Ok....so I decided to take the plunge and order a kit to make a quilt for a sick young one. I see they want the quilt returned in 6-8 weeks...no problem....but as I read farther I see where they want you to include at least 1 of your own quilts for every kit quilt you mail back....hmmmmmm....not sure if I have the fabric, and would I be able to do two in that time frame, maybe if I have fabric....but I am afraid to commit and then let someone down. What do you think, are the quilts complicated? Can I fit 2 into the time frame? Have you ever only made and returned one? Any input would be gladly appreciated.

i did not know that i got 3 to do though i was helping? well i guess i can do like a panel or two since i do have a few but that means more shipping. i will read the fine print next time. i have to admit i enjoy quilting so i do it with their fabric. oh well

memathomas

I got one done and sent back (took about 2-3 months). I will make another one this summer and send it.

They are actually really easy and it doesn't take much fabric to make one. If you chain piece both quilts at the same time you can get them done rather fast. I did four tops at once in an afternoon/evening.

This is the actual pattern they send (or at least this is the only one I have seen them send.) you can make one just like it with VERY little fabric!

OOPs might have helped if I added the link!
http://www.quiltsforkids.org/images/...lt_Pattern.pdf

I am also dong the quilts for Downy. However, I return only the quilt they send. Even doing them is getting toward their 10,000 goal. That is why they send the fabric. They understand we cannot all return an extra but we help with the ones they send us. I have enjoyed dsonig this. The postage to return is nice enough. Hope this helps.

Justwannaquilt....where is the pattern you got. I want to compare it to the one I got.

Thank you for your input...I am ready to order my very first kit! If I find they work up fast and I can find enough material I will indeed make two, but I know I can manage one!

Just wannaquilt, did you attach a pic? Don't see one.

YUP. That's the one I got too. Thank you.

sorry I edited my post I forgot to add the link to the pattern! I don't have any pictures of the ones I did. My camera is packed in a box some where! Moving sucks! lol

You aren't required to send in a second one, they just ask you to.

I have a top done, but it is not quilted yet. I am in the process, but I am very slow. I plan on sending back just the one quilt right away since I have been waiting for nice weather for so long. This is the first year in the past 5 I feel well enough to enjoy it.

I plan on making a couple more now that I have their pattern and send them as I finish. It won't be in the 5 or 6 week period though. Unfortunately I'm sure they can use them any time!

Justwannaquilt, thanks for the pattern link. I think I can manage that. Just curious. If you want to make another quilt, can you use any pattern you want? Also, those of you who have made them, how do you do the binding....ummm....also, it specifies low loft batting. Would warm and natural fit the bill? Or do they want polyester as it is lighter? Sorry so many questions, I just want to get it right.

you can use any pattern you want.
I just did normal binding you can finish it by machine as long as there is not a large lip on the back where it could get caught on an IV line or port or anything!
I use Warm and Natural in everything I do even these. The directions I have says use only 1/8 - 1/4 inch low loft batting. I don't see why you couldn't use W&N.

I know from my many stays in the hospital they are not always the warmest places to be. While I was in the hospital for several weeks I used a hair blowdryer to keep warm! lol

I know they would be thrilled if you finished the kit they sent you. The Downy folks are paying for these kits. Buy their products! It's such a nice cause and I bet it serves more and more because folks like you and I are contributing time and talent. Together, we can make a difference.

I think I read the extras would be appreciated, but they're not mandatory. Do what you can. I'm sure anything will be appreciated. They're not going to toss your quilt if you only send one. That would be ridiculous.

If you can't commit to finishing their kit (you'll need backing, batting and basic quilting skills) then you might want to find another way to help out. Or find some friends that have those talents and make one together. Whatever way you slice it, it's a wonderful cause and the Downy folks make it even easier with their generous donations of kits.

I just got my quilt from Downey a week ago.It took me one afternoon to put it together. (The Top) At the time I ordered it I did not know I needed surgary so last Friday I went under the knife. I did call the # on the letter I got from them and told them I will not be able to sit for a few weeks and they were more then kind about it.The fabric is cut for you an it is very easy. I plan on making more when able.

Do any of you use the "pillowcase" method of finishing? or machine sew the binding or hand sew?

you'll need backing, batting and basic quilting skills


I just finished my first one and it came with the backing.

I have the will, and the basic quilting skills, and the batting, now I can hardly wait to get the kit!

Hi Nursie: I just finished my first QFK. They ask for no hand sewing because the quilts are washed so often. I pulled the backing around to the front and used that as the binding. First time I've ever done that but it was pretty easy. I can't make another one either right now because I don't have any "kid" fabric. Will do one another time tho. Go for it--they're quick and easy. Good luck.

they request that every thing be done on a machine because to the wear and tear

Thanks for the encouragement. I have done a few quilts where you bring the backing around and use as binding. You are right, it is easy.

They don't require you to send an extra quilt. The patterns are very simple four-patch. I completed the top in one afternoon and had time to cut fabric out of my stash for another four-patch.

That is good to know. Thanks.

My quilt kit included the backing. I know this because I went out and bought fabric for backing (I have a very tiny stash of scraps only) only to discover that they sent backing in the kit when I got home!

Very good to know. :thumbup:

Don't worry about that. The quilts are easy and if you don't have the fabric to do one from your own just send the one back.

Thanks!

I use warm and natural for the batting.
I machine sew the binding on... they prefer it not to have a lip on it, so the IV lines don't catch on them. So I use a blanket stitch.

I just wanted to add that there are a lot of companies that contribute also to the Quilt for Kids program. They need to also be congratulated for their help. From the website!

CHANDRA WILSON OF GREY’S ANATOMY for acting as spokesperson for The Downy Touch of Comfort Program and bringing news of QFK to everyone.

ROBERT KAUFMAN FABRIC COMPANY for creating a line of 33 fabrics by Amy Schimler to benefit QFK.

WASTE MANAGEMENT for lending us their conference center for workshops.

DOMINION ENERGY for providing grants to fund workshops.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF LANGHORNE, PA for matching grants to purchase brightly colored child-friendly fabric to make quilts.

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS for partnering with us and The Downy Touch of Comfort team so we are able to bring comfort to children in CMN hospitals across the country.

CLOTHWORKS TEXTILES for donating a truckload of fabric.

P&B FABRICS for donating a truckload of fabric.

KATHERINE BELL for featuring Quilts for Kids in her book, Quilting for Peace.

DEBBIE MUMM for including us in her latest book, I Care with Quilts.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE OTHER COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS. SEE OUR FACT SHEET FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Linda Arye
Founding President
Quilts for Kids, Inc.

I do the pillowcase. It does get confusing, so I took a piece of fabric and the batting and the backing and made me up a little tiny sample so I don't get confused anymore (duhhhhhh)! Anyhow, it does work for me seeing it there and I just have to follow the setup of the fabric. Anyhow, do not, I repeat DO NOT hand sew any of the quilt whatsoever. The hand sewing can get caught in IV stuff and can pull. That is why you machine sew absolutely everything. You can sew in the ditch or you can make up your own quilting design. Also for anyone that is interested, there are chapters around the United States and I do my quilts through Racine Wisconsin. The quilts don't go the Pennsylvania. They stay here in the Midwest. The head of the chapter there is a priceless treasure for QFK. She sends out two quilts at a time and we can do them and if we have the time we can make one of our own to add to that. We try to get them done as soon as possible, but if it is veritably impossible she is very understanding. Right now I am in the throes of finishing up a cancer quilt for a raffle and we are having ice dam damage taken care of starting this coming Friday, plus a new roof - so she understands about things like that. Edie

i put together the kit they sent, and made 3 more in an afternoon...the kit they send is VERY USER FRIENDLY and the pattern is easy....the next day i quilted all 4...the next day started bindings...all together i probably spent a week on 4. and they do not take alot of fabric...they are small; but if you are not able to make an extra just send back the one they send in kit form they are not going to refuse it because you were not able to include a second one, and some of us are doing more than one extra so we make up for those who are not able.
have fun, you will probably find that you can 'whip these up in no time'

I'm mailing my Kids quilt today. So far I've only made the quilt from the kit I received. I added a small pocket on the front. Kids love little spaces to stick treasures.

Thanks everyone for the input! I am getting more and more excited about this endeavor! I can hardly wait til the kit gets here.

Bellaboo - Your quilt is adorable.

Edie - I checked, but there isn't a chapter close to me here in PA. I wonder if there would be a way to contact one of them here in PA anyway and work through them.

Amma - thanks for the tip about a blanket stitch, I was worried about how to eliminate the "lip" when machine sewing the binding if I didn't decide to "pillowcase" it.

The request for an additional quilt is just that--a request which would be nice. I'm sure they appreciate anything you do.


The kits I have been sent (6 so far this year) have all been 4 patch. But if you check their website, there are downloadable patterns for nine patch, d9p, pinwheels and the downy patern. They are fast and simple. All 6 of mine have been completed within the 4-6 weeks timeframe and I have done a matching one from my stash each time. I enjoy having something simple to work on when I get exasperated with my larger quilt project.

Good luck

Hi! I've made 2 quilts from their kits. They are simple to piece. If you can't get around to adding your own quilts within the requested time that's ok. Anything you contribute will be appreciated.

Love the baseball fabric, now that I think about it, there is a place in Lancaster that had a barn type building with discounted fabrics...I think $3.95 a yard. I will have to check it out.

I think one thing to remember if making extra quilts to send be sure the fabric is good quality to stand up to frequent washings in hospital washers. It would be sad for a child to see their quilt faded, or pulled from the stitches after a few washings. I was very impressed with the quality of the fabric in the free kits.

Good point. These fabrics in Lancaster were by Moda, Kauffman and other well know fabric makers, just past years designs etc.

Check out "Chapters" in the Downy website. Pennsylvania has seven chapters. Check that out also. There may be one closer to you. Have fun. Edie