Finding Fabric on a Budget

Today I've got an idea for you guys on how you can create vintage pieces on a smaller budget, focusing on saving money on fabric.

I had a shorts pattern I had tried out before, Butterick 9779, and I decided that it was so amazing that I must replicate it in many colors.  However, who's got all the money in the world to go buy a bunch of new fabric and zippers and notions to make a bunch of shorts?  I sure didn't.  So I did some upcycle thinking.

I had found this maroon corduroy 80s-90s skirt in a thrift store for $3 thinking I would shorten it into a winter skirt, but it was much too pleated and gathered and full to look right.  It looked pretty icky, actually.

Flasback Summer: Finding Fabric on a Budget- Butterick 9779

However, that fullness was a great thing!  I laid out the skirt to see if the shorts pattern pieces would fit on the skirt fabric, and after a bit of shifting, they sure did!  I cut out the pieces and snipped out the zipper and a button that was on the skirt.  (The zipper was especially handy.  It's already a matching color and much cheaper than a new one!)  I reused all these pieces to create these shorts:

Flasback Summer: Finding Fabric on a Budget- Butterick 9779

Flasback Summer: Finding Fabric on a Budget- Butterick 9779

Flasback Summer: Finding Fabric on a Budget- Butterick 9779

I was quite happy with the result!

Now if you, too, have a project in mind and would like to save money on fabric, here are some other things you can look for to use for projects:

- Curtains:  By far one of my favorite things to use for sewing.  There are lots of lacy grandma curtains out there!  Often they also have scalloped edges or other such fancy trim.
- Sheets:  Great for large pieces, and oftentimes they're a comfy fabric with soft floral prints.  Perfect for spring!
- Large clothing items:  Like my full length skirt, or you can also look for long jackets, large dresses, ponchos, etc.  Anything with large panels of cloth works.
- Blankets: Obviously, you'll want to keep the thickness of the blanket in mind when choosing so it's appropriate for what you want to make.  It's actually a very vintage/antique idea to remake blankets into skirts and such!
- Tablecloths: A classic 1930s-1940s Depression and rationing era trick.  You can even find vintage instructions on how to turn a tablecloth into a dress or skirt!
- Notions:  When you're altering or purchasing clothing items, save the notions off of them, even if you don't need them for that specific project.  Definitely throw any buttons into your button jar, but you can also save zippers, hooks and eyes, snaps, chest support pieces, and shoulder pads.  Keep them for use in later projects.

I can't wait to see the awesome, ingenious fabric solutions you guys come up with to make your vintage wardrobe plans come to fruition!

14 comments

  1. EEP! You are utterly and completely BRILL! The shorts are fantastic! And using the same zippers and buttons (already color coordinated?!)FAB! You are the vixen of vintage! The fashionista of Fab! I'm going to go check out your Etsy store to see what you've been up to!

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    1. Haha, thanks! I love your enthusiastic compliments. :)

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  2. Love the advice! I am definitely guilty of looking past items just because they don't immediately adhere to what I am looking for. I really love your ability to repurpose and truly make it gorgeous. Those shorts are just outstanding and so is the outfit.

    Wendi

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  3. I thrift shop all the time and never really thought to do this. It's so expensive to buy new fabric. I'm totally going to try this!

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    1. It IS expensive! And this way you're being "green" and upcycling, AND saving money! Double win! I'm sure you'll make some awesomeness from what you find!

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  4. Those shorts are absolutely darling! I've always wanted to do stuff like this--thanks for an inspiring post.

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    1. You could try it! Even this pattern is pretty easy. The zipper would be the only tricky part, I think. Go, Lisa! Be inspired! Make awesome things!

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  5. This is such a cute idea! You inspire me to buy a sewing machine and actually try something like this! Haha.

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    1. I recommend it! It's kind of a big learning curve if you're learning on your own, but especially if you ask people that sew, you could totally get the hang of it!

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  6. My mum and I were talking about doing the exact same thing, but the charity shops in our area are quite expensive so it might end up being the same sort of price as just buying new fabric. We've been waiting for someone to have a jumble sale so we can go and look there instead. Hopefully there will be one soon as I'd like some new clothes but I am trying really hard to be good and not spend lots of money!

    The shorts look great - I really like the colour, especially with the top you decided to wear with them. Also, still jealous of your hair. x

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    1. Expensive charity shops? That's just an oxymoron. So sorry. Yeah, maybe some spring "jumble sales" (never heard that before, I like it!), will pop up! I'm trying to do the same. So many cute clothes in the world, and also trying not to become a shopaholic, haha.

      This hairstyle is SUPER easy. Maybe I'll do a tutorial sometime. It's just three rolls in different directions, and then curling the rest of my hair. And it doesn't require a vintage style haircut or anything, woohoo!

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  7. Fabulous transformation - I really can't remember the last time I saw a garment revamping that I liked the results of more.

    ♥ Jessica

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