Using some of your fabric stock
06-26-2014, 05:28 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
You could do this same thing with the fabric and donate it to a nursing home, abused women's shelter, hospital or assisted living center. We just had a project for a women's and children's shelter. We did put batting in them, but I think the batting was donated. We had a huge roll of it, and we all used from the roll.
Humans can always use that sort of thing, also.
Humans can always use that sort of thing, also.
My DH's grandmother lived in a local nursing home for awhile before she passed away; my FIL still volunteers there. I had him ask if they would like some donated quilts and they said no! No specific reason given, (at least not one that made it back to me) just no thanks. I think that is so weird, but maybe they don't want to be responsible for them or have had bad experiences somehow. Or maybe they won't have enough to go around and don't want any individuals to feel left out? I kind of want to call over and ask them about it myself, out of curiosity if nothing else. (Maybe he asked someone who was in a grumpy mood, or didn't understand the offer?) It's a nice facility overall but those places need all the help they can get to feel cheerful and homey!
06-26-2014, 05:37 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 453
Each area animal shelter is different in what they want or can take, with that said all you have to do is call and ask them.
The shelter I give too, will take anything that can be washed. Old towels, blankets, quilts just anything that the dogs and cats can lay-down on. I have taken two old hand towels (or 1 bath towel cut in half), sewn both sides and bottom shut. Then stuffed with cut up t-shirts, towels and scraps. Then sew the end shut. I stuff as full as I can, because cats and small dogs like the nest thing. For the larger animals (mostly dogs, but sometimes small pigs and goats too), I have used an old towel that was stained but still good as the middle of my pet quilt. But most of the time I use POLYESTER (you know from the 60's and 70's - that stuff that NEVER dies and the color never fades), I always have yards around (because someone has cleaned out mom or grandmas house and they used to sew). I take this and use it in place of batting, it doesn't breath so it helps get animals warm. They can dig or chew and it will not hurt it. I have even used it as the backing on blankets not stuffed.
My animal shelter is so HAPPY when they are given any kind of bedding for the animals. Last year when I was cleaning out the house after my mom passed, I was unable to think (it was a hard time). So as I cleaned I packed stuff for my self and other family members, got stuff ready for garage sale and donations. I started with donations (this was the first, the items I didn't want to sell or give to family or friends), they went to the local animal shelter thrift store. The first trip was a truck full (all cleaned and ready to be priced and sold), I went back twice more that first day. The thrift store is used to fund foster homes for animals, low cost animal care of all kinds and it helps keep the kill numbers down in the area. Before it was all said and done, I made 21 trips to the thrift store (small truck not full sized). Between each trip (as I started to feel better, I would sew dog blankets and beds), I was also able to drop them off at the thrift store for the shelter (shelter is out of town). I felt better because of being able to help the animals (and my folks would have liked that), so a hard time was made easier by using my sewing and quilting skills to help the animals. This spring I opened the mail and found a very sweet note from the manager of the thrift store, telling me thank you again for the donations to the store and shelter. I was stunned, but it was nice to know that these items had helped. On adaption days, the shelter send the dogs home with the blanket they had with them. Shelters are always good places to give to.
The shelter I give too, will take anything that can be washed. Old towels, blankets, quilts just anything that the dogs and cats can lay-down on. I have taken two old hand towels (or 1 bath towel cut in half), sewn both sides and bottom shut. Then stuffed with cut up t-shirts, towels and scraps. Then sew the end shut. I stuff as full as I can, because cats and small dogs like the nest thing. For the larger animals (mostly dogs, but sometimes small pigs and goats too), I have used an old towel that was stained but still good as the middle of my pet quilt. But most of the time I use POLYESTER (you know from the 60's and 70's - that stuff that NEVER dies and the color never fades), I always have yards around (because someone has cleaned out mom or grandmas house and they used to sew). I take this and use it in place of batting, it doesn't breath so it helps get animals warm. They can dig or chew and it will not hurt it. I have even used it as the backing on blankets not stuffed.
My animal shelter is so HAPPY when they are given any kind of bedding for the animals. Last year when I was cleaning out the house after my mom passed, I was unable to think (it was a hard time). So as I cleaned I packed stuff for my self and other family members, got stuff ready for garage sale and donations. I started with donations (this was the first, the items I didn't want to sell or give to family or friends), they went to the local animal shelter thrift store. The first trip was a truck full (all cleaned and ready to be priced and sold), I went back twice more that first day. The thrift store is used to fund foster homes for animals, low cost animal care of all kinds and it helps keep the kill numbers down in the area. Before it was all said and done, I made 21 trips to the thrift store (small truck not full sized). Between each trip (as I started to feel better, I would sew dog blankets and beds), I was also able to drop them off at the thrift store for the shelter (shelter is out of town). I felt better because of being able to help the animals (and my folks would have liked that), so a hard time was made easier by using my sewing and quilting skills to help the animals. This spring I opened the mail and found a very sweet note from the manager of the thrift store, telling me thank you again for the donations to the store and shelter. I was stunned, but it was nice to know that these items had helped. On adaption days, the shelter send the dogs home with the blanket they had with them. Shelters are always good places to give to.
06-26-2014, 05:37 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 374
Please consider "going home" gift pet mats.
My vet is really into pet adoptions. My critters and I were at the vet's and a lady came in bearing a tower of pet mats to go to the local no-kill shelter. They were themed, of all things, around an upcoming holiday and totally adorable. I understand that the lady sewed the mats with whatever fabric she had on hand at the time and sometimes there wasn't a theme and sometimes there was. I hit a themed day. Come to find out, the mats were not used in the shelter. They went home with the adoptees!
If anyone wants to make pet mats and their shelters use other things (towels, etc), the "going home" gift is a thought.
I like critters.
Pat
My vet is really into pet adoptions. My critters and I were at the vet's and a lady came in bearing a tower of pet mats to go to the local no-kill shelter. They were themed, of all things, around an upcoming holiday and totally adorable. I understand that the lady sewed the mats with whatever fabric she had on hand at the time and sometimes there wasn't a theme and sometimes there was. I hit a themed day. Come to find out, the mats were not used in the shelter. They went home with the adoptees!
If anyone wants to make pet mats and their shelters use other things (towels, etc), the "going home" gift is a thought.
I like critters.
Pat
06-26-2014, 05:44 AM
#24
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222
Each area animal shelter is different in what they want or can take, with that said all you have to do is call and ask them.
The shelter I give too, will take anything that can be washed. Old towels, blankets, quilts just anything that the dogs and cats can lay-down on. I have taken two old hand towels (or 1 bath towel cut in half), sewn both sides and bottom shut. Then stuffed with cut up t-shirts, towels and scraps. Then sew the end shut. I stuff as full as I can, because cats and small dogs like the nest thing. For the larger animals (mostly dogs, but sometimes small pigs and goats too), I have used an old towel that was stained but still good as the middle of my pet quilt. But most of the time I use POLYESTER (you know from the 60's and 70's - that stuff that NEVER dies and the color never fades), I always have yards around (because someone has cleaned out mom or grandmas house and they used to sew). I take this and use it in place of batting, it doesn't breath so it helps get animals warm. They can dig or chew and it will not hurt it. I have even used it as the backing on blankets not stuffed.
My animal shelter is so HAPPY when they are given any kind of bedding for the animals. Last year when I was cleaning out the house after my mom passed, I was unable to think (it was a hard time). So as I cleaned I packed stuff for my self and other family members, got stuff ready for garage sale and donations. I started with donations (this was the first, the items I didn't want to sell or give to family or friends), they went to the local animal shelter thrift store. The first trip was a truck full (all cleaned and ready to be priced and sold), I went back twice more that first day. The thrift store is used to fund foster homes for animals, low cost animal care of all kinds and it helps keep the kill numbers down in the area. Before it was all said and done, I made 21 trips to the thrift store (small truck not full sized). Between each trip (as I started to feel better, I would sew dog blankets and beds), I was also able to drop them off at the thrift store for the shelter (shelter is out of town). I felt better because of being able to help the animals (and my folks would have liked that), so a hard time was made easier by using my sewing and quilting skills to help the animals. This spring I opened the mail and found a very sweet note from the manager of the thrift store, telling me thank you again for the donations to the store and shelter. I was stunned, but it was nice to know that these items had helped. On adaption days, the shelter send the dogs home with the blanket they had with them. Shelters are always good places to give to.
The shelter I give too, will take anything that can be washed. Old towels, blankets, quilts just anything that the dogs and cats can lay-down on. I have taken two old hand towels (or 1 bath towel cut in half), sewn both sides and bottom shut. Then stuffed with cut up t-shirts, towels and scraps. Then sew the end shut. I stuff as full as I can, because cats and small dogs like the nest thing. For the larger animals (mostly dogs, but sometimes small pigs and goats too), I have used an old towel that was stained but still good as the middle of my pet quilt. But most of the time I use POLYESTER (you know from the 60's and 70's - that stuff that NEVER dies and the color never fades), I always have yards around (because someone has cleaned out mom or grandmas house and they used to sew). I take this and use it in place of batting, it doesn't breath so it helps get animals warm. They can dig or chew and it will not hurt it. I have even used it as the backing on blankets not stuffed.
My animal shelter is so HAPPY when they are given any kind of bedding for the animals. Last year when I was cleaning out the house after my mom passed, I was unable to think (it was a hard time). So as I cleaned I packed stuff for my self and other family members, got stuff ready for garage sale and donations. I started with donations (this was the first, the items I didn't want to sell or give to family or friends), they went to the local animal shelter thrift store. The first trip was a truck full (all cleaned and ready to be priced and sold), I went back twice more that first day. The thrift store is used to fund foster homes for animals, low cost animal care of all kinds and it helps keep the kill numbers down in the area. Before it was all said and done, I made 21 trips to the thrift store (small truck not full sized). Between each trip (as I started to feel better, I would sew dog blankets and beds), I was also able to drop them off at the thrift store for the shelter (shelter is out of town). I felt better because of being able to help the animals (and my folks would have liked that), so a hard time was made easier by using my sewing and quilting skills to help the animals. This spring I opened the mail and found a very sweet note from the manager of the thrift store, telling me thank you again for the donations to the store and shelter. I was stunned, but it was nice to know that these items had helped. On adaption days, the shelter send the dogs home with the blanket they had with them. Shelters are always good places to give to.
The last time I talked with the staff, they said they also use the blankets to put down into the boxes that the animals are placed into when they first come in. It is a little softness they can rest on.
A little comfort is how she put it.
06-26-2014, 05:47 AM
#25
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222
Thanks for posting that.
I just checked the guild's site and they have the sheet posted there. No patterns, just guidelines for what the local shelters/rescue agencies want - hopefully this will be helpful. (Keep in mind, your local shelter/rescue agency's needs may vary!)
Here's the pertinent part of the details:
I kind of wish it listed sizes for dog cuddles too, but then I guess dogs come in all sizes so there's probably not just one size they need.
Here's the pertinent part of the details:
I kind of wish it listed sizes for dog cuddles too, but then I guess dogs come in all sizes so there's probably not just one size they need.
06-26-2014, 05:52 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: md.
Posts: 1,879
Thought I was doing something for the environment AND humanity (pets are human, right ? ).
Last edited by joym; 06-26-2014 at 05:54 AM.
06-26-2014, 05:56 AM
#27
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222
I wish I could luck out onto another liquidation sale...they had bath towels for 25 cents each. They were seconds but new. I donated quite a few of them to the shelter, they were very very happy.
06-26-2014, 07:31 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 619
I have donated many to different local shelters-I tell them to just throw them away when they get too dirty. After all they were made with scraps that most would have thrown away in the first place, at least this way the scraps get to be used before being thrown away. I do understand how their washing machines, etc couldn't handle all those scrap beds.
06-27-2014, 06:43 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MO (the Show Me state)
Posts: 2,947
Here is a pic of the pet mats that I make and donate to the rescue groups who do pet adoptions at the pet food stores. This size fits in the bottom of medium and small carriers. For the large dogs, I just bring in bunches of towels to give to the rescue groups. For the shelters, I donate towels, sheets and blankets.
To make the mats, I used tshirt knit on one size, corduroy on the other and old mattress pad, blanket or towel for batting. The mat size is 18" x 20" to 20" x 20". For the cat ones, I sometimes sprinkle a little catnip inside. I use my serger to sew around the mat, leave an opening to turn and then topstitch around the whole mat to close it. I tack stitch in the middle to keep it all together and presto I have pet mats. A quilter donated a large trash bag full of corduroy for my use. Once I run outta tshirt knit, I will peruse the big box remnant bins for discounted fleece to use
Because I unsuccessfully fostered two stray cats (I own them now) I know how expensive it can be to take care of rescue animals so I try to help the rescue groups when I can contribute. I have suggested that they give the pet mats away with adoptions but I see them sometimes in the bottoms of the cages when I am in the pet stores.
I also own two rescue cats, the one in my avatar and my sewing buddy below.
Mats:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480585[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]480586[/ATTACH]
Sewing buddy:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480587[/ATTACH]
To make the mats, I used tshirt knit on one size, corduroy on the other and old mattress pad, blanket or towel for batting. The mat size is 18" x 20" to 20" x 20". For the cat ones, I sometimes sprinkle a little catnip inside. I use my serger to sew around the mat, leave an opening to turn and then topstitch around the whole mat to close it. I tack stitch in the middle to keep it all together and presto I have pet mats. A quilter donated a large trash bag full of corduroy for my use. Once I run outta tshirt knit, I will peruse the big box remnant bins for discounted fleece to use
Because I unsuccessfully fostered two stray cats (I own them now) I know how expensive it can be to take care of rescue animals so I try to help the rescue groups when I can contribute. I have suggested that they give the pet mats away with adoptions but I see them sometimes in the bottoms of the cages when I am in the pet stores.
I also own two rescue cats, the one in my avatar and my sewing buddy below.
Mats:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480585[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]480586[/ATTACH]
Sewing buddy:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480587[/ATTACH]
Last edited by Havplenty; 06-27-2014 at 06:49 AM.
06-27-2014, 07:46 PM
#30
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222
Here is a pic of the pet mats that I make and donate to the rescue groups who do pet adoptions at the pet food stores. This size fits in the bottom of medium and small carriers. For the large dogs, I just bring in bunches of towels to give to the rescue groups. For the shelters, I donate towels, sheets and blankets.
To make the mats, I used tshirt knit on one size, corduroy on the other and old mattress pad, blanket or towel for batting. The mat size is 18" x 20" to 20" x 20". For the cat ones, I sometimes sprinkle a little catnip inside. I use my serger to sew around the mat, leave an opening to turn and then topstitch around the whole mat to close it. I tack stitch in the middle to keep it all together and presto I have pet mats. A quilter donated a large trash bag full of corduroy for my use. Once I run outta tshirt knit, I will peruse the big box remnant bins for discounted fleece to use
Because I unsuccessfully fostered two stray cats (I own them now) I know how expensive it can be to take care of rescue animals so I try to help the rescue groups when I can contribute. I have suggested that they give the pet mats away with adoptions but I see them sometimes in the bottoms of the cages when I am in the pet stores.
I also own two rescue cats, the one in my avatar and my sewing buddy below.
Mats:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480585[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]480586[/ATTACH]
Sewing buddy:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480587[/ATTACH]
To make the mats, I used tshirt knit on one size, corduroy on the other and old mattress pad, blanket or towel for batting. The mat size is 18" x 20" to 20" x 20". For the cat ones, I sometimes sprinkle a little catnip inside. I use my serger to sew around the mat, leave an opening to turn and then topstitch around the whole mat to close it. I tack stitch in the middle to keep it all together and presto I have pet mats. A quilter donated a large trash bag full of corduroy for my use. Once I run outta tshirt knit, I will peruse the big box remnant bins for discounted fleece to use
Because I unsuccessfully fostered two stray cats (I own them now) I know how expensive it can be to take care of rescue animals so I try to help the rescue groups when I can contribute. I have suggested that they give the pet mats away with adoptions but I see them sometimes in the bottoms of the cages when I am in the pet stores.
I also own two rescue cats, the one in my avatar and my sewing buddy below.
Mats:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480585[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]480586[/ATTACH]
Sewing buddy:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]480587[/ATTACH]
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