CANFIELD — Are you an avid sewer with a sewing room could use a refresh? Do you or someone you know have fabric or notions that are looking for a new home?

The Ohio State University Extension Mahoning County is hosting the fourth annual Fabric Frenzy staring Monday with the donation collection and shopping days on May 16 and 17. Participants can browse a wide variety of colors, patterns and sizes of fabrics, as well as other sewing items and notions.

All items are given out on a first-come, first-served basis for “purchase” and all prices are freewill donations to benefit the 4-H youth of Mahoning County.

Fabric Frenzy was born when community members extended many generous fabric donations to OSU Extension and the connection was made to 4-H youth who were participating in 4-H sewing projects. The office received donations ranging from hem strips, embellishments, ribbon, lace, zippers, needles, pins, elastic, stuffing, scissors, thread, yarn, patterns, buttons and wanted to put these items to great use.

Mahoning County 4-H Youth participate in 20 sewing projects, including Sew Fun, You Can Quilt, Clothing for Your Career, Sew for Others, and more.

The materials from Fabric Frenzy allow these youth to practice what they are learning from the project books and in their clubs to create outfits, dresses, quilts and beyond. These participants complete the projects over the course of the year and present their work for project judging during the summer months to hopefully earn accolades and high marks for their hard work.

These 4-H youth learn skills often missed and gain confidence in their abilities as a result of participating in these projects. Last year, a participant of Fabric Frenzy earned a Clock Trophy, the top award for all Ohio 4-H members, at the State Level Fashion Revue with a dress made from materials that she purchased at the event.

To further support 4-H Youth, there is a sewing machine giveaway to any 4-H member who completes a sewing project. These sewing machines are gently used or new, and donated by community members.

The fourth annual Fabric Frenzy runs 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 16, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at the OSU Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. It’s across from the Canfield fairgrounds, next to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Canfield Post.

The Mahoning County OSU Extension Office also will be accepting sewing material donations 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through May 12.

Contact the Extension office at 330-533-5538 for more information.