A fabric scrap has to measure at least 18 inches by 18 inches to earn a spot on one shop’s donation shelf.
Smaller than that, and it’s basically confetti. I love that a store cares enough about your next quilt to set a size rule.
That same shop sends a slice of each sale to local animal rescues.
So your bargain skein of yarn might help a shelter pup. I can’t think of a better excuse to buy more yarn than I need.
Across Kansas, creative reuse stores, quilt shops, and charity thrift spots are quietly saving craft supplies from the landfill.
Fabric, yarn, notions, and craft kits get a second chance with new makers. The prices tend to be gentler than big-box craft aisles, too.
Somewhere in the state, a forgotten bin of wool is waiting for the right hands. How much room is left in your craft closet?
1. ReCreate Central
Your craft closet overflow has a happy ending on East Central Avenue. ReCreate Central resells donated and upcycled art and craft supplies, so yesterday’s leftovers become tomorrow’s projects.
Shelves here can hold yarn, fabric, beads, sewing notions, craft kits, and vintage finds. That mix makes it easy to grab materials for a quilt, a scarf, and a jewelry project in one trip.
Got your own stash to share? The shop accepts fabric remnants measuring 18 by 18 inches or larger, so save the tiny scraps for your own patchwork.
Shopping here also does a little good beyond your sewing table. A portion of every sale supports local animal rescues.
The fun doesn’t stop at the register, either. ReCreate offers opportunities to connect with fellow makers, and its Riverside location has a crafting party room you can book for a group celebration.
Since stock comes from donations, the shelves can change from one visit to the next. Swinging by often gives you better odds at snagging that perfect skein.
Plan your trip for Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The store stays closed on Mondays, so don’t show up with a tote bag and a dream that day.
Address: 5422 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67208
2. ReCreate Riverside
Wichita crafters got lucky twice, because ReCreate runs a second shop on the city’s west side. You get the same creative reuse idea along 13th Street North.
Think of it as a treasure hunt where the prizes are buttons, fabric, and yarn. Materials arrive through donations, so supplies that might have gathered dust in a basement get a fresh shot at usefulness.
Knitters and crocheters can keep an eye out for yarn in odd colors and mixed weights. Sewists can browse fabric and notions, while young crafters might find inspiration in beads and craft kits.
Shopping secondhand like this keeps usable supplies out of the trash. It also lets you try a new hobby without dropping a big chunk of cash on brand new tools.
Your purchase helps furry friends too. ReCreate sends a portion of every sale to local animal rescues, which makes impulse buying feel almost noble.
Bring a list, but leave room for surprises. Half the joy of reuse shopping is finding a supply you never knew you needed.
Hours can differ from the Central shop, so check before you head out. Pairing both locations in one Saturday makes for a pretty great Wichita craft crawl.
Address: 2530 W 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67203
3. A Thrifty Notion
Ogden is a small town with a big neighbor, sitting right next to Fort Riley. A Thrifty Notion brings sustainable fabric shopping to Riley Avenue, offering secondhand textiles and sewing supplies that deserve another chance.
The shop specializes in vintage, deadstock, and secondhand fabric. Instead of buying everything brand new, sewists can browse materials that might otherwise sit unused in someone’s collection.
Notions, after all, are the buttons, zippers, and thread that hold a sewing project together.
Along with fabric, the shop offers sewing patterns and other supplies that help bring creative ideas to life.
Quilters can look for cotton prints to mix into patchwork projects, while garment makers can explore fabrics suitable for clothing and accessories.
Shopping secondhand also makes it easier to experiment with unfamiliar colors and textures.
The business accepts donations of usable fabric and sewing supplies, helping unwanted materials find new homes.
Bring your project measurements before you shop. Knowing how much fabric you need can help you choose the right pieces and avoid buying more than your pattern requires.
The storefront welcomes shoppers on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re planning a visit, check the latest details before making the drive.
Address: 528 Riley Ave, Ogden, KS 66517
4. Faithful Remnants Fabrics
Remnants are the ends of fabric bolts, and they’re a quilter’s favorite kind of leftover. Faithful Remnants Fabrics puts that idea right in its name, on South Greenwood Street in Wichita.
Why do remnants matter? Shorter cuts usually cost less than fresh yardage, yet they’re perfect for patchwork, pillow covers, doll clothes, and tote bags.
Small projects are where remnant shopping shines. You can test a bold print in a zippered pouch before committing to a full-size quilt.
A good strategy is to shop by color, not by pattern. Pick two or three shades you love, then collect pieces that play nicely together.
Bring your project measurements before you go. Knowing that you need a fat quarter or a two-yard piece keeps you from guessing at the counter.
Wichita crafters get a nice bonus here, since the ReCreate shops sit in the same city. A fabric-focused day trip could easily include three stops.
Remnant stock tends to change as pieces sell, so today’s favorite print may be gone next week. If something makes your heart skip, it’s probably coming home with you.
Prewash your finds once you get home. Washing first helps prevent shrinking and color bleeding after the project is finished.
Address: 318 S Greenwood St, Wichita, KS 67211
5. Twice Upon a Time
Fairy tales begin with once upon a time, but crafters prefer the sequel. Twice Upon a Time gives secondhand goods a second chapter on South Main Street in Ulysses.
Ulysses is the county seat of Grant County in far southwest Kansas. Big-city craft stores can be quite a drive from this corner of the state, so local resale shops are handy.
Secondhand shopping rewards crafters who think creatively. A flannel shirt can become a rag quilt square, and a cardigan in a great color can turn into yarn for mittens.
Look at the buttons too. Vintage buttons can dress up a plain project, and snipping them off a thrifted shirt costs far less than buying new ones.
Go in without a strict plan, and you’ll notice more. Some of the best projects start with a single odd find that sparks an idea.
Ask yourself one question before checking out. Can you picture exactly where this piece will end up in a project, or is it just cute?
Honestly, cute is a valid reason too. Your stash, your rules.
Pack a reusable bag in the car. Small towns reward shoppers who are ready to grab a surprise.
Address: 105 S Main St, Ulysses, KS 67880
6. Newton Et Cetera Shop
Thrifting can help families on the other side of the world, and that’s the big idea at Newton Et Cetera Shop. It belongs to a network of thrift shops supporting Mennonite Central Committee, known as MCC.
MCC works on relief, development, and peace projects around the globe. Shop proceeds help fund that work, so your fabric haul carries a much bigger purpose.
Newton has deep Mennonite roots. Mennonite immigrants helped bring hard red winter wheat, called Turkey Red, to Kansas in the 1870s.
That history makes this Main Street shop feel right at home. MCC also has a long tie to quilting through relief sales and comforter projects.
Volunteers help run many MCC thrift shops, keeping costs low. Fewer expenses mean more money flows toward the mission.
Crafters should give the linens a good look. Old sheets make great quilt backings, and bags of mixed yarn can become granny squares fast.
Go with a little patience and a sharp eye. Thrift shopping is part scavenger hunt, part good deed.
Drop off your own outgrown craft supplies if the shop is accepting donations. Your extra yarn could help someone else start their first scarf.
Address: 619 N Main St, Newton, KS 67114
7. Hutchinson Et Cetera Shop
Hutchinson hosts the Kansas State Fair, so it knows a thing or two about blue-ribbon quilts. Hutchinson Et Cetera Shop adds a thrifty option to North Main Street.
Like its Newton cousin, this shop supports Mennonite Central Committee. Your purchases help fund MCC’s relief, development, and peace efforts worldwide.
Quilt fans have another reason to love this city. The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale takes place at the state fairgrounds and is known for its quilt auction benefiting MCC.
Pick up thrifted fabric here, and you’re joining that same spirit of handmade giving. Not a bad legacy for a stack of cotton.
Yarn lovers can practice frugal swatching too. Buy an inexpensive skein, test a new stitch pattern, and save your fancy fiber for the final project.
Try looking past the label on clothing. A 100 percent wool sweater, felted in a hot wash, turns into sturdy fabric for coasters and mittens.
The Main Street spot makes it easy to pair with other errands downtown. You can also visit the Cosmosphere, the space museum in town, if your crew needs a break from fabric.
Your stash gets bigger, and a good cause gets a boost. That’s a win-win shopping trip.
Address: 22 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS 67501
8. Liberal Et Cetera Shop
Liberal runs a pancake race against Olney, England, each Shrove Tuesday, a tradition dating to 1950. Liberal Et Cetera Shop offers a different kind of race: grabbing the best fabric before someone else does.
Located on South Kansas Avenue, the shop is part of the Mennonite Central Committee thrift network. Proceeds support MCC programs that help people facing disaster, hunger, and conflict.
Thrift shopping here also suits beginners. Low-cost supplies take the pressure off when your first crochet project looks more like a pot holder than a hat.
Old denim deserves a second look too. Jeans can become sturdy tote bags, rag rugs, or patches for the next pair that tears at the knee.
Embroidery hoops, knitting needles, and thread spools sometimes appear at thrift stores. Snagging tools secondhand frees up your budget for pricier materials.
Shoppers who donate their own extras help keep the shelves stocked. It’s a neat cycle where fabric moves from one maker to the next.
Plan around the shop’s hours before driving in. A quick check saves you from staring at a locked door with an empty tote.
Pancakes and patchwork in one town? Liberal makes a strong case for a weekend road trip.
Address: 748 S Kansas Ave, Liberal, KS 67901
9. Save ‘N Share Thrift Store
McPherson is famous for teaching students to restore classic cars, thanks to McPherson College’s automotive restoration program. Save ‘N Share Thrift Store brings that same fix-it-up spirit to secondhand finds on South Main Street.
The name says a lot about how thrift works. Someone saves an item from the trash, shares it with the store, and you get to give it a new life.
Crafters can approach this store like a supply closet with surprises. Look for linens, clothing with great prints, and any sewing or yarn items that turn up.
Upcycling doesn’t require fancy skills. A pillowcase can become a simple tote, and a stack of T-shirts can turn into chunky T-shirt yarn for a basket.
Shopping in a small Kansas town also helps keep local Main Streets busy. Spending a little here supports the community you’re visiting.
Set a budget before you start browsing. Thrift prices make it dangerously easy to load a cart with projects you’ll finish someday.
Someday counts, right? A crafter’s stash is basically a promise to their future self.
Wrap up with a slow walk down Main Street before heading home. Your car may be fuller, but your wallet will thank you.
Address: 209 S Main St, McPherson, KS 67460
10. City Thrift Shawnee, KS
Shawnee has a thrift store where one person’s closet cleanout can become another person’s craft project.
City Thrift on Shawnee Mission Parkway is the largest location in its local network, with plenty of secondhand goods to explore.
The shop sells donated clothing, household items, books, and other treasures. For crafters willing to look beyond traditional fabric stores, those racks can offer materials for sewing and upcycling projects.
A cotton shirt with a colorful print could become patchwork squares, while an oversized denim jacket might provide sturdy material for a tote bag.
Even garments that no longer suit their original purpose can inspire something new.
Check the household goods section for reusable textiles, too. Sheets, tablecloths, and other fabric items can provide generous amounts of material without requiring a trip to a conventional fabric store.
City Thrift restocks its stores daily, which means the selection changes constantly. A quick visit might reveal nothing for your current project, while the next could turn up exactly the fabric you’ve been hoping to find.
Checking fabric dimensions, seams, and condition before buying can save frustration once you’re back at your sewing machine.
The store opens Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 11225 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS 66203