be used to draw a design. Thank you for all the ideas to acquire fabric. I just started quilting at 76 years old after resisting it for years, then I moved next door to a quilter and she convinced me by just watching her. She has a long arm machine as well and quilts other people’s creation. Completed my first two baby quilts for donations.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab! Well done you for starting! And lucky you with a long arm next door! I’m jealous! Have fun!

[@casageorgia]

Hi. I just found your channel and really liked your video. You mentioned clothing, but I thought I’d mention specifically cotton men’s shirts, the bigger the better. I make yoyo quilts and made a whole quilt from men’s shirts from charity shops.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Yes totally! Men’s shirts are great for sewing with!

[@gbyrd1970]

What's a yoyo quilt?

[@romonaelrod7870]

@@gbyrd1970 a A yo yo is a circle of fabric that you gather the outside edge and pull it tight in the center. Then knot your thread. Then you flatten it. Then you sew them together on the edges. They are really cute made up into quilts,coverlets and table covers. I usually start with a 5 inch circle and it finishes about 2 inches.

[@gbyrd1970]

@@romonaelrod7870 oh ok cool!

[@wendyward1157]

I making a Halloween yoyo quilt! Love making them!

[@lyndapatrick8303]

Thank you for these great bargain sale ideas !

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Happy shopping!

[@susanonealsmith8434]

Thank you so much for the great tips. I plan to relax and look at some of the sites you recommend now that the rush of Christmas is behind us.I always go to the clearance sections first in my local quilt shops, and love Etsy after the season sales. But your sites sound intriguing! Thanks so much! And I'm excited for the QAL in January.♥️

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Glad you liked the tips - hope you find some good bargains!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed listening to you talking about different ways to get cheaper fabrics. I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much! So glad you liked this one!

[@owlhollowadventures283]

I buy fabric on Whatnot :) Awesome deals!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Not heard of that one - I’ll check it out! Thanks

[@owlhollowadventures283]

Yes, hatleysfabrics is my favorite show! Great deals! All the sellers are really so nice! :)

[@shawnaleewhitney6630]

Great recommendations. Thanks!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Glad you liked them!

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

I am admiring the wall hanging behind you, I can only see a small part but I am curious, did you make this, I would love to see the whole thing. Thank you for the great tips.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Is it green mostly? I can’t remember exactly what my room was like when I filmed this (I change my room around a lot 😂!), but I think it is probably a wall hanging I bought in India. It is made of lots of scraps from Saris (the traditional Indian dress for women). I had it framed so I could hang it without damaging it.

[@pamelatheobald337]

Thank you. Your video has been very helpful

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Oh good! Glad it was useful!

[@katehenry2718]

Let it be known that you quilt. Fabric will show up at your door un-announced. Bags and bags of it. Some BIG pieces, lots of "leftovers", but enough to cover your roof in short time. Use what you like and send on the rest in the same Secret Santa method, or stock it in clear bins. Just keep making quilts. Fabric will come. )))) No need to buy any ever. )))

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Brilliant! Love it!

[@geminigem599]

So true 😊

[@kimmcvitty3580]

I am in Scotland and find fabric and pre cuts terribly expensive. I have found sheets in charity shops for backing. I sometimes buy a 100% cotton, super king size flat sheet . That gives enough for 2 single downie backs.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

So much cheaper that way - I use the front and back of old duvet covers the same way.

[@kimmcvitty3580]

Also if I need binding I often just buy s pillowcase. I don't worry too much about it being a cotton mix rather than 100% cotton for the edging.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

@@kimmcvitty3580 never thought of that for binding! Cool!

[@Old_Scot]

I do that as well. TK Maxx can be a good source of high quality cotton sheets. It's a pity we don't have such a large quilting community in Scotland! I don't have any friends who are into patchwork :(

[@ScrapFabricLove]

@@Old_Scot hi! I am in Edinburgh and there are two quilt guilds here. Have you checked locally for quilt groups? You can also join the Modern Quilt Guild as an individual member if you don’t have a local group.

[@TypeOneg]

I just eBay hauled 12 12" pinwheel blocks in black and yellow prints on white/white print. Very high quality material, probably $60 worth of fabric and time and work. Guess how much? $20 delivered... !!! Also, i thrift men's cotton xxxxl dress shirts, launder them, cut the cuffs, the collar and button plackets off, cut the seams out, square up the remaining fabric and add it to my stash.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Brilliant! Great find!

[@simonnerowley8120]

I belong to a quilt club and when a member is retiring from quilting, they will sell their stash at 5.00 / mt. Also people walk in and say my Mom passed away can you use this fabric. We make many comfort quilts for out community so nothing is wasted.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Sounds like a lovely club to be part of!

[@cynthiaanderson4335]

I enjoyed this video very informative!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! So glad you liked it!

[@cookie4me5555]

This was so interesting. Thanks for the ideas.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

So glad you liked it!

[@pamelahill7164]

My daughter in law has a seamstress shop and saves me all her cotton scraps and gives them to me. I sew with a lot of scraps

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Sounds fab!

[@Vintagekindagirl3]

Great tips. Thank you.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks!

[@lindawhite5006]

Great ideas!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks!

[@caolgilliland2388]

I ❤ your videos. You have a perfect way to quilt. Ish !

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much!

[@thesecretslimmer]

It's really hard to find other quilters in the UK. How can someone find out about quilting guilds?

[@ScrapFabricLove]

There are two kind of umbrella ‘guilds’ that should be able to tell you if there is a local group near you. Look up the Modern Quilt Guild (connected to the US one but there is a U.K. arm) and the Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles. Hopefully one of them will have an active group near you!!

[@thesecretslimmer]

@@ScrapFabricLove thanks! I'll check it out.

[@sueduquemin7119]

When you bought from the US did you have to pay import tax.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Not that I remember. It wasn’t a huge order though so maybe you do if the order is worth more? Not sure sorry!

[@ferrisbean]

Dollar tree has 5 dollar jelly rolls and 5 fat quarters for 5 dollars please review

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Good tip!

[@stephaniecrosson1538]

The DT jelly rolls only have 20 strips and are way more loosely woven than quilt cotton.

[@gail9289]

I would love to buy someone else's stash but don't because I'm concerned about cleanliness. Is the fabric coming from a smokers home? Did a pet sleep and/or pee on the fabric? Does the home have bed bugs, moths or silverfish? Any suggestions on how to weed out these sellers?

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I buy a lot of fabric this way and I’ve only ever had one piece of fabric that arrived smelling like smoke and it was one where the person just listed it as ‘fabric’ it didn’t say cotton or anything more specific so maybe that should have been a red flag! Other than that I have never had an issue - if you are concerned you could just decided to always wash as soon as it arrives I suppose.

[@SparkyOne549]

Always wash what you get before using.

[@romonaelrod7870]

I have bought a lot of fabric on Ebay,I only had a little bit of pet hair on fabric one time. The fabric might sometimes smell like it's been sitting around for a while if it is vintage. I have never had any that smelled of smoke.

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

SMELL BEFORE YOU BUY¿¿ Haaahaaaahaa LOL.

[@imaprincessdammit]

As soon as I open a package, I wash the fabric with oxyclean and a cup of vinegar in the wash. It has never failed me at getting rid of any smells and/or stains. The package gets opened up right at the washing machine and the packaging goes straight to the recycling bin.

[@bfree6521]

Good ideas

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks!

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

There is no shame in being frugal girl! Thank you!

[@engien460]

I am in UK too .... it make me layfjt when you said. ..2as a match England cs Wales hahahaha so typical . Even quilt shops need have deal for some kind a footy match or jubilee or post Brexit party or party gate hahahahaha.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Too true!

[@janetcozens5756]

Amazing information what ever happened to Renments Oh yes now I know Fat Quarter's & Jelly Rolls Hmmmmm. That's what I call Crafty Heeeeeeeeeee lol lol lol xxx

[@lalagamma4452]

Great suggestions! Namaste ✌️ 🤗🐞🥰🧵

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! Glad you liked them!

[@wendyward1157]

Sometimes my thrift store has bags of fabric cheap. Hard to get...they sell fast.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I bet they do!

[@ttirella5608]

Helpful thx

[@jojorey6886]

It’s better to buy fabric cheap than buy cheap fabric.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Oh definitely! Probably a poor choice of words on my part!

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

@@ScrapFabricLove I understand you Girl!! No worries❣🥰😍X

[@melodine707]

Thanks for this. Dangerous though....DanGerous!!!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

😂 yes definitely!!

[@gotyoubythezipper]

Green fairy quilts, fabric fetish, sit and sew all have scrap bags

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Don’t know those shops but maybe I’ll look them up! Thanks

[@danalynn2404]

Thanks for tip

[@mamakaka73]

Shipping is so expensive now tha it's not worth it if you're not local.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

My sister says that - she lived in Canada. Shipping is pretty cheap where I am here in the U.K. - smaller country I guess!

[@ladyrebeccaroth-altic7011]

Too many "ummm"s

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks for the feedback

[@dcwatashi]

You really shouldn’t say in your title cheap fabric I don’t want cheap fabric I want good fabric at a less expensive price. Too late to change your title now

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I certainly didn’t mean to suggest anyone buys bad quality fabric! I meant cheap like not expensive! Sorry for the confusion!

[@dcwatashi]

@@ScrapFabricLove Maybe the words “ how to get a good deal when buying Fabric” would have been a bit better

[@susanschroeter7230]

She is absolutely appropriate in using the term "cheap"! Per the dictionary: cheap /CHēp/ adjective (of an item for sale) low in price; worth more than its cost. "they bought some cheap fruit"

[@sweetsugarjones]

@@ScrapFabricLove There’s no real confusion or need to apologize. So far, over 20k viewers were able to work out the semantics without injuring themselves in any way. Thank you for sharing your information with us.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks!

[@sandyedwards4285]

Absolutely loved the information thank you so much however no disrespect but the smacking in between is a bit annoying 🫣

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks for the feedback! That is a habit i didn’t know I had until someone else pointed it out. In my newer videos I try to edit that out as much as possible but I can’t really go back and edit the old ones unfortunately!