What Happens to Donated Fabric at LifeCraft Studio?

Donating fabric is generous — but what actually happens next? At LifeCraft Studio, each donation is carefully assessed, sorted, and prepared for reuse, with fibre composition estimated by default when labels are no longer available.

At LifeCraft Studio, every donated item is handled thoughtfully, with the aim of reducing waste, supporting creative reuse, and being honest about what reclaimed materials can (and can’t) be.

Here’s a closer look at what happens to donated fabric once it arrives with us.

Step 1: Donations Are Received and Assessed

When fabric and craft supplies are donated to LifeCraft Studio, the first step is a careful initial assessment.

Most donated fabrics are:

• Unlabelled
• Leftover from past projects
• Stored for many years
• Mixed fibre or blended textiles

Because of this, original fibre labels are rarely available. This reality shapes how we approach everything that follows.

If you’re interested in donating materials yourself, you can find full details on our Donate Craft Supplies page.

Step 2: Sorting for Reuse or Recycling

Donated fabrics are sorted into broad categories:

• Suitable for resale and reuse
• Suitable for creative projects or bundles
• Unsuitable for reuse and requiring recycling

Condition matters more than perfection. Fabrics don’t need to be pristine, but they must be clean, dry, and usable.

Items that can’t be reused are separated early so they can be handled responsibly rather than mixed back into circulation.

Step 3: Identifying Fabric Composition (When Labels Are Missing)

Because original fibre labels are rarely available, fibre content at LifeCraft Studio is estimated by default, rather than treated as a confirmed specification.

At LifeCraft Studio, fabric composition is assessed using:

• Texture and handle
• Weave and structure
• Weight and drape
• Visual characteristics and finish
• Hands-on experience with textiles

To support this process, we also use a Matoha Fabritell.

The Fabritell machine helps analyse fibre composition and is particularly useful for:

• Blended fabrics
• Technical or unfamiliar textiles
• Sorting waste accurately for recycling

It’s an additional tool — not a guarantee — and results are treated as guidance rather than absolute confirmation.

In practice, this means fabrics are often assessed more than once. A piece might be handled, observed, scanned, and then reviewed again before a final description is written. This layered approach helps reduce errors and supports responsible decisions — particularly when deciding whether a fabric can be reused or should be recycled.

Step 4: Honest Descriptions and Transparency

Because reclaimed materials come with uncertainty, transparency is essential.

When fabric composition is listed at LifeCraft Studio:

• It should be understood as an estimate unless explicitly stated otherwise.
• No guarantees are made where certainty isn’t possible.
• We aim to give you enough information to make informed choices.
• You can read more about our approach on our Fabric Identification page.

Step 5: Preparing Fabrics for Their Next Life

Fabrics that are suitable for reuse are:

• Measured and described
• Grouped into pieces, remnants, or bundles
• Made available for makers who value sustainable materials

By keeping reclaimed fabric in circulation, we reduce demand for new production and help extend the life of existing textiles.

Why Reuse Comes Before Recycling

Recycling is important — but reuse is better.

Reusing fabric:

• Saves energy and resources
• Preserves material quality
• Supports creative, small-scale making
• Keeps textiles out of landfill for longer

Only when fabric can’t reasonably be reused do we look at recycling routes.

How You Can Be Part of the Process

If you have unused fabric or craft supplies, donating them helps support this circular approach to textiles.

Even small donations or partial remnants can be useful, and every contribution helps reduce waste.

Learn more about donating craft supplies here

A Thoughtful Approach to Reclaimed Materials

Working with donated and reclaimed fabric means accepting uncertainty — and being honest about it.

At LifeCraft Studio, we believe clarity builds trust. By combining experience, careful assessment, and tools like the Matoha Fabritell machine, we aim to handle donated textiles responsibly and make sustainable crafting more accessible.