Cataloguing your stash is a great opportunity to go through your fabric and see which pieces you still find inspiring and which pieces you aren’t so excited about. Every fabric you own you have for a reason – either you bought it because you had an amazing plan in mind, someone gave it to you, or you just thought the design was beautiful and you had to have it. This can create an emotional connection to your fabric which can make it so difficult to part with anything. Over time, your personal style and tastes can change, and having this reflected by your stash is the best way to keep it joyful and avoid feeling burdened by lots of fabric you realistically won’t ever sew.
Knowing your fabric is going to a good home makes it so much easier to let go of once loved fabric you no longer need. Mel’s Sewing Project facilitates dressmaking sessions for refugees housed at the Guildford Refugee Centre. In addition to teaching the attendees sewing skills, the sessions provide a sense of community and companionship that transcends cultural and language barriers. Mel’s sewing sessions are very popular, and each week she prepares patterns and fabrics for the refugees to use to create their own garments. Follow Mel on Instagram @melaniekeane to see some of the projects she helps the refugees create.
This project is based locally to Stash Hub HQ, so we have been helping Mel to collect resources. Mel’s sewing project is always in need of:
- Dressmaking fabric (knit and woven) 1m+ lengths
- Cotton fat quarters for beginner projects
- Haberdashery and notions (e.g. buttons, zips, elastic)
- Sewing patterns
- Sewing tools (e.g. scissors, snips, pins)
- Sewing machines (please service before donating)
passed on to Mel’s Refugee Sewing Project.
If you are based in the UK and have any items you’d like to donate to Mel’s sewing project, please drop us an email at hugetoothstudios@gmail.com and we’ll let you know the postal address. Donations are gratefully received, especially fabric as more is needed every week!
Do you have an interest in sewing and would like to use some of your time to give back to the community? Mel is also in need of helpers at her sewing classes! Get in touch with us or contact Mel directly if you are local to Guildford and would like to get involved.
Not from the UK? Check to see whether there are any similar projects happening near you. Local schools and children’s centres may also be in need of fabric donations to be used for craft activities. Let us know where you donate unwanted fabric and we can create a list as a helpful reference for others.