How to Find Affordable Fabric at Thrift Stores
- Lindsey
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Have you noticed how expensive fabric has become lately?
It's not uncommon to see garment fabrics priced at $10, $20, or even $30 per yard - ahem, Liberty of London...I'm looking at you! If you're sewing a dress that requires three yards of fabric, the cost can add up quickly.
With the closing of JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts, we lost the ability to find quality fabrics that we can touch and feel in person. Not to mention the great sales and coupons we could use to get those fabrics affordably.
The good news? You don't have to pay retail prices to create a quality handmade wardrobe you love.
One of my favorite ways to save money on sewing is by shopping for fabric at thrift stores. Whether you're searching for vintage treasures, high-quality natural fibers, or simply looking to stretch your sewing budget, thrift stores can be an incredible resource. And, best of all, you can touch and feel them just like a regular fabric store.
In this guide, I'll share what to look for, what to avoid, and a few tips that have helped me score some amazing fabric finds over the years.
Why Thrift Stores Are Great for Sewists
Thrift stores are full of sewing potential—you just have to know where to look.
Many people donate perfectly good household linens, curtains, tablecloths, and even unused fabric that can easily be transformed into beautiful garments.
Shopping secondhand offers several benefits:
It costs significantly less than buying fabric at retail prices.
You can often find high-quality fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and even silk.
You'll discover unique prints and vintage fabrics that aren't available in fabric stores.
It's a sustainable way to sew by giving textiles a second life.
You can experiment with new patterns or techniques without worrying about ruining expensive fabric.
For beginner sewists especially, thrift stores are a fantastic place to practice new skills without investing a lot of money.
Where to Look
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is heading straight to the craft section.
While some thrift stores do receive donated fabric, most of my best finds come from completely different departments.
Here are the first places I check:
Flat Sheets
Flat sheets are one of the best fabric sources you'll find.
They provide large, uninterrupted pieces of fabric that are perfect for dresses, skirts, pajama sets, shirts, and even muslins. Natural fiber sheets made from cotton or linen are especially valuable.
Duvet Covers
Duvet covers are like giant pieces of yardage. Most duvets are double sided meaning you'll get twice the amount of fabric than other pieces of bedding. Many have beautiful prints and provide enough fabric for multiple garments.
Curtains
Don't overlook the curtain aisle. Curtain panels often contain several yards of fabric and can be surprisingly soft after a few washes. Linen-blend curtains are one of my favorite thrift store finds. Some of them are also lined with a thin cotton which you can also use in your project, obviously!
Tablecloths
Tablecloths are great for tops, skirts, aprons, children's clothing, and accessories. Round tablecloths can even work well for circle skirts depending on their size. Lace tablecloths are espeically great for adding a little something extra to your makes.
Existing Clothing
Sometimes the fabric is already made into something. Maxi skirts, oversized dresses, men's shirts, and other garments can all be harvested for usable fabric or refashioned into something completely new. I love using scarves for smaller sewing projects.
How to Check Fabric Quality
Not every thrifted textile is worth bringing home. Before you buy, take a few moments to inspect the fabric.
Look for Stains
Some stains wash out. Others don't. If a stain sits in the middle of the usable fabric, I usually pass. But sometimes, you can layout your pattern avoiding the stains.
Check for Wear
Hold the fabric up to the light. Look for thinning areas, tears, excessive pilling, or worn spots that could affect your finished garment.
Check the Fiber Content
If there's still a label attached, even better! Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and silk are often easier to sew and wear, but don't rule out quality blends if they suit your project.
My Favorite Thrift Store Finds
One of the things I love most about thrift shopping is that every trip is different. I've found everything from beautiful cotton sheets to high-quality linen curtains that became garments I still wear today. The thrill of discovering something unexpected is part of the fun—and it's one of the reasons I keep going back.
Check Out Some Of My Favorite Thrift Store Fabric Makes!
Linen Refashion
Some of my favorite makes include this set that I made from a shapless column dress. It came with wooden buttons (hello?!) and a slit in the skirt that I was able to include in the refashion.
Fringe Napkin Dress
This dress was made from linen napkins! They all had fringe edges so I used that in my final make, too.
Embroidered Tablecloth Top
Another stand out was this hand embroidered tablecloth that I turned into a cute, summery top!
Simpliicty 9141 by Cynthia Rowley in a thrifted sheet.
A designer dress for less? Yes, please! This pattern also required minimal notions keeping costs really low.
Sewing Therapy Hanbok Vest from a thrifted curtain.
The Hanbok Vest is a FREE sewing pattern! So combined with my thrifted fabric, this top cost me $3 to make. PS: the skirt is a free pattern too, the Sew Over It Ruby Skirt. Check out my Free Sewing Pattern Master List for hundreds of free garment sewing patterns!
Watch Me Shop for Fabric
If you've never shopped for fabric at a thrift store before, I filmed one of my shopping trips so you can see exactly what I look for.
In this video, I'll show you where I shop first, how I evaluate different textiles, and the kinds of items that immediately catch my attention.
Tips for Successful Thrift Fabric Shopping
After years of shopping secondhand, here are a few habits that have helped me find better fabric:
Visit often since inventory changes daily.
Don't be afraid to spread out and get a good look at the entire piece.
Check every department, not just craft supplies.
Think about the fabric first, not the item it's currently made into.
Wash everything before sewing.
It's ok to leave empty-handed. Not every trip will be a jackpot.
Final Thoughts
Building a handmade wardrobe doesn't have to be expensive.
By combining thrifted fabric with free sewing patterns, sales, and thoughtful planning, you can create beautiful garments while staying within your budget.
Some of my favorite sewing projects started with an inexpensive thrift store find, and yours might too.
If you're looking for even more ways to save money while sewing, be sure to explore my Sew on a Budget resource hub and my growing collection of Free Sewing Patterns. Together, they'll help you spend less time worrying about your sewing budget and more time creating clothes you'll love.
Happy sewing!
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