How to Thrift Fabrics To Upcycle Like Pro

Want to learn how to thrift to source fabrics to use when refashioning & upcycling?
In this video, I am sharing what I look for in thrift stores to find fabrics, zippers, buttons and other hardware & notions to use when sewing & upcycling.

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My name is Matilda. Some call me Matti and that’s how the name Miss Matti was born. I am multi-passionate knitwear designer, that doesn't only love knitting, but sewing, painting, drawing comics, upcycling and making things in general. I want to inspire you to create more, as well as living a life that is more sustainable both for yourself & the planet.

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[missmatti]

What should I transform the purple blazer into? Let me know in a comment down below 👇🏻💜

[txtia]

As a plus size, I do find it hard to find my size sometimes and have seen many times smaller women pick them up for upcycling or for downsizing, however, they found the item first and so they have the choice to buy or not buy it for whatever use they want. I have also purchased smaller items for upcycling into a larger project so I feel it works both ways. There are so many clothes out in the world so I think we should use them however we want to keep them out of the landfills. As for quilts while I love the idea of preserving them, it really is up to the buyer to decide what purpose they have in mind for it, if you donated it then it's no longer yours to have a say in what happens to it.

[kristinjacobsen]

Great tips. I'm going to Goodwill clearance bins tomorrow for the first time. I now realize i can look for zippers, cuffs, buttons. Not only fabrics and clothes .

[DJoy-hgku]

Please ignore those who criticize you. They are unhappy, unfulfilled people who probably don't upcycle AT ALL. You don't need to apologize for anything you do or say. You be you and ignore those who want to pull you down. Some plus size or tiny size people will find something negative to say no matter what you do. As far as quilt recycling...you go girl and enjoy what you make for us to watch.

[jeminifinds]

Yard for yard, the best prices on the highest quality fabrics are in thrift stores. No one should feel guilty about upcycling, repurposing, and parting out garments and other items when their next stop is the landfill.

[arvettadelashmit]

1. I find most women's garments are made from fabrics I don't like or wear. When I do find something in a fabric I like (and will wear) I buy it (if it is in good shape and in my size or larger).

2. I sent four old quilts to someone in Tennessee to up-cycle into fashion pins (to be sold to tourist). However, I will not make garments out of good, still usable quilts; or, quilts that should be saved to study and for History. I think it is wonderful to make quilted patchwork jackets out of new fabrics (because they will last longer and look better). I do buy 100% cotton garments to take apart and make new quilts out of. I will buy any size if I like and want the fabric.

3. I find the better fabrics to up-cycle is men's shirts; and, I have no problem in buying over sized men's shirts in pinks, lavenders, yellows, flowered prints, and other prints or colors that are usually used for women's and girls garments. Most of these shirts are usually still new; because, most men will not wear them.

[sherried]

As a new quilter, I definitely understand why a quilter would be upset about the quilted jackets. I don't use a sewing machine at all for my quilts so there's a lot of time and thought out into them. However, most people are not going to use an heirloom quilt to do such a thing and it should be left up to the owner.

As far as thrift stores, I love them for fabric. I bought a queen size Ralph Lauren flat sheet today in this lovely brown shades of paisley that I plan to use as the back of the quilt I am working on. It's amazingly soft and luxurious fabric so it was a wonderful find. I did get a couple of men's long sleeve flannels to make an up cycle tunic I saw on here. So much fun!

[jackiejames]

Once a long time ago I found 2 vintage quilts in a thrift store. I bought the 1 that was in the worse shape. There were 2 resins for that, 1. I liked the color of it, and 2. I could afford it. The 1 that was in better shape was almost a hundred dollars, the other 1 was $25.00. I bought the cheaper 1 and I spent several months repairing it. I'm very proud of the work I did on it and I like to think the lady who made it is happy too.

[lisettegarcia]

I volunteer at a thrift store and, at least in Israel, the plus size debate is unfounded. our chain of shops overflow with plus size women's garments (from people dying or losing weight) and yet I very rarely see any truly plus size shoppers picking them up. after a year or so, any garments not purchased get shipped to Africa the majority of which, from my understanding, end up in landfills there.

I also did pick up a quality vintage (commercial) quilt that passed through our shop and, while I love it and am using it as is, I'll admit that it came to me quite worn in the corners and an upcycle into a jacket next winter might be a great way to extend its life on this earth.

overall, these keyboard warriors policing the upcycle movement would help the world more by building something themselves rather than tearing others down.

[xxSydneyFox]

If it's in a second hand shop it means it wasn't wanted or needed so if i like it I'm buying it. I'm not going to leave it on the off chance that someone else might. Regardless of what type of garment it is.

[sheilagilleland]

If it’s in a thrift store, the quilt or clothing is not wanted by someone who sent it to the store. In other words the objects in the stores were thrown out. That includes old books, which I like to buy. I have absolutely no problem buying items that are discarded by someone else. I also have no problems cutting or ripping it up either.

[bitesizetrouble]

underrated video. this was such a good place to start for me after being inspired by instagram DIY statement pieces. i wanna start upcycling some time this year or next year.

[lauraholland]

I have seen a handmade vintage quilt tuned into a dressing gown, but and it's a very big but, it was for theatre and the designer spent nearly £200 for the quilt at a house sale. The quilt was quite damaged and did not work as a quilt-so i see no problem with that.
I have been shopping in charity shops 9thrift stores) since 1976- I have NEVER seen a handmade quilt in a charity shop-so I think many of the complaints are not realistic.
When I shop in a charity shop I look purely at the fabric initially-only if the fabric is good quality and in good condition will I consider-I don't look at size or anything else. Good materials are quite rare, actually so i wouldn't hold back because of the size.

[julias.]

I think if the quilt is in the thriftstore somebofy wanted to get rid of it and doesn't care what will happen to it. This person most likely isn't the maker, but the maker gave the quilt away at one point, too.
If it's a true vintage quilt in good condition I also would hesitate and most likely not cut into it. But often times the transformed quilts already have some wear and tear (espacially the binding tend to get rough) and the pieces for the jacket fit in the good parts. Then I think it really is upcycling because you transform something unwanted and unused into something which can be out in the world again. I think, that is lovely.

[janieoak]

I'm plus size, i have absolutely no problem with others buying plus sizes. Its not my business to tell others what to buy etc. After all its still upcycling. There are clever ways to make smaller clothes bigger, there needs to be videos on that😊

[munchkinheaven]

Oh for goodness sake, there are more horrible things going on in the world than cutting up old quilts. Animals and children being abused, wars with terrible death tolls and maimed human beings. If something has been sent to a thrift store then it is fair game. Many people buying quilts to upcycle will soon grow tired of this trend and the clothes will be returned to a thrift store, those with nothing else to worry about but quilts can buy these clothes and save them but they will probably use a sewing machine to make them into other quilts, quilts were originally made by hand from scraps, and were cotton with wool coats and old wool blankets as lining, are these purists using any polyester???
This was a very interesting and informative video. Some really good tips in this posting. Thank you, but watch out for the zip and button police watching you buying old garments to remove these items lol.

[TheSuperMegaUltra]

I work at a thrift store and yes, we get tons of vintage quilts regularly. If it's something donated, i don't see why you can't repurpose it. If you buy it for your bed, or to wear... you're still saving it.

[perplexed]

I agree with you, vintage quilts shoukd NOT be upcycled. They should be treasured and admired as they were made. A lot of work goes into them. They should be displayed as artwork.
Thanks for your upcycle tips. I love my sewing too.

[thriftythreader]

I’m also a size 2 and in Southern California. My local thrift shops have tons of L, XL, XXL sizes, so I have no concerns about buying large for upcycling. So many of the mature womenswear’s shops use vanity sizing where a 0 is more like a sz 6. It’s more challenging to find small sizes. Hey, it’s been donated. Big, small, modern, vintage. We are giving new wear to items that were relinquished. This attitude of “if you have it, you’re keeping me from having it (clothing, money etc)“ is foolish, self-limiting and is guaranteed to give you MORE lack in your life.

[notesfromleisa-land]

While I find upcycle videos interesting, watch and marvel and the creativity, I find enough clothing at thrift stores that fits my style and style. That to me is the best deal of all. Regarding converting a quilt to clothing. Heck, I quilt, and I would have no problem with someone converting a quilt to a wearable item. The entire point of thrifting/upcycling is to take something that is unwanted, unused and repurposing it for its intended use or some other.