How to Donate Materials

Hi there - and thank you for your interest in donating to Sweet As April!

Whether you’ve got a closet to clean out, a fabric stash you’re ready to part with, or you simply enjoy thrifting for bonnet-worthy textiles, I’m so grateful you thought of sending them my way. Donations like yours play a beautiful role in this little business - and often inspire designs I might never have created otherwise.

I’ve always said this isn’t just about my personal taste in bonnets. Pieces that arrive from your closets or thrift store hauls often push me to see things differently and stretch my creativity. One of the best parts of this process is giving new life to materials that might have otherwise been tossed. Around here, it’s not about one specific “look” - it’s about rescuing textiles and reimagining them into something useful, timeless, and sweet.

To help make the donation process easy and intentional, I’ve created a downloadable PDF. It includes a quick reference guide you can print and keep with you while thrifting or decluttering. You’ll find the link to download it at the bottom of this page - and there’s a little section you can fill out and include in your box, so I know who to thank!

A few important notes:

There’s no expectation to thrift on my behalf. Over the years, some longtime followers have enjoyed hunting down fabrics to send in, and I treasure those connections. But truly - just thinking of Sweet As April while you sort through your own garments or stash is more than enough.
Not every donation will become a bonnet. While I aim to use as much as I can, I also follow my creative instincts. Some fabrics may not work due to their texture, construction, or overall design. When that’s the case, I donate unused items to our local survival center - a full-circle way to give back to a place that once supported my own family.
If your donation does become a bonnet, I love to give you a shoutout (with your permission!) when I share it. It’s a special way to celebrate how this community is working together to reduce waste - one bonnet at a time.

What Makes a Good Bonnet Textile

When I am out thrifting or sorting through fabrics, these are the questions I ask myself - and you can use them, too, when deciding what to send:

1. What’s the fabric content?

Cotton, linen, and rayon are ideal. I avoid polyester, silk, tulle, chiffon, and anything too slippery, scratchy, or not breathable. Natural fibers make for the softest, most wearable bonnets.

2. What’s the construction like?

Lots of seams, darts, pockets, or buttons can make it hard to cut clean pattern pieces. Simple shapes (like loose blouses, skirts, or oversized shirts) with minimal seaming work best.

3. Will it actually make a nice bonnet?

Some textiles are beautiful but tricky to work with. Is the pattern too spread out? Will it still read clearly when cut into a small shape? Would it feel cozy and appropriate for a baby?

Fabric Yardage

The same guidelines above apply to fabric-by-the-yard. Even if you’re unsure if something will work, feel free to send it. You’d be surprised what can spark an idea - and some of the most unexpected fabrics have led to my favorite bonnets.

A Final Note

All donations are deeply appreciated. While I can’t reserve bonnets or offer trades for fabric sent in, know that if your pieces are used, you’ve contributed directly to a handmade creation that will be worn and loved by someone out in the world.

Thank you for being part of this journey - I can’t wait to see what gems you send in!