I have received fabulous ideas on this board and need your help. Just received a big box of donated fabrics through a relative that I can use for charity giving of my choice. I was thrilled that it contained 2 jellyrolls, some FQs and a few other cotton pieces. However, most of the fabrics are decorator grade pieces in various sizes (mostly remnants and sample sizes) and are nice quality tapestry, heavy cotton, blends, etc. which I assume will not be washable.

I need ideas on what I can make with them for donation. I don't know of organizations that would accept items such as totes, etc. from decorator fabrics. If I sew the pieces into squares to make warm quilts for say the homeless, what would I back them with that would be suitable and inexpensive?
Also, what would happen if I prewashed the pieces so that they might be washable later on? Would that ruin the fabric?

Thanks, your advice would be greatly appreciated?

If I have decorator fabric that I want to be washable in the final product, I wash it before I sew it. It usually takes some of the body and finish out of it, but for quilting would probably be a plus. You could use either flannel or fleece for the backing. Watch the after holiday sales for fabrics. If you have squares you can put them in a mesh bag and wash them on gentle and tumble them with a towel in the dryer. It will help to shrink them so you can size them all the same.

You might wash a couple of small pieces of the fabric to see how they do, and as for what to do with it, you could sew it into big squares for a quilt and back it with most anything, even a sheet, and it would likely be appreciated. If you live in a typically warm area, flannel probably wouldn't be a good choice, but would be good in a very cold climate. Also, when you see some of the homeless people on the streets pushing their belongings around in carts, they are usually full, so a lighter weight quilt might be advisable. However, if you are thinking about one of the missions where they house the homeless at night, any weight quilt would probably be ok.

If after washing the fabrics they just aren't suitable for quilts, try making pet beds out of them. Our local Humane Society shelter is always looking for throws or beds for homeless animals.
How nice of you to want to do this.

Some organizations accept journal covers. I think they do at Quilts for Kids. Look for someone who does, maybe totes for duffles.

I have found that decorator fabrics will shrink. So you may want to prewash.
I have a friend who makes sleeping bags lined with waterproof fabric that are for the homeless. The heavier decorator fabrics are very durable and warm.
The local women's shelter might be glad to get totes for the adults or for the kids. They frequently land there with little to nothing and could use something to keep their few possessions in.
Maybe grocery tote bags?

Maybe walker bags for a nursing home?

Lots of great ideas! :)

The heavier fabrics could be used for totes and donated to food pantries so people could bring them back each time they visit. I think that would be 'uplifting'.

Would wash it also, to see what it would do, then decide how to proceed, like making totes from the heavy fabrics,
Be kind to your machine, have broken many needles, and once knocked the timing off with the heavy stuff :)

We use decorator fabrics in my chapter of Binky Patrol to make quilts for foster care and the homeless. I take everything I receive and throw it in the washing machine. If it survives, we use it !!!!

We also use upholstry fabics to make backpacks for foster care.

You might want to take larger or heavier pieces to a laundromat and use one of the big machines. Could save wear and tear on yours at home. Also, their dryers are bigger.

senior centers and convalescent homes are very happy to receive 'walker-bags' also small tote bags
the walker bags are easy to make...and the home-dec fabrics would work well for them!

You Guys are the greatest! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and info. My plan is to do a little of all of your suggestions. It's good to know there is a need for the walker bags and tote bags also. I'm going to do some test washing as suggested. I won't feel so bad if they don't wash well because of the pet bed idea. Just curious, what do you stuff the pet beds with?

Oh, one other thing. Many of the fabrics were rolled and secured with masking tape which has been there for a while and the tape left some sticky residue. Any suggestions on how to remove it?

Thanks again and best wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas!
Shirley

Shirley, I usually stuff donated pet beds with old beach towels, old blankets, or left over batting. Our Humane Society likes them to be flat-not "fluffy" like my dog likes. They don't mind the size.
Not sure about removing tape residue-how about Goo-Gone? Try it in an inconspicuous place maybe.