Can a vintage sheet have new life, even if it's seen better days?

So technically these 4.5" squares featuring Dahla style horses were not from a vintage sheet, but I'm attempting to make a point here, stick with me a minute. 

I have found that sometimes you don't always have that very long to look over a piece of interesting fabric when you are at a thrift store or estate sale. Sometimes you have to grab what you found and inspect it later, especially if the thrift store has it all folded, and in some cases the price tag is stapled through a few layers. My take on this is to check the outer edges of the sheets design. If they are brighter than the designs closer to the center, chances are the sheet is not worth spending the money on. You won't really be able to get any decent pieces out of it. 

I've also learned the hard way to never ever ever buy any linens that have been folded and taped completely around the bundle. Recently I bought what looked like a beautiful tablecloth, only to find that it had large discolorations and mold. These stains, no matter how much soaking never come out completely. 

Anyway, to get back on track, I find that sometimes it's still possible to salvage an interesting fabric for what I call "quilt cutters", or pre-cut, pre-measured pieces of the fabric, that can be sold to people who are interested in adding them to quilts. Recently I found a Raggedy Ann and Andy sheet that was a bit worn in the center, but almost all of the outer edges were crisp and white, and colorful. The characters designs were vintage and fun, so someone must want them. I ironed the sheet, laid it out on the cutting table and cut around my 4.5" clear square template. I could see the image through the square which helped and I eventually ended up with a decent stack of "cutters". They were only on the store for a few days before someone found them, and are hopefully now, being added to a quilt for someone new to love. Now that is my favorite kind of up-cycling!! 

So the next time you find a sheet you just love but it's in a bit of rough shape, stop and say to yourself, is there any piece of it I can still use...and....is it worth the price I'm paying for it. ;)