There comes a time, when we all need a “sewing buddy” to help us rehome our resources or those of a friend. This page is meant to be a landing place where you can find a list of those homes, in no special order, but for you to evaluate for your own needs. If you contact one of these places and find it is no longer viable, please let us know at: webmaster@nsng.org.
1. Our very own “FREE” table at meetings during the regular year – September thru May. Accepts most things, but if no one takes your items home, you must take them back home with you or make arrangements with someone who may be taking the leftovers to Goodwill.
2. The Sewing Space (our volunteer sewing arm located in Deerfield) thesewingspace.org Contact valerie@thesewingspace.org They accept most things, including sewing machines all notions and fabrics. They also have a small “FREE” table where items are available for the taking most all of the year.
3. https://feelgoodfibers.com/ An online store where you can both buy AND sell fabrics to adjust your stash as needed!
4. https://www.greener-good.org A brick and mortar store in Arlington Hgts, IL that will accept most all craft supplies and fabrics for re-sale in their store. Their main customer is teachers and non-profits, but they also have classes and camps in house for kids and adults.
5. https://www.thewasteshed.com/ A brick and mortar store in two locations, one in Evanston and one in Chicago. They accept most arts and crafts supplies and fabrics of all kinds, but call first, as they have pretty specific rules on donations. Sometimes donations of a certain type may be refused because they already have too much of that item. Just call and find out.
6. https://brushwoodcenter.org/ Located at Ryerson Woods (21950 N. Riverwoods Rd, Riverwoods). They accept unwanted art and craft supplies and provide them for free to educators and community partners. They also have classes for the community as well as veterans groups and children.
7. https://www.retoldrecycling.com/pages/get-bags You purchase a bag or three from them, fill it with 5 pounds of textile waste from your home and drop it in the mail. They sort and find new homes for the stuff in your bag…some goes to resale shops, some goes to other countries, they decide for you. Easy peasy.
8. Most Goodwill stores will accept textile waste as well. Put it in a garbage bag and label the outside with an obvious label that says “textile recycling”. They will do the job of finding the right places for it. This is a good place for weird fabrics no one wants anymore.
9. https://thegenerouscrafters.blogspot.com/. The Generous Crafters is a community-based group of fun-loving, caring people who craft hand-made items to be donated to nonprofit or service organizations that serve Lake County, Il., while developing friendships and supporting one another, with no religious or political affiliation. Contact lauriekorte@me.com for info about donations.
10. https://www.wiquiltmuseum.com/shop-our-stash For those of you who are fans of this nearby quilting museum, they are opening a year-round “stash rehoming store”. You may donate up to two garbage bags full of things at a time while they are open. Check their website for acceptable items. Just remember to LEAVE and not shop the store yourself before going home!
11. https://hosparrow.org/store/community-threads-arlington-heights/ Large resale shop that sells fabrics of all kinds on rolls, bolts or cut up pieces, craft items and patterns. They carry everything else, too, but one of the local places that has fabric out on the floor for sale. They are an arm of the Home of the Sparrow organization.