The Best Places to Donate Scrap Fabric in the US
Published December 10, 2025
Do you have a stash of leftover fabric from sewing projects? Maybe you have old clothes, curtains, or sheets that are too worn to be used. Instead of letting them end up in a landfill, you can give them a second life by donating them. In 2018, the US sent about 11.3 million tons of fabric waste to landfills. Donating your scrap fabric helps reduce this waste and supports charities that can put the material to good use.
This guide will show you the best places to donate scrap fabric across the country. We’ll cover organizations with specific needs, large-scale recyclers, and local options you might not have considered.
Where Can You Donate Scrap Fabric?
Many charitable organizations welcome scrap fabric donations. From quilting groups to large thrift stores, there’s likely a place near you that can benefit from your unwanted materials. Here are some of the best options available.
1. Quilts of Valor
Quilts of Valor is a wonderful organization that creates and gifts handmade quilts to comfort and honor service members and veterans touched by war. They have specific requirements for fabric donations to ensure the quality of their quilts.
- What they accept: New, unused 100% cotton quilting weight fabric.
- Condition: Fabric must be clean and free of any stains or strong odors.
- Preferences: They prefer red, white, and blue fabrics, as these are popular choices among the veterans who receive the quilts.
2. Ragfinery
Located in Bellingham, Washington, Ragfinery is more than just a thrift store. It’s a non-profit that provides job training while focusing on textile waste diversion. They sell sewing materials and have a program dedicated to sorting, recycling, and upcycling fabrics.
- What they accept: Clean, dry, and usable fabric.
- Size requirement: Donations must be at least 1 foot by 1 foot.
3. Days for Girls International (DFGI)
Days for Girls International (DFGI) tackles menstrual equity by creating and distributing washable, reusable menstrual pads to women and girls in developing nations. These kits are a sustainable alternative to disposable products and can last for up to ten years.
- What they accept: New, unlaundered 100% woven cotton, 100% cotton flannel, and polyurethane laminate (PUL) fabric.
- Preferences: Bright, colorful patterns are preferred because they help hide stains.
4. Goodwill
Goodwill is a well-known option for donating a wide variety of household items, including scrap fabric. Usable textiles are sold in their thrift stores, while unusable items are sent to a textile recycling facility. There, they are shredded and repurposed into industrial rags or stuffing for upholstery and toys. With locations across the country, finding a donation center is usually simple.
5. The Salvation Army
Similar to Goodwill, The Salvation Army accepts fabric donations. Items in good condition are cleaned and sold in their family stores. The remaining fabric is sold by the pound to bulk buyers who shred and recycle it into insulation, padding, and other materials. You can drop off donations at a local bin or store, or schedule a free pickup from your home.
6. Threads of Love San Antonio
This faith-based charity, Threads of Love San Antonio, focuses on helping families with premature babies. They create tiny clothing, blankets, and other essential items for infants in crisis pregnancy centers and hospitals.
- What they accept: Scrap fabrics suitable for infant clothing, yarn, and other sewing or quilting supplies.
- Get more involved: They even provide patterns on their website if you want to sew or knit items yourself before donating.
7. Local Schools and Community Classes
Sewing classes are often in need of materials. Consider reaching out to your local high school’s home economics department, a community center, or a trade school. They may be thrilled to receive free fabric for their students to practice with, especially in low-income communities where budgets are tight.
8. Local Thrift Stores
Beyond the big names, many independent local thrift stores accept scrap fabric. Keep in mind that smaller shops may not have recycling partnerships, so they typically only accept fabric that is in good enough condition to be sold directly to customers. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and ask about their donation policies.
9. Prison Sewing Programs
Many prisons offer sewing programs that teach inmates valuable, employable skills and provide a constructive outlet. These programs can often use fabric donations for their projects. You will need to contact the prison administration first to see if they accept public donations and to coordinate the drop-off.
10. Local Recycling Programs
If your scrap fabric is stained, torn, or otherwise unusable for sewing, your local recycling center is the best destination. Textile recycling has become more common, but not all facilities accept fabric. Check with your city or county’s waste management program to find out what types of textiles they accept and how to prepare them for recycling.
Other Creative Ways to Use Scrap Fabric
Can’t find a place to donate nearby? You can still put those scraps to good use. Here are a few ideas for upcycling them yourself.
- Pet beds for animal shelters: Local animal shelters are always in need of bedding for their animals. You can stuff a simple fabric case with your scraps to create a cozy bed for a cat or dog awaiting a new home.
- Pillows for homeless shelters: While shelters might not take raw fabric, they often accept finished goods like pillows and pillowcases. If you have a larger amount of fabric, you could also create simple blankets or sheets.
- Blankets for newborns: Soft cotton fabric is perfect for making baby blankets. These can be donated to local hospitals, NICUs, childcare facilities, or shelters that support new mothers.
By finding a new home for your scrap fabric, you help protect the environment and support your community. Whether you donate to a national organization or upcycle it yourself, you’re making a positive impact.
Donate To The Poor & Homeless Of South Florida
Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen has fed the poor and homeless in South Florida over 900,000 hot meals since 1993. Our tax deductible non profit organization also accepts and distributes donations such as clothing, toiletries, shoes, bicycles, and more. You can donate to help the poor and homeless through our website.
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