The cost of basic fabrics is pretty extravagant, even when you shop around. Sewing your own stuff isn’t thrifty anymore. It’s even probably a luxury hobby by now.
*I’ve checked clearance and discount fabric sites and wouldn’t want the stuff that’s affordable. The selection is not good
Yup! And finding non poly stuff is getting harder and harder. Where you really blow money though is on the bits people don’t always think of. Zippers, facing fabric, the amount buttons go for is obscene!
If you can find those church run or community opshops like those of old (IE not a Vinnies in a trendy suburb or any that focus on getting top dollar for trendy women's clothes) where the volunteers are little old ladies, they're still worth a look.
I agree with Seagoon - 2nd hand is the way to go. Op shops have sheets and often leftover fabric that's been donated. Sacred Heart has a better selection than Vinnies. A single bed sheet is ample for a lot of projects. If you need a zip, rather than paying $12.50 in Lincraft, look for a garment with the right colour and length zip for $2. The crappiest garments often have good buttons or zips.
I have no idea what the actual cost of my sofa Reno is. Some of the fabric has been in stash for 20 years. Buying it all at once right now would likely cause an embolism…
How about buy a track pants that are a couple sizes bigger than you need and then adjust to fit. You could keep the waist but slim down the legs, for example. Probably cheaper than buying the fabric.
My best op shop find ever was lots of yarn. I got there just as they were putting out what must have been a knitter's whole stash, and included real wool yarn, in large quantities of matched lots. I bought enough to make four or five jumpers, at something like $1 a ball.