Tell me when you make charity quilts what fabric do you use? Is it fabric that you yourself would like in a quilt, is it a lower quality fabric that you got just for charity quilts, or is it fabric that you had and just didn't care for it after you purchased it? Also what type of pattern do you use? Something that works up quickly or one that may take a few days to work on? Thanks and I look forward to hearing everyones thoughts on this.

I try to use something in my stash...some is better quality than others, but it is all quality that I would use for a personal quilt too.

Hiya Roxie I am the North Wales, UK, Coordinator for Project Linus, and personally I just love using quilting cottons but I also recommend quality Poly-cotton, easily obtainable from Charity/Thrift shops as it is designed to be laundered and all charity quilts get more laundering that our normal quilts. All I would say is to remember that, they will be laundered more therefore one of the things I ask, or do if it hasn't been done, is to machine stitch the bindings as they get so much wear.

People who need charity like and deserve nice things!

Our guild made over 100 large size community quilts plus three dozen crib quilts and two dozen incubator quilts this past year. They were all from our guild's stash (all donated) which includes a wild assortment of fabric from the last fifty years. Most of our quilts are scrap quilts because most of our fabric is smaller pieces. We try to sort our fabric so that the poly/cottons are all together to be used in quilts that will be washed frequently. Much of the fabric is leftovers from member quilts or fabric that they are no longer in love with. I have seen some incredibly beautiful quilts come from these bins of fabric. At the worst, they are interesting or charming. Having the "best" fabric does not necessarily mean stitching the best quilt.

I only use the quality of fabrics that I would use for myself or for my family. If I don't like a fabric, I will not use it in a quilt to be given away to a stranger or an organization. To me, it's simply a question of respect for others and for our craft.

For charity quilts, I would only use fabrics that I would be happy with for a quilt of my own...it's just part of the "do unto others" thing as far as I'm concerned.

I would not use a fabric for someone that I would not use for myself. In fact, I often use better as it is going for someone in need and they are often downhearted and feel bad enough as it is. Try and lift their spirits.

I try to use from my stash too, which is things I would use for family and friends. I do try to always buy on-sale fabric and my goal is to keep it around $2.00-2.50 a yard on sales. I also buy batting by the roll from an outlet here in town (it is about $1.25 a yard if you buy a whole roll of 80 yds.)It is good batting and washes well. I try to sew a tight sew, and put enough quilting into it that it will take being drug around by a little kid, tossed in the washing machine, and still stay together.

I snap up sale fabric usually at Joanns. It is usually 100% cotton and age appropiate for my Linus quilts. I also like to use cotton flannel on the backs. I usually make my Linus quilts out of one pieces of a children's print on the front and a plain flannel back. I make them pillowcase style by sewing the three layers together and then turning them. I use decorative stitches and usually some kind of varigated thread to quilt them simply about 4 inches apart crossways and then about 1/2 around the outside edges to make a self binding. This method allows me to produce about 20 a month. Our county chapter of Linus averages about 600 donations of quilts a month.

Is it not a bit odd that one would presume that just because you don't like a fabric now (you did once, or you wouldn't have it, would you) that you don't make it into a quilt to give away. There are so many different ideas of what is attractive, and we all change our perspective over the years. Don't worry about using your less liked fabrics for others... you can't know what they'll like.

Also, be aware, many people who are in need of warm blankets are thrilled by the time and love put into a quilt... they can't see beyond the gift of it to the "artistic/sewing quality" of it.

And what do you do with fabric you don't expect to use if you won't give it away.... ???

I use fabric from my stash and buy fabric to match as necessary. Yes, the recipients enjoy a beautiful product and quality workmanship too!

i make charity quilts with the same fabrics i make family member quilts, my own quilts, and show quilts- i would never think of using a lesser quality because i was giving it away- i want it to hold up and be beautiful regardless of who the recipient is.

Now to answer the question..... errr sorry if I sounded too strong before...

For children I like to use fleece as a back/batting (just one piece) with a fun fabric quilted onto the front. I don't put batting into it because I've been told, more than once, that fleece is enough warmth. And the feel of it is totally soft and "loving".

For adults I use leftovers, usually done in a simple pattern of squares or rectangles, but with a lot of "trial" placements to give a good design, and put together in a traditional sandwich.

For street people, that's where ugly (but warm) can be best.

I make quilts for Riley Children's Hospital and need to make them so they will stand up to the rigors of hot water (to sanitize) and harsh hospital detergents. I rarely buy fabrics just to make a charity quilt as my budget won't allow for that, but will "shop" from my stash. Those fabrics may come from Walmart, JoAnn's or LQS and most of them will be leftovers from a previous project. I always try to get the most bang for my buck when buying fabric and you can get great buys everywhere.

I use the same quality fabrics that I would use to make a quilt for anyone else.

Was at our LQS day of charity quilt production and there were two beautiful batik quilts and a dozen cotton quilts of varying sizes and patterns. All were good quality fabric even though some of it was obviously from an older stash. The colors are sometimes the giveaway but they are always nicely coordinated.

I think that we all use the fabric we can afford, and that's all anyone can ask of us.

I do have one fabric that I loved when I saw it online, so bought several yards. When it arrived, I took one look at it and said to my husband, "These are supposed to be Christmas sky stars - they look like bulletholes in car windshield glass at night!" He agreed!

Whatever will I do with that? Should have sent it back, but didn't. Luckily, it was on sale. One of these days, I will find something to do with it.

I use the same quality I do for all my quilts. I recently purchased some panels for quick charity quilts. I can't believe how many requests come in! I wish I had time to make more....

I would use anything that is avalible to me, that being said I use the same for myself and family. I am currently crocheting plastic sacks together for goodness sakes, so that shows you how un-picky I am lol.(In case you wonder they make wonderful mud rugs,mats to sit on outside , reusable grocery totes etc, they last a long,long time.)

I have steared away from many,many charities because they require certian " quality materials" Some do not have the luxury of an abundance of high quality fabric, and some of the posts I have seen before on this subject makes some feel inadequate to give from the heart....Remember it is what is in the heart that counts ....

I want to thank each of you for your responses. I believe that any of us that make charity quilts do it from the heart with whatever we can afford or choose to use. My reason for asking my question was for the same reasons that some of you stated. There are some organizations that have returned quilts due to them not being "good enough". I have also had members of a chapter that I belonged too say why should we use good fabric their just for charity. I guess I will just continue to make my chairty quilts and know that whoever receives them will appreciate them no matter what the fabric I use. :)

raedar 63, I have made plenty of plastic bag rugs. I also press them together and cut and sew them just like fabric.

Sierra, I love to use fleece for my quilts for the little ones.

I know that this is steering us a little off-topic, but just curious:
Have you ever tried using old cassette or VHS tapes for crocheting mats? .... I have so many that I don't use any more but don't know how to dispose of them - I hesitate to add more to our landfill..... Do you think the tape has any chemicals that would break down and be hazardous if used for play mats for kids to use outside on damp grass? .... PM me if you prefer.

I've inherited a ton of fabric. That's what I use. Some I hate to give up, but I know I don't NEED it.

Thank you for saying this. I believe that giving, with this attitude, is the most honest and respectful response for an act that shouldn't be burdened with guilt, but given with pride.

I'm a fabric snob when it comes to charity quilts becasue they are going to kids. Everything is 100 cotton from top, batting to the back. I used poly batting one time and didn't like it. I used the bamboo ans didn't like it either so I just stick with cotton. Now the fabric comes from all different places and are better than others but all will be used. I pass the cotton blends and things onto others on this board so it is a win-win situation.

I have never made a quilt for charity that I wouldn't want to use in my own home. I do have a large stash of fabric (much of it inherited) so I pull from that a lot. And, there are many websites that I can purchase new high-quality fabric for as low as $2.50 a yard. Because of the cost involved, I don't make as many as I used to, but I still make them.

My quilts are all created the same (with love) and the fabric I have.

I usually use better fabric for charity quilts. To me, charity doesn't mean slap it together and get it out. It is a work of love that is worthy of special attention.

Amen Sister!!!

it might depend on the charity. I think the Linus Project (quilts for kids) actually has a page at their website that says what they need for you to donate a quilt.
100% washed cotton, washed in a non perfumey addative soap, made in a smoke free invironment - stuff like that. Its because sometimes babies/kids have allergies along with all the rest of the stuff they're going thru and they want the quilt to be theirs alone - something they can always have with them no one can take away.
The quilt becomes a stable force for them, so they dont want them to find they have a allergy from it, its not because they're being picky about donations. sharet

I use my stash plus what wonderful ladies have given me to use.

The good stuff, whoever gets it I want them to have it for a very long time.

It depends on what the charity is doing with the quilts. If they are for children in the hospital, I use cute, good quality fabric. If they are sending them to a "rescue" place, I'm not so particular, because I'm never sure they aren't going to end up sitting somewhere soaking up water.

I wouldn't give away anything - whether it had my name on it or not - that I wouldn't be proud to give to my family, best friend, husband, etc. These quilts are supposed to be full of love and caring - not just using up "crap" we don't like. I'm not saying you can't incorporate a less than favorite fabric, but you can always find a pattern that doesn't make it the focal point. I do Hospice quilts and I make what ever pattern suits me. The freedom of chosing the pattern, the size, and the fabric is one of the reasons I love doing charity quilts. I don't have to consider someone's decor or favorite colors, bed size, etc. I don't know what charity you are donating to, but Hospice quilts are given to the family after their loved one passes on. I would DIE if I thought one of my quilts didn't hold up - and this was one of the last memories they have of their loved one.

I have bought quilt shop fabric, but I like to buy fabric for charity quilts at JoAnn's using a 40% off coupon. You have to watch the fabric a little, but it works great and quilts good. The patterns I use, one is called Warm Wishes (found it on the internet), the other is the disappearing nine patch. If I knew how to do pictures I would attach one.

I'm with you!! If you don't want to put the effort or quality in the donation, then maybe you should find another way to donate. Couldn't have said it better than you have.

This is what bothers me about people and charity quilts. Is Wal Mart or Jo Ann's classed as fabric not good enough for charity quilts. Do you assume that if you send a quilt to a poor person who does not have a thing and has lost everything in a flood or fire would question the quality of the fabric?? I sometimes feel there is a little snobyness in quilting. It sounds do me that some people even say excuse me but I could only use Wal Mart fabric etc. They all turn out pretty no matter what the price, as long as it is neat ,clean and sewed from the heart.