Perhaps some of you have had to do this same thing, I'm hoping I can benefit from your experience!

My sweet MIL just passed away a month ago.. She was a professional seamstress and also managed a So-Fro Fabrics for years.. You can only guess at the amount of fabric she has in her house. The cotton yardage isn't a problem.. but the 'silkies', home-dec., canvas, double knits, single knits, corduroy, pre-quilted fabrics and every other kind of fabric you can imagine are! I don't have a clue what I can do with a hundred yards of polyester silkies and knits.

It feels wrong to toss it, it's beautiful and our land fills don't need it.. I would hate to do that, but what do I do with all this fabric that no one is wearing these days??

Call your local schools! Our art department was thrilled when I brought in my MIL's stash that wasn't anything family wanted. (I work in a high school, but I imagine elementary would also use it!) They use it for all kinds of things. Not the original intention (clothing) perhaps, but it's better than going in the landfill.

Call a local quilt guild. Sometimes they will use these fabrics in charity quilts. You could have a yard sale or garage sale and it will find a home that way and bring in some money too.

If you have the 70's polyester, you could cut 5" squares and sew together and use flannel as backing. I have one on my bed now that Mama made years ago. It is made from every color of polyester. Mama quilted each square around the edge and it is beautiful and so warm. I am going to use some of Mama's old polyester dresses and cut them up and make some quilts to donate to needy families. No need for batting as the polyester is heavy anyway.

the pre-quilted and home decor can be used to make purses and/or totes :)

The corduroy can be made into quilts, it's durable but yet so soft.

My grandma made scrappy quilts from recycled polyester clothing. My mom still has one, I wish I did! I have even seen people use upholstery fabric to make crazy quilts or to back a quilt. The quilts could be donated. Knits are awful stretchy though... pick out what you want, have a yard sale, then donate the rest!

Purses, totes, charity quilts, with the upholstry and pre quilted fabrics :D:D:D

Maybe advertise the rest for sale or swap?

You might see if the high school drama dept. would like to have it.

Please don't throw it away. I love the idea of giving it to schools. They can use it in art classes and for costumes for the drama dept.