cheap fabric

[vass]

Does anyone know where to find genuinely cheap fabric? Especially in Australia would be good, but I'm willing to pay postage if it's otherwise cheap and good. In particular, things I'm looking for: black or gothic patterned flannelette for my upcoming winter pyjama project, and something cool and either solid-coloured or subtly patterned, in a dark colour (preferably black, navy, or wine-coloured) for a dress.

I haven't done any sewing in a while, but I think it's time to pick it up again. Particularly since big people's clothes are expensive, and I'm not getting any smaller.

Comments

[hivesofactivity]

We've got a market near me that is the cheapest place to go for new material, and I've occasionally bought cheap sheets and throws from primark (rock-bottom cheap clothing and homewares shop), and used the material from that. However, really cheap fabric is often not good quality (and the production methods probably aren't all that ethical, either), so you end up spending a lot of time sewing an item which won't last that long or feel very nice. I think if I were looking for winter pyjama material I'd look for thick flannel sheets in the charity shops and use that, and dye it the colour I want. (I've also occasionally had good results with buying clothes in charity shops and using material salvaged from that - I can generally get much more interesting fabric of a much higher quality that way than I can by buying it by the yard in the market.)

[rydra_wong]

Passing thought: might be worth seeing if any fabric shops near you sell remnants. You may not get enough for a whole dress/pair of pyjamas that way, but it could be good for smaller projects, or contrasting colours for part of a garment.

[piscinarii]

Remnants from local stores is a good suggestion. You'll get plenty for trim, contrasting pieces, and sometimes you'll be lucky enough to come across less-than-perfect bolts (runs, splotchy places, etc) being sold at a discount. Sometimes they just give it away too. My mom used to go to places that did draperies, upholstery, etc and got a TON (boxes upon boxes, several trunkloads) of fabric she used to make pillows, window treatments, etc. Not really suitable for clothing making, but you can make purses, handbags, and slippers from it :)

If I'm looking for cheap material I browse thrift stores for blankets, sheets, shirts/dresses/clothes in general to refashion into something else. Cheap fabric is usually such poor quality it won't hold up to more than a handful of washes (and only maybe 2 or 3 if you use a dryer).

[aphrodite]

Although not a reliable and continuous source, I've had marvellous luck with Op-Shops! Some friends once found some old, deep red velvet curtains in one and I'm forever coming across "suitable" flannels and cottons.
You can also pick up clothes up to very large sizes - I tend to the larger sizes in stores like Rockmans and Suzanne Grey, but have found pieces much larger than I'd need, that can be unpicked and restyled.


Also, try an Ebay search for fabric?