Thanks for your interest in donating sewing supplies to Make Welcome Sewing School! We regularly receive questions about our donation policies, so here’s what you need to know all in one place:
- What types of fabrics can I donate?
We take only quilting cottons, linens, fashion fabrics, and drapery fabrics at this time. Sometimes we can use home dec fabrics, but usually only tapestry and chenille. Ask before bringing any home dec fabrics. - What are your requirements for fabric donations?
Fabrics must be at least 1 yard and from a pet-free/smoke-free environment. Also, please do not bring fabrics that have been stored in the vicinity of moth balls. Please do not bring us any fabrics less than 1 yard. - Do you take notions?
We can use full rolls of thread, as long as that thread is not more than 5 years old. We’ll take sharp sewing scissors, rotary cutters, cutting mats, invisible zippers, purse making supplies, elastic, tape measures, wonder clips and pins. - Do you take sewing machines.
No. Unless the machine is A) Brand new; or B) You have recently had it serviced. We’ll make exceptions for working sergers and embroidery machines, as long as you guarantee it works. We always have Afghan families to donate machines to, but this past year, many well meaning donors gave us broken and/or very faulty machines. This was a disappointment to the families who were receiving the machines AND was a headache for us as we had to figure out how to dispose of large amounts of broken machines. You may think that a repair is easy or cheap. But we are not a repair shop and the minimum costs for repairing a machine is $75. We don’t have the program funds to cover these repair costs, so please do not give us a machine unless you can guarantee that it works. - Do you take any other sewing related items?
No. Please no embroidery, knitting, weaving or other such craft items. - Can I receive a donation receipt?
Absolutely! We’ll need you to estimate the value of your donation, and let us know what that is. Then we can either email the receipt or give it to you on the spot!
Thanks so much for taking the time and care to make sure the items you donate. To set up a time to bring a donation by, send us a message.