Every Maker has a stash....
It may be a shelf of beautiful fabric saved for the right project, yarn bought because the colour was impossible to resist, a collection of trusted tools or enough supplies to last several creative lifetimes. We joke about who will inherit the good scissors and which fortunate person will get the best yarn.
But life changes. A maker may downsize, develop arthritis or changes in eyesight, experience illness, move into a smaller home or simply find that their hands can no longer do what they once did. Sometimes a maker dies—and the people left with those carefully gathered materials do not know what to do with all of it.
The Stashery offers another possibility.
Useful fabric, yarn, tools and creative supplies can be placed back into working hands. They can help someone afford to attend a workshop, learn a new skill, experiment without fear of wasting expensive materials or discover the pleasure of making something for the first time.
For the person passing those materials forward, there is comfort in knowing that what they collected and cared for will not be forgotten. Their supplies can continue to be used, valued and enjoyed—and the creativity they supported can continue in someone else’s hands.
That makes good environmental sense: valuable materials remain in use instead of being forgotten in storage or sent to landfill. It also makes good economic and community sense: the cost of trying something new becomes less of a barrier, and resources already available within our community can create new opportunities within it.
The Stashery is not a destination for unwanted leftovers. It is a way to pass creativity forward.
Materials once chosen with possibility can become possibility again—for another maker, another learner and another pair of hands.
What can be passed forward?
The Stashery may accept useful materials, supplies and tools from many forms of creative practice. Current needs will change as our workshops, programs and community projects develop.
Fabric & Sewing Supplies
Quilting and garment fabric, felt, interfacing, batting, thread, notions, zippers, buttons, trims, sewing patterns and other useful sewing supplies.
Yarn & Fibres
Yarn in usable quantities, spinning fibre, weaving materials, embroidery and needlework supplies, rug-making materials and other fibre-related resources.
Tools & Equipment
Knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing and embroidery tools, looms, spinning tools, cutting tools, rulers, mats and other equipment in safe, working condition.
Larger equipment, sewing machines and electrical items will be considered by prior arrangement only.
Arts & Crafts Materials
Quality paper, drawing and painting materials, printmaking supplies, beads, jewellery-making materials and other usable creative supplies.
Books, Patterns & Learning Resources
Instructional books, magazines, patterns, templates and other resources that can support teaching, learning and creative practice.
Other Possibilities
Have something useful that does not fit one of these categories? Tell us about it. We may consider other materials that align with The Stashery’s purpose and Made By’s programs.
Ready for another maker.
The best question to ask is: Would I be comfortable giving this directly to another person to use?
Materials offered to The Stashery must be:
- clean, dry, and fee from strong or persistent odours;
- free from mould, mildew, pests and animal contamination;
- stored in a smoke-free environment;
- safe, functional and in usable condition;
- organized well enough for us to identify and redistribute; and
- offered in quantities that another maker, class or community project can reasonably use.
Opened, partially used and inherited supplies may still be valuable resources. They do not need to be new... but they do need to be ready for another maker.
Please tell us if you are uncertain about the condition, age or contents of anything you would like to offer.
How to offer materials
All potential Stashery contributions must be approved before they are brought to Made By.
Please complete the form below and tell us:
- what you would like to offer;
- approximately how much there is;
- its general condition;
- how and where it has been stored; and
- whether there is a story connected to the materials or the person who used them.
Please include photographs whenever possible. They help us understand the type, quantity and condition of the materials before arranging the next step.
A member of the Made By team will contact you if we are able to consider the contribution. We may accept all, part or none of an offer depending on its condition, usefulness, our current needs and the storage space available.
Please do not leave materials at the facility or deliver anything until arrangements have been confirmed.
A note about tax receipts.
The Stashery is a community reuse and learning initiative. Charitable tax receipts will not be issued for materials, supplies or tools contributed to the Stashery program.