SewGreen Rochester

SewGreen Rochester is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiber arts thrift store and education center located in the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood of Rochester, NY. Founded in 2015 by Georgia Carney with support from a foundational grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, the organization operates at the intersection of community building, creative skill-sharing, and environmental sustainability. In April 2026, SewGreen celebrated its 10-year milestone with a grand reopening at 560 West Main Street in a new facility double the size of its previous space.

The nonprofit diverts donated fiber art materials from landfills and resells them at heavily discounted prices, making textile crafts financially accessible to the surrounding community.

SewGreen Rochester's retail shop carries second-hand fiber arts supplies, including:

• Yarn
• Fabric
• Sewing machines
• Sewing, knitting, and crochet notions

Beyond retail, the organization runs free weekly clubs — Open Sew, Crochet Club, and Knitting Club — where community members gather to work on projects together. Volunteer-led classes take place on Saturdays and Sundays, covering topics from basic sewing and knitting to more advanced techniques like Kawandi quilting. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM, with donations accepted on Tuesdays by appointment.

SewGreen Rochester holds a distinctive position as both a thrift store and a fiber arts learning center, listed on the NY Fiber Trail as a destination for textile enthusiasts visiting the region. Its dual focus on reuse and hands-on education — offering low-cost materials alongside free programming — reflects the organization's core values of accessibility, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. The recent expansion into a larger space on West Main Street has given the nonprofit more room for both retail and classroom activities.

SewGreen Rochester sits at 560 West Main Street in the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood, a historic area on Rochester's west side. The shop is near several cultural landmarks, including the Susan B. Anthony House, and within easy reach of The Little Theatre and the George Eastman Museum. The neighborhood carries deep historical significance tied to the women's suffrage movement, and West Main Street provides straightforward access from downtown Rochester. The expanded storefront offers a welcoming space for browsing supplies or joining a class.