Originally Posted by shirlm
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.