Unwanted fabric takes on a new life with Charity Sharity

12 March 2015

Many of my clients are creative people who have acquired supplies for their creative hobbies, like sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, knitting and needlework. It’s the rare fiber/fabric enthusiast who doesn’t end up with a stash of supplies.

I’m a knitter and I have a nice, organized yarn stash. But I bet if I went through it today, I’d come up with a couple of bags of yarn that I could easily part with.

As part of a program for our monthly meeting of the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers, we heard from Carole Splater, the founder of Charity Sharity, a program that collects unwanted fabric and yarn and distributes it to groups who will use it for charity projects.

No money exchanges hands, and it all happens by coordinating with Carole.

During Carole’s program, we saw examples of projects that had been completed using fabric that Charity Sharity provided (which they received as fabric donations). They included:

  • bags to contain goodies sent to active military personnel
  • shawls for veterans in soldiers’ homes
  • tote bags for domestic violence shelters, for women and kids to carry their belongings in
  • teddy bears for police cars, emergency rooms, and school nurse offices (they’re made from two 12” squares of fabric…talk about giving fabric a new life!)
  • bedrolls made for homeless men, women and children living on the street

When I think about all the fabric that was once gathering dust being transformed into items that help needy people, it makes me so happy. I was delighted to learn that they also accept donations of yarn.

If you would like to donate fabric (or request fabric), simply email Carole at carolejs0202@gmail.com.

Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Comments

Is Charity Sharity still “in business”. I have been looking for an organization in St Louis that accepts donations, however the email came back as undeliverable. I have several boxes of various fabrics, and i would prefer to give them to a charity who will put them to good use.

Jeremy May 12, 2015 10:25 AM

Jeremy, I just tried emailing Carole at Charity Sharity (gcgreentree@sbcglobal.net) and it went through. Perhaps you included the period in your attempt? I’m glad you’re reaching out to Charity Sharity to make a donation. They’re a great group!

Janine Adams May 12, 2015 10:53 AM

I just made the link clickable to make it easier. Sorry for the problem!

Janine Adams May 12, 2015 10:56 AM

I work for a school uniform company in Creve Coeur, MO. I have some excess fabric (plaids in poly and poly/cotton, solids). I have some yardage on small rolls and some yardage folded. Is this something you can use? We would love to donate if at all possible!
Thanks much!
Stacey

Stacey Kappler April 11, 2016 08:46 AM

Thanks for your comment and generosity. You’ll need to contact Charity Sharity directly to ask your questions. Just click the link above. Thanks!

Janine Adams April 11, 2016 02:26 PM

I would like to donate my sewing machine. We are moving and I do not want to take it with me. I am not available to drop it off at the Chesterfield recycle days Nov. 5, 16. Is there another drop off location?

Marcia Azar October 11, 2016 11:16 AM

Checking to see if you are still in the business of accepting fabric donations. I have a couple of large bags of fabric remnants that I am looking to donate

Gary Anton May 11, 2017 09:40 AM

Gary, you’ll need to contact Charity Sharity directly to ask your questions. Just click the link above. Thanks!

Janine Adams May 11, 2017 03:42 PM

cAROL, rEADY TO ACCEPT SOME ORE FABRIC? I have three bolts of drapery fabric that I could not bring the last time, also lots of cotton fabric and lots of silky fabrics. I am assuming that you prefer them in white trash bags.

Sherry Allen January 7, 2018 12:34 PM

Sherry, you need to contact Carole directly to arrange to donate. Just click the link above.

Janine Adams January 7, 2018 01:33 PM

Just wondering if you accept older sewing machines and if so where to drop them off.

Linda Miller June 5, 2018 09:31 AM

Linda, you need to contact Carole with your question. I’m not affiliated with Charity Sharity, I just blogged about it. You can email her at gcgreentree@sbcglobal.net.

Janine Adams June 5, 2018 09:46 AM

i do work with an NGO that empowers the youths and disadvantaged women in tailoring and hairdrssing but we do face a problem of fabric and breads among other materials . if you have excess taioloring and hairdressing materials please i reqest you to donate them to TRUST FUTURE UGANDA to help this target group earn a living. thank you.

shamim August 14, 2018 01:58 AM

I have around 300 pounds of scrap fabric, mostly remnants from Soft Surrounds. They include upholstery, clothing scraps and window treatments.

Donald Davis March 5, 2020 04:23 PM

i have fabric to donate .and some of upholstery how can i get it to you

mary williams September 21, 2021 02:04 PM

Do you know if there is a location in Minneapolis, Minnesota as I have a lot to donate both fabric and yarns

Kathy Jenson January 7, 2023 04:57 PM

Kathy, a quick google search revealed this Minneapolis donation resource for fabric: https://textilecentermn.org/donations/. It also looks like Minnesota Quilters take donations: https://www.mnquilt.org/donate.html. And Bundles of Love takes specific types of fabric and yarn: https://www.bundlesoflove.org/in-kind-donations/. I hope that’s helpful!

Janine Adams January 7, 2023 07:45 PM

Greetings all. I teach sewing at Herculaneum High School. I have many students who cannot afford fabric purchases for sewing projects, so I am always looking for unwanted fabric. The students make scrunchies, pillows, aprons, bikini bags, pajama pants, t-shirts, and a garment for their end of year final. Would anyone know how I might go about purchasing fabric at a low cost and/or obtain fabric donations? I would appreciate any guidance.

Angie Lefler February 17, 2023 09:24 PM

Add your comment

  

Your email address will not be displayed or distributed.

You may use Textile formatting including:

  • _italics_ = italics
  • *bold* = bold
  • "text":url = text

About Janine

Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.

I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.

If you’re ready to de­clutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.

read more »

Recommended *

  • Getting to Good Enough podcast