Welcome, A Thrifty Notion!
Did you spy a new logo with my Stitched in Color sponsors? Actually, A Thrifty Notion is nothing new. It was the sister store of longtime sponsor Fenceline Fabrics. The two stores have now merged, which is an interesting story.
“A Thrifty Notion began on accident. It grew out of our sister store Fenceline Fabrics, when Liv, the owner, set up a small de-stash corner in the shop hoping to re-home a few of her own unloved fabrics. Eventually, people started asking if we took donations and well, we were too thrifty minded to refuse. In no time, the donations were taking up half the space in the Fenceline Fabrics building (which was only 600 square ft) and Liv realized that a secondhand sewing shop wanted to exist. ”
You might remember that Fenceline Fabrics had an amazing selection of Cotton & Steel fabrics. Many of those bolts have simply migrated over to A Thrifty Notion. In fact, the above 6-piece fat quarter bundles are a sampling of such fabrics going for just $12 a pop!
But A Thrifty Notion is so much more than popular quilting fabrics. The store is the brainchild of Liv, who grew up on a homestead just outside of Manhattan, Kansas. Liv was raised by creative, can-do folks. She says, “Making things, fixing things, and giving things new life is where my business and my life roots itself.” She set out to make her business one that takes care of people.
“We’re definitely not perfect, but the goal is to always be offering better quality fabrics and finding better sources, while treating the planet and its people better too.
We have a small staff of amazing people and we want this job to be just one healthy part of a balanced life. Our goal is to make sure we have a fun and fair workplace so your fabric will be full of good energy.
Thank you for supporting a few great folks in Kansas, USA ”
A Thrifty Notion staff
True to Liv’s roots, A Thrifty Notion stocks sustainable, vintage and deadstock sewing supplies. What’s deadstock? It’s simply brand new merchandise that was never sold, but instead sits languishing in a warehouse. Sometimes even designer quilting cottons become deadstock, for example if a manufacturer printed more than the market can support. By getting this merchandise out into the world, A Thrifty Notion can offer deals while also saving goods from the landfill.
With such a business model, stock changes fast. Vintage buttons, zippers, leather, notons and a host of garment making fabrics from cozy wools to sheer florals - there’s always something new going up in the shop. To help you stay abreast, tune into Friday Fabric Features at A Thrifty Notion. This fun little video showcases the best fabrics they’ve loving each week. Expect fibers like wool, silk and linen, plus fun textures, unique prints and special vintage items. Each collection is unique. Watch Liv handle the fabrics and listen to her tips for how they could be used. It’s fun and educational!
This pretty “Beach Boys” stack was the Friday Fabric Feature collection last week. The new collection is due to go up today. Psst, if you want to have time to mull things over before fabrics go live, subscribe to the A Thrifty Notion newsletter. It gives you a preview of the Friday Features collection. Find the sign up form in the website footer.
“We believe that sewing can and should be sustainable. The practice of sewing as a household skill was often used to re-make or repair clothing so it could last longer. We hope to encourage our customers to think before they buy – check their stash, sew with what they have, upcycle, and generally put thought into their projects. But we also know that deadstock fabric sitting in a warehouse somewhere isn’t doing anyone any good, so we are happy to provide a secondhand shopping alternative for thoughtful makers.”
You can find A Thrifty Notion on Instagram too or shop in person in Ogden, KS. Visit About Us to hear more about their values, including where they donate a portion of profits.
Thank you for choosing to partner with Stitched in Color, Liv. I’m very grateful for the continued opportunity to partner with your endeavor.
Giveaway!
Ready to give this sustainable store a try? A Thrifty Notion is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader! Add your comment here now through midnight on Tuesday, April 19th for your chance to win. Include your email address in the comment form, so that I can contact you if you win.
Good luck, friends!
And the winner is Nanette Jernigan! I will be in touch via email, Nanette. Congratulations!