This is a really weird suggestion but there are some garden applications for old fabric. I take natural fabrics that I am getting rid of (cotton sheets, thin comforters or bedspreads, towels …,), fold and lay them on my garden paths between my raised beds, and then cover the paths with cedar mulch. The fabric layers really cut down on weed penetration, typically for years, and eventually the natural fabric disintegrates and is incorporated into the soil.
Large, heavy pieces of fabric can also be used to cover beds that the gardener is giving a rest – blocking sun and, again, significantly discouraging weeds. Just put a stone in each corner to weigh down the fabric.
@JEM That is the most interesting idea. I could also use them as tarp!
@thumper1 Yes, they are pinch pleat draperies. Floral. Not faded. I wouldn’t say it’s like new but minimally used. The color doesn’t work anymore. I didn’t know floral was outdtaed. I wouldn’t want to burden thrifty shops with useless items. They probably get that a lot.
@HImom I thought about animal shelters. Bt the fabric is rather heavy and stiff with a liner, not like towels or bed sheets.
My daughter is always making cat hammocks for the cat shelter with linens from the thrift store.
I personally would put the curtains in a zip lock bag and label it with a description and measurements; for example, 4 Panels Pinch Pleat Drapes, 80 inches long.
I’m sorry, but you can’t just make a sweeping statement that “floral” is outdated. It’s just too broad. Plenty of people with excellent taste have floral fabric in their homes. William Morris designs are mostly “floral,” and they are never “outdated.”
It’s a shame to throw out things in good condition. I’d do what Wellspring suggests. Taste varies, and plenty of people do not care what the latest trends are.
I would not hesitate to donate to a thrift shop. Creative people can find a use for them, even if it’s for something other than curtains.
ETA: You’ve inspired me to to do the same with some very expensive linen drapes we just removed from our bedroom windows. The previous owners installed them and they are too heavy and dark for our taste.
Donate. If unwanted the place can always trash them.
Donate them. The thrift store or Goodwill…or wherever…will decide what to do with them.
I have absolutely seen old pinch pleat draperies at Goodwill.
The material can be used to make cushion covers for a kitchen table chairs or perhaps table mats or a runner.
Well, there’s always this:
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/411c7e6a-8f46-489f-8793-05b861900d99
You could make bedspreads for the guestroom(s). Quilters might use them for backing for the quilts.
With an old thin Ikea mattress topper folded triple and some left over curtain fabric I made a picnic bench seating pillow.
I am not good at making things. I have very pretty fabric leftover from reupholstering. I mean to make it to a small pillow to go with the chair. It’s three months.
I made Roman shades from old pinch pleat curtains my mother had. Back when I actually did projects like that!
My mother used to do crazy quilts out of all sorts of odd materials. My favorite was one she made from her father’s neckties.
Find a local theatre group with storage! Fabric is always useful if there is space to store it and can be used for so many different things - set dressing, costumes or even props!