Thread: Charity Questions??

When you donate a quilt to charity, do you add a label? If so what do you put on it?

Originally Posted by Marley46

When you donate a quilt to charity, do you add a label? If so what do you put on it?

I make sheets of computer labels that say, "Made Especially for You by the Valley View Quilt Group". No specific names. If from a single person I would put just a first name.

There's a group that takes quilts for kids. wraptheminlove.com. They take any quilt from baby size to twin. I learned to free motion on quilts I donated to them.

My guild donates to the cancer center here and the veterans home. Both always have a need.

In our area we have a homeless shelter, a shelter for abused women, a hospital, three nursing homes so there are plenty of opportunities to donate quilts. We have a local guild that donates to many of these options and also meets twice a month to make "disaster quilts" which are given out after fires or tornadoes etc.

Originally Posted by MaryKatherine

For me, even though it's allowed, claiming for Tax purposes sort of negates the idea of charity.

I think donations of time also count.

I disagree. I make charity quilts all year long. Last November I donated 20 quilts to Ronald McDonald House along with 22 pillowcases in New Orleans. I buy all of my material on sale but It still costs money. I figure it takes 5 yards to make a children's quilt, including the back and binding, and the batting, and thread. I figure it costs me at least $3.00 a yard to make a quilt not counting my time. I value my quilts at $15.00 each. I do not use old fabric and I make sure it will hold up in commercial washing. Last month I gave 10 quilts to the same group. I don't see anyone else spending as much time or money or effort. I was told by Children's Hospital in New Orleans that they didn't want any home made quilts. I guess they have more money than anyone else. Ronald McDonald's house wrote me the nicest thank you. So I will continue to provide my work to them.

Most of my quilts are donated but I don't bother with trying to deduct them on my taxes, to do so, I believe that you have to have a certain dollar amount, not necessarily charity related but in general and we don't qualify. If you want to try deducting them, I would say, talk to the person who does your taxes.

I too am a quilter with too many quilts. I checked online to donate and all I could find was $$$$ 's amount. So I got lucky that the Viking Sewing Gallery held a sew a long for charity. I found out the lady in charge also took quilts to distribute to special needs, I gave her over 50 quilts and I am still making more since I know I can get them out there where the need arises, I am a happy quilter.