On Saturday April 16, 2022 Works-in-Progress will be transforming front yards and driveways around Mount Pleasant/Davisville into BEAUTIFUL+ FREE Clothing swap stores. Pre-loved clothing ALL SIZES can be dropped off before the swap or on the morning of the swap- it MUST be sorted BY SIZE in a labelled bag. The swap will consist of separate sites, featuring one size per site, making it easy to drop off donations by size, and then find what is available in your size. Visually, host sites will be easy to find, decorated with beautiful signs, bunting and clothing- but you can also reference the map above. Works-in-Progress will provide our famous up-cycled t-shirt bags for people to bring home their spoils (see photos above) It is $5 to fill a bag (or best offer) and the money goes to cover costs for the swap, like the Swap poster.We encourage shoppers and hosts to maintain 6ft distance, wear masks as they feel comfortable, use hand sanitizer before and after shopping and fill a bag with some new to you clothes.
As you can see from the photos above, we have organized a number of swaps in Toronto and Hamilton. We were asked to add adult clothes to the swap so we are giving it a try. Clothes will be sorted by size and type rather than gender.
If you live in the area and/or are interested in hosting, volunteering or donating gently used (and clean!) clothing, please reach out to us at [email protected]m or (even better) fill out the form at this link. Of course, you are welcome just to drop by as well. We can also help you run your own swap in your neighbourhood.
Please come out on the 16th of April the swap is open from 11am-2pm, and Ring in Spring is open 10-3pm It should be a lively event, with onsite repair advisors and communal art projects. Please reach out if you want to add to the fun. The shops will be open from 11am-2pm on Saturday April 16 (Easter long weekend) (with April 23 as a rain date)
This swap is for everyone, an opportunity for us all to find good homes for outgrown/unwanted clothes and find some new clothes. If you don't love it, someone else will. This swap is part of a series of swaps we are organizing this Spring in Hamilton and Toronto.
We still have space for hosts if you want to help with a location and donations accepted on the day Please fill out the form below if you want to help, and please contact us with any questions. We have added a list of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) below the form. Here is a basic one:
Q. HOW DOES A SWAP WORK? The goals of a clothing swap are to reduce textile waste -- save money -- do something useful in the neighbourhood. Here's how it works -- If you want to help with the event-- Sign up on the form below and organizer will contact you by email within a few days. We need hosts, drivers, people to advertise or put up posters- great for teens who need volunteer hours. Day before the swap (or morning of) -- Bring outgrown/surplus clothes to the swap sites -- clean clothes, sorted by size, in good shape, all sizes welcome. Shoes and belts and hats ok too. On swap day -- donate last minute clean/sorted clothes at the site that matches their size -- Tour the swap sites -- pick up clothes that are new-to-you -- chat with neighbours on a nice Spring day. We will have a donation site with our repair table in June Rowlands Park where you can drop off donations all day. Please reach out via email if you want to donate but can't make the event: [email protected] We ask everyone wear masks while shopping, or keep your distance from other shoppers as we adjust to new guidelines. Bags and clothes will be laid out and there is no need to be close. Use hand sanitizer before and after handling clothes and wash everything you bring home. After the swap -- If you are a host, collect any remaining clothes into a box or bag -- WIP will take them away for you.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Does it cost money? We are selling bags to support the cost of the swap for $5 or best offer (including free). You then fill up the bag with clothes wherever you shop. No individual prices, and the object is to find new homes for ALL the clothes, so don't be shy. You can also bring your own bags to fill if you prefer. Donate what you want, take what you want. For free.
Q. Can we donate adult clothes? Yes. This is new this swap.
Q. Can we donate games/books/ household items No. However, if you are hosting you can chose to put out games etc. to give away, but you must keep anything that does not get taken.
Q. Can we donate other textiles like we do for Bag2School drives? No. This one is just for people to give to their neighbours (so wearable clothes in good condition only). ONE EXCEPTION: we are collecting clothes in need of repair, especially jeans/outerwear to patch, T-shirts, shrunken sweaters at the repair table. Also, if you have ends of projects: unused cloth, ends of yarn, sewing supplies, we will take those. These will be used for Works-in-Progress projects or donated to the Double Take Upcycling studio at 310 Gerrard Street E.
Q. I live in an apartment- can I still host? Yes. You can partner with someone with a yard, we can help to connect you.
Q. I live outside the neighbourhood- can I still host? Yes. You can partner with someone with a yard, we can help to connect you.
Q. I have a driveway/yard and would like to help, but I don't want to run the swap- can you use the driveway without me? Yes. We have parents willing to run the swap on the day who do not have a yard themselves.
Q. What are the safety protocols? We ask everyone to wear masks while shopping. Bags and clothes will be laid out and there is no need to be close. Use hand sanitizer before and after handling clothes.
Q. What are benefits/responsibilities of hosts? Benefits: People bring you donations of clothes in your child's size or your size, and you have first dibs on choosing what you want. Fun to see people and good karma. Responsibilities: Need to set up and maintain site from 10am-3pm on swap day. Works-in-Progress will bring signs, bags, maps and support if you need a break. Bring hand sanitizer for yourself and shoppers.
Q. What are benefits /responsibilities of yard hosts? Benefits: Mostly good karma, helping the earth, that sort of thing. Raising neighbourhood up. Plus shop your yard for free. Responsibilities: If possible, collect donated clothes on porch or covered area the night before, WIP volunteers will collect after the swap, either that night or on Sunday.
Q. Why are you organizing a swap? With a little bit of work we can all benefit greatly from both finding a new home for our old items and by giving old items a new home. We avoid waste and enrich ourselves, and it costs nothing but some time and effort.
Q: Why is Works-in-Progress organizing this swap? We are an eco-art collective, which means some members are inspired to make things from waste (up-cycle) and all of us want to reduce waste and save money by sharing rather than throwing these clothes out and buying new ones.
Q: What's the difference between this and a regular neighbourhood yard sale? Each yard will have only one type of item (clothes in one size) and nothing is for sale
Q: How do I donate? Drop off (clean, sorted, and labelled) clothes at the host house the night before or the morning of the swap. **DETAILS MAY CHANGE, donation dates may be added** If you cannot drop donations off on these days and must do so earlier in the week, please contact [email protected] *New this Spring: you can drop off donations on April 16th at our table in the park as part of the Ring in Spring Celebration.
Q: How do I sign up to host/offer my driveway? Sign up using this form here: (Link), or email us at: [email protected]
Q: Where will my sizes be located? Each table/site will host one size
Q: What area are the swaps in? North of Davisville school between Manor and Davisville, and Yonge and Mt. Pleasant. This is still a work in progress, we may expand to East of the park, with sites on Balliol, Forman and Davisville.
Q: How long does it talk to walk? Or do we have to drive? All places are walking distance. If you do drive, there is street parking most areas, and is all walking distance from Davisville station on the TTC.
Q: Is there a rain date? Yes, Saturday April 23 (The next weekend), but we really hope it does not rain. Follow us on instagram for updates @works.in.progress.to or subscribe to our newsletter and and we will email updates if it seems questionable.
Q: How do I find the swaps? Each site will have paper maps, and the map on this page will be live. Our Repair and Reuse table in June Rowlands Park will have maps.
Q: Will all the swap locations have multiple sizes? No, each site will only have one size, from multiple donors. More selection of the size you want.
Q. What do you do with anything leftover? Works-in-Progress volunteers will collect leftovers after the swap or the next day. We will either use donations for art projects, donate them or keep for future swap events. Nothing will be thrown away.
ANY MORE QUESTIONS? please contact us: [email protected] and we will get back to you within the day.