So You Want to Donate Some Fabric
Above: deep thoughts. deep fabric-related thoughts.
Too Much Fabric
If you have any quilters in your life, you've probably heard them joke about how much fabric they have in their stashes.
When a quilter passes away, dollars to donuts they're leaving behind some fabric and unfinished quilt projects. Their loved ones may be tasked with cleaning out their home and dealing with the miscellaneous items that make up a life. I've been through this more than once. I know how difficult it is.
Maybe you are a fellow quilter, or just a fabric lover, and you're taking the opportunity to downsize your collection. Bravo!
For whatever reason, you are rehoming fabric. Excellent! There are a few different ways to go about this.
Maybe you already know a quilter and want to offer the fabric to them. This will probably do the trick, because it's hard for us to say no!
Don't know any other quilters? Buckle up, because you will soon. No matter where you live, there is a quilting guild within driving distance (probably within spittin' distance). Here's a worldwide directory of Modern Quilt Guilds. Here's a directory of other Quilt Guilds within the U.S.(Not in the U.S.? Fear not! Google quilt guilds in your area.)
Quilters tend to get together for monthly meetings, and there's often a "Free to Good Home" table! Contact your closest guild and ask if they're accepting donations. We love to share!
There are also charities that accept fabric donations, such as local chapters of Project Linus or Quilts of Valor. Google "donate fabric" and you'll get lots of options. Different charities have different guidelines, so again, it's best to ask what they need and can use.
Be a Mindful Donor
You may be going through a period of grief and stress. I understand, I've been there. Maybe rehoming these fabrics is difficult for you for emotional or logistical reasons. If that's the case, try and recruit a friend for help.
It's a good idea to at least look at each fabric before you donate. Are they clean and undamaged? Is there water or smoke damage? Mold? Do they come from a home with cats, dogs, or cigarette smoke? Is there any evidence of pests? (Just think how embarrassed you would be if you gave someone fabric that had mouse poop in it.)
Think of it this way: If you wouldn't want the fabric touching your body, it may be best to throw it away. (I know, we try to keep fabric out of landfills as much as possible. If you know of a good fabric recycling source, please tell me!)
If the fabric has that "long-term storage" smell but is otherwise undamaged, run it through a washer and dryer. Did the colors run? Did the fabrics fray a bit? Don't worry about it. Quilters are creative.
Flat fabric is happy fabric.
I’m going to say that again for the folks in the back.
Flat fabric is happy fabric.
If you're not able to iron the fabrics yourself, just fold them into stacks and put them into bags. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even sort them into prints, solids, by color, etc. The recipients will thank you!
Sarah, would you like my fabric?
My answer to this question used to be an unconditional "Yes!" Since then, my boss (me) has had to impose a few rules to keep the stash under control.
These are guidelines for my own quilting practice. Others' mileage may vary.
I will take a look at your fabric if:
It's 100% cotton. (Some wool is okay.) Denim is okay.
It's been washed and pressed.
There is no evidence of pests like moths or mice.
I especially love blasts from the past, i.e. vintage prints!
I'm not able to use:
Fabrics that are stretchy or slick.
Lace, crochet, or knitwear.
Fabrics with a loose weave that will fall apart if I cut into it.
Upholstery fabric.
Fabric that has been damaged by water, smoke, pests, etc.
Unfinished quilt projects with "traditional" patterns, such as Sunbonnet Sue (check your local guilds for this type of thing).
You Are Doing A Good Thing.
If you donate mindfully, you are doing your fellow person a kindness. You are about to make a quilter very happy! Thank you.
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Then Again Podcast Links
Many many warm fuzzy thanks to the folks at the Northeast Georgia History Center for having me on their podcast, Then Again! Episode 84 is called Patchworks of the Past & Present. You can find this episode on Then Again’s website, and also on Spotify (direct link here). I’m sure you can find it lots of other places, too. And while you’re at it, leave them a positive review!
Several times during our conversation, I told Marie I’d send her a link to this and that, so if you’re looking for those links, you’re in the right place! Enjoy.
Sarah's socials: Facebook, Instagram, Twitch
Cerulean Gallery in Amarillo and Dallas, TX
Great YouTube channels for beginning quilters: The Crafty Gemini, Just Get It Done Quilts
Gees Bend Quilters and the Souls Grown Deep Foundation
What is 'modern quilting'? (I'm not actually a huge fan of this organization, but this page does have a good explanation.)
Books I love:
The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood
Rosie Lee Tompkins: A Retrospective (The BAMPFA is currently taking orders for the next printing of the catalog.)
A Piece of My Soul: Quilts By Black Arkansans by Cuesta Benberry (1923-2007)
Godharis (quilts from Western India): This is the exhibition I saw at the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE: Collecting and Recollecting
Thanks again to Marie, Libba, and all the folks at the Northeast Georgia History Center! I encourage you to listen to their podcast, Then Again (not just the episode I’m in) for a wonderful, conversational look at history from all angles.
Cyanotype Presentation Version 1.2
Hello friends. I would like to share with you a slide presentation and some links to help you learn how to create cyanotypes on fabric (or paper, if you prefer). I have presented this information for several groups of quilters, and we always come up with more fun ideas while we’re talking. I encourage you to explore on your own, and please share the results!
Cyanotypes on Fabric (PDF, 6.3 MB) - click here to download
Slide notes (PDF, <1MB) - click here to download
Links from the presentation (Word document, less than 1 MB) - click here to download
This presentation is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
For more information please visit the Creative Commons website.
What I Learned in the Art Biz Bootcamp
Thoughts wrangled for a previous solo exhibition. Sketchbook pages, 2010 by Sarah Atlee.
Earlier this year, I took a journey into the world of art marketing with Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield, though her No Excuses Art Biz Bootcamp. In this online course, students learn and implement all kinds of great stuff about the business of being an independent artist.
I can't say enough good things about this 12-week program, but here are some highlights:
Because of the Art Biz Bootcamp
I feel more in control of my art business than ever before.
I clarified my career goals, especially pertaining to exhibition and sales. As a result, I've booked a solo show in a new venue and planned for several group shows during the next year.
I took control of my contact list and established an email newsletter for the first time (you can sign up using the form on your right).
I have an increased network of support through the Bootcamp's group on Facebook and through other interactions with my friends and colleagues.
I had an Aha! Moment.
I now understand that I am a specific artist, with specific needs and career goals. I need to do what is right for me, which may not be what is right for someone else. I can push myself to overcome challenges and achieve goals while still treating myself with compassion.
Are you interested in the Art Biz Bootcamp?
Go to the Bootcamp section of the Art Biz Coach website to learn more.
Thank you, Alyson!
Milagros for Boston
Chicago community artist Guillermo Delgado is collaborating with second-graders on a spontaneous project they're calling Milagros for Boston.
Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.
From the artist:
"Milagros for Boston is a tribute by 2nd graders to all the people affected by the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013. Students will create an art installation made of tin milagros (running shoes, hands, and legs) and display it in the storefront window of a local running shop."
Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.
If you're not familiar, a milagro is a small charm, usually made of metal, used as part of a prayerful offering. From Wikipedia:
"[Milagros] are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. Milagro symbolism is not universal; a milagro of a body part, such as a leg, might be used as part of a prayer or vow for the improvement of a leg; or it might refer to a concept such as travel. Similarly, a heart might represent ideas as diverse as a heart condition, a romance, or any number of other interpretations. Milagros are also carried for protection and good luck."
Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.
The artist commented on his Facebook page that "I was inspired by the conversations that I had with my own children yesterday. It's difficult to have these kinds of conversations, but I think we need to. And I couldn't start this morning's class with 2nd graders and teachers without addressing it. Fortunately, they embraced it! The project developed like lightning: ideas, emails, and phone calls. It's a true community collaboration!"
Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.
In an email, Delgado told me that "In my twenty years of teaching: this was one of the most powerful and meaningful experiences I have had in the classroom and with children. The teachers agreed too; we were all super into it! It was an amazing experience for all of us."
You can read more about Guillermo Delgado on his website, and keep up with the Milagros for Boston project on Flickr.
Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.