Reimagining and Revitalizing Your Contributions
Every item you donate finds a new purpose – whether it’s being reused, repurposed, or thoughtfully redistributed to foster creativity and learning.
At Newton Sewing Studio we are your fabric and craft donation drop-off location! We embrace the philosophy of giving a second chance to unwanted or unneeded items. By repurposing a diverse array of materials, from various fabrics to essential notions, we prevent these valuable resources from being overlooked or discarded.
This approach not only provides our students with access to an eclectic mix of supplies for learning a wide range of sewing skills and techniques, but it also underscores the importance of sustainability.
Check the lists and then fill out the fabric and craft donation drop-off form. We’ll get right back to you and schedule your drop-off at our sewing and craft studio located at 161 North St, Newtonville MA 02460.
We’re currently especially excited to get your donations of yarn and knit fabrics! The kids have been really into needle felting, any wool roving or felting supplies are much appreciated!
Needed Sewing Items
Some things to consider when you have donation textiles: Is this fabric clean, do you feel like you need to wash your hands after handling it? Does the fabric have straight edges, or has it been cut into and left "scrappy"? Is the fabric 25 year or older? How was it stored? Is it a large amount of small pieces that would require significant work to "craft" into something?
Keep in mind, we don't have the facilities to wash donation textiles. Often natural fibers like cotton, silks, linens, and wool will survive long term storage. However, that's only with careful storage, usually not granny's unfinished basement!
Synthetics from the 1970s and 80s are generally not worth saving.
If you have very old textiles (that you feel weird having close to your face), consider recycling them instead of donation. You can find recycling info at the bottom of this page.
Various Fabrics and Textiles:
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- Linen fabric
- Silk fabric
- Wool fabric
- Denim fabric
- Jersey or other knit fabrics
- Cotton Fabric 1/4 yard+
- Fleece fabric 6"x6"+
- Drapery prints 1 yard+
- Canvas
- Sunbrella (and general outdoor)
- Stuffing (polyfil)
- Embroidery floss and hoops
- Sewing needles and thread
Sewing Tools and Equipment:
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- Rotary cutters and cutting mats
- Fabric scissors
- Seam rippers
- Measuring tapes and rulers
- Tailor's chalk or fabric marking pens
- Irons and ironing boards
- Dress forms or mannequins
Notions and Trimmings:
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- Zippers (various lengths and types)
- Buttons (various sizes and styles)
- Ribbons and lace
- Snaps and hook-and-eye closures
- Elastic bands (various widths)
- Bias tape and piping
- Velcro strips
Quilting Supplies:
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- Quilting fabric squares
- Batting material
- Quilting rulers and templates
- Rotary blades
- Quilting threads
Pattern Making and Design:
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- Pattern paper
- Drafting tools (French curves, L-squares)
- Mannequin sizing pads
- Fashion design sketchbooks
- Storage and Organization:
- Thread organizers
- Bobbin holders
- Storage boxes or bins for fabric and notions
- Sewing baskets or caddies
Specialized Sewing Equipment:
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- Serger/Overlock machine
- Embroidery machine
- Coverstitch machine
- Pressing ham and seam roll
Instructional Materials:
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- Sewing books and magazines
- Pattern making books
Miscellaneous:
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- Thimbles
- Hand sewing needles
- Magnetic pin cushions
- Safety pins
Needed Craft Items
Textile & Yarn Crafts:
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- Yarn and knitting/crochet needles
Beading & Jewelry Making:
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- Beads (wooden, plastic, glass)
- Elastic cord and jewelry wire
- Jewelry findings (clasps, hooks, rings)
- Friendship bracelet threads
Modeling & Sculpture:
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- Playdough or modeling clay
- Air-dry clay
- Pipe cleaners
- Popsicle sticks
Decorative Items:
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- Sequins
- Stickers and washi tape
- Feathers and pom-poms
- Googly eyes
Craft Kits and Sets:
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- Pre-packaged craft kits for specific projects
- Origami paper and instruction books
Storage and Organization:
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- Storage bins and containers
- Label makers or labels
- Shelves or cubbies for material organization
Additional Supplies:
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- Colored construction paper
- Plain white paper (various sizes)
- Cardstock
- Glue sticks and liquid glue
- Watercolor and tempera paints
- Paintbrushes (various sizes)
- Rulers and geometric stencils
- Embroidery floss and hoops
- Sewing needles and thread
- Ribbon
We do not need the following items:
- Shoeboxes full of miscellaneous old/dirty items
- Old lace, lace scraps, lace trims
- Old napkins or tablecloths
Outdated Craft Supplies:
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- Dried out markers, pens, or paints.
- Old glues or adhesives that have lost their stickiness or have become clumpy.
- Crayons that are too small or broken to be used effectively.
Low-Quality or Damaged Textiles:
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- Fabric scraps that are too small or frayed to be used in sewing projects.
- Stained, faded, or excessively worn fabric that’s not suitable for quality crafting.
Incomplete or Specific-Use Craft Kits:
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- Craft kits missing essential components.
- Highly specific kits (like model kits) that are not versatile for general crafting.
Irrelevant Paper Goods:
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- Used or written-on paper, including old notebooks and office paper.
- Wallpaper samples or rolls of any type
Miscellaneous Household Items:
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- Random household items like CDs, DVDs, or plastic containers that aren’t specifically useful for crafting.
- Decor items like candles, old holiday decorations, or picture frames, unless they can be directly repurposed in crafts.
Unrelated Sewing Supplies:
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- Clothing items
Excessively Bulky Items:
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- Large pieces of furniture or storage units that are not practical for the space.
- Oversized materials that require substantial storage.
Specific Hobby Materials:
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- Materials specific to hobbies not related to fiber arts (e.g., woodturning blanks, specialized sculpting materials).
- Items that require special tools or skills not available at the craft studio.
Old Magazines and Books:
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- Magazines and books that are not relevant crafting or fiber arts.
Craft “Leftovers”:
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- Miscellaneous bits and pieces from completed projects that are too specific or small to be reused.
Useful Resources
- Textile Recycling Process and Benefits: Details on how different textiles are processed for recycling and their environmental benefits.
- Creative Ways to Recycle Fabric: Guide on repurposing old fabrics with emphasis on economic and community benefits.
- Innovative Textile Waste Recycling Techniques: Insights into various methods for recycling textile waste, including both technical and environmental aspects.
- Environmental and Social Benefits of Recycling Clothes: Outlines the environmental and social benefits of recycling clothes, supporting sustainable fashion practices.
Local Recycling Options
- Newton’s Curbside Textile Collection Program: Partnered with HELPSY, this program offers curbside textile collection by appointment, accepting a wide range of textiles.
- Sister Thrift in Watertown: Will accept textile donations in household quantities, no commercial drop off. This is just down the street from us!
- Helpsy Textile Collection at Bigelow Middle School: Drop-off location at 42 Vernon Street, Newton, MA, part of the Helpsy Textile Collection initiative.
- Bay State Textiles: Multiple drop-off locations in nearby towns for textile recycling.
- Ala Recycling Industries: Located at 29 Audubon Dr, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, offering textile recycling services.
- GRS Metals Inc: Recycling center at 64 Dorcar Rd, Newton Center, MA 02459, possibly offering textile recycling.