Some of my purchases from Historiska Fynd on blue/blue diamond twill
After scoring some gorgeous blue diamond twill during my trip to Finland last summer, I am still on the lookout for MORE. I know that the chances of finding more of it on my next summer trip to Finland will be slim (though you KNOW that I will look…) so I thought I’d look elsewhere too. (Since the seller didn’t have a website) Continue reading
A bunch of the fabrics I purchased at the 2018 Grandmother’s Fabric Sale hanging to dry after washing.
If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of the Grandmother’s Fabric Sale. For good reason – all the fabric is donated, and so is super-cheap to buy (about $1.00/meter for regular fabrics, and $2.00/meter for fancy and home dec fabrics), plus the proceeds all go to a worthwhile charity.
Inside the 2018 Grandmother’s Fabric Sale
Now.. if you go looking for something specific (tropical suit-weight cherry red worsted wool for example…) or need a specific measurement (4 meters) you’re going to be out of luck most likely. However if you want to add to your child-friendly quilting fabric collection, or want a pile of polar fleece, you’re in luck. A little digging and you can find a happy balance between the two too.
One of the many piles of yarn at the 2018 Grandmother’s charity Fabric Sale
This year I wanted to get there two hours early. Doors opened at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, and I hoped to get there at 12:30 p.m…. but my ride was late and we didn’t get there until a little after 1:00 p.m. Well… an hour and a half early put us SUPER far back, though it was enough to get us in on the ‘first round’. Thank goodness! I brought a camp chair, a drink, and some nuts (but should have brought sunscreen too – I got burned!) plus a book to pass the time.
They only let so many people in at a time, so if you’re in the first batch (of 50?) you’ll get in when the doors open, but if you’re further back, you’ll creep forward as they let other people in. Next year I definitely want to try to get there earlier… though I heard some of the true keeners were there at 9:00 a.m.! Of course, you have NO idea how many spots the people ahead of you are holding for people who will come later…
As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are many cities across Alberta (and Canada) that participate in this sale. Usually they’re all on different days, so a real keener could go from city-to-city finding the best deals if they were up for a drive. This year multiple sales were all held on the same weekend though… so unlike previous years when I’ve been able to add the fabric sale into my trip to an SCA event, I only visited the Calgary sale this year.
I started off by going into the Home Dec room this year, and bought on my first round
Yep… I did two rounds. First I went through and paid, then dropped my purchases off with my friend who finished just before me… then went back in for another round. In previous years they let you back in again without waiting in line again… and they said they were going to do so this year to – but as I was paying I overheard someone saying that it wasn’t fair… since there were people still standing in line… So I opted not to take my chances since my friend was willing to wait for me.
After home decorating fabrics I headed to the 3 meter, 4 meter, and 5 meter long fabric tables. I bought
Next, I went into the fancy fabric section, and picked up:
Finally I went to the 1 and 2 meter long fabric tables, and picked up:
Going into the building I picked up an inkle loom (though either it was damaged or it got damaged trying to carry it around, because when I got it home I saw damage. Hopefully I can fix it though!)
On my second round I picked up a big bag full of different crochet cotton balls ($1.00 for a grocery bag full!), some yarn which I HOPE is wool but is probably acrylic to try tablet weaving with, and a huge spool of hemp yarn…
I looked through the craft and notions rooms, and popped my head into the quilting room, but didn’t get anything from these rooms.
Spinning wheel for sale at the 2018 Grandmother’s charity fabric sale in Calgary
There was also a spinning wheel… which I was super tempted by – but it didn’t look entirely complete, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to FIND the parts to get it up and working for me (or someone else).
If you want to get a note when the next Grandmother’s Fabric Sale comes around, or want to follow to see what I MAKE with some of these fabrics… come follow me on Facebook. If you are a WordPress user, consider subscribing, but if not… Facebook is a great way of seeing what I post in your feed.
If you want to see works-in-progress photos before I finish my projects consider following me on Instagram too! I also share photos from the SCA events I attend, yummy food photos, and photos of my super-cute puppers. 😉
Lining up to get into the Grandmother’s Fabric Sale in Calgary
The Calgary Grandmother’s Fabric & Yarn Sale started yesterday and runs today – but the Edmonton sale is only a one-day sale.. and today is the day!
I’ve never had the chance to visit the Edmonton sale, (and won’t get the chance today either because I have a few other things to do) but if it follows the same price structure and variety as the Calgary, Red Deer, and Lethbridge charity sales I’ve been to – it should be a must-visit if you are in YEG!
Lots of people lined up to get into the 2017 Grandmother’s fabric sale. I was so far back, even though I got there an hour early!
I’ve already posted about the Calgary sale… but here are other Grandmother’s Fabric Sales happening for 2018.
The Red Deer Grandmother’s Fabric Sale will take place on April 21. They’re currently looking for donations which can be dropped off at Gaetz Memorial Church. More information about the group and the sale on their website.
Just part of the line up to get into the 2015 Grandmother’s fabric sale
Today is the first day of the 2-day Grandmother’s Fabric Sale for 2018! Who will I see down at 5010 Spruce Drive S.W. in Calgary today or tomorrow?
I love this annual fabric and yarn sale, first because the prices are great, the selection is always unique and interesting, and the proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
