How To Collect Vintage Western Fabric

If you are wondering how to collect vintage western fabric, the answer is you need to think outside of the box, the big box fabric store that is. You are not going to find vintage western fabrics at a modern big box fabric store. To build a collection of vintage western fabric you should follow the following tips for how to collect vintage western fabric.  To collect vintage western fabric you will have to look for unique fabric supply sources. You will have the best chance of finding out-of-the-ordinary fabric from out-of-the-ordinary sources. 

1. Search for western fabric on the Internet and add other terms to your Internet search. Some of the most collectible western fabrics will be listed under other common fabric terms because not everyone who has vintage western fabric actually knows what they have. Some of the less obvious keywords to enter in your favorite search engine and to watch for in sale ads are feed sack, flour sack, calico, and western flannel.
2. Visit flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops and auctions, looking for stain-free fabric that is not damaged with holes or frayed areas. If you are collecting the fabric to make a quilt you will do okay picking up small western fabric remnants. If you are collecting the fabric to make garments you need to look for larger sections of cut yardage or even full bolts of fabric.
3. Prepare the fabric properly. Clean the vintage western fabric. To prepare your vintage western fabric for either storage or use you need to clean it gently. Fabric that is free of dust and mildew will be less likely to attract moths. Machine washing and drying can be too rough for older fabrics, so hand washing followed by line drying is the best choice.
4. Prepare a climate controlled storage area. Store your vintage western fabric collection inside a garment storage bag or cedar-lined trunk placed in a cool, dry area.