We use fabric for crafts and sewing for many variant reasons. Some just love to create clothing and accessories because they can make them as unique as they like. Others sew to save money on clothes, or to make a living. And others like to create one-of-a-kind gifts for those they care about. But no matter what your reason, it’s always nice to find a bargain on fabric.
It’s not hard to find cheap fabric, but in many cases, you get what you pay for. Some of it is second quality, meaning that it has some sort of flaw. It could have been incorrectly dyed or woven, or it may have been damaged at some point. Other cheap fabrics are very lightweight or otherwise cheaply made. These types of fabric work fine for some applications, but if you want top-quality fabric at a low price, you’ll generally need to find it on clearance.
When Does Fabric Go on Clearance?
The popularity of different kinds of fabrics waxes and wanes with the seasons. Heavier fabrics are more popular during cold weather, and lighter ones sell better in the warm months. So when it’s near time for the seasons to change, many stores put the current season’s fabrics on sale to make room for the fabrics of the upcoming season.
Another factor in a fabric’s popularity is current styles. Just like certain colors and articles of clothing go in and out of style, so do certain fabrics. So if you hear that a type of fabric you love is becoming scarce on the fashion runways, the time is ripe to look for great deals on it. Fashion is rather cyclical, so chances are it will be popular once again before you know it.
What to Look for in Clearance Fabric
Sometimes stores put fabric on clearance because there is something wrong with it. They may be getting a lot of complaints about it, or it could have been damaged in storage. Buying your fabric from a reputable source can help you avoid purchasing such fabrics, but it never hurts to carefully examine any fabric you buy. Here are some things to look for:
* Is the texture of the fabric consistent? Does it look or feel worn in spots?
* Is the fabric stained? Look closely, and hold it up to the light if possible.
* Does the fabric feel durable? Pull on it gently and see how it holds up. If it feels like it’s going to tear, there’s a good chance that it will.
* Is the coloring consistent? Are any patterns well defined and uniformly colored?
Stocking up on fabric while it is on clearance is a wonderful way to save money. The trick is knowing when to look for it and finding fabric that is of acceptable quality. It may take some searching, but when you find that perfect fabric, you’ll know it was well worth the effort.
Additional ideas for finding bargain pricing on fabrics:
* Watch for fabric and craft store coupons in mailers, newspapers, and online. Often you can use these coupons to get 10 to 50 percent off your fabric purchase.
* Check out yard, estate, and flea market sales. You can often find fabric (and thread!) at rock bottom pricing.
* Check Craigslist and other internet resources. Sometimes you’ll find free fabric that someone has to offer to a good home.
* Use your social media resources and ask your friends. Friends and family members may craft and have extra fabric to spare, or they may not craft/sew anymore and have piles of fabric stored just waiting to be utilized.
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Great info. I use fabric a lot and often have gone to thrift stores and found it there. Hospice Thrift Stores in my area carry fabric or projects that contain fabric I can take a part and use.
Love the idea of re-purposing fabric, too, Grace! That’s certainly a terrific option.
Thank you for sharing these ideas! My wife just took up the hobby of sewing and she is always trying to find good deals on fabric, I passed this post along to her 🙂