Where to Buy Vintage Sheets for Sewing and Crafting
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Vintage sheets come in some of the best patterns and prints, especially floral. Vintage bed sheets are so soft and perfect for sewing and crafting. But where can you buy them? How much do they cost? Vintage sheets are getting harder to find but I still find them all the time. I want you to know where to look so you can find your own sheet sets for projects.
Vintage pillowcases vs vintage sheets
I love shopping for both vintage pillowcases and sheets. Sheets are great for large projects like sewing dresses, curtains and a Vintage Sheet Table Runners. But pillowcases are perfect for smaller projects like quilting throw pillows and making little pincushions. Check out my list of 15 vintage sheet projects for more ideas.
My case for buying used vintage sheets
Sheets with stains or rips deserve love and appreciation. You can read more about how I wash vintage sheets. Just because a sheet isn’t totally perfect doesn’t mean you should discount it. I’ve read blog posts about how you should only buy perfect sheets and I completely disagree. Even sheets that are too thin can be used for other projects, like making fabric scrap garlands (Here’s an example of a vintage sheet strip garland kit that you can buy on Etsy).
Where can I shop for vintage bedding and sheets?
Thrift Stores
Price range: $
Thrift shops are the #1 place where I find my vintage sheets. They aren’t common but when you do find them they are generally quite cheap. I like to check out new thrift stores as often as I can to see if they have vintage sheets. My large collection of sheets is almost 100% thrifted. I normally find vintage sheets at thrift stores priced around $2-$5 apiece. Sheets are located in the linen department near blankets, comforters and towels.
Goodwill Outlet AKA The Bins
Price range: $
The Goodwill Outlet or “Bins” can be a really gross place. This is where Goodwill sends their items that haven’t sold at their regular stores and they sell items by the pound. They literally have giant bins on wheels that they bring out for people to riffle through. I highly recommend wearing gloves because some of the stuff in there is GROSS. I touched a soaking wet stuffed animal last time while I was there and I’m glad I had gloves on.
But don’t let that scare you away! You can find the BEST deals here. I’ve found vintage quilts in the bins and also lots of vintage sheets. They aren’t separated into special linen bins, they are mixed in with clothing. But if you like to hunt and dig then you’ll enjoy this and not spend a lot of money doing it.
Garage Sales
Price range: $
Garage sales with lots of old stuff can also have vintage sheets. I’ve been to some garage sales where vintage sheets are being used as tablecloths to cover card tables, the sellers see vintage sheets as outdated and basically drop cloths. I always ask if I can buy the sheet and I’ll help move the items off the table. Sometimes I’ll even find vintage sheets actually being used as a painting drop cloth and there will be spots of paint on them. They’ll give it to me for free or $1 and I’ll cut around the paint and use the bits I can for projects.
A great use for scraps is to make vintage sheet bunting like the ones pictured above.
Estate Sales
Price range: $-$$
Estate sales are a great place to almost always find vintage sheets. Estate sales are great too because if you look on estatesale.net you can see photos ahead of time. I’ll always check out the linen photos to see if they have any vintage sheets available. You can go the first day and get the first pick OR you can wait until the last day and get them at a discounted price. Sometimes they won’t be there anymore but I find that vintage sheets aren’t that popular and a lot of them are leftover for the second day.
Always check in bedrooms at estate sales and hallway closets and linen cupboards, that’s where they are normally located.
Flea Markets
Price range: $$
I’ve found a few sellers at my favorite flea markets that consistently sell vintage sheets. They are a bit more expensive than at thrift shops around $10. If you see a booth with flower power or 70s theme items check to see if they have any sheets around.
Facebook Marketplace
Price range: $$
For Facebook Marketplace you can search for vintage sheets and find some locally in your area. You can also set up an alert on “vintage sheets” and you’ll be notified when new listings become available.
Online at eBay and Etsy
Price range: $$-$$$
You can find any vintage sheet you want online at eBay or Etsy. You can even find them on Poshmark as well. On eBay, you can get great deals when you buy vintage sheet lots. But generally, you will pay more because someone is reselling them.
Pictured above: Vintage sheet striped skirt laid over a vintage sheet quilt
Antique Stores
Price range: $$-$$$
Some of the nicest vintage sheets I’ve seen in person are from antique stores. However, someone is reselling them so you’ll pay a pretty penny around $20-$30 apiece. But if you are in the mood for a sewing project and need to find a sheet TODAY then definitely check out some antique shops, you’re bound to find some. Check out my West Michigan antique store guide if you’re in the area.
Word of Mouth
Price range: Priceless
Let your friends, family and internet friends know that you love vintage sheets. My relatives have given me vintage sheets that they’ve found thrifting, or maybe your relatives will have some vintage sheets back in a linen cupboard somewhere.
I shared some of my vintage sheet projects on my Facebook once and an old co-worker contacted me. She said she had some vintage sheets from her mom that she wanted to send my way for free. I’ve had internet friends on my Instagram message me with vintage sheets that they no longer want and they mailed to me or dropped off at my house. It doesn’t hurt to put it out there and someone might think of you the next time they come across a sheet.
That’s my list of where you can shop for vintage sheets. For scrap fabric ideas you can read my blog post 12 Fabric Scrap Project Ideas.
