Need ideas for selling a LOT of vintage fabric

[REP]

When my mother died, I got her fabric. She was a bit of a hoarder, so I have fabric from the '50s, '60s, '70s as well as '80s through this decade, but not as much from those years. The yardage I have is between 6 yards of each pattern to full bolts. I think I have around 4K yards total, maybe more.

Are there buyers who are looking to buy an entire collection such as this? How do I go about trying to find them? Heeeeeelp!!

[dballance]

1. That is kind of interesting. As a person who likes to sew fabric does interest me.

As a person who likes to sew my own garments I'd have to tell you that I'd need to know what kind of fabrics are in the collection from your mom.

Are they fabrics that one could sew into garments or are they fabrics that would make great curtains, pillows, comforters and such?

At times I've used all those different sorts of fabrics.

[REP]

3. Mostly clothing weight textiles; mostly cotton; all in perfect condition

One bolt I'm definitely keeping for myself: peacock-blue silk embroidered with pure gold thread.

I'm not selling it piecemeal ... There's just too much of it.

[dballance]

9. That bolt of peacock-blue sounds lovely.

You should most definitely keep it.

I hope you can some day have it made into something that befits your mother.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I'd sort it into lots. Maybe by decade and fabric type. Like '60s cottons. '50s wools. Etc.

[REP]

4. I want to sell ALL of it to one buyer

There is so much of it.

[safeinOhio]

5. I'd go to a couple of malls and

look for booths that carry that sort of thing..You could have the desk leave them a note to call you.

When I go to look at stuff, there is always things I don't deal in. I have lots of friends that are dealers and I give their number to the folks with it for sale.

[aliza20]

47. Feedsacks

Do you have any vintage floral feedsacks and scraps for sale? Looking to buy some

[safeinOhio]

50. Can't remember having any floral prints.

I’ve had advertising ones with the name and towns of the mills.

[northoftheborder]

6. I was in a similar situation a few years ago. It seemed like 4,000 yards, but really a lot less.

My mother passed away leaving boxes and boxes of fabrics, many old, mostly cottons and natural fabrics, not many decorator fabrics. She didn't have bolts, though, which would be much easier to handle; I had scraps and small amounts usually. I sorted through every piece (she also had yards and yards of ribbon and lace, rick-rack, thread, a button collection, and assorted buttons.)

Since I sew and craft, I saved all the natural fabrics: cotton, linen, silk, wool, and the trims. Anything polyester or rayon I gave to charity.

If you do not plan to keep any of it, I would sort according to fabric type (wool, silk, poly, etc..) then weight, if possible. Denim, burlap, canvas, would be used for different things than sheer organdy. I think most people who sew or craft are looking for a particular kind of fabric. If you live in a city, there are groups and clubs who quilt, make hooked rugs, decorator items, etc.. Advertise in Craig's list, or EBay, or Etsy. Be able to provide pictures if asked. Good luck!

[REP]

7. I may be grossly underestimating; it may be far more than that

I'll be taking some for myself but I'll still be ass-deep in fabric. I'd much rather sell it to a specialty vintager than dick around with eBay. She bought very high quality yard goods; much too good to give away.

[northoftheborder]

11. Please move to my area and start a store! Please! Good fabric is nonexistant except online.

Seriously, consider Kendall County, north Bexar County, IH 10 corridor (San Antonio suburbs) Very rapidly growing, MANY high dollar spenders who would appreciate nice things. Although hot in the summer, rest of year pleasant. Your stock would be unique and special! Also more Democrats badly badly needed!!!!!

[TeamPooka]

8. This is a location based issue. The closer you are to LA/NYC the better off you will be.

That's where your material will be looked at as hip and vintage and you can get a premium price from vintage clothing stores..
The center of the country is a tougher sell.
They just thinks it's old.
If you are near LA then you need to look up costumers and costume shops in Hollywood and Burbank especially that service the studios.
They prize your material and they need it in bulk when they need it.
Good luck.

[REP]

12. Thank you!

I am a short 5 hour drive from LA. Well, 6 if I take the fabric since I'd need to rent a truck. I'm in Silicon Valley.

[grasswire]

10. sure would like to see a f ew photos nt

[REP]

13. Right now it looks like a pile of boxes

I a also have vintage couture 50s shoes and clothes as well as Victorian clothing and shoes ... and the fabric.

[Natbug]

14. Buyer!!!

Hi I collect and sew with vintage fabric and would be interested in buying all... Message me pls

[sandor13]

15. I've got fabric! Lots of fabric.

I know this is an old post, but I figured I would give it a try. Any chance you are still interested in purchasing fabric? My mother passed on and she has at least 10-15 LARGE boxes of fabric from her mother's generation. 40s/50s and more current to 80s/90s. If you are, please send me a DM. Unfortunately I don't have enough posts to contact you directly. Thanks!

[mbg2943]

19. Re: lots of fabric

Hey sandor13,

If you've still got lots of fabric, I'd be interested in taking some of it off you hands. Let me know if you're still looking to unload it!

[Dreymac]

21. I have the same problem - loads of vintage fabric.

My 84 year old mother-in-law was a fabric hoarder for the past 50 years and I have 4-5 pick up truck loads of vintage fabric in plastic bins and perfect condition. There must be thousands of yards. I have pictures but I'm not sure how to attach them.

If anyone is still interested in large quantities of vintage fabric let me know. I was planning to haul it all out to Hollywood and try to sell it in bulk to a studio or costume designer. That is still a possibility.

[aliza20]

51. Feedsacks

Im looking for vintage floral feedsacks

[Dreymac]

23. I have a lot of vintage fabric for sale.

My 84 year old mother-in-law was a fabric hoarder for the past 50 years and I have 4-5 pick up truck loads of vintage fabric in plastic bins and perfect condition. There must be thousands of yards. I have pictures but I'm not sure how to attach them.

If anyone is still interested in large quantities of vintage fabric let me know. I was planning to haul it all out to Hollywood and try to sell it in bulk to a studio or costume designer. That is still a possibility.

[Newmrmber]

37. Vintage fabric

Hi. I’ll buy any and all. I’m a buyer for a shop in nyc and vintage is always in demand

[Kscheri]

53. Two rooms in an attic full of fabric

Hey There I know this is a older posts. I am in New Jersey and my brother and I are cleaning out my moms house and I think I have an attic and at least two rooms full of fabric. Probably dating back to the 1960s. If you’re interested and you see this message you can reach me at 732-261-8798. My email address is [e-mail]

[Rhiannon12866]

54. You might want to try the DU Marketplace

People here are both looking for and selling numerous items there.

DU Marketplace (Group)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1120

[marble falls]

55. I'd take a close look at the fabric in an attic since the sixties. And the ones in a room, too ...

... if it's cotton, I'd try to see how easy it rips and how much 'dust' it throws off.

If she has printed cotton feed and flour sacks, you are looking a valuable stuff - set it aside, there are serious collectors and quilt restorers who pay very good money for it.

If the cottons are good, expect a $1.00 to $5.00 a yard depending on width, pattern, manufacturer (ie Moda vs say Cotton Customs).

If you think the fabrics are good, it might be worth your while to put a booth up at a nice sized local quilt club's quilt show vendors aisle.

[midnight1111]

25. Mom has 60 years of accumulated fabric

My mom has collected fabric over 60 years. She is getting old and wants to sell it.
Would you be interested? How would this work?

Thanks

[Sheelah]

26. Are you still interested in fabric?

Hello! I have a very large amount of mostly high end fabric. Are you still interested in buying? Thank you!

[herding cats]

27. Hi, I have a question if you don't mind?

I monitor this forum and I was just curious how you found this post in an obscure part of a political site? I'm only asking since the post you're replying to is from 10/2014 and it seems odd to me that you'd see it normally if you were browsing the site.

Not that there's anything wrong with your query, it's perfectly topical, I'm just curious how you landed here. Was it an internet search that drew you here, or how did you wander across this post?

[Newmrmber]

40. Vintage fabric lots

Not many posts online by people looking to sell large lots of vintage goods. For those in the trade that’s a compelling a good lot is a compelling prospect. I expect it’ll remain active for the foreseeable future.

[Newmrmber]

38. I am interested!

Please send me a message to discuss

[warwickkk]

16. keen

hey im keen to purchase vintage fabric i run a clothing label and always looking

[REP]

17. It's a lot of it

About $30K worth.

[Dreymac]

22. I have the same problem. A Lot of vintage fabric.

My 84 year old mother-in-law was a fabric hoarder for the past 50 years and I have 4-5 pick up truck loads of vintage fabric in plastic bins and perfect condition. There must be thousands of yards. I have pictures but I'm not sure how to attach them.

If anyone is still interested in large quantities of vintage fabric let me know. I was planning to haul it all out to Hollywood and try to sell it in bulk to a studio or costume designer. That is still a possibility.

[TexasBushwhacker]

24. That's a good idea

I would look online for vintage fabric dealers and see if you can find someone to buy the lot. There are dealers on EBay and Etsy as well.

[Fabrichoarder]

28. Interested

I collect/sew with vintage fabrics and would be interested in purchasing! I like 80’s novelty(Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, etc), and vintage fabrics in pastel/rainbow, fruits(strawberry/cherry/similar), seersucker, cotton/sheer with raised floral patterns, or anything really pretty and feminine. Please send me a message if you might have something!

[fleabiscuit]

29. Welcome to DU. Check the date on the messages you are replying to. nt

[Fabrichoarder]

30. Thank you!

I know it’s a really old thread. I thought I’d reply just in case anyone was still selling.

[BumRushDaShow]

31. Hi and welcome to DU!

We also have a "Crafts" Group here - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1032

And you might be able to search through there to see if there are any other quilters (or similar crafty folks who use material) who may be able to help!

[samnsara]

33. i will ask some of my quilting friends..

[EveHammond13]

35. try Etsy - I know there are sellers selling vintage stamps, for example

[Newmrmber]

39. Vintage fabric

Did you ever sell it? If not I’d love to have a look

[aliza20]

46. feedsack fabrics

Do you have any vintage floral feedsacks and/or vintage Feedsack scraps?

[marble falls]

48. Those are like gold. I used to buy and sell feedsacks. And they are rarer than hen's teeth ...

I remember about ten years ago there was a rumor someone in the Dallas area had four or five trash bags full and it was like the search for the Holy Grail.

I never lost a penny even selling scraps. Learned to tell the difference between mint sacks and repro PDQ. I still have a feed sack quilt from my great-grandmother made in the twenties.

[samnsara]

32. wow lucky you! i inherited the same stuff..I ended up donating it but..

...mine wasnt AS vintage as yours! Compare similar items $ on Ebay. Get on Strange Inheritances. I can get the word out to some of my friends who do sewing and let you connect with the if they are interested..?

[EveHammond13]

34. Etsy?

[Newmrmber]

36. Vintage fabrics--would love to buy them.

Hi, I’m a buyer at a large shop in nyc an would love to buy (or at least look) your fabric. Send me a direct message. Thanks

[MaxFabric]

41. ME TOO

My mom collected fabric since the 1950s. Now we have LOTS of boxes full of fabric. Does anyone buy this type random new yards of fabric?

[marble falls]

42. You bet they do. Especially printed feed and flower sacks.

[dem in texas]

43. Oh!!!! Wish I could be there to look at the fabric.

I am a quilt and fabric collector. I have swatches of fabric that go back over 150 years. There are many serious fabric collectors out there. I have sold lots of antique and vintage fabric on Ebay although I have not sold any lately.

Cotton fabric is the most collectible. Double knit not so, also cotton blends. Some luxury fabrics such as old taffeta and satin with no polyester are also very collectible. Some of the fabric, you will probably not be able to sell (polyesters). You are better off selling the whole bunch as one lot because some of it is probably dumpster stuff.

Older cottons are 36" wide (modern cotton fabric is 44" wide). Heavier cottons such as used for slacks are usually 45" wide. If you have cotton drapery fabric, this is collectible category too. A type of heavy cotton fabric with a texture is called barkcloth and usually printed in bold tropical leaves and flowers - this is a hot collectible item. 1950-60's lighter cotton drapery fabric in landscape prints are also good items.

Hopes this helps you determining a value of your stash. Ebay has a vintage fabric category, I think it is under Collectibles, you might look there to get an idea of what type of fabric is the most valuable.

[samnsara]

45. I just found quilt squares already hemmed that my grandmother made ( im 69)...

..since I dont sew I was going offer the squares to local mask makers but the fabric is pretty thin.

Maybe put your collection on Ebay?

[marble falls]

49. All those I ever found, sold well. if the fabric is 'thin' fuse it to a good solid color cotton ...

... muslin backing. I think Moda is the best, all I ever used for dyeing for the quilting market.

[Marthe48]

52. Maybe you could get in touch with Etsy crafters

I bet there are many who would love to have your material.

Another thought is the Amish. But I don't know how you'd get in touch with them.