I'm not familar with the Downy quilts. Can you explain them?
Pieces

Sure, here's a link to a thread here that talks about them. The Downy fabric softener company sends free quilt kits to quilters that request them, and the quilters then make the kits into quilts and send them back. Downy then distributes them to children's hospitals. A great cause!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-27514-1.htm

Hi and welcome from Oklahoma

I am in Columbia and yes we have several quilt shops in the area. There are 2 shops in town and 4 withing about a 30 min drive. They all have a good selection of fabrics & all of them have various kinds of classes. I make all sizes of quilts from baby quilts to queen size. Have only hand quilted one. But plan to do more of that.

Hi SuzySew, What kind of quilts do you sew?
Do you do any machine embroidery? Pieces

Welcome Pieces - I live in Springfield, MO and love to sew too. I made my first Project Linus quilt last week. I've made baby quilts for years, but last year made 3 bed sized quilts for gifts for kids and grandkids. I usually like the "scrappy" look and do hunt for bargins at thrift shops. My mother sewed her whole life, worked as an alterations lady and instilled in me her love of fabric. A great gift!

Hello and Welcome from Oregon!

Hello MoMiMI, Glad to meet you. Your south of us, about 175 miles or so. Its nice to hear your making Project Linus quilts.
I try to make 2 a year. Keeping different age groups in mind as I choose fabrics. So I donate a quilt not only for babies/toddlers. But for older children as well. My husband bought me a machine embroidery machine (180E) in 1998 and I embroider blocks for these quilts quite a bit. As well as use bright solids to help cheer up the sick children.
Hope to talk to you again. Pieces

Hello 2 Doods, Nice to meet you. You have beautiful scenery up there. Does this inspire your quilts? We live in a small rural area. And I see green when I look out the windows. And I use a lot of greens in my quilts. Coincidence or not, I don't know.
good to hear from you. Pieces

Ah the college town. :) You are about 4-5 hours north west of us I think. I don't quilt my quilts. I have a great longarm quilter I take my quilts to. Except for the quilts I donate. I use the walking foot and do them on my Bernina 150QE.
Happy Piecing! Pieces