Volunteer Opportunity for Northern Virginia Textile Recycling/Re-Use Project

V O L U N T E E R   O P P O R T U N I T Y 

ReFiber: Volunteers Needed for New Textile Recycling/ReUse Project in Northern Virginia

ReFiber is a new textile recycling/reuse pilot in Northern Virginia launching in early 2026. We are currently accepting fabric and textile donations and seeking volunteers to help prepare materials for philanthropy-based sale. Volunteers will receive first choice and early access to purchasing featured textiles.

Upcoming Volunteer Sessions

· 1) Thursday, December 11 — 2:00–5:00 p.m.

· 2) Saturday, December 20 — 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

· 3) Saturday, January 10 — 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

· 4) Saturday, January 10 — 2:00–5:00 p.m. 

Looking ahead: Monthly sessions are expected in 2026.

Location

All volunteering will be through LSSNCA Resource Center in Alexandria, VA.  More details provided post sign-up.

What You’ll Do

Each session begins with a brief introduction to the ReFiber project and a tour of the LSSNCA Resource Center. Volunteers will help prepare recycled textiles, which may include:

· Cutting down donated fabrics to sale size

· Recovering buttons, zippers, elastic, or other notions

· Deconstructing sweaters for wool reclamation

· Sorting clothing to identify appropriate items for ReFiber processing

The environment is relaxed, hands-on, and collaborative.

How to Sign Up or Ask Questions

Email program volunteer lead Elizabeth at ReFiberPilot@gmail.com with your preferred session date and any questions. Advance sign-up is encouraged as space is limited.

Do I Need Experience?

No experience is required—just comfort using scissors and an interest in recycling.

I want to help, but can't come then - are there other opportunities?

Yes! One-time and occasional volunteers are welcome.
If you can’t attend in person, you may have the option to take home an “unwind a sweater” kit to help reclaim yarn. Please email ReFiberPilot@gmail.com to be on waiting list. 

Can Children Attend?

Children over 8 who can safely use adult scissors are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

What Should I Bring?

Fabric scissors are helpful but not required. You may also bring fabric, clothing, or yarn donations if you wish. (Tax-deductible receipt can be provided).  You may bring a drink and light snacks as well. 

How Are Funds Used?

The ReFiber pilot program is being developed in partnership with the Lutheran Social Services National Capital Region (LSSNCA) Resource Center, a 501(c)(3) organization. Profits from any materials sold from this waste diversion pathway will go directly to supporting LSSNCA mission and services.  

Did You Know Thread Has an Expiration Date?

You buy a box of thread spools at an estate sale or garage sale or you are gifted a tin of these from a family member or friend. How do you know if you should sew with this thread? Well, if this thread is several decades old and the spool is wooden, it's probably past its prime. For sewists several generations ago, cotton thread was more utilitarian and probably not stored under ideal conditions. The easiest way to determine if you should sew with this thread is to pull a long section and apply steady traction on the thread ends. If it slowly gives way or disintegrates before snapping, it's not good to sew with. However, if it snaps, then it's probably ok. All thread will snap at some point, given enough tension. Dr. Bob of Superior Threads demonstrates this technique. [There are many more videos on Thread Therapy here.]

   

 It can be distressing to look at all these spools. So, what can you do with them if you can't use them on your machine or in your garments or quilts? 

Deborah Moebes wrote a blog about expired thread and solicited possible uses from her readers. Some of the ideas are pretty ingenious. 

They include: 

• Knitting or crocheting (also known as "micro crochet" or "micro knitting"). Althea Crome is a master miniature knitter. 
  
• Bumble Bee 
  
• 100 Micro Crochet Motifs
• You could remove all the thread from the spools and use it as stuffing in pet beds and other projects requiring stuffing.
• Use in fiber art projects, such as felting or embellishing. 
• Since the thread won't be subjected to tension or possible seam failure, you could use the threads in embroidery decorations at hems, cuffs, and collars.
• Remove the thread from the spools and stuff into jars and vases as colorful decorations. Or if the jar or vase is large enough, just drop the thread spools in.
• Remove the thread from the spools and use a dissolvable stabilizer like Solvy to make a beautiful scarf. 
  
  

What if the thread is long gone and you can't bear to throw out old wooden spools?

There are plenty of projects online to use these and this list is only a small selection of fun ideas!

• How about a cute bracelet? I would totally do this!

• What about vintage spool drawer pulls? 
• Use stamps on your wooden spools (with or without thread) to create beautiful art.
• How about a sewing wreath to hang year-round?

Finally, if you want to know the value of your wooden spools, you can read all about it here:

Antique wooden thread spools 

Copying Ready-to-Wear - Program on Monday, May 20 at Burke-Alexandria Public Library

The Alexandria Seamsters will be meeting on Monday, May 20 at 7 pm at the Burke Branch of the AlexandriaLibrary (Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Public Library), 4701 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304.

Jennifer will be leading our program that evening on Copying Ready-to-Wear.  

We’ll look at ways to copy a ready-to-wear piece. 

Each method used will accommodate progressively more difficult pieces.  

From being able to simply trace an outline and create a new garment to the steps it takes to copy a more complex garment, there are techniques and tips that will help you do that.  

This fits right into the current trend of "recycling" our clothes.  Instead of buying something new, take a favorite, use a piece in your stash, and have an old new piece!  This is a demonstration and notes will be provided.

If you have an article of clothing you would like to copy, bring it along and get some suggestions!

Also, bring your show-and-tell for all to see & enjoy.  

Hope to see you Monday evening.