How to Shop the Remnant Bins for the Best Deals
My favourite fabric store in Sydney is The Fabric Store, which is located in Surry Hills. The main reason they are my favourite store is that they sell good quality fabric at fair prices. I like that they have good quality staples, such as an excellent range of linens and merinos. They also sell some amazing trendy and fun products that are still high quality.
One of my favourite areas of The Fabric Store is the remnant bins. They are well organised, and the products are clearly labelled, including fabric content, making the remnant bin feel less like a lucky-dip, and more like a bargain bin—my favourite!
When I’m shopping the remnant bin I always look for the largest amount of fabric in a remnant. Always over one metre of fabric, and as close to two as possible. The larger the remnant, the more likely I can use it, and the more choices of patterns I will have.
Before I even go shopping, I take a photo, or screenshot, of all of the patterns that I have that call for around one to one-and-a-half metres of fabric. Generally, these are blouses, tops, and sweatshirts. If you have plenty of those, shorts are another good low yardage pick. This way, when I’m seeing beautiful remnants, I can determine if it’s actually a good fit for the patterns I already have. It also saves me heaps of time by avoiding slow google searches of pattern websites while I’m shopping.
Once I have pulled out my favourite remnants it becomes decision time. I evaluate:
The price
The amount of fabric
Whether the fabric has flaws
Whether there are multiple remnants that can be used to make a single item
The quality
The brand (if applicable)
Below are some of my favourite garments that I have made from remnants.
New Look 6035, View C. Made of Tory Birch silk remnant from The Fabric Store.
New Look 6449, View A. Marc Jacobs Cotton Knit Remnant from The Fabric Store for only $8!
The Drape Top, from Simply Sewing Magazine. Merino Remnant from The Fabric Store.
Megan Nielsen Jarrah Sweater. Made of Liberty London remnant (body), and pink ribbing (cuffs); both from The Fabric Store.
The same principles can be used at other fabric stores, of course. Some stores are better at labelling their remnants than others, so it’s important to be mindful of this, especially if you’re picky about fabric content like I am. I have had some success at Spolight in the clearance section, notably getting a striped cotton-linen blend for $5/m to make one of my favourite Burda dresses out of. Fabric websites also have remnant sections, and the fabric is often very well labelled.
Burda 6732, a favourite pattern of mine, in a cotton-linen blend from Spotlight Stores.
By following these shopping principles, I have found many great quality pieces of fabric at much lower prices. This stretches my hobby money further! Happy bargain shopping!
If you like the remnant bin as much as I do, please use my hashtag on Instagram: #ilovetheremnantbin
Links:
The Fabric Store
https://wearethefabricstore.com/au
Spotlight
