What to do with old Quilting, Sewing and Crocheting books

[mattl]

I need to cut an access opening in a closet that has been a storage dump for decades.  Old bills,  wrapping paper and old books and magazines, got a MASSIVE pile on the floor.  Anyway there are dozens and dozens of hard cover books on sewing and such my mother collected over the years. 

 

These are old, it was the 27th anniversary of her death a few weeks back and she did not do much collecting of books in her last years.  I'd guess most are from and late 70's to mid 80's, all in fine condition.  I really don't want to toss them, but not sure what to do with them. Options?

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Pictures of them? Sounds like time to introduce a lost skill...

 

Most people (even girls) today, probably are strangers to a lot that of...

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

[tomturbomatic]

I would begin by checking the titles online to see if there are any copies for sale to get some idea of the market for them, like for selling them or for valuations for donations. You can search by title or the ISBN, a number that usually begins with 9 and has lots of dashes in it or the LCCN which usually begins with a year followed by a dash*. Then check with your state Home Economics Assn or teachers thereof to see if they would have any leads on textile hobbyist groups. Maybe even a Home Ec. teacher in your local school might know something that would help you. Your local library or community center would be a place to seek help in locating textile artist groups if you cannot find anything online although it seems that most groups would have some sort of online presence so you could also do a search for textile artists and see if that leads you to any groups. If you are interested in donating the books, you could check with the local branch of the American Association of University Women. That group holds an annual book sale. I just checked and chapters are selling books all over the nation. If your local library has a Friends of the Library store where they sell books and stuff, they might be interested. I know that you want to get them where they will do the most good and I think that is great. Going through an educational or community service organization might offer you the best opportunity for doing this.

*A help in making your list would either be to print out what you find when you search the titles or to scan the Cataloging in Publication on the verso of the title page and print that out or print out what you get when you enter the ISBN or LCCN. It is important that potential recipients of the books have this information to make sure they are not accepting duplicates of titles they already hold and this information would even help if you are donating them for sale.

 

[kate1]

You could call around to local high schools or middle schools to see if their home economics teachers would be interested. Maybe even local churches or Girl Scout groups. My grandmother taught me the basics of those skills but church youth groups and home ec cemented them for me and the books available to me we’re quite old oftentimes.

 

[maytagbear]

Offer them

to any local nursing homes. Activities directors are often on the hunt for free/cheap resources.

Public libraries often have book sales, and hardbacks in decent condition are welcome.

Quilting patterns are close to timeless.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[mattl]

Thanks, I thought about the Senior Centers,  Might offer them the books and a collection of puzzles, but first will check the value of them.  I agree quilting patterns are timeless, so those books may be of value to someone.  Just don't want to toss them in the trash.

 

[aamassther]

Quilt Guild

Contact the local quilt guild, they often have libraries or at least resources to disburse them. Don’t remember anything about the Flint area guild, but the Washtenaw area guild had a library available to members. A quick internet search for contact info or calling the local quilt shop would get you that information. I’m not sure if they’re still in business, but “Looking Glass” used to be in Fenton and “Country Stitches” had a shop in Flint. I think there was also one on Miller Rd.
Hope this helps, Todd

 

[launderess]

Oddly enough over past few years more than a few knitting stores have opened in our area. Haven't knitted in ages since rarely have the time. That and in this post 9/11/01 world those needles are often forbidden in places.

I'd look around for any local knitting/sewing/hobby places to see if anyone wants the books even as a donation.

You can also put them on Offer-up, eBay, letgo or other similar places. Since they are books you can ship via media mail which is the cheapest thing USPS offers.

 

[mattl]

Todd -thanks for the research!  I'll have to sort through the books and such and see what might be worth passing on.

 

I was looking through them tonight, some books are really dated, a BH&G decorating book from 1975, full of pictures with wild prints, wild exterior redesigns and such.  Wonder what will look dated from today in 40+ years.