A huge thankyouthankyou to Maggie Baker, an award winning costume designer for many local theatres, including The Arden, Azuka,  Inis Nua, and the Lantern, who just donated….

Maggie also taught Costume Design at The University of the Arts, but a new job meant downsizing her considerable collection of costuming materials.  In addition to the fabrics and patterns she donated yarn, scissors, a set of knitting needles, boxes of rhinestones, fabric weights, and many other things, including an amazing hot glue gun.

Maggie’s contribution is a perfect example of what is encouraged here at The Resource Exchange. We accept materials such as Maggie’s for artistic reuse, but more importantly, to prevent as much material as possible from going to landfills.

Americans discard approximately 68 lbs of clothing a year, while buying 10 lbs of used cloths. 99% of what is thrown away can be recycled. It’s a shame that so much of these materials go to waste.  In addition, decomposing fabric releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to global warming.

Maggie’s fabric will add to The Resource Exchange’s stock of fabric that includes silks and cottons. Most fabric dye uses chemicals that become toxic to the environment when fabric is added into the soil,; so aside from lessening the amount of waste that goes to landfills, the reuse of fabric prevents further soil pollution.  Her pattern donation has also prevented paper waste.  With these cool patterns you could make your own Halloween costume!

So stop in our store and discover the many fabrics  available. Pick up a new shirt pattern, grab some fabric scissors , and get creative.

websites cited:

ww.triplepundit.com/2012/01/textile-waste-be-banned-landfills/

hommeguides.sfgate.com

This Blog post Compiled by our interns Doreen, Malikah, and Sienna with the Resource Exchange Staff!