If you’re anything like we are, you have a lot of unused fabric in your sewing stash. It might be leftover from a project you made or maybe it was something you bought and never used. No matter how you ended up with all of that fabric, if you’re trying to declutter, you might be wondering where to donate fabric.
After all, it makes it easier to channel Marie Kondo and get rid of the excess fabric if you know it’s going someplace where it will be loved and used. If you’ve got fabric that is still usable, don’t just throw it away! There are plenty of places who will happily accept your fabric donations. These can be used in so many different ways to help out others. You can cut down on your own clutter and feel good about it too!
Here are some ideas of where to donate fabric:
Project Linus:
Project Linus makes quilts and blankets to children in need. You can contact them directly or look on their website for a local chapter who might want your fabric donation.
Schools, daycare centers, and preschools:
Schools of all kinds often love to receive fabric, whether it’s larger pieces or small scraps. It’s great for adding to their craft centers so kids can add them to art projects or simply for practicing cutting skills. High schools and colleges would love the bigger pieces to use in their drama or sewing classes.
Animal shelters:
Many local animal shelters will have a team of volunteers who make kennel liners, blankets, beds, and bandannas for the animals living at the shelter. Some will also make similar items to sell during the holidays to raise money for the shelters too.
Days for Girls:
Days for Girls sews feminine hygiene pad kits for girls in need. Without these, the girls often spent several days each month unable to go anywhere. They had to miss school and sometimes were even forgotten about, going unfed during that time! These kits give them freedom. Check with them to see about connecting with local volunteers so you can donate your fabric.
Churches and Scout groups:
Service organizations may be able to use fabric donations too! There are several churches in our town who create prayer quilts as well as other service projects using fabric. Scout groups may want to sew items to learn practical skills for earning badges as well as to donate to hospitals and other organizations.
Senior Centers/Nursing Homes:
These centers often have quilting circles and other sewing programs for their participants. A donation of fabric can help keep these programs going and provide some much-needed leisure activities for the residents.
Serving with Smiles:
Serving with Smiles is a kid-powered non-profit organization. These kids help other kids in a variety of ways and your donation of fabric can be used to create blankets, clothing, and other needed items.
Prisons:
Some prisons also have sewing and quilting classes available for the inmates and would be very grateful to receive a donation of fabric.
Little Dresses for Africa:
Little Dresses for Africa makes pillowcase (or other simple dresses using fabric) for young girls. Their mission is to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy by providing them with such a gift. They accept dresses and fabric for making dresses.
Charity thrift stores:
If you have larger pieces of fabric, thrift stores selling items to raise money for charity will be happy to take them. You could make a sewist on limited funds very happy!
Children’s museums and libraries:
Museums and libraries often have arts and crafts programs for their participants. Larger pieces of fabric might also be incorporated into displays to add a pop of color!
Scraps for the birds:
If you only have tiny scraps left (too small to donate), get your kids to tie them to tree branches for birds to use as nesting materials.
Quilts of valor:
The Quilts of Valor program makes quilts for service members and veterans touched by war. Note that they only accept donations of quality 100% cotton quilting weight fabric that is like new. Most recipients will choose a patriotic quilt made with red, white, and blue fabric over any other given the chance.
Care Wear:
Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet, and sew handmade items for hospitals and social service agencies. They may be able to connect you with local volunteers who could use your fabric donation.
Ask around:
Post your fabric donation on social media and you might just find a taker for it! You could make another sewist very happy or you might find out about other local organizations in need of a donation.
With so many great options for where to donate fabric, don’t you feel better about decluttering your sewing stash?
