Where to buy bits and pieces for art-textiles homework?

[bigTillyMint]

DD has started on her art-textiles GCSE. She is loving it, and wants to produce exciting homeworks using different materials (for example an Alexander McQueen inspired wedding dress)

Any ideas where I could get her packs of fabric/paper/other stuff - she wouldn't need much of anything, just a choice!

TIA

[SoupDragon]

You could try using stuff like old clothes or things like old maps and pages from books instead of new fabric and paper. Also, the discounted racks at Primark can be a good source of interesting fabrics.

[bigTillyMint]

Great ideas! If only we had some old clothes - all seem to have been passed on/charity-shopped/binned recently, but I could take a look in Primark...

[nipitinthebud]

Charity shops? John Lewis will send 6 fabric samples to you free of charge (not sure if its only for upholstery fabrics?) - other places may also send samples free of charge or for a small charge. Remnant bins in fabric shops. If its just small remnants she could just go to a fabric shop and ask for a sample (but might only be a small bit).

[Jellykat]

You can also get all types of things from your local scrapstore/ upcycling centre - i've got all types of interesting netting, webbing, bags of leather and suede, ribbon etc (oh and some useful silver and rubber materials).

You can google your nearest one, and most only cost £1 to become a member for a year.

[alemci]

we have a WRAP in our area which is free recycled stuff. you may need to join but it would be a good idea.

[SoupDragon]

Charity shops are great - I go to a wonderful warehouse sized one (it has furniture too) and whilst they do't have a lot of textiles, what they do have is cheap. Bedding is a good source of fabric too - pillow cases, duvet covers, sheets.... I've used them all!

I got some great "tweed" type material from Primark buying brightly coloured mini skirts in size 20 - £1 each and you got a zip and buttons as well as the outer fabric and lining.

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

Hobbycraft?

[freakydeaky]

The Works is good for packs of felt/corrugated paper/craft type stuff. DS uses various bits from there for the backgrounds in his Art GCSE folder

[bigTillyMint]

Ooh great ideas, thanks - will see where there's a works/hobbycraft near here!

[SamsGoldilocks]

Our local pound shops are good for paper, sticky boys etc.

[SoupDragon]

Sticky boys... ? [boggle] There are probably plenty of those at the OPs DD's school :o

[rockinhippy]

Put an add on your local Freegle/GreenCycle/Freecycle site - you'll likely get lots of replies offering you useful bits & bobs - for free - I often see people posting Offers of crafts bits they are clearing out

They are yahoo groups, so if you don't already know it, get yourself a yahoo address & google your local area & join your local group

[rockinhippy]

Also see if you have a local designer maker or seamstress who makes bridal wear, phone & ask if you can have their scrap bag - its rubbish to them & will either be binned or recycled to a school or similar, so they really won't mind