How to find free fabric. Rescue, Recycle, Reuse fabric for your sew to sell business
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- I've just received another lot of free fabric, and in this video, I'm going to share with you some of the ways in which you can find it for yourself.
It's no secret that I love to save fabric from going to landfill, and this is just a small sample that will go to waste if we don't collect it and make lots of useful things with it.
These are just perfect for your crafts, for gifts, and for your sew to sell business.
Happy hunting!!
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I pick these up from the recycle shop all the time, the small strip's make great tampon pouches which I pop in my homeless dignity packs, small pieces are still really usable.great score.
That's a fabulous idea 😃
Wow what a brilliant idea. Must admit I have not heard of homeless dignity packs before but the idea sounds so good.
What a great idea. So thoughtful.❤😊
This is wonderful. So nice to see someone who appreciates and understands giving and receiving on an altruistic level. You are a wonderful role model for us.
Thank you so much Daphne 😀
Thank you so much Christine! I sew totes, zippered pouches, etc. for donation to a Church Bazaar fundraiser, so I need to keep my costs down. I typically source my fabric from thrift shops, but free fabric is even better! Because of this video, I got brave and called some local reupholstery shops/furniture shops and they were willing to give me some fabric/fabric samples they no longer wanted! I am all for upcycling and keeping this fabric out of landfills, etc! LOVE all your videos Christine....thank you so much!
WOW! That's so fantastic Kelly. I'm glad you braved the shops, and had success. Sometimes that's our biggest hurdle. I know I still procrastinate when approaching someone new 😀
My grandma used to get samples from her nephew, who I believe sold fabric. She made a lot of quilts out of them. I loved going through her collection when I was a kid.
I used to get lots of that too when I was a quilt shop. I didn't appreciate it as much then as I do now though😀
Another great one Christine. I love that you rescue fabrics. I am a designer/creator of a product line of zero waste products using unresellable soft goods for our local recycle dept. When I see a garment or bedding I just see yardage and get busy. I have just done a bunch of your helping hands for a couple of long term care homes and some doggy poo pouchs for our local pet store and some of the dog grooming shops in the area that I also supply dog bandanas too. I use some of my sample book swatchs for bowl covers, they are really popular. Love your ideas and can see using most of them in the near future. You are also a great teacher and make it easy to follow. Both you and Chris are good people and rescue soooo much. Keep up the great work and great videos and ideas.😄😉
Wow, sounds like you've been very busy sewing up storm Judi. I love working with swatches, especially as they're already cut up for you 🙂
I love what you do. Yesterday I had a bus ride to a little town because I was told they have a lot of charity shops. I bought 3 good quality curtains, 68 inches long. for £8.00, I have already made 1 lined bag [ lining was a bed sheet I had, good condition ] I intend to make many more , different styles and lined peg bags.Really pleased with myself.
That is awesome Teresa. Great fabric score too😀
My Grandma used these samples to make quilts to make money for us to survive. People ordered her quilts and she made them on a treadle machine.
What a lovely memory Ruby. Thanks for sharing 😊
I just started working at a furniture store and, lucky me, I'm in charge of pulling discontinued fabrics and the owner generously allows me to take any of them I wish - it blows me away how gorgeous these samples are . I love your decision to pass on the savings of the free fabric when you construct and sell your pieces. SO glad I found you! I can't wait to start sewing
Oh, that's so awesome. You're going to get some amazing fabric samples 😀
Hi Christine, I get a lot of that kind of fabrics from this place in Chicago called Zero land fill. They collect a lot of those kinds of fabrics, and have an event once a year sometimes twice a year and give it away for free. I have plenty of it!! You’ve given me loads more ideas of what to make with it!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!
That is awesome Victoria. Happy sewing!!😊
It never occurred to me that lovely samples would end up in a dumpster rather than be repurposed. I’ve loved all your videos I’ve watched and have quite a few in my playlist to work on this summer. This video, and all the lovely comments from people, really touched my heart and made me realize that I can make a difference too. You have me thinking about starting a beginning sewing class for 1-3 children at a time. Repurposed fabrics would give them a chance to make items for their own use and for gifts. I also prowl thrift shops to repurpose fabrics, zippers, buttons, and purse hardware. Everything gets a good wash and then is disassembled. Thanks for inspiring me-again! ❤😊 Thanks for all those who provided wonderful suggestions in the comments section too. ❤😊
Susan, I love your idea of teaching children. It makes me want to approach schools and teach them in there too. I just wish I had more time😃
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs My mother was the “home ec” teacher at our high school. People still tell me how much they learned from her. Sadly, home ec is not even in the curriculum now, and it should be. Not only for the sewing but learning to cook basic meals and nutrition, balancing a budget, etc. Basic skills you and I learned in school, but are sadly missing now. I’ll let you know how and when I can begin this program. I’m blessed to be across from the public/school library and next to a church with a great big fellowship hall, so I have two options. We’re a small community of about 900, just a few thousand for the whole county. I taught third grade for 30 years plus subbed in all grades for about 10 more years. I miss teaching and working with children. I know I will benefit as much as the kids. Maybe you could find some people in your area that could get a program started. You could be a resource person for them.
I've often thought about it, even at our local community centre. We're a tiny town too😃
Its great when we can use fabric that would go to land fill.I sew for a local hospice shop,and fabric like this would come in very handy.Thank you Christine,happy sewing.xx Jean.
I hope you manage to source some in your area Jean 😁
Love sample books I was given heap from the 50’s so pretty just love looking at them - use them in my textile classes to show different types of fabric and decoration techniques. I also acquired a full trailer full of rolls of fabric mainly rubber back curtain fabric and damask type curtains. Many were new rolls never opened - given by rotary for daughters charity but wasn’t suitable they got from a rotary member who owned dollar curtains - the pile of fabric was as big as my bedroom piled to roof lot of cream colours but I managed to dig thru for lots of colours - still using after 10 years . I have made 100 ‘s of pencil cases and iPad bags etc with students over that time as well as things to sell to raise money for daughters charity. There is lots of places to get free fabric . I even use chook and horse feed bags to make shopping bags, another product that gets thrown out.
That's great Sandy. I received about 5 1/2 tonnes (all full rolls) of furnishing fabrics about 4 years ago. Lucky I had lots of vibrant colours and sewed it up fairly quickly so was able to get through most of it. I still have lots of plains left now. I'll probably still have them in 10 years too 🤣🤣
This is a fantastic way to help the environment as well as giving new life to something that would go unused! Thank you for sharing this with us ❤️
You are so welcome Gen 😀
When I’m feeling human again I’ll get onto that. Thanks for sharing Re how you get it and what you commonly do with it.
Hope you're feeling better soon Joy 🙂
Hi there Christine glad l watched your video we was in a carpet and curtain store and l thought I'm going ask about the sample books the lady said I've just thrown 15 books away ,, darn it l thought....but she took my number and she has some coming up she will save for me and give me a ring .the lady did say she likes to keep them out of the landfill ,so thanks Christine for your video very helpful take care
Well done Paulene. Shame you just missed the last lot 🙂
I started out with those fabric sample books. I did not quite know what to do with those smaller pieces, that was 25 years ago. Now that I know about Jelly Roll quilts, I would just sew the strips in a long strip and make a beautiful jelly roll quilt. My budget is changing in a short time and I will absolutely not be able to buy fabric. Just not in my budget, so I will definitely be hunting for anything free. Not planning on spending much for the holidays either, so would like to get started on some sewing for gifts. I am sure others are in the same situation. I have always known sewers and crafters to be smart and frugal!
Haha, I know I've been quite frugal at times myself Paula. Except when I want a new machine, which is too often 😂
Thank you so much for sharing how you find sources and the gratitude you return to them in the form of one of hour hand sewn treasures. Which I am sure are very appreciated. Love your channel and your openness to share and educate others.
You're very welcome Teri. Thank you😁
Great ideas for sources. I like to use vintage fabrics and rescued fabrics, as well -- I'm getting a jump on the season and making a dozen Christmas stockings this week from two worn, cutter quilts -- most of the fabric seems to be from the 1940s, and I love thinking about the people who wore the clothes made from the pieces that made up the quilts!
I love that Lori. Especially the vintage fabrics 😊
A seamstress taught me how to dis assemble sweaters to reuse the thread to knit. I never learned how to knit, but im teaching myself how to chrochet first. The way prices are going up, l think I will need that skill in the future to save money. I'm very grateful I learned.
You've learned a great skill. I love to crochet, but don't get the time these days 😀
Hi Christine, my daughter has a fashion design studio and she gives me all her scraps, I design lots of things from the fabrics, any scraps I don’t want I put it up on Facebook for free. There is always someone ready to take them. Thanks for your help I love your videos. Blessings, Izzy Martínez Houston, Tx
You're very fortunate to get all those scraps Izzy. I often use FB to give unwanted fabric away as well. I have a few regulars that collect it for charity sewing 😀
Hi Izzy Martinez, I'm very near you, in Deer Park, and I'd love to help you use up your scrap fabrics! 😍 I'll look for you on Facebook, and send a message.
I have been gifted these fabrics in the past. they are wonderful to use.
They sure are Sue. I love working with furnishing fabric 😀
Great find. Your excitement is contagious. Looking forward to see what you create!
Haha, thanks Christine. I do tend to get excited easily 🤪
Love this!
Thanks Marcia. There are some great pieces there 😀
Thank you for sharing these ideas!
You are so welcome Julie 😊
Marvelous!! Back in the day I use to get handoffs from an interior decorator. I miss that. They retired. Now most find it easier to throw scraps n samples in the trash rather than saving for other use. Sad. Love what you’re doing!! Love your Channel! ❤️
Thanks Cyn. It's certainly very sad how much we discard 🙂
Love the pouch you made from the samples!
Thanks Loraine. I did eight more today. I love how they've turned out. Video coming in a day or two😁
So much fun ahead for you!
Sure is Sue. I've already begun 😁
Oh …I love the sample books from Warwick fabrics. The colours are often lovely and vibrant. I also love visiting their showroom in Collingwood. Sometimes they have a basket out with free off cuts, but they will always give you a small sample of anything you like.
Oh, that would be so exciting Michelle. Some of their colours are just divine 😀
Such great ideas again, thank you for sharing your wisdom
Thank you Jenny 😊
Beautiful fabrics!
Thanks Brenda ☺️
Thanks for sharing your tips, Christine :-)
You're very welcome purple wombat 😃
Love that you have such a great heart for reusing all that material. ❤️
Thank you Drake 😊
Hi Christine. Thank you for sharing this tutorial with us. Your right as much as we can to stop things going into land fill the better. So lovely how you show what you are making plus taking a gift along with you. Thank you . Hope you are both keeping well plus your baby Coca coco xxx
Thanks Sharon. Coco is doing great 😻
Thanks for the tips, I’m inspired now 😊. The time you spend breaking down the cards into useable fabric pieces is time you are not sewing the project, so what I am saying is the fabric does have a cost technically because your time is worth money also. I’m in no way saying it’s not worth it and I am so jealous of your giant stacks of various fabrics, just saying when you are not adding any cost for the fabric on your project because you don’t feel right about it, you are missing out on charging for your time. Thank you for making these videos!
Thanks for your thoughts Samantha. Whilst I don't actually charge for the fabric, I do have a very high hourly rate which covers the time I take to process the fabric. It all works out in the end.😀
Thank you for taking your time and sharing with us. 🇺🇸
Any time Linda 😀
Got my first haul from the furniture shop today - thank you so much for the idea! Lots of small leather pieces too!
Ooh, that's so exciting Anne. Happy sewing!!😀
You are the QUEEN of resourcefullness!! I love it! You GO GIRL!! ⛱🌴💜
Thanks Tina. It all started purely by accident. Once I realised how much was going to landfill, I found myself hunting it down 😀
Fantastic Christine
It sure was Dale 😀
Awesome. You are clever Thank Youu
Thank you Tracey 😊
The material swatches are beautiful.
They sure are Mary. 😀
Very great advice, thank you! I love the idea of making things by repurposing fabrics!❤️
You are so welcome Giorgia 😃
Awesome video. Thanks
Glad you liked it Dee. Thank you😀
Hi. I love the prints.
There sure are some nice ones😀
This is great! I had the same idea last time, but was too shy to ask. I love you video, please keep making them! 😍 Best wishes from Hungary 😊
I was the same Orsolya. I sat outside the shop twice before I had the courage to go in and ask. I thought they brushed me off, but was surprised when they contacted me months later with fabric. I've had 3 call back from them so far 😀
I love your videos and ideas. I also hate to waste fabric. Thanks so much.
You're very welcome Kathleen 😀
I am new to your channel and love the way you re-purpose fabrics and help eliminate waste in the landfills.
Thank you Laurie. Welcome 😀
Wonderful information. When I got my first embroidery machine I was given similar fabric swatches. After decorating them I made a variety of items plus sewed two together and made hot water bottle covers. I did not sell them, everything was gifted and it was a very satisfying use of the fabrics. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Thanks for sharing your story Jess. I've never thought to embroider these pieces, but then why not! The best part of my sewing journey now, is that I get to sew with items that others no longer want 😀
Thanks for the video. Wow didn’t realize how long your hair is! Beautiful!
Thanks Dolly 😀
Great video, thankyou for your information. This video was made even better when Mr/Mrs Magpie came to visit on your fence. They always bring a smile to my face. :)
Don't you just love the sound the Magpies make? I know I do 😀
This was so inspiring! Off to visit my local upholstery shop.... 🏃💨
Good luck Xoom Bug 😀
Nice!
Thanks Georgy!😀
Excellent info. Headed down to do some salvaging!
Hope you find heaps Frank😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs well no luck on free stuff, but got some good deals on other stuff
Great video. I’m on the hunt now.
Good luck Gigsy 😀
Thanks!
Thank you so much Julie 😊
Catching up with your video's I missed earlier in the year. I've seen one of your later video's were you showed what you made with these fabrics. A lot of my shopping bags are made with up-cycled fabrics and often end up looking like new. Good luck with your next donation 🤩
How great is it to make wonderful things out of upcycled fabric 😀
wow you lucky girl i would use them in my embroidery machine and have made mug rugs for the grand kids and daughter sells mug rugs for the cancer stall so cool
They'd make great mug rugs Maxine 😀
Thanks so much for this info!
You are so welcome Marty 😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs I called my favorite furniture store this morning and they are going to call me when they have sample fabrics. They were thrilled to participate in this project to rescue fabric. Such a great idea! Thank you so much!
WOW! That is so amazing Marty. Well done! 😁
God bless..wow im going to take that advise and go get me some free fabric...jiji thankyou so much.😃
Good luck on your quest Leticia 😃
You are so kind offering ideas and advice. Thank you!
I watched your shopping bag tube and made a shopping bag! No big deal but it is to me because I have brain injuries and disabilities from a car accident 2 years ago. Sewing makes me happy but it’s not perfect like before.
I would love samples, I will ring some place tomorrow. I almost have no fabric left so will ask around. I’m excited that samples are available from stores
Good luck getting some samples Mimi, and great job making your bag 😁
Thank you
You're welcome Cynthia 😀
Thank you❤
You're welcome Elsa. Thank you😊
Great video! I’d love to see where and how you store all your fabric. I think that would make an interesting video.
It's pretty sad to see how I store my fabric Cathy. I always have grand plans, then end up shoving everything where I can fit it🤣
THATS EXCELENT I HAVE USED SOME OF THESE MY SEIF but i had a hard time getting the labels off
Yes. Some of those labels are very difficult to remove 🤪
Thank you for these great ideas. We just recently moved and as part of my getting rid of stuff prior to moving, I gave away most of my upholstery fabric scraps that I acquired over the years! Now I am kicking myself for doing so. But we can't keep it all. So, I have several furniture stores in mind to visit and ask for their samples. Hopefully they will be willing to give them to me. If someone else hasn't beat me to the punch. I also sew items to sell. So I am really enjoying your channel and am learning so much from you. Please keep the videos coming. Thank you again. 😊
Thank you Karen. I hope you manage to get some fabric. It just takes one get on board, then you'll have an unending supply of fabric 😀
this video. I would take all those smaller vinyl strips and stew together to make a multi-striped tote bag. Going to start my hunt. thanks
That's exactly what I've done Gail. Two different styles with the vinyl strips, and also a viny wallet😁
I love that you reuse the sample books and scrap fabric that you are able to get. I will have to see what is available in my area. I would like to make tote bags and things like that. I like to do crafty projects for doll houses,such as furniture and rugs and even wallpapers. The fabric could be used as wallpaper or a good color photo copy of fabric would work. Any fabric that is kind of plain would work for doll house scale. Smaller prints would be great too.
Romona, the swatches would be perfect for doll's houses. I hope you manage to find some😁
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs thanks,I will try. I will check on Google to see what I can find in the way of upholstery and wallpaper shops around my area as well as places such as the Habit for Humanity stores around here.
@Romona Elrod check out furniture stores as well for discontinued swatches.
On the back side you'll find the company details. You could get lucky and find some locally 😁
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs thanks,that is a good idea.
You've answered my question.
I am now going to approach a local upholstery business this week and ask if they have some samples I could save from land fill. 😊
Go for it Gale. The biggest hurdle for me was to pluck up the courage to ask for fear of rejection. I went into one and thought he fobbed me off. Turned out he remembered me months later when he had some leftovers. Now he contacts me regularly. Make sure he gets your contact details. 😀
Where do you store it all? Your sewing room always looks so organised! I only have small room but it’s overflowing with fabric! I’ve now even started storing it in my bedroom drawers 😆
Lynden, I'm very good at hiding all my fabric in tiny spaces. I have to clean my sewing each time I start a project. I'm fortunate though that I have the shop to store a lot of my stash as well, and Chris just bought a nice big cupboard home for me the other day 🤪🤪
I am so glad to see others are into recycling! I make handmade journals and give them away at Little Free Libraries and the senior center so I recycle old books, paper, discontinued wallpaper samples, etc. What is the title of the person you speak to at the upholstery company? I've often wanted to contact one but I don't want to speak to sales. TFS!
Rachelle, I emailed the sales dept and had success there. Also cold calling upholsterers or stores if I pass by one😁
Hi Christine thanks for this great tip, much appreciated and just love your videos. I collected some 30 x 30cm curtain samples thats on the thin side. Please can you advise what i can make and what can i use to make them thicker? ❤
Hi Elsa. You can always stabilise the fabric with some fusible fleece like Pelon or Parlan to give them more thickness.😁
Hola! Muchísimas gracias por esta buena recomendación. Ya estoy pensando en a que sitios puedo acudir a ver si consigo ese tipo de materiales. Saludos desde las Islas Canarias, España.
Thanks Marta. Good luck with your search for fabric. I hope you find lots of it 🙂
Great idea Christine. Only problem is..where will I store it..
Haha, I'm glad you feel my pain Janet 😁
I've been catching up on all your videos, especially those using fabric samples as I have a few books. Have you ever done anything with the plastic covers? I need ideas for that!
I haven't yet, but do plan on making some event bags with clear vinyl or plastic😁
Hi Christine, Love your videos. Sometime back, I got several boxes of denim samples from Lee Jeans. Do you use denim and what do you do with the stretchy denim?
That's a tough one Mae. I have a roll of denim waiting for me to pick up. I didn't even consider it might be stretch. I have a project of scrap denim offcuts that I'm working on slowly, I'd use some kind of stabiliser on the back. Even if it's just an iron on interfacing, it should give enough structure to work with. Good luck 😀
They all look wonderful! I am guessing you would need to have a heavy duty sewing machine to use a lot of that fabric/vinyl? That is what stopped me in my tracks from sewing the bridle bags.Otherwise I was very excited to try selling them in my country town til it occurred to me that I might damage my Janome. But I love how resourceful you are! I can imagine all the Harvey Norman, Fantastic Furniture etc. stores now having a run of people suddenly asking them for the old sample books ;) Love watching your videos! And I love the plants outside your window and the magpie too that made an appearance in the background too!
Marianne, I did my first 2000 upholstery shopping bags, and about 100 vinyl bags on my Janome machine. Though if it's computerised, I wouldn't do so many. I find the mechanical machines much better for that kind of work. I'm only new to industrial machines, but anything I do, can certainly be done with your modern machines. Perhaps just more carefully/slowly 😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs Thanks! I might give them a go if I can find some suitable fabric where I am or somewhere online. I've got a computerised Janome which hasn't had much use at all - yet! ;)
@@mariannezammit3738 you might consider hunting up a vintage machine for this work…depending on where you are, a Singer Class 66 or a 50s/60’s era Kenmore can often be had for very little, and sometimes even free, as my “Edna” was. These machines, especially the dedicated straight stitchers, will often go straight through anything you put in front of them, as long as the needle can take it. And they’re usually quite simple to maintain, (or even fix, if needed)! That would save your Janome for the projects it’s better-suited to.
@@MA-ip4gw I just bought a 1941 Singer Class 66, waiting to earn a bit of money at my next craft show to get her serviced!
@@lorirodgers5982 I’m so excited for you!! After I got Edna, I brushed the loose dirt and fluff off her with a soft dry paintbrush, unscrewed the motor housing and took the motor off (the wiring looked untrustworthy). I put some cardboard on my table to protect it, propped her between a couple lengths of wood (the 66 isn’t designed to stand up on her own), and just kept after the nooks and crannies to get all the thread and lint off her. Then I put some sewing machine oil into her oil points (and basically everywhere I could see metal moving against metal). I gently turned the handwheel toward me and she started moving again.
At that point I couldn’t resist anymore, lol. I found a manual online (should be easy to find, and FREE), and threaded her up. I just wanted to see if she would work at all.
Now, I’m truly more of a knitter. My mom sews really well, so I never bothered to learn more than the basics - I just enjoyed mom’s skills!
For that reason, I was not expecting the experience I was about to have…Just barely cleared of the worst grime, and given just a little fresh oil… a few turns of the handwheel, and Edna laid down a line of stitches so beautiful I could’ve wept.
Get help with the electrical stuff, for sure, unless you really know your way around wiring issues.
But if you’re up for it, def go for cleaning & oiling the mechanical bits to get them up & running. there are lots of online tutorials and it’s quite easy and satisfying. I can also recommend the TFSR (Tools for Self-Reliance) refurbishing guide, which they will sell you for a donation to their cause.
Can hardly wait to hear how it all goes :-). Have fun!!!
Great ideas!! Thank you!!
I do have a question: I’m sure most of these fabrics can’t be machine laundered. How do you instruct your customers to “clean” their purchases, should they need to be cleaned?
Thank you, in advance, for your response.
Great question Pam. I haven't used this particular brand before, but I have been slowly working through 5 1/2 tonne of other furnishing fabric for a few years now. I've done about 3000 shopping bags with it too. I often take the fabric home to wash out chalk/ink marks from the rolls, and haven't had a problem with washing, hanging out, and have even put some in the dryer. All have survived well. I was oncerned that the colour might run, but then thought that since it was furnishing fabric, and used for sitting on mostly, that the manufacturers would have checked the fabric for colour fastness so it doesn't run into people's clothes. My shopping bags have been washed several times and are still in good condition.... If a customer asks, I tell them what I've experienced so far. 😀
Thank you for sharing we’re you get your fabric
My pleasure Eve 😀
Thank you so much for your valuable and generous information! I have beautiful designer upholstery fabric remnants and want to make into bags to sell (Etsy and farmers markets). I do not know wash/ care information for any of them. How do you handle that in the product descriptions? Can we get in trouble if the client buys, washes it, and it shrinks?
Hi Ruth. If you manage to get the information on the sticker for the fabric company and it's design, you can go to there website and find the care instructions. Not sure of the regulations in your country, but here in Australia, I sell all my products as being made with rescued/preloved/second hand fabric. This way I don't have to have care labels attached to my products providing I'm not making clothing. I've washed my bags after construction, and haven't had problems with them, though this can vary depending on the fabric and it's construction😀
Hi I asked for the sample books they told me they sent them back this was one place. I think I will ask around again thank you for your advise
Keep at it Kerry. If they don't want to give it to you, or can't, then look at who the suppliers of samples are. Then contact them directly, and see if they'll help you out 😀
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs okay thanks
How do you get the glued paper off the back of the samples Christine? I have tried ironing but the paper just rips/tears and doesn't come off easily. Does the glue harm the sewing machine or get stuck to the needle. Any advice is appreciated. Many thanks for all your videos and tips and tricks.
Claire, I've just uploaded a very quick 60sec video showing you how I go about it. 😀ua-cam.com/users/shortsiFqP6bGb6f0
Nice video, but would like more info about exactly how you get your fabrics. Do you just go in to a show room and ask for the sample books? Dumpster diving?
Haha, I have been dumpster diving with Chris before Agnes, but not for fabric. My main source came to me as they are local to me, but since then, I have emailed, or visited showrooms, restorers etc. Most are negative, but you really only need one person to commit, and then you'll get plenty of fabric. This lot was from a furniture restorer that I had visited some months earlier. It took me a couple of drive byes before I had the courage to go in. I thought they were going to send me on my way, but they contacted me a couple of months later, and I have since received 3 lots from them. There is a more recent video, where I received 8 giant boxes of fabric that was just from an email 🙂
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs Thanks, Christine & Happy New Year!
Great video!! Where could we get samples in the US?
Robi, try the same kind of places we have here. Furniture reupholstering outlets, big furniture sellers have samples, curtain manufacturers as well 😁
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs thank you! I'll check them out. I have one more question. One of the things that's keeping me from selling my items is that they are not perfect. They are good, but maybe people see flaws?
do you get sheers if so what do you do with them
Not very often Daphne. If on a roll, I'll try to sell it, if swatches, I'll give most of them away 😀
How do you get the labels off? I've never been able to peel them and soaking can ruin fabrics. I've received samples that only have a narrow strip of fabric with a huge label glue on. I think in the US, they do it specifically so they can't be used. This country likes to make it difficult for people to reuse things that they didn't purchase themselves.
DL, I'm still working on some methods, but mostly I'll iron the backing from the back and peel it off. The video I uploaded today will show you what I do😁
Where do you get the metal tags??
You found them 😆
I would like to know how do you get the paper on the back off of that fabric
I use the iron Loretta😁
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs thank you I like watching you on you tube
🥰🦋🌈🦋🥰
How do you remove that cardboard/paper glued to the backs?
Juliette, the best success I've had has been with a heat press or very hot iton😁
There was a large black bird watching you through the window. It looked to big to be a crow.
That was a Magpie Arvetta. I have several of them that visit us each day. They make a lovely warble sound 😊
Hi I was very interested in the swatches for free but the sound is not clear and very low is this so I have tried reading it and that is not good
Sorry for that Flo. I'm working on the sound issues. Have you tried ear phones? 🙂
@@ChristinesHomeAffairs I would have used earphones but I'm not allowed to because health issues.
I love your videos what you talk so low that I can barely hear you I have to put in a hearing piece to try to hear you. But I still watch your videos love those colors geometric as well
Sorry about that Trina. I did purchase a mike, but have forgotten where I've put it 🤔😆
The audio on another one of your videos is excellent. I have good hearing and it sound like you are way across the room from the Mike in this one. ☹️😖🥲
Thanks Janet. I've been working on new audio equipment. 🙂