Sourcing Gold: How to Build a Collection Entirely from Secondhand Textiles
Because new isn't the only way to start something beautiful.
Designers often wait. Wait for the perfect fabric. The ideal swatch card. The sustainable supplier that matches their vision and their budget.
But here’s the truth: You can start now—by using what already exists. At Sausalito Blue, every collection is built on discarded materials. And not because we’re cutting corners. Because it’s where the magic lives.
Why Secondhand Sourcing Works for Small Brands
It’s accessible.
You don’t need huge MOQs, wholesale accounts, or six-month lead times.
It’s affordable.
Thrifted garments, deadstock remnants, and upholstery offcuts cost a fraction of retail yardage.
It’s sustainable—without the greenwashing.
No new energy. No new resources. Just creative reuse.
It’s a built-in brand story.
When a dress used to be a tablecloth or an old wool coat, people remember it.
Where to Find Secondhand Fabric (That’s Actually Usable)
Thrift Stores & Estate Sales - Think beyond clothes—look at linens, curtains, wool blankets, and even sleeping bags. Old doesn’t mean unusable.
Textile Manufacturers - Call and ask for discontinued samples. Many are happy to donate rather than dump.
Online Deadstock Shops - Sites like Queen of Raw or local resale Etsy sellers often carry unique ends of high-quality rolls.
Military Surplus & Workwear - Flight suits, fatigues, old wool—hearty fabrics with structure and soul.
Local Fabric Recycling or Art Supply Reuse Centers - Places like FabScrap (NYC), SCRAP in San Francisco, Last Yarn, The Fabric Sales, Thunderbird Salvage, Sew by Sew, Figo Vintage or your city’s creative reuse nonprofit.
Friends, Family, and “Buy Nothing” Groups - You’d be surprised what people will give away when they know you’ll turn it into art.
Prepping Secondhand Textiles (Without Ruining Them)
1. Always wash or disinfect before use (hot water + white vinegar or textile-safe soap).
2. Air out vintage linens or wools in sunlight to remove mustiness.
3. For delicate or unknown fibers, hand wash and spot test dyes first.
4. Keep a fabric journal of what shrinks, bleeds, or needs special handling—it saves time later.
Designing with What You Have
Working with reclaimed materials means designing with your fabric, not just on it. Let color, pattern, and structure inform the garment. Embrace limitations as part of the design language. Patchwork. Contrast panels. Visible mending. Use irregularities as features. Think in modules: sleeves from one piece, body from another, lining from something else.
Secondhand textiles aren’t “less than.” They’re more than. More story. More character. More potential. Your next collection doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be present, intentional and rooted in your authentic voice and aesthetic.
Ready to start sourcing more intentionally? Download the free Sourcing Secondhand Checklist here.
P.S. If you’re ready to turn your values into strategy, ElseWEAR by Sausalito Blue offers custom upcycling for individuals and small brands using your own forgotten garments or reclaimed textiles. We also host occasional designer swaps—a way for sustainable brands to share materials, invest in each other’s work, and build a creative economy rooted in collaboration (just like artists trading pieces). Want in? Reach out to collaborate or learn more.