One of the keys to great thrift store finds is the willingness and ability to “think outside the box.”  At times, you may be blessed to find exactly what you were looking for.  Other times, you may have to get a bit creative.  Let’s look at a few examples of typical thrift store finds, to see what else they could be used for.  (There are, of course, many other items and uses, but hopefully these will get our creativity flowing.)

Enameled Pots

I just saw a couple of these two days ago.  They were very pretty and, if they fit with my decorating style, I might have gotten them.  They would go much better with “country” decor, though.  Besides (obviously) cooking, these pots could be used for:

• planting (flowers, houseplants)
• holding/displaying fruit
• holding cooking utensils (depending on the size of the pot — a very large one wouldn’t work well for this)
• storing small toys
• holding laundry powder (unless your laundry room is exceptionally damp)
• corralling dining table items (salt & pepper shakers, vitamin bottles, napkins, etc.)

Wine Racks

If you don’t drink wine, you might think wine racks are useless to you.  But they don’t have to hold wine!  They could also hold:

• vinegars and/or cooking wines
• bottles of tempera paint
• rolled-up table linens (placemats, runners, etc.)
• rolled-up bath towels
• vases
• water bottles
• canning jars full of whatever: dry beans, buttons, LEGO bricks

Linens

These can make great fabric.  Sheets, in particular, can be a great source of fabric for sewing projects — even those that require greater-than-usual width.  Tablecloths can be used for this purpose, too.  Even smaller linens can be used for certain projects.  I’ve cut little girls’ aprons from king-sized pillowcases.  Handkerchiefs can make small purses/drawstring bags, throw or doll pillows, etc.  Any small bits of fabric can, of course, be cut up into pieces for quilting.

Too-Large or Falling-Apart Clothing

Clothing, too, can be used for its fabric.  Look for garments made with large pieces, such as long straight skirts.  Clothing that is fallen apart can also be used; check for nice buttons, working zippers, trims that can be removed, etc.  (Of course, keep the prices in mind as you do this!  You probably don’t want to pay $8 for a dress from which you plan only to remove and keep two buttons!)

I recently purchased a skirt-and-top set that I loved, but which was way too big.  It has now been turned into my new purse/diaper bag (sans handles, as I ran out of fabric for that — was making up the pattern as I went along, so I didn’t know how much I needed — and am now looking for more).  The outfit cost about $2, which was less than I would have paid for fabric at the store, and I loved it.  (It also had some trimwork already done, which I incorporated into my bag design.  Photos will be posted whenever I finally have handles and can complete it!)

I am not always very good at thinking of out-of-the-ordinary uses for things, so I would love to hear your ideas!