How Craft Thrift Stores Make Supplies Accessible

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For many young makers, the cost of yarn and other materials puts crafting out of their reach. As any high school or college student will tell you, their part time jobs don’t pay enough to buy most clothes they need let alone splurge on the beautiful yarns in most yarn shops or online retailers. That is, unless they can find a resource like Swanson’s Fabrics, a craft thrift store.

Kathryn Greenwood Swanson founded Swanson’s Fabrics in 2020 shortly after she discovered braided rug making. Wanting to utilize waste fabrics like old bedsheets in her rugs, she started her donation-based thrift store with fabrics from her community. It has since turned into a thriving company with a 4200-square-foot “Stash House” and a 3-fold mission: bridge the gap between generations, make quality products more accessible, and craft in an environmentally responsible way.

Bridging the Generational Gap

After years in various fabric and fiber related jobs, Kathryn started asking a lot of questions. She wondered, “Why do fiber artists collect so much and why are we in conflict with our own stashes? Why does clothing cost so little but fabric and yarn cost so much? . . . Why are we buying so much when there is so much good stuff already around?”

Kathryn Swanson of Swanson's Fabrics — Founder Kathryn Greenwood Swanson sees Swanson’s Fabrics as the answer to younger generations having access to quality materials at affordable prices. | All photos by Alistair Shurman.

Swanson’s Fabrics is her answer to those questions. “We acknowledge that the dollar and fiber arts have never added up, that the natural order of things is to collect these materials for a rainy-day or a future project or a current inspiration and either use them or pass them down to the next generation. Where we find ourselves now is with huge stores of incredible textiles and yarns carefully put away in our attics and basements, and a next generation that is hungry for both education and affordable materials,” Kathryn said.

Kathryn added, “Building the link between those two groups has major benefits: people who are destashing can bring their materials to us with the peace of mind that they will be honored, loved, recognized, and redistributed appropriately . . . people who are just starting out can afford to explore great textiles and yarns—in fact, the finest that will have ever been made.”

Quality, Accessibility, and Sustainability

The prices of yarn and notions at Swanson’s are truly affordable with yarn at just $2-$4 per ball. And all fabrics, no matter their fiber content, are $4 per yard in the store and $5 per yard online.

Donated craft materials at Swanson's Fabrics — The Stash House at Swanson’s Fabrics is 4200-square-feet of donated craft materials from fiber to fabric.

Swanson’s Fabrics follower @Madeleine.a.baum said, “Before learning about fabric thrifting and places like Swanson’s, I had stopped sewing altogether. Fabrics at big retailers feel gross to touch and all the supplies are hideously expensive, and I couldn’t afford it. Not only do young people now have access to quality, beautiful fabrics we could never find at big retailers, but seeing places like Swanson’s thrive is inspiring me to be creative again!”

Another follower, @duckiebooboo, wrote, “I have $20 a month to spend on fun things and at Swanson’s that is enough for a project. It’s a small luxury that makes a big difference in my life.”

With makers like these in mind, Kathryn feels, “By making everything incredibly affordable, we are trying to be sure that the correct supply gets to the correct maker. Our customers treat our store like it is their own stash, so they just take what they need and leave the rest, always knowing they can come back and get just the thing they need next time.”

Sorting donated craft supplies at Swanson's Fabrics — Swanson’s Fabrics doesn’t just sell supplies; it allows trading as well. Bring in good you don’t need and trade them for those you do.

Craft Thrift Store Support

If you’re one of the many makers with an attic or basement overflowing with yarn and craft supplies looking to support craft thrift stores like Swanson’s, there are several ways to get involved!

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Donate – Donations of physical goods are accepted in-person at their store in Turners Falls, MA, or at one of their three sister stores in Lucky Deluxe Fabrics in Orange County, CA, Paper City Fabrics in Holyoke, MA, and Gemma Fabrics in Doylestown, PA. Cash donations are also accepted.

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Become a Member – Swanson’s offers a monthly and yearly membership that rewards you with deeper discounts and exclusive sales.

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Spread the Word – Follow Swanson’s (or your local craft thrift store) on social media and share their posts. It doesn’t cost a thing and it’s a great way to elevate their message. (In fact, I learned about Swanson’s via a TikTok my college student shared with me!)

And of course, buying supplies from a craft thrift store is the best way to provide support.

Swanson’s Fabrics drops new yarns and fabrics every Thursday evening at 8:00 pm eastern, and they sell out quickly. It feels good to know that young makers are grabbing all they can and making beautiful projects they’ll have for years to come.

Looking for a craft thrift store in your area? Google “craft thrift store near me” and get thrifty!

Serial yarn sniffer Kerry Bogert loves to spend her time knitting when she’s not collaborating with the team at Interweave or editing Interweave Knits magazine. Her passion for making things with her hands is only matched by her love for her children and a well-attenuated stout. Kerry endeavors to never stop learning, buying yarn, or collecting beads. Read her latest articles at Interweave.com.

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