# Track down a discontinued fabric or yarn from one photo

> A quilter snaps an unlabeled scrap and gets the likely collection, shops that may stock it and close matches.

Photograph a leftover scrap with no label and get its likely colors, pattern, fiber and maker, plus search terms and close matches if the original is gone.

- Page: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/track-down-discontinued-fabric-from-a-photo/
- Category: Upgrade your everyday
- Made for: Everyone
- Works in: ChatGPT, Gemini
- Time: About 10 minutes
- Effort: Just copy and paste
- Needs a photo: yes, attach it before you send the prompt

## The prompt

Fill in the parts in [square brackets], or leave them and the AI will ask you for them.

```text
This photo shows a scrap of [MATERIAL TYPE, e.g. quilting cotton] I've run out of, with no label. It's about [SCRAP SIZE, e.g. 4 inches] across next to the ruler. I need about [AMOUNT NEEDED, e.g. half a yard] for [YOUR PROJECT, e.g. finishing a quilt border].

Describe the colors (with likely color names), pattern, scale and fiber as precisely as you can. If you recognize the style, suggest possible makers, designers or collection names, and give your confidence level. Give me 5 exact search phrases to find it online, the kinds of shops that sell discontinued stock, and 3 close alternatives that would blend in if the original's gone.
```

## Step by step

1. Photograph the scrap in daylight next to a ruler for scale.
2. Attach it in ChatGPT or Gemini and paste the prompt.
3. Search the exact terms and collection names it suggests.
4. Ask for close alternatives if the original is sold out.

## What you'll get

A precise description of the scrap, possible makers or collections, ready-made search terms and close alternatives.

## Good to know

**Which AI tools does this work in?** It works in ChatGPT and Gemini. On this page, ChatGPT opens with your prompt already typed in. No paid plan is noted for this one.

**How long does it take?** About 10 minutes. It's rated "Just copy and paste". There are 4 steps, listed above.

**What do I need before I start?** One clear photo to attach first, then the prompt. The prompt also asks for: material type, scrap size, amount needed and your project.

**What will I get back?** A precise description of the scrap, possible makers or collections, ready-made search terms and close alternatives.

Idea spotted on the web, shared by Amanda Caswell (Tom's Guide): https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/my-mom-is-in-her-70s-and-uses-ai-every-day-these-are-her-5-go-to-favorite-uses. The prompt is The Solo Creators' own version.

## Go further

Ready-made skills in the Solo Creators AI Studio (https://thesolocreators.com/studio/) that fit this: TLDR (Your AI stops writing walls of text: every reply leads with the next action, numbered and skimmable); Second Brain (Give your AI a memory it reads across every project, so it finally knows your business).

From AI Use Cases and Prompts by The Solo Creators: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/. Free to use; please link back to the page when you share it.