Back by popular demand, it's another fabulous Fabric Blowout Sale! Only this time, you'll have TWO days to shop. The sale starts Fri., Sept. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., and continues Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in our classroom area.

Now's the perfect time to stock up on fabrics and trims you need to get started on those fall and holiday projects. Mary Jo Divilbiss, who is part of a stable of volunteers we affectionately call "the fabric ladies," noted that the sale inventory will include a recent donation of "a whole bunch of fake and real fur, which would be perfect for making Halloween costumes."

"We also have lots of net, which would make great ballernia and fairy costumes," Mary Jo added.

In addition to fabric of all kinds (sold by the pound), the Fabric Blowout Sale inventory will include vintage and modern patterns, UFOs (quilter's term for unfinished objects), sewing and quilting books - all at those great, extra-low discount prices that you can't find anywhere else.

As expected, our "Soldering 101" workshop announced in the last newsletter filled up fast. But we're thrilled to be bringing you a second session taught by Sheila Daniels on Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Once again, we encourage you to sign up NOW!  

Participants will learn basic skills, pick up important safety tips, and will make a take-away project - a glass pendant with embellishments (see photo example at right). No prior soldering experience is necessary.

The cost is $30, with all supplies provided. Class size is limited to 10 participants (who must be at least 18 years old). Early registration is advised. You may register at the store or by calling 352-7878 (your advance payment reserves your spot).

University of Illinois students stopped by our table at Quad Day in droves to learn more about The I.D.E.A. Store. We also saw plenty of old friends, including former intern Sarah Dexter (right) and her friend.

Everyone else may be busy with back-to-school activities, but at The I.D.E.A. Store, we're just plain busy! In addition to being open for business more hours than ever before to fuel your creativity, we'll be back out in the community in the next several weeks. Incredibly, by month's end, we'll also be celebrating our second anniversary with TWO parties! We hope to see you in September - and October (early and often!).

Here's a rundown of what's coming up:

* Saturday, Sept. 8. Staff members, volunteers and friends of The I.D.E.A. Store and Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation will compete as a team in the CarX Krazy K race at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. Come out and support our team at 3 p.m.!

* Also on Sept. 8, from 6-9 p.m., volunteers from The I.D.E.A. Store will be at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts' Opening Night Party hosting a make-and-take activity. Volunteers will demonstrate how to reuse materials to make paper flowers.

* Friday, Sept. 28, from 4-7 p.m., Community Night at Fannie May. Stop by and treat yourself to chocolate for a good cause. The I.D.E.A. Store staff and volunteers will be working behind the candy counter! And a whopping percent of all sales will be donated to CUSF.

* Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., The I.D.E.A. Store's Second Anniversary Party. Drop in throughout the day to shop and enjoy cake and punch to celebrate another big milestone for the store.

* Saturday, Oct. 6, Wine Tasting/Anniversary Party #2, Buvon's at the Corkscrew in Urbana (time to be determined; check next newsletter). Join us for one last party (adults only, please) to celebrate two years of success as Champaign-Urbana's only creative reuse marketplace. A percentage of the wine tasting's sales will benefit CUSF.

After writing recently in The I.D.E.A. Store newsletters about paper and glass, and gathering facts for upcoming articles about metals, plastics and wood, I can conclude that the recycling and reuse of different materials is fascinating! This issue's topic: the importance of reducing textiles waste in our area landfills. The I.D.E.A. Store helps with this, thanks to your donations of lovely yarns and fabric yardage. Make a reminder on your calendar to shop the store's September 7-8 "Fabric Blowout Sale," timed to give you the best deals for making upcoming-holiday gifts.  

 

Rag rug made from fabric scraps

Textiles, including fabric and fibers such as yarn, are all around us in shoes, linens, curtains, carpets, car seat coverings and much more. Ninety-five percent of these materials could be recycled - collected and sold to a manufacturer to be reprocessed into new products - if they are clean and free of moisture and mildew, yet Americans throw out 11 million tons of such materials annually instead. Locally, I take my gently used clothes to consignment stores or to reuse stores including Goodwill and Salvation Army. If my donated textile items are not good enough for resale, I put them in a separate bag marked "rag quality" to let sorters know these items are intended for recycling. From there, they are sold to developing countries, made into cleaning rags or become recycled raw materials for new insulation, stuffing, carpet pads and paper. Natural fibers such as cotton, silk, linen and wool can be recycled in your home compost pile.

Scarf made from reused saris.

 

While textile recycling grows each year, reusing textiles continues to be popular because of the materials' creative versatility. The I.D.E.A. Store stocks donated fabric remnants and yardage, quilt squares, mill ends, batting and polyfill, designer samples and carpet squares, string and rope, yarns and threads, fabric ribbon and trims, burlap and fabric bags, shoelaces and neckties. (Sorry, we can't accept finished fabric items beyond those listed here.) Textile donations to the store must be clean and free of stains, odors, pet hair and insect damage. Occasionally, you'll find treasures such as quilt squares and vintage prints.

 

One great source of inspiration for what to do with textiles and other items you find at The I.D.E.A. Store is the book "1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse" by Garth Johnson. You can find copies at the Champaign Public and Urbana Free Libraries. 

 Food for thought ...

One last dish of fiber-art eye candy and inspiration 

* Fabric paintings by Chris Roberts-Antieau

*  Ann Maki's Finhill Fiberarts Studio.

* Other-worldly wearable art by Ari Tabei, made from fabric scraps and other materials.

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation saw a need in the community to accomplish several things: 1.  Support the arts and arts education, 2.  Support environmental education in our communities, 3. Impact the environment by reducing the rate of waste disposal, 4. create a place for everyone to have access to quality materials and 5. Support itself in light of the difficult economic times.  So donate your discards and shop re-use.  Its about making a difference!

 www.cuSchoolsFoundation.org