Sunday, March 27, 2011

Back to Basics

Yes, I do have enough fabric to last me the rest of my lifetime. But I can't help going out rummaging around now and then. My favorite shopping spot is the Goodwill bins, the final stop when things don't sell at Goodwill and are headed to landfill.

These are the beauties I rescued this time:

And I can't just let bits of hand embroidery go to the dumps:

Then I headed to the Senior Center rummage sale and found these unique bits:

Even a cutter quilt of old fabrics priced at $1:

I confess, I can't pass by this bright 60s fabric without buying it. Probably because I made so many clothes out of this stuff when I was a teen. I have a whole bin of it, and it's so bright, I don't know what I'll do with it. But someday....

I'm back to quietly stitching bits of fabric together by hand, and it feels really good.


14 comments:

deanna7trees said...

wow. beautiful finds. i keep saying i will not go to the thrift stores anymore but i just can't stop myself.

Cindy Woods said...

Oh yum--you got some little treasures there! I can't stop collecting either (I have another bag for you) and will likely pick up more at the Alameda next weekend. You should come down so we can fight over fabrics...lol! xo

Herm said...

Are you going to join the SEW website that Jude has for all her previous students? she is not teaching anymore.

jude said...

i love the last pic. comforting. the basics are like that.

gerfiles said...

Of course you had to rescue it all... - here you find such things in antique shops, if you´re lucky - thrift stores nowadays mostly offer cheap ugly textiles which obviously even the confused souls who bought them in the first place can´t stand for long and throw out again...

Suzanne Reynolds said...

Be still my beating heart! I cannot resist old linens and stitched pieces. Love to see how you are putting them to use; I need more inspiration in that department.

lynne h said...

ahhhh, robin, i'm smiling... at everything... xoxo

Anonymous said...

me oh my,
i've got my car keys in my hand...
those pieces are gems!

Dreamcicle Journeys said...

Robin, you really did find a lot of fabrics and hand embroidered linens on your latest foraging expedition. It will be fun to see how you use them in your stitching.

Unknown said...

Its nice to know I'm not alone! Just 'rescued' some 1970's pillow cases this morning - can't bear for them to be cut into rags or ending their days in landfill.Love the treasures you picked up!

Tory Brokenshire said...

Your finds are beautiful. I just received a box of old basement smelling lovelies from my mother in law and as much as I wanted to throw them out I just couldn’t. Perhaps I can send some of them to you?

Lynne with an e said...

Such treasures you found! I have to stop myself from bringing home any more fabrics, so I'll just try to content myself with looking at yours. But then, seeing what you do with the fine bits and pieces makes me want to pick up needle and thread.

Robin Olsen said...

Sure Tory, send your smellies my way. I'm a sucker for anything old like that. I did once have to throw out a box that obviously came from a smoker who let her cat use fabric as a litter box. I do have some standards.

lynda Howells said...

l find all my stuff from charity shops etc..can't stand the thought of them going into landfill!!!!!lynda