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Post by JoP on Jul 2, 2014 14:42:22 GMT
Gypsygirl would you mind sharing how to get the brown spots out of old linens please? Many thanks Not at all! There are a few methods to try. My favorite one at the moment is to soak the linens in Retro Clean. Most of the time it gets everything out in the first soaking. Soak for 24 hrs, then rinse in cool water and wash. I discovered this at Quilt Festival a few years ago. They also make a washing powder for cleaning delicate linens later on. There are other vintage soaks out there, but I've had the best luck with this one. If the spots aren't too bad, I like to start with BIZ. I've only used the powdered, so cannot vouch for the new liquid version. I soak overnight, rinse in cool water and then wash. This usually gets most difficult stains out of regular clothes as well. How I wash after soaking depends on the item. Some things can go into the washer on delicate, but fragile items get hand washed in lukewarm water. Most important is to never, ever put these old linens in the dryer. Hang them to dry. If you want to brighten them a bit more, you can hang them outside. I don't do that because of the air pollution from living very near a major freeway. When you iron, use a spray like Mary Ellen's Best Press or Flatter. Both come in unscented as well as other fragrances. If you don't use your linens all the time, be sure and refold them once or twice a year. This will prevent the fibers from breaking down at the folds. If you want to wrap them in tissue to store, make sure you are using an archival acid-free tissue. Now everyone can go forth and save the vintage linens and quilts! Thank you so much for sharing **GypsyGirl**
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Post by sisterbdsq on Jul 2, 2014 15:02:33 GMT
OMG, I totally forgot! We have a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store near us. People offload cabinets and other items from remodeling jobs, plus a smattering of new/overstock from stores, salvage from demo and regular donations. We bought a brand new putty colored leather couch and chair...$100 total. It was 50% off day. It's a classic style/shape and looks amazing in our house. Once the new flooring is in we're going to repaint the accent walls and it's going to be awesome. SO was afraid he wasn't going to like it, but he trusted me and half the time I wake up alone because he's sleeping on it.
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musiclover
Shy Member
Posts: 34
Jul 1, 2014 15:49:05 GMT
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Post by musiclover on Jul 2, 2014 15:08:53 GMT
I resell kids items at local consignment sales and found two great things this week at two different Goodwills. The first was this musical rocker that retails for $129.99, I bought it for $4.99 Then I found this K's Kids car that retails for $90, I paid $3 for it Not as fun as the vintage finds but I was doing the happy dance.
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Post by pastlifepea on Jul 2, 2014 15:15:50 GMT
Loving hearing about other people's finds. I love a good junk or thrift store. I was in San Jose earlier this week and was at JoAnn to pick up some things and saw a big thrift store next to it so I had to go in. Came out with a really cool book that is a reproduction of the original 1894 Sears catalog that I am planning to cannibalize for the vintage images. Also got a couple of Manga drawing books for DD13.
My favorite is a local store that is religious based and run by a group of elderly ladies. It seems like they get in a lot of older vintage stuff there and it is mostly still thrift store prices vs. antique or vintage prices.
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hippypea
Full Member
Just here for the FLUFF!!
Posts: 153
Jun 25, 2014 23:12:52 GMT
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Post by hippypea on Jul 2, 2014 16:00:17 GMT
mochi It's kind of a crazy place! lol They dump everything into these enormous bins and sell it all by the pound. The furniture is all super low priced too. It's a pretty even split between things that didn't move through the stores fast enough, and items where their stock got out of hand and they needed to offload some of it. The upside is that you can find some great deals if you're willing to dig and it's a GREAT place to go if you're looking for a furniture project. The downside is that the bins are not the cleanest place and some of the shoppers are crazy aggressive about getting to the "good stuff" first. Lots of people shopping for resale/ebay/etc there. We've gone to the GW outlet a couple of times, and you definitely have to have patience AND be *really* careful digging through - there's almost always broken glass SOMEWHERE in those bins. I haven't come across any great finds lately, but over time, my folks managed to come out of there with enough Christmas decorations to decorate a tree for every room. They only put up one tree, so I don't know why they keep buying that kind of stuff - although one year not too long ago, I was recovering from my hysterectomy during the holidays and didn't feel like getting all my ornaments down and I was able to decorate my tree AND have sit-around-decorative-thingies for Christmas JUST from the stuff they had "procured" from the GW outlet!! So it did save me that one time. At 59 cents a pound, couldn't beat it! Looking forward to taking DD to some yard sales on Saturday after Arthur blows through and leaves some gorgeous weather behind!!
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Post by Lexica on Jul 2, 2014 16:25:45 GMT
I just went into the garage and dug out that bag of transfers. They are from the 80s and are called Pretty Punch iron on transfer. It says they are for punch embroidery, needlepoint canvas, and other crafts. I was surprised at the size of them. I expected small transfers, like 5" or so. They are more like 10" to 12" in size.
I counted 130 packets that are unopened. I looked them up on ebay, and they vary from $2.50 to $10.00 each. I don't know if it is the design that raises the price or if some sellers are not in touch with reality. I paid 50 cents for the bag of 130 transfers. I was checking out the patterns. Some are adorable and it makes me want to make something from it. Very cute vintage chicks and bunnies for Easter, Christmas things, Halloween things, flowers, Indian designs, etc. I just don't know what I'd do with the item after making it. My son is a long way off from marriage and grandchildren. Of course, the way I seem to take forever to get things done these days, I may just have it finished around the time he does have a baby.
Has anyone worked with these iron on patterns before? Do they lose strength as they age and these may not transfer anymore? I hope not. I guess I'd better try a few. I have no need for all of these. Does anyone do any needlework or punch embroidery anymore that might want a pattern or two? I could look to see if I have whatever theme you are interested in.
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mochi
Full Member
Posts: 449
Jun 26, 2014 1:45:16 GMT
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Post by mochi on Jul 2, 2014 19:49:15 GMT
My favorite is a local store that is religious based and run by a group of elderly ladies. It seems like they get in a lot of older vintage stuff there and it is mostly still thrift store prices vs. antique or vintage prices. I find (around here anyway) that many of the church/religious related thrift stores tend to have better prices. They also seem to be the only ones who have the vintage fabrics, needlework and craft items I typically look for. That said, I've noticed that the prices are creeping upwards in those thrifts as well. An unopened vintage cross stitch kit that just a couple of years ago sold for $2-3, is now regularly priced at $8-10. It's the same for nearly all the things I look at. I also see that all the thrift stores are just packed with people these days. Not sure how much of it is people buying for themselves vs people buying to flip the items on eBay, etc. Is anyone else noticing the same thing? Yes! Prices have gone higher and I agree, due to flippers. Have you seen the tv show Thrift Hunters? It's a whole show based on thrifting and flipping on eBay. So in a half hour, it shows the guys at stores and garage sales and the last part of the show is listing on eBay and how much money the item sold for. I love watching, but I definitely think it has increased competition and prices.
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mochi
Full Member
Posts: 449
Jun 26, 2014 1:45:16 GMT
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Post by mochi on Jul 2, 2014 20:15:37 GMT
**GypsyGirl** It's on Spike TV. I know the season is over, but you might be able to watch the episodes online. I didn't catch the segment, but apparently NBC ran something with eBay sellers complaining about sales being down since the security breach.
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musiclover
Shy Member
Posts: 34
Jul 1, 2014 15:49:05 GMT
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Post by musiclover on Jul 2, 2014 21:37:32 GMT
I think prices are getting WAY too expensive. There are quite a few thrift stores I frequent and it seems that all of them are loving what they get donated just a little too much. I was at Saver's (benefits Big Brothers & Big Sisters and it's stocked only by what is donated) the other day. Saw a girls dress from Old Navy for $7.99. BUT the next section over in the boys jeans, I found a pair of Levi's for $.99. The jeans were in new condition, the dress not so much. I get they want to make money but if they don't start lowering their prices, it's not going to happen.
I love, love going to a few local Salvation Army stores on Monday. Here, they have a color tag that is on sale for 50% off for the week. On Monday, the precious weeks color of tagged items, if you can find any, are only $.49 each. A couple of months ago, I found a White House Black Market tweed winter coat in my size for $.49!! Probably retailed for $250-$300 if not more.
Okay, I admit it...I'm a thrift store junkie!!
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teddyw
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,052
Member is Online
Jun 29, 2014 1:56:04 GMT
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Post by teddyw on Jul 3, 2014 11:34:30 GMT
A friend of mine started a thrift store in honor of his brother who died in a car accident when we were teens. It benefits kids in El Salvador. It has the best stuff. Really cheap.
Last week I bought 5 pieces of milk glass for $6.50. It's my current collection.
He gets really good pieces of furniture that could be painted. I wish it wasn't 3 hours away.
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Post by slicksister on Jul 7, 2014 23:51:09 GMT
We have a huge Salvation Army near us that is kind of an outlet center. You have to go with the understanding that you are going to get dirty and that you are going to have to dig through stuff but the prices are incredible. The cowboy and I went today and got all these items for $15. I am going to paint the little dresser, the tin box and the chair to sell. I'm going to use the legs from the tiny footstool on another project (the footstool was $3. If I were to buy those legs in the store they would be about $5 each!) The vintage train case was $1. Seriously One freaking dollar.
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MaryC
Full Member
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Jun 25, 2014 21:52:55 GMT
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Post by MaryC on Jul 8, 2014 0:13:23 GMT
Our Habitat ReStore is only open a couple of days per week, so I don't get a chance to go there often. I did find an old fashioned cast iron doormat for a dollar. I loved the design - swirling vines and birds - so instead of using it as a doormat, I painted it with a vintage milk paint and hung it on the wall.
Also bought a big box of old canning jars - the kind with the zinc lids - 5 dollars for 20 one quart jars. They need cleaning badly, but are otherwise in good shape. I'm going to clean them up and use for storage in my sewing room - I have oodles of vintage buttons and trims that desperately need sorting.
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Post by melrose on Jul 8, 2014 0:30:19 GMT
Great fabric score, gypsygirl!
I scored an old rusty wheelbarrow for $20. Asking price was $30 so I was happy.
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Post by papersilly on Jul 8, 2014 0:32:55 GMT
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Post by scrapbookbobbie on Jul 8, 2014 0:33:54 GMT
We have a huge Salvation Army near us that is kind of an outlet center. You have to go with the understanding that you are going to get dirty and that you are going to have to dig through stuff but the prices are incredible. The cowboy and I went today and got all these items for $15. I am going to paint the little dresser, the tin box and the chair to sell. I'm going to use the legs from the tiny footstool on another project (the footstool was $3. If I were to buy those legs in the store they would be about $5 each!) The vintage train case was $1. Seriously One freaking dollar. I love that little dresser!
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Post by pmm on Jul 8, 2014 0:52:22 GMT
Lexica in the 90s I used those types of transfers to make painted t-shirts. At that time you could buy a transfer pen/pencil to go over the lines when the transfer ink was no longer dark enough to use. Maybe they still make those pens/pencils.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 12:10:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 1:17:15 GMT
I went thrifting/junking with my mom and sister yesterday. I got some awesome stuff! My parents are closing their junk market booth for the summer, so my mom let me go shopping for free. And then we hit a flea market and a salvage place. From my mom... turquoise waste basket, floral metal tray, transferware pitcher, and pale blue cake stand. OH, and a metal picnic basket with a woodgrain pattern printed on it! From the rest of our stops... sewing machine drawers, glass sealer of old keys, vintage lab glassware, plus the most amazing vintage metal toolbox with some more awesome stuff... Some fun little bits and pieces. A nice old ledger. Typewriter ribbon tin. Box of cigar boxes!!
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Post by darkangel090260 on Jul 8, 2014 2:03:36 GMT
We have a huge Salvation Army near us that is kind of an outlet center. You have to go with the understanding that you are going to get dirty and that you are going to have to dig through stuff but the prices are incredible. The cowboy and I went today and got all these items for $15. I am going to paint the little dresser, the tin box and the chair to sell. I'm going to use the legs from the tiny footstool on another project (the footstool was $3. If I were to buy those legs in the store they would be about $5 each!) The vintage train case was $1. Seriously One freaking dollar. I love that little dresser! I so love the little foot stool. I need to hunt for something like that for my office.
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Post by Lexica on Jul 8, 2014 4:09:45 GMT
Lexica in the 90s I used those types of transfers to make painted t-shirts. At that time you could buy a transfer pen/pencil to go over the lines when the transfer ink was no longer dark enough to use. Maybe they still make those pens/pencils. Thank you for the idea! I am taking tomorrow off as a play day and I'll do a test run with one of the transfers. T-shirts is a great idea. These would be just the right size. I was thinking maybe a canvas bag for groceries and choose a few of the fruit designs. I have fabric paint and I could paint them up to be cute. Maybe if I paint my own I will actually remember to bring them into the store with me. As it is, I tend to remember them as I'm walking in the front door of a store. Would you like a couple of transfers yourself? I would be happy to send you a few. The appear to be all from the mid 80s. I love all the other yard sale buys this week.
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Post by heartcat on Jul 8, 2014 9:04:46 GMT
Slicksister and Ashley, some wonderful finds! I am always on the lookout for vintage suitcases and soooo would have bought the train case.
I did pick up a small, red hard shell suitcase a few weeks ago for $1 at a church sale. I will use it as a photo prop.
I forgot to add on my last post that I picked up a Juicy Couture bag this summer. I'm 50 and I use it!
We did not get out again this weekend, because dh was on call and worked all day. So it's been a couple of weekends now I haven't been garage saling. I hope the weather is good this weekend and we can get out.
In the meantime, I love reading about and seeing what others have gotten.
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Post by JoP on Jul 8, 2014 10:53:12 GMT
This is my find - hubby is blissfully unaware of this at the moment Sorry the image is so large Vintage 'fiddle base' Singer sewing machine manufactured around 1876 - from a house clearance for £30.00 it comes with it's original wooden cover.
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Post by lbp on Jul 8, 2014 12:59:50 GMT
I bought three brand new, womens, J. Crew button up shirts at G.W. yesterday for $3.75 each. Still had tags.
A Christopher and Banks jacket (which is my favorite brand) $3.75
A pair of Sperry's that looked like they have never been worn, $2.00
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Post by lovetodigi on Jul 8, 2014 13:05:59 GMT
Guess what today is? Is is Senior Day at the Goodwill here and my Mom is still visiting. She wants to go to both Goodwills that are in our area. Pray for me. Once she is in there and gets away, finding here is almost impossible. I am thinking about putting some kind of tracking device on her. I did ask her doctor to install a tracking device in her hip when he did her hip surgery in January and he found that very funny. He just does not understand how hard it is to keep up with her. That woman can sure get around to be 75. I hope that I can do as well when I am her age. I will report back on any deals that I find. I will have lots of time to look. Oh, and she found another thrift store, St. Vincent. I had never been there, but they have Senior Day on Wednesday. Guess where I will be tomorrow?
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BarbaraUK
Drama Llama
Surrounded by my yarn stash on the NE coast of England...............!! Refupea 1702
Posts: 5,961
Location: England UK
Jun 27, 2014 12:47:11 GMT
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Post by BarbaraUK on Jul 8, 2014 13:14:25 GMT
This is my find - hubby is blissfully unaware of this at the moment Sorry the image is so large Vintage 'fiddle base' Singer sewing machine manufactured around 1876 - from a house clearance for £30.00 it comes with it's original wooden cover. What a great find!
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Post by JoP on Jul 8, 2014 13:21:30 GMT
This is my find - hubby is blissfully unaware of this at the moment I promise to post a picture when it is all cleaned up Sorry the image is so large Vintage 'fiddle base' Singer sewing machine manufactured around 1876 - from a house clearance for £30.00 it comes with it's original wooden cover. What a great find!
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Post by pmm on Jul 10, 2014 5:51:42 GMT
Lexica Thanks for the offer of the transfers. I haven't used the ones that I have in close to 20 years. I hate to admit it but I still have all of them. I even have a GIANT book of Looney Tunes transfers. I'll have to go on a search for them in the next few weeks and see what all I have...maybe there is something in there that I could send you.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 10, 2014 13:17:33 GMT
I went to Goodwill on Saturday but just grabbed four books. I. Must. Stop. Buying. Books.... I am only half joking! Lisa I am a book hoarder.... um, I mean, enjoyer as well. I have two boxes full of paperbacks from dollar a bag sales that I plan on reading. Everytime I pass a thrift shop I tell myself "no more books." But then I find one that looks really good and for so cheap........ *sigh*
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,813
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Jul 10, 2014 17:08:57 GMT
LavenderLayoutLady, serious LOL. I read them from the library, too. But find so many great ones at the thrift store. Unbroken, Sycamore Row, East of Eden, Sarah's Key, World Without End, Memory Keeper's Daughter... I had to take a break from the library for a bit until I finished one of my piles! A dollar a bag. That is amazing. My best deal so far was 9 cents/book. Lisa
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oblibby
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Location: Bonnie Scotland
Jul 10, 2014 10:30:12 GMT
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Post by oblibby on Jul 10, 2014 17:31:42 GMT
I got a safe green butter-soft leather jacket for $32ish, a printed dress ($8), silk scarf ($3), and a Monsoon teal velvet jacket ($13). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by khaleesi on Jul 10, 2014 19:55:29 GMT
Gypsy Girl, thank you for the tips! I love looking at and hearing about all of these treasures!
Mine was from an antique mall we stopped at on a whim last week. I found a dozen embroidered grey flower linen napkins for $8. Of the 12, 2 of them have some brown spots so I will be making my place with this reply and picking up some of the supplies mentioned to clean them!
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