Buying Fabric on Ebay

August 21st, 2008 in sewing

Shannon Dennis, contributor

1 user recommends

There is enough yardage for everyone!

Add Comment
Print

I love shopping for fabric on eBay. There are a few things to keep in mind though!

1.) Do your math before you purchase. For instance, I just bought some Amy Butler cotton fabric. I usually buy my cotton fabrics from Quilt Home. Amy's cotton fabrics run about $8.95 per yard on this site so I know that it isn't smart to buy anything for more then that per yard. Make sure when you are calculating that you are including the shipping!

2.) Check the quantity. This gets me more often then I would like to admit. I start out looking for yardage of fabric and end up bidding on fat quarters.

3.) Double check the description. Sometimes people will sell fabric but not necessarily picture the fabric for sale. Sometimes it is a different color or shade that what is pictured. They will normally note this in the description but it is easy to over look if that is the exact shade of green you were looking for! This can happen in a "grab bag" type of description too.

These are the fabrics I just got and I'm so excited!

posted in: sewing, fabric, eBay, buying fabric online

Add Comment Print

Comments (10)

Nancylaurel writes: Thanks Shannon for the tips! I haven't tried e-bay for fabrics. I also haven't used Quilthome.com. Looks like you really made a great deal. Wonderful!
Posted: 12:02 pm on September 6th

JennlovesSteve writes: I just wanted to add that you should also ask about any weird smells before you bid. I have bought ALOT of fabric on ebay and there is nothing worse than when you get that package you have been waiting for and you open it up to a weird smell or that stale smoke smell. That has also happened with some books and how doyou get a smell out of a book? Uggh!
Posted: 10:10 pm on September 3rd

Beezekneesfashions writes: Merrmerr. You might also want to check Trendyfabrics.com for Amy Butler fabric. They have a nice selection and usually sell it at $6.29 a yard. They also run free shipping specials. Their customer service is great. Josh will either respond by e-mail or call you.
Posted: 1:38 pm on August 27th

oshynlover writes: Fat quarters are the smaller amounts of fabric. Usually is around 18" by 22" in size. Its smaller "sampler size pieces" of fabric. Its a nice size to do smaller projects or larger quilts with smaller pieces in it.

I too love ebay. I am a huge nautical person and for the life of me I have been unable to find STUNNING nautical fabric. However I found 7 different ones on ebay! IT WAS GREAT!!! I highly recommend. Be careful of 1/2 yard and 1 yard ads. I got ripped on one too once. I thought I was getting a yard. WOW a lot for a 1/2 yard! But I find ebay to be cheaper.
Posted: 12:02 am on August 24th

zanygumby writes: Hello Shannon,

You talk about "fat quarters" I have no idea what you are talking about. Can you or someone let me know what this is so that I will make sure I keep an eye out so that I don't do the same thing? Thanks,
Posted: 4:03 pm on August 23rd

Shannon_Dennis writes: prettymonkey - haha! I almost did it the other day which prompted the post. I'm glad not to be the only one!
Posted: 1:08 pm on August 22nd

Shannon_Dennis writes: merrmerr - I really do like purchasing from Quilthome.com as they have great service and good prices. They have the new collections in stock quickly after their release so if you're into having the latest it is a perk. If you get on their email list you will get a weekly newsletter from them that always has a collection or group of collections on sale. Amy Butler's fabric has been a part of a few e-sales this year. I do keep a close tab on eBay though, for Amy's fabrics as you can get a good price there sometimes.
Posted: 1:07 pm on August 22nd

merrmerr writes: I have actually bid on a finished bag once that i thought was cheaper than the fabric for the pattern i would be making but instead got the pattern...again. i couldn't believe i did it on ebay, again. just like ordering groceries online...great concept but only if you pay attention to the Unit of Measure and the details, for sure. So, where is the best place to get yardage of Amy Butler fabric for a quilt? For sure, always ebay?
Posted: 11:04 pm on August 21st