I donated a full bag of 100% cottons to church yard sale. Perfectly good fabric, but I have used it several times already or decided I never would. I would be glad to donate to any project such as yours and think most others would feel the same. Most, not all, obviously.

I would have told the woman: Your're right! Donating the fabric you like to use is fine with me.

Well, I have heard this sentiment expressed about donations to homeless shelters, etc. And maybe that is what the lady is reacting to. Instead of donating ""ugly" or "castoff", just ask for donations to help cut costs for the project. Let them decide what to donate (and what means to them, whether it be special purchases or from their own stash.) Just a thought. I still donate clothes to homeless shelters and hope they are used. If I was asked to donate fabric or supplies for a worthy project, I would take from my stash, picking those items that I have too much of.

I do understand the concerns of the one lady. When I was a Girl Scout leader, we went to a camp and a lot of the art supplies were donated. We were supposed to make windsocks with crepe paper streamers. The crepe paper was pale yellow and grey. Let's just say, no one wanted to take their's home. And the magazines donated to make those paper beads had very little color. We didn't go the next year. And it was not because we were snobs - it was because the materials were not interesting.

I think it is important to show the kids how to recycle scraps and clothing - but I would also teach them how to make sure how to choose the fabric. When my first daughter was born in 1981 and I wanted a lot of baby clothes I went to thrift stores. There were so many little clothes - some were in great condition, some were severely stained. I picked through it and bought only what I liked. In one visit I spend $7.50 and came home with 15 outfits. My husband came home, I had it all washed and sitting out on the couch, he thought I had spent my whole paycheck on baby clothes. So I totally endorse taking in donations but let them know if they really don't like something to check further.

I just figure that when people donate stuff - some will be great - some will be so-so - some will be unsuitable.

Use what you can - get rid of the rest. In fact, sorting through he donations might be an opportunity to learn about fabrics!

I just figure that when people donate stuff - some will be great - some will be so-so - some will be unsuitable.

Use what you can - get rid of the rest. In fact, sorting through the donations might be an opportunity to learn about fabrics!

Thank you all! And I will be adding the sorting of fabrics as a topic. Never thought of that one. Judging what is suitable for a project is a skill too!