Question:
Having become aware of "Jewelry Findings", I'm wondering if I can do the same with Fabrics???....Having lots and lots of clothing items that are really unusable as clothing (stains, rips, etc) I've taken to cutting off buttons, appliques, embroirdered designs, zippers, even portions of interesting fabrics for use on sewing projects...Thinking of calling them and trims, threads, binding tapes, etc "Fabric Findings".....
Whadda ya'll think???
Answer:
Mary,
Personally I LOVE the idea!
I probably wouldn't bother with zippers however, unless they are the rhinestone type or something else very special.
So how will you sell them?
Elaine
Answer:
Mary,
Personally I LOVE the idea! Oh goodie!...It's gotta be a winner if a real sewer likes it (me & sewing NOT good!..he.he.hehe...)
I probably wouldn't bother with zippers however, unless they are the rhinestone type or something else very special. Usually I only take heavy duty large ones (like from a jacket)...OR interesting/odd ones....
So how will you sell them? Probably a big basket of "findings" to dig thru...pricing probably a quarter or 50 cents a piece...specials like sequined apps individually priced....I rather let the shoppers choose their pieces than group them and have them get stuff they don't want/need....Of course if they buy a bunch they'll get a better pricing deal....
Sound reasonable????
Answer:
When I first started quilting I would buy used clothing at "bag sales" to cut up for scrap quilts. I would cut off the buttons too, and still have a large jar of them in my sewing area.
I think it is a great idea for those special items, but may be too time consuming for the money on regular plasic buttons.
I know you mentioned letting the buyers choose, but if you already have a stash, you might also consider making small assorments in baby food jars (blue buttons in one jar, red buttons in another - priced by the jar) or keep any special matching buttons tied together with string. It's frustrating wondering if there is a fourth rhinestone button buried somewhere in that basket that matches the other three. Hint: if you use string, you are less likely to have a tangled mess if you don't leave any slack in the string when you tie them.
Answer:
Phoenix,
I agree with BlondeSense about grouping things to sell.
The problem I see with having stuff in a bin is that it quickly all becomes shop-worn and unappealing. If you have stuff in plastic bags then even the bags get scratched and worn looking.
Do you have wall space to hang stuff up with cardboard headers?
I think you'll just have to experiment to see if you can make money doing this.
You might try selling lots on OCM or ebay. Maybe just under one pound of stuff in a tyvek priority envelope.
Bits of silks and velvets as a crazyquilt lot.
etc.
Elaine
Answer:
I have just been considering doing this also. I have some nice clothing, new or near new, that hasn't sold because of small size or ?? that have great fabric and buttons. I do have a button collection going, so may keep some for myself. Some of the fabrics I can use in quilting, and others will go into a scrap quilt lot. I like the idea of using the satins and velvets for Crazy quilts, so may make up a lot of those. You could also use decorations, appliques, fancy threads, and such to go with it.
I am always looking through clothing at thrift stores and estate sales for vintage clothing, for the fabric and fancy buttons.
Thanks for the tip on stringing them up, BlondeSense. I have most of mine in jars and boxes right now.
Answer:
I know that it's convenient to have groupings of items to sell but, personally, I love to dig through baskets of stuff. It's as though I'm searching for buried treasure and it's a really nice surprise when I find something that catches my eye. And besides, it's great therapy.
Joan
Answer:
So, Mary, did you do it?
How did it go?