I’ve been trolling sites like Craigslist and Freecycle, trying to score some cheap sewing stash. I want to do this right, and so I just want time to try different things, to learn that way. I don’t want to go out and buy zippers or bias binding. So, on usedcalgary.com, I found a lot of notions, and went and picked it up tonight.

I’m excited about the zippers. There was also a lot of stuff labeled ‘seam binding’. How does that work? I assume you use it on seams, but where? Sew it on after? Fold it under? I’ll find out, I’m sure.
And isn’t this lace cute?

After I did that I was feeling in a thrifty mood, so I went to Value Village, the one farthest from my house. I figured I was already way out of my way from finding the lady’s house, may as well go a bit farther. And oh, did it pay off.
I bought some fabric, again for testing:

The floral is heavier weight, almost a twill. I realise now that it is a curtain, I couldn’t see the top edge in the store. The other one is very lightweight polyester-type thing that I’m sure will be an interesting challenge to sew. It has a bit of stretch too.
Then I browsed the patterns, which was an adventure. I was giggling to myself, and you will soon see why:

I would wear this shirt!

Plain-old summer dresses, not bad.

The shirt dress I would wear. The white outfit however, is not a shirt and pants, oh no, it’s a jumpsuit

THE PANTS!! OMG THE PANTS!! I would wear the tops. BUT THE PANTS!1!!!11

And then my major find, and the only thing in the whole night that cost more than $5:

Yes, yes that is a Harry Potter duvet cover. No, I will not be wearing it, I think I may make a bag.
The great thing about the duvet is that before Christmas I went thrifting, and I was looking for pillowcases for felting, so the lint doesn’t clog the machine. I found two Harry Potter pillowcases and bought them just because, well, I had to! And that was at a different VV Boutique. I had even been plotting what to do with the pillowcases, and wishing I had a contrast fabric. Now I have a bed’s worth.