Second Stitch: A Commitment to Re-Use and Repair in the Textile Industry
Every year, Stitch Buffalo rescues for re-use over 15,000 pounds of textile arts tools and supplies—plus over two hundred sewing machines.
Receiving offcuts (felt scraps) from our partners at Oxford Pennant.
Second Stitch is the name we give to Stitch Buffalo’s sustainability program—because we give a second life to donated supplies no longer needed by other artists, crafters, and businesses. These supplies are integral to creating the products in the Refugee Women’s Workshop, and they are used as the basis for all of our classes and kits.
Any items we can’t use directly in Stitch Buffalo projects are are offered to the community at huge discounts. We are committed to keeping these useful materials out of landfills and in the hands of local artists who can bring them to life in their own creations. All proceeds go directly to sustaining Stitch Buffalo programming.
Volunteers sorting fabric, yarn, and other textile art supplies donated by the community for re-use.
In 2023, Stitch Buffalo was awarded an Environmental Excellence Award by the Erie County Environmental Management Council.
Shop Second Stitch
VISIT OUR STORE
We maintain an everyday selection of fabric, notions, yarn, fiber arts tools, and basic sewing supplies in our store to meet the needs of the community. These materials are always priced well below retail.
SHOP ONLINE
Many of our premium Second Stitch items are now available for purchase on our website. These include luxury yarns, embroidery and cross-stitch kits, unique tools for fiber artists, vintage sewing and needlework supplies, and more. Everything is one of a kind—so if you see something you like, grab it right away!
Repair, Don’t Replace!
The Most Eco-Friendly Items Are the Ones You Already Own
In 2018, the EPA estimated that 11.3 million tons of textiles ended up in landfills. This waste is comprised primarily of discarded clothing, along with smaller sources like furniture, footwear, sheets, and towels.
If you are concerned about reducing the environmental impact of your wardrobe and home goods, the best thing you can do is give your current possessions the longest life possible by repairing them or altering them to work better for you!
Learn to Make Your Own Repairs
Teaching people to mend and sewing is part of our mission. If you’re interested in acquiring these skills, keep an eye on our community classes calendar or sign up for our newsletter (bottom of this page).
Donate Supplies
Information on donating supplies to Stitch Buffalo can be found under our Get Involved link or using the button below.
Because we have limited storage space, we request that you check our list of needed items (and those we don’t accept) before stopping by.
If your donation is more than 1–2 bags/boxes, please schedule an appointment so we can be sure to reserve space for it.
