Fabric Recycles

I have made an epic discovery recently, guys.

A thrift store. For fabric.

*gasp*

Okay, for some of you this may not seem like a huge deal if you aren't familiar with Lu & Ed, so let me clarify.

I use recycled fabrics for my Mon-stors. Typically, I shop at thrift stores, participate in fabric swaps with my bestie, or scrounge remnant bins. I turn old Snuggies and vintage sheets and sometimes raw yardage a crafter has given up into colorful, fun Mon-stors for you! :)

To me, it's important to use post-production materials rather than buy new materials - when you buy fabric new, it is typically processed in a factory that creates a lot of energy waste and pollution. It is packaged in bulk, then transport to distribution centers (creating pollution from transport), where the packaging is torn apart, discarded (producing landfill waste), sorted and packaged for transport to stores that have placed order for those bolts of fabric. Then it's distributed (producing more pollution from transport) to the stores that ordered it, where the packaging is then discarded (more landfill waste), where it is cut from the bolt and then sold to creative souls with a brilliant project in mind. That just seems excessively wasteful to me when I can go to a thrift store, buy a sheet that is the equivalent of 3 yards of fabric for around $2, generate revenue in my local economy by shopping at locally owned thrift stores and not contribute to further pollution and landfill waste in our environment by purchasing fabrics that are distributed to main stream craft stores.

In short, buying thrifted fabrics makes me feel good. :)

But this thrift store I found, it's not just full of old blankets and sheets. No. It's full of yardage cut from the bolt at some point in it's life. Fabric that fiber artists, quilters, creatives have collected over the years and never used, and instead of throwing it out or dumping at a generic thrift store, they take it here, where it is sorted by size, type, and color and rolled into cute little bundles just making your brain burst with creative ideas to use it all for.

Fabric Recycles is the name of the place. I heard about it through Facebook, and thought it was too good to be true. My first assumption was it would be outrageous prices compared to my frugal thrift store shopping excursions I was used to. And boy, I was wrong.

Fabric Recycles has amazingly affordable prices! I was blown away - three yards of yellow and grey linen for just $15!? Do my eyes deceive me?! Similar fabrics I have found online sell for $9.98 a yard. So, for three yards it would be at least $30.

3/4 of a yard of white shag fur - for $3?! Yeah! Like I said! AMAZING prices!

And the variety. So much variety! And sorted so, so lovingly.

And not just fabric! Yarn, thread, knitting needles, buttons, pins, felt, sewing machines, ribbon, lace, trims, notions, seam rippers, patterns! It is a crafters delight in this store! And everything is priced so reasonable, in amazing condition! And this is SO exciting for me because this gives me an ecofriendly source for felt, polyfil and thread - things I used to have to buy at the local craft store! I'm thrilled to be able to have my Mon-stors be 100% eco-friendly!

The best part of Fabric Recycles is their loyalty program. For each $100 you spend there (which with their amazing prices equals a ton of beautiful fabrics!) you get 15% off your next purchase! You can also earn shop credit by trading in fabric or supplies you have on hand that you don't plan to use - out with the old, in with the new! If you are looking for a particular print or type of fabric or crafting supply, you can have them note your account so when the product comes in, they will give you a call and let you know! How cool is that?! I ♥ this store.

Unfortunately, there is only two locations of Fabric Recycles. One in Overland Park, KS, and one in Lees Summit, MO. But fortunately, for those of you located near either of those two locations, Fabric Recycles has an amazing inventory, great staff and incredible business! Please, if you are in the area, stop by, say hi, and support these wonderful shops! Support the eco-friendly crafting revolution!

Where do you usually buy your art and craft supplies?