Our Mission
Up-Stitch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit creative reuse organization that collects donated fabric, yarn, and other sewing and needlework materials to distribute and sell back to the crafting community at an affordable rate. We endeavor to keep useful material out of landfills, facilitate creativity, and increase environmental awareness throughout the Capital District.
Our goal is to improve the planet by reducing our local carbon footprint through the recycling of fabric and yarn. By re-circulating these materials to the community, we keep them out of dumps and put them back into the hands of people that can use them. Our shop offers alternative, unique, and local choices for sewers and knitters to purchase. We create a sense of community that comes with sharing and helping others in their quest to create.
Workshops + Events
Up-Stitch provides opportunities to learn and to volunteer. Please click the button below to visit our programs page and see our current events, sales and workshops.
OUTREACH
Many of our donations are re-distributed to local schools and food pantries.
Sorting Parties
We host regular meetings with volunteers to sort our many donations. Please subscribe to our mailing list to find the dates and times of upcoming “parties!”
Maggie and Megan
Founders
Knitter Maggie Erlich and sewist Megan Stasi began collecting donations in January of 2017 and opened the doors to their shop in the Albany Art Room in May of the same year. Their mutual love of stitching and desire to recycle has merged to form Up-Stitch. In the first 2 years of operation Maggie, Megan and their dedicated volunteers have received donations from 36 zip codes and saved over 6,000 pounds of sewing and crafting materials from the landfills. They have also had the opportunity to give away materials to individuals and groups in the community that are working to brighten the lives of others. They have made 60 donations of fabric, yarn and other crafting materials to some very inspiring people. The materials have allowed these individuals to make an array of creative projects such as fabric mosaics, community flags, quilts for those in need, winter hats and clothes for kids, costumes for school plays, prayer shawls and more.
Contact us
(518) 618-2825
info.upstitch@gmail.com
350 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
Store Hours
Monday - Thursday: 4-6pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: 10am-1pm