At least the people bidding knew that it was worth more than $30. I have learned in life, that once you give something away for any reason, you just have to let it go. It's hard, but much less painful than the bad feelings.

So sorry you had such a dreadful experience. A few years ago I donated 2 queensize quilts, one at a time 2 different years to our local Fire Co Aux to raffle. I also made the tickets, no expense to them. The quilts were on display different places that the ladies went to sell tickets for about 3 months. The ladies really worked at this project. We are a little country community with a volunteer fire department. The 2 quilts made them $3000. I could not donate that much so I was glad to donate and they did the work of selling the tickets.
Ruth

dotcom, I do exactly the same thing, I save it all and I use them when doing my taxes. It also helps to get a receipt from the charity that you've donated to with a discription of the item and the estimated value. In the past I've donated to a children's hospice and they've sent me forms to fill out which include the item and the value. Once I fill it out, I make a copy for my records and send them the original, this way they have records of my donations as well.

I have learned that a quilt to be raffled over a period of time does MUCH better than an auction at a one day/evening event. The people who come to those events do not come there to spend a lot of money on one item. They don't expect high priced items, and so don't bid much. For a raffle, though, you can get several hundred dollars over a period of a couple of months. It works out much better, especially if you have a few people working the raffle sales. Our quilt guild does an opportunity quilt every other year, and our last one had ticket sales of over $10,000. We do make very exceptional quilts!! :thumbup:

I have in mind what I want to happen with a quilt or sewing project before I donate it.

If it's something that I don't mind if it's put on a table with a $30 price tag, or it's put into a silent auction with a low starting bid, I don't dictate the terms of the donation. That pretty much sums up 90% of what I donate. My (hopeful)feeling is that someone will get an opportunity to buy something that they absolutely loved and appreciated but could never afford to buy unless it was sold in that manner.

If it's something I don't want to see "given away", I dictate the terms and I'm there to be sure what I asked to be done is being done. I only donate one type of quilt that I feel is worthy of an live auction. It always brings a good price, and I make sure it hits the live auction and isn't waylaid by a well-meaning individual who has decided to make a decision contrary to my terms.

And don't be afraid to toot your own horn and show off your workmanship to whoever is accepting the donation. If that person sees the work you've put in, they will see $$ potential and not put it on a table for 30 bucks.

Sorry your time and work were not fully appreciated.
Years ago my cousin did absolutely beautiful hand quilting. She passed away and her daughters did not even offer to sell her quilts to mom or me. They took them to Calif and sold them I was told. But I finally got two table toppers made by her at an auction. (In a pile of tea towels,hand towels and such for $5.00) At least I have some of her work now and she is the one who got me interested in quilting.

ditto what sewgull said

Dear Mary: I have learned through the years that no one can really account for your fine work, and you'll also get your feelings hurt with such an amount on an auction. Donate $30. per quilt, but why not ask to have the two hanging just showing how beautiful that is before and forget about the interest afterward. Give your quilt to someone who knows and appreciates you.

I think a raffle is the only thing worth doing. People find them fun and all those $1-$2 tickets end up raising lots of needed funds. I can understand how you feel, but as others have said - not everyone can appreciate the time, effort and heart that goes into creative pursuits such as quilting, jewelry making and the like.

My church quilt group made an Oklahoma Centennial a couple of years ago four our local Lottie Moon Christmas Auction and it brought in $2000. It has since been presented to our pastor and his wife who have plans to display it in the main hall of the church at the Welcome Center. So now every year they asked our group,Sonshine Quilters, to make a quilt for the Adult 3 Sunday School Class to auction off.

Agreed :thumbup:

My EX-DL took the quilt and baby clothes to the flea market and sold them. Didn't want all that home made stuff. Didn't do that again.

I agree. I've seen auctions where they actually will "raffle" off a quilt, knowing its value. They might sell tickets for $10 but need to sell a minimum of 30-40 tickets. Now, to me, that would be fair. They usually display the quilt (full view) for all to see its worth.

Giving a suggested price is a good idea. It hurts our feeling when our work is taked for granted.[/quote]

People look at my quits and tell me I need to sell them vs giving them away, but I would rather give them away than be embarrassed by how little money they'd bring in. I thought about selling on Ebay. By the time, I'd pay their fees I am better off donating them to Project Linus and get the tax deduction.

I sew for Project Linus too. It's a nice diversity from the more complex quilts I sometimes make. Simple designs are fun and fast to make. That would be another option - use simple patterns that don't take much time to make. But, again, $30 for a quilt doesn't cover the cost no matter what the pattern.

I think you hit on something. I guess the reason I had donated a quilt was in the hope that it would bring more than the cash I could have donated. Howeve, seeing that was not the case, I'll be going with cash from here on - unless it's a rafffle - and from what those on this board say, that's the way to go!

People have ask if make quilts to sell? NO!
I would rather give them away, cause they are
not going to want to pay what I would have to charge
They don't realize it can cost a lot just to
make one. Not counting anything for the time.

I have donated things to auctions (like antiques) and have seen them sell for little of nothing.
Made me feel sick

Know how you feel Mary. A few years ago I made a twin size quilt for the silent auction at the school for autistic children my DIL works at. They usually get very big prices for the donated items but the bidding stopped at $125 after the school's director's handicapped daughter submitted her bid.

Raffles seem the best way to go for raising the most dollars but it does require much more work. Here in Jersey you must register with your town or county, have chance books printed, display the item in various places over a period of time, etc. whereas an auction at the fundraiser doesn't require so much work. May in Jersey

I just finished my first quilt. Did I ever learn a lesson on cost of material, time, effort and love. I made it for my 9 year grandson for his birthday. I am so sorry in one way because it will never be appreciated & discared at some point. I only hope someone gets it that loves it. I also make cakes for birthday's. I just made my last. People don't understand. So raffle or donate it is!! I feel with you as you see you are not alone. Love to fellow quilter.

I'm going to board the "donate the money" wagon this time. I do donate quilts to the causes that I choose..but not for selling, auctioning or even raffling. I'd rather the quilt be used by the org.....like quilts for kids or Project Linus.

I have not read all of these replies but I can imagine the most have the same sentiment. My thought is:

What a shame so many people out there equate "home made" with "hand made" or "valueless". Nope do not donate your quilts unless it is to an organization that has demonstrated that they know the value of such items. We have a menonite school here that has a yearly auction. They always have and value quilts.

My favorite item to make is hand embroidered baby quilts. I'm often asked what I would take for it, and I tell them I only give them away because no one would pay what they are worth. By giving them to someone, I don't get disappointed.

I recently turned 2 of my fabric bowls I make into gift baskets and put into silent auctions. They brought less than the bowl alone was worth.

I find it easier to just donate money and give away my things when I want.

All of you make me feel very selfish. I don't donate many quilts and when I do it is usually with fabric that has been given to me for that specific project. Baby quilts from panels, for instance. I don't mind donating my time because this is what I like to do and the quilts I make I make because I want to try the pattern, I have someone in mind, or I want to keep it for myself. I make a lot of table runners from scraps to give away.

Is there a photo of your fabric bowl? I am curious to see what you make. I am loaded w scraps that do longer interest me for quilt design. Or maybe I'll just send them to you!

Dotty in NYC/UWS

Donations for raffles seem to work better, if they're done well.
A friend in CT with some other quilters made a beautiful Queen for their Parish.
The Church sent a book of chances to every member. Raised $800.

I agree donating sometimes doesnt get you the satisfaction you deserve from it. But, ya know it's a matter of the heart. If your heart is to donate then it should not matter what the cost is. I made a K/Q size quilt a few year ago for out mission team to raffle. We sold ticket for 10 each. My husband even made a quilt rack that cost him about $60 to make. We sold 70 tickest and made $700 from it. Raffles seem to work in the right enviroment. I will be make two next time. Twin size, one for a girl and one for a boy. I figure parents will really go for this.

That makes me sad that you feel your quilt you made for your grandson will be discarded. I am blessed to have a daughter who treasurers the hand made personal blankets, quilts, Christmas stockings, etc. that have been made by me and other family members fodr her children. The ones the kids won't turn loose of she leaves out, but when they start getting tattered she packs them away so they can have them when they are adults. Maybe you could suggest that when the blanket is outgrown or no longer being loved you can have it back. Then you can pack it away for the future. There will come a time when your family will long for a item that you made, even if they don't realize it now.

On the other side, I made some hand embellished tee shirts for my best friend's first grandaughter. They all expect me to keep producing kiddie couture. Apparently every effort is
a big event at day care and I have become a beloved auntie. Now that baby is two and I must say it is great to be appreciated. She'll get a special quilt for Christmas. I'm collecting the squares!

I hate to admit it but you better investigate a bit before donating . Then you will know what it the best way for you to help. Like you said obviously the $30. would have been better all around. So often folks dont realize what goes into a quilt!!

I hate to admit it but you better investigate a bit before donating . Then you will know what is the best way for you to help. Like you said obviously the $30. would have been better all around. So often folks dont realize what goes into a quilt!!

Sure would have been easier! and less costly for the maker!

My dh & i were married on block island ri. the first year we went there, the ladies guild of one of the churches on the island, (i forgot which one) was sitting in front of star dept store with a quilt made up of squares depicting different places ie southeast lighthouse, harbor church, the ferry itself, from the island. i bought 15 tickets.. and i have every year since that they have been available..

the lady i spoke with told me they have it out for 5-6 weekends....it being a tourist area, i imagine they make a great return on thier investment...

now if i could only get the right ticket!!

I donated a quilt one year, I think it sold for $100. One of the women that had been bidding came up said she didn't want to pay that much. How much would I make one for her. I told her $200 with her suppling the fabric. Needless to say I'm still waiting on the fabric.

HAHA! Excellent!

OMG,I have never even countenanced selling my quilts or donating them to any organisation. Anything that I finish has taken soooo long and is such a magnus opus (to me, that is) that no money would buy it nor donation worth it.

The only quilt I have ever given away was to my mother and I figure that's a bit different. But even that was touch and go: she was 85 when she got it. However, that was a couple of years ago and she still has it in pride of place in her home.

What I can safely predict is that all my quilts will probably finish up as horse blankets, later on, when our only Little Darling (who has zip interest in quilting) inherits them all. Must see what I can do about that. When I'm 85 some charity store might get lucky.

Ohhhh!!! I LOVE Your Quilts!!! Nope I wouldn't donate ,I would'nt like it either.

I have donated crocheted laprobes (42"x54") and they used them in a silent auction. Two lap robes.....one had a $15.00 bid and the other $18.00. The yarn alone cost me that. Now, I just give a monetary donation. I donate my laprobes to the VA center for the veterans which gives me more satisfaction than making a few dollars.

Good for you!
Giving is getting.
I learned about charity in my days of teaching school where one teacher spent as much timer teaching charity as she did teaching 7th and 8th grade Spanish. The kids learned to care
and so did the faculty!!

This is so true...

I would not donate another one, they would have done better to raffle the quilt off. Penny