Wow. Everyone responding is so understanding. Maybe the ladies in the group will be too. I will talk to the coordinator about the issue.
Perhaps it will be alright. That is if there's anyone in the group that doesn't have a pet. And if we can keep track of where the tops have been. Sometimes the cloth comes from several people and the tops get worked on in various locations.
My other approach is to just do the whole process from start to finish. I'm a prewasher for this reason. I could make a list of all the charities that I could make quilts for and just do it on my own.
I really appreciate all the responses. It's given me food for thought. I don't feel so weird and like I'm putting people out for being this way.

This describes me exactly but not to the extreme you describe. It's always good to know there's another poor soul out there.
In a fragrance world it is really tough. And so very difficult to understand. To me clean smells like nothing.

Just one thought for anyone considering a mask for allergies or for anyone else. In my experience the paper masks are the least comfortable type of mask. Get the ventilator-type (not sure what they're called) that have the cartridges. I've worn mine for hours at a time while painting, and I find it comfortable. Plus you get to look like an alien!

I totally agree with Quilt E. Your health comes first, and since you are doing this as volunteer quilting for others, they need to be considerate of you and about your health issues. If there are those who can't accept the fact that you do not want to quilt their quilts because of pet hairs and dander, tough, let them get their quilts done else where. Take a stand and let everyone know your problems and don't give in, you should NOT have to wear a mask or do anything extra for these folks and their quilts. I have had bad allergy issues all of my life, so I know what allergy problems are, most of mine are to many plants, and inhalants. I would never impose on those who ha such allergies if I knew ahead of time what their problem was. I don' have indoor pets, but I know many who do, and there is no such thing as an allergy free home with indoor pets- all pets shed. Good luck and I admire you for your generosity as a longarmer.

For all of those people who do not and have never had allergies, they just don't understand how bad they can be for those who do suffer from allergies. I have allergies to many medications and most fragrances as well, and have to steer clear of them and especially in stores that sell scented candles and cosmetics/ perfumes. I can sell them a mile away it seems.

QOV quilts are washed before they are gifted.

bkay

They are "supposed" to be washed. I know that isn't the case always.

I don't really know your answer .....
....... though I would still be suspicious that it may not get fully washed out, with the quilt being contained in a bag, being that it just wouldn't be able to tumble and move around the same as being left "free" in a washing machine. KWIM?

Painting masks that auto techs use are NOT the cheap plastic ones. They have filters in them to filter out fumes. That's what they are made for.

I have used the paper ones in my home. I don't see a problem with it. I used to have severe dust allergies. Wearing a paper mask was much preferable to having an allergy attack from dust when I was cleaning.

I suspect that you are in exceptional physical shape.

I was speaking from experience of the toll it takes on me and other longarmers I know. It is mental as well as physical, especially custom work that is done well. I can still carry 50# sacks of feed, walk my dogs at least 3 mile every day, and manage to ride and 800lb + motorcycle but I am only in my late 50's. I also have fibromyalgia and CFS. I can only manage to longarm for a few hours a day on weekends plus I work full time. I belong to a longarming group and the vast majority of them don't foresee being able to maintain doing it much beyond their mid 70's, at least not for clients. Average burn out rate in the business is 10 years. Many give up their client base and volunteer work and only quilt for themselves. Not all are like that but Sval needs to be realistic. She has posted before that she has health issues.

Understand what you are saying-I have a niece with life-threatening allergies.
But I suspect some of the doubt comes from knowing people that have "allergies" to scents/pets/whatever yet smoke like chimneys.

QuiltE has the best answer as I to have allergies and I have seen wonderful quilts refused in a show because of pet hair as they said they could not mix them with other quilts and could not hang them for insurance and allergy reasons
sorry about your allergy but let it be known do not take a chance with your health

To be blunt:

If taking in other people's stuff is causing you problems, then don't do it.

Tell the people at whatever organization you volunteered at - you tried it - it caused you more problems than it was worth - you won't be doing it any more.

The End.

I concur. That's where my head is on this whole situation. I'm going to make quilts from start to finish and find places to donate them.
I had gotten away from piecing because I was doing too much longarming. I like the whole process. So I think this will be better.

I think you have thought this through very well and have made a perfect decision. :) Quilt on!

Dina

Well said!

I have cats and dogs. I am also still a smoker. Having said that, it plain amazes me that anyone would do that's to you. When I finish my quilts, they are fresh washed in white vinegar and no scent laundry soap, dried without dryer sheets, and immediately folded into fresh, no scent, plastic bags, tied shut, and out to the car that the dogs ride in. When they are to be delivered, then and only then are they removed from the bags and hand delivered. I have too many friends who are extremely sensitive to too many things, so I will not take a risk. I do have a dear friend who is allergic to cigarette smoke so our friendship has been a telephone, and now internet, friendship. It works for us. It is called treating others with respect, and we all have the right to be respected. Period. (As grandpa would say, "some people's children...")

try using a rubber glove, its amazing how you can get pet hair off anything with just using rubber gloves.It is a lot of work, but works. Saw it on Dr Oz and his allergy show.Just put he gloves on and "rake the item " into pile ,then remove.

When washed in vinegar often you don't need a dryer sheet. For me it's about cutting out the static. If clothes are taken out of the dryer immediately most often they don't need pressing. I use unscented dryer sheets from SEventh Generation. I wash my fabric in vinegar and unscented laundry detergent.

I think you just have to tell people that you can't accept quilts from homes with pets unless the quilt is completely and thoroughly cleaned. Your health is too important to risk having an allergic reaction. It is the responsibilty of the owner to do this. You are not the one who needs to clean the quilt. That is the maker's responsibilty. You are doing your part by volunteering your time and skills, and they need to do their part by providing clean quilts.

I too have animal allergies. I have found pet owners are sometimes not real sympathetic. When I encounter an animal in a store or outdoors, I get more of it is your problem not mine so don't come here attitude.
My friends are very supportive and keep their animals at distance when I visit.

Sometimes I'm amazed and flabbergasted at the rudeness and thoughtlessness of some pet owners. (Notice I said "SOME".) My husband and I were in Home Depot a while back, and a woman brought three dogs in. They were all on leashes. A male customer walked by with his dog on a leash. Two of the woman's three dogs were obviously not socialized and went nuts, barking and growling and lunging at this other dog. Even though I tried to avoid her dogs, they managed to entwine me in their leashes and trip me. I was furious at this woman's lack of ability to control her dogs, but she was completely oblivious and didn't even ask if I was okay. :hunf:

I am always amazed at the sense of entitlement that some pet owners have. I have a long-haired cat, a long coat german shepherd and an african grey parrot.

My cat and dog are never in my sewing room, but my parrot and I share the same room. So, yes, there is a parrot "feathers / dust" in the room, and I can pretty much guarantee that it will be on the fabric, quilt as I am sewing.

I would NEVER and I mean NEVER expect someone who has pet allergies to work on my quilt. Especially from my house! There is probably very little to no cat / dog fur on the quilt, but there is transfer from my clothing I'm sure.

I'm also a smoker. However, I only smoke outside, and I always wash my hands when I come back in. I don't like the smell of it on my hands LOL I have been smoking for 35+ years, and have not smoked in my home for at least the last 20 years.

It blows my mind to see / read about how rude some people can be and their completely unrealistic expectations - especially when you are donating your time!

Please, stand up for yourself - your health. Explain it nicely the first time, and if you have to repeat it a second time, tell them you're done. Your health is much more important than someone having a quilt completed for free.

Good luck!

Peckish - I have a long coat german shepherd. I bring her into Rona because she loves the smells. She's not a "massive" dog (65 pounds), and she is VERY WELL behaved and EXCEPTIONALLY trained. (I invested many thousands of hours working with her!!!! She's a fabulous dog!)

She does NOT however tolerate obnoxious dogs in her face, regardless of size.

We were in Rona one day and we're just walking around looking (sniffing) and the staff are coming up to say hi, and pet her, and suddenly we come around the corner and there are three small dogs on those ever-loving flexi leashes. They went NUTS. Barking, snarling, snapping, growling.

I just pivoted real fast and walked the other way. They are now following us - pulling the owner towards us. I stopped, put my dog in a sit/stay, dropped the leash and walked up towards her and her dogs. I grabbed the three leashes in my hand, looked up at her and said - the by-law states 6-foot leash - not 18. Leash your dogs, or my dog will teach yours a lesson.

I walked back to my dog, called her to a heel, and we walked around the corner. Only when we turned the corner did I pick up her leash (yes, I admit, I was "bragging and showing off a bit!)

My point was this - I can control my 65-pound dog with ease, and you can't control 3 dogs under 10 pounds each? You should be ashamed of yourself.

Funnily enough, she was told to leave the store - when she tried to explain that her dogs didn't like big dogs, they said too bad - her dog is trained, and never makes a sound.

It was a "feel good" moment for me (I have to admit it), but I have worked VERY hard to have a fabulous, wonderful dog that I can bring anywhere, and be confident of her ability to just sit quietly and enjoy life!

Please don't feel guilty for not quilting quilt tops from homes with pets. Your plan to make your own quilts that you will donate is a worthy service. Many of us have allergies to something that we have to avoid if possible.

I am very fortunate in that I don't seem to be allergic to anything, so I didn't really understand people with extreme allergies when I was younger. It can be hard to relate to, when you don't have those experiences. But I get it now - my husband is sensitive to a lot of artificial fragrances. He can't go down the cleaning products aisle at the grocery store, his face gets all blotchy and he starts sneezing and almost wheezing. His mom is the same, but worse - she pretty much can't handle ANY fragrances. When I first started coming to her home (been with hubs since high school) she kicked me out once because I had perfume on and it really hurt my feelings, simply because I didn't understand where she was coming from. I thought she didn't LIKE my perfume and was being mean to me, I didn't understand it made it hard for her to breathe!! Now we have a fantastic relationship, and I'm very careful to not even use hairspray if I'm going to be visiting her, and she had me buy special unscented deoderant that I think doesn't work for beans but it's all she can tolerate me to have on, so I deal with it. Small price to pay to visit with loved family members. :)

So if you find someone who's unsympathetic...don't take it personally. Most likely they just don't understand.

Like you, I could not work on quilts loaded with dog or cat hair. Are the quilts you are getting also starched? That doesn't help me with allergies.

The only suggestion I can make is to ask the QOV folks to have their quilt makers put a note on the quilt tops they make when they are donated. The note should simply specify "from a pet free home" or "Pets in home of maker".

Someone suggested that the quilt tops be tossed in the dryer with a damp towel to remove the pet hair and dander. I don't know if that would work, but it would reduce the problem. I use this method to remove loose threads that my quilts attract when I'm not looking.

As for justifying your long arm - you don't have to justify your long arm. If it gives you pleasure to use it, that's justification enough.

If I was allergic to pet hair and pet dander - why in the world would I toss anything with that in MY dryer?

You can wash a quilt top prior to quilting, but it's a huge pain for very little gain. Hair washes off, but is still in the water. Some of the hair might come off and not be re-deposited on the quilt top, but some might be. It will help with the dander, though. The dryer is less of a problem because of the filter. Ever accidentally washed a pair of jeans with a tissue in the pocket? Most of the tissue winds up in the filter.

I agree 100% with SVAL that it is a big no-no to wash someone elses quilt top before quilting it. God forbid if it came apart during washing or bleed all over the quilt. Plus, you have to press them when they come out of the dryer.

Sometimes I have asked the top maker if could I add a border to a charity quilt to make it a little bigger - almost all of my quilts go to kids in foster care - and that makes them last a little longer as the children grow up. I have 1/4 inch seamed around the edges if there are a lot of edge seams, too, because it prevents problems while quilting.

I totally understand what you are saying. I am allergic to cat and dog hair and dander. I have had to stop doing charity tops too. I am sad over it, but when your throat closes up and you can't breathe, that is life threatening. I went through weeks of cleaning out my sewing room afterwards. Now I just do my own charity tops and donate.

Glad that it works that way for you.

My experience has been that while some of the tissue ends up on the filter screen,
a lot of it still ends up on the clothes. ESPECIALLY, if they happen to be darks! :)

I don't allow our dogs in many spots of the house, and certainly not where I sew or quilt. But I do at times get a customer quilt that will have dog or cat hair on it (or smoke! Yuck--it immediately goes into a plastic trash bag with Irish spring soap for at least a week). I take them to the deck and shake REALLY hard and sometimes will drape them over the deck railing to air out. But I'm not allergic either.
I'd say, limit your charity work to those that don't have pets in the home. and don't feel guilty about enforcing that!