I was recently given a couple of large bags of polyester knit cut into 3 inch blocks. I would like to use them to make lap quilts to donate to the kids picked up and placed with the Child Protective Service Agency. However, I would not use this fabric to make quilts for my family and friends. Is it wrong of me to use it to make quilts for the kids placed with CPS? In a way I feel guilty about using the knit for this purpose but I can't afford to buy a lot of quilting fabric to make donation quilts. Please give me your honest opinion on this subject.

Thanks, Betty

it is quite kind of you to make quilts for others. use what you have. people will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Actually I have heard the polyester will hold up better to the use - and washings - back in the "good ole days " they used what was available :lol:

How generous of you. Make what you can, the kids will love them.

Do not feel bad about using this fabric. There are some plus's for using poly , some very practical.
1. It is warmer than cotton
2. It holds color better
3. Poly takes less time to dry than cotton
4. Many poly's are much more durable than cotton as the fibers are contiuous rather than natural fibers that have a shorter lenght. ( having lived through the poly era , I can personally attest to the fact that garments made out of them just would not "die/wear out".)

Just because you prefer cotton for your family quilts does not make poly unsuitable or less functioning. Do you think kids know the difference between poly and cotton?
If they did not recieve a quilt what would they have to sleep with and call their own?

I think the top of the quilt doesn't matter for those in need of comfort, if you maybe used flannel for the backing it would make the quilts feel so comforting. Before I got into quilting my husband had some quilts his grandmother had made for him out of poly and he said they were very warm which is probably very important to the recipient- I would think.

My mother made my son a twin size quilt out of an array of polyester knits, all cut into blocks, she backed it with flannel, and tied it. It was his absolute favorite thing for years, he literally loved it to pieces, we had to have a memorial service for it when it finally became too raggedy to even wash.

So yes, it is ok to make a quilt out of polyester knit!

Just my humble opinion, maybe you could swap it out on the swap board. It's for a good cause regardless. I do think that the mere fact they are receiving something made with love, is comforting, no matter the fabric type.

Go for it!!!

When we are in horrid situations, such as these children will be, we are grateful for any touch of humanity from another person. Definitely, I'd say use what you have and make as many as you can. The really needy children will appreciate the love you put into the quilts.

On a side note: my mil used heavy double-knit fabric instead of batting for some utility quilts she made several years ago. It worked great for the quilts we hauled camping when our boys were younger.

Very valid points Lori. I did have to chuckle on #4 though. As hard as I tried, I could not make those butt-ugly pants wear out. I actually had to wear them until they became "high-waters". Even then, my Mom said to tuck them into my boots. :thumbdown: