Ever Heard of a Fabric Thrift Store?!?

Hello Shiny Crafty People and welcome back to the channel!

I recently visited Rochester, New York and found Sew Green, a 501c3 organization that serves as a thrift store for fabric and fiber crafts and teaches the community the art of sewing, knitting, crocheting and more!

I was lucky to meet with Jane Beck, who handles the education programs for Sew Green. We talked all about the organization and their efforts in the community.

See ya soon and stay crafty!

[anncantlin]

When I was 8 my mother sent me to summer school because I failed my catechism class. The best thing that could have happened, I took to sewing, like a duck to water. I made my clothes, my kids, drapes etc. About 25 years ago I became a quilter. I am now almost 85 next month and still love sewing and quilting is my jam.

[Dasburyfamily]

What a wonderful store! We need more of these in communities all over the USA. So many people can learn a trade or craft or helping others by sewing.

[donnawilson]

I love this idea. The quilting community is an aging community with a lot of resources that might end up in a landfill. Family and others might not recognize the value of these resources or just can’t be bother to find a home for these things.I love that these things have a second chance at being used. I wish my community had a store like this to donate to and of course to buy from.

[ChristineKrannich]

If the person/team who started Sew Green would be interested in sharing the nitty gritty of how they went from first thoughts to getting the store up and running, I’d definitely watch. I’m not able to initiate something like this in my community but do think it would do well if it were started.

[mtnmonamona]

Love, love, love this! Every community should have something like this

[wendydunham]

I loved stumbling across this video! I'm from Rochester, NY, the home city of Sew Green, and I LOVE this place! I've been there many times, taken classes, and purchased my sewing machines. The folks working and volunteering there are absolutely stellar, and the core mission is wonderful. Thanks for giving a shout out to Sew Green!

[vickiew]

We need to have these stores in every city.wow!

[treevaramsey]

I would enjoy a shop like this one. I have been buying sewing machines at thrift stores and fixing them or buying cords for them. I give them to young ladies who want to learn to sew. I teach them to use the machine and some have taken off from there learning by watching YouTube.

[jennifersdoglife]

The community outreach is fantastic. Making art and craft available to people that might not have access financially is tremendously important. Love this store. I live in Rochester.

[ShadowMoonFarms]

She was delightful. Thanks for taking us along.

[beckyransom]

Love this idea! Teaching basic sewing, so needed these days! Hope more community’s will give this a try.

[teresaslo]

Wow Love this concept not only do I have shelves full of fabric but I have box's full of fabric from the 80's and 90's!

[vintagechild]

Detroit has Arts and Scraps. I have donated so much stuff, they even found someone for an old knitting machine from the 1990s. Great work!

[mmalsbur]

One of the best things I did in my 32years of teaching inner city children was to have them make a project out of fabric. It was only a small heart shaped pillow, all hand stitched, with a beaded charm that they made, and then stitched it at one corner. The class that really got into it, had requested to have a class after school, and make a bigger project. I had the project planned, they were each going to make a pillowcase, there were girls as well as boys who had signed up. Then COVID happened and all schools were closed.

[MJG-ds]

I love old sewing machines. They are often real workhorses and will last almost forever. And new things seem to be designed to break soon. Old machines were built to be repaired again and again. My favourite sewing machine is one I've owned for over 50 years. And I just bought an antique treadle sewing machine that the seller thought would just be used as a decorator piece and was surprised when I said we would fix it and use it.

[ruthdasch]

I want a place like this near me. What an incredible concept and place.

[zoeemiko]

My grandmum got me interested in sewing when I was about 6 making clothes for my troll dolls. That interest flourished and I had my own 2nd hand sewing machine by the time I was 12. At that point I was making not only my own clothes but clothes for my friends. I even got hired to make several pieces. It was a fantastic confidence booster and really gave me a special spot with my peers.

[candacenagle]

We have a store in our community that was started to fund our senior center. It has grown and expanded over the past several years, run primarily by volunteers, and stock all from donations of people's cast offs. It is called The Legacy. It is truly a community hub for crafters and sewers and just about anyone working with textiles. Believe me when I say I NEVER by from retail stores now...everything I need is at The Legacy. It is just the best!

[kings]

This is so great! The next time I am up there to see family, I’m bringing you some fabric! That will make my husband very happy 🤣🤣

[nonyabidness]

WOW! That we would all do our best to be what we can, not for us, but for others!