There must be otehr linus chapter that are screaming for fabric. Why not pass it along?

absolutely NOT!!!...your stash is YOURS, to do your projects and to make YOU happy...purge some of the other stuff..make it into kits and tell the others they have to do their part as well!

uumm..NO,,,,as you never know where it was kept before it was donated and you are making quilts for SICK kids...it really needs a very thorough wash, before and after!

Bless you. You deserve a BIG Thanks.

I wish I lived closer to you, as you can see I live in the central valley, I would be more than willing to help on one of my days off, I know what it's like to try to get donated items ready for use, you are doing a great deed for others, keep up the good work

your fabric overload
 

I used to work at a family owned fabric store. Upstairs was all quilting, fleece, some bargain remnants from the lower level (home dec fabs), silks, wedding, ribbons, etc. you know the type of store. Anyway, they sometimes would buy out large quantities of good fabrics at reasonable prices, as long as there was at least 5 yards on a bolt. (if you don't have any bolts, go to your local fabric store and ask them to save bolts for you.) Then find a family store and see if they're interested. In future, don't wash it either, the chemicals that are on it help it keep on the bolt until it's sold, because it's somewhat stiffer, like having been starched. Unfortunately, I live in NH and can't help you out in your area. You might also try listing (with pictures) on Craig's list. I know people that will see a photo of say, 5 pieces together, sometimes with a Quarter on top to show the size of print, listed with total yardage amount, (not of individual pieces, just listed under "goodie bag"), with a price, maybe half off of what the total yardage would be worth to a quilter (or home decorator). Good luck. Maybe this site will be the easiest to sell on anyway, as you know people and have friends here.

I just embroidered myself a sign that says: Beware the accursed love of getting! I need to remind myself!

You can't do it all by yourself. You need help and only you can ask for it. If you don't ask, people will not know that you need the help.

I understand how you feel! But you are sure doing a wonderful things for such a worthy cause. Thanks for being a giving person. Don't forget to take care of yourself.

I read through all the responses but didn't see any suggestions about the ironing- there is an ironer that was made by a company called Ironrite - this is an ironer that you sit at that was made to iron sheets and table clothes - it makes short work of ironing long pieces of fabric - and once you get the hang of it its quite fun - where as ironing long pieces on and ironing board is a real pain. look on ebay I have seen them on sale regularly - I have my mothers and I love it - you just have to find someone locally who likes to tinker with old things because they need to be oiled occationally- keep up the good work

I think your DH is brilliant! That is exactly what I need to do.

Maybe you can ask some of the people who bring the fabric in to assist in the sorting and washing. It's obvious they want to donate, so maybe they would like to donate their time?

I know how you feel. I quilt for Project Linus, two churches, and a guild quilt group. As a result, I have been given much fabric to distribute to the members of the groups. One day, two ladies brought me 33 large boxes plus six
large garbage bags of fabric from a deceased seamstress. That same week, I was given six boxes from another person,
and a couple of boxes from someone else. I love to receive the fabric, get to look at it, sort it, and pass it on. The big problem is that nearly everyone wants me to keep the fabric until she is ready to use it. I know where to give most of the fabric that we can not use; it is the good fabric that quilters want me to keep until they are ready. My house is overflowing with fabric. I am going to get serious about the problem and find good places for the fabric soon so I can regain my home. I like the idea of making simple kits.

Great idea to have a fabric party! Maybe let them buy some of the unusable fabrics to help with costs? I wish I wad closer I'd help!!
I'll be watching for your sale. I agree only wash what your keeping!!

Fabric party to raise funds sounds like a LOT of fun!! I'll have to mention that to our coordinator. We could simply do that when we meet one month or have a separate meeting just for that purpose.

THIS! THIS! This is exactly what I was trying to say. I, too, love to receive the fabric, sort it, pass it on. It's the good stuff that I'm hanging onto for the chapter that makes my sewing room unmanageable and me unproductive. I know this is a good problem to have, but still.

Thank you for your words, I really appreciate it!

too much faabric
 

I like this idea and will try to think of it when I am tempted to buy fabric I can't use for a while.

It seems like you have the same problem that many of us have..the inability to say NO!! When they show a desire to use a fabric, make it clear that they need to take it THEN, not when they are ready to use it. You eventually will be so full of fabric you are holding for others that you will have to turn donations away.
It is time for everyone else in the group to step up and help you too. It doesn't matter if they are a knotrter, or a crocheter..They are perfectly capable of helping sort, wash and press the fabric...Don't lose the joy of what you do, because of the selfishness of others!!

Many people like to make donation quilts but the cost of fabric has gotten prohibitive. Instead of washing and ironing everything, maybe bundle fabric and a pattern. People can wash, iron and cut the fabric themselves. We all need to do that when we buy fabric from the store too.

I have found in my past experience working with various organizations, that people won't volunteer but will gladly help out if asked. So put out a call for help and I'm sure some ladies will step forward. They won't help if they don't know you have a need. Also, so many of us have trouble saying "no" and we become over-worked and exhausted. It's not sinful to say "no" once in awhile. Actually it's quite refreshing. Even God took a day off and rested.

I can understand how you would feel so frustrated with the overload. Could you get someone else to help you with ironing and storing the donations? Maybe someone could do some sorting for you, and lend you some shelves.

I love looking at vintage fabrics. Of course it tells you how old I am when the fabric from my childhood is now considered vintage. lol!

I am sure that I do not need to tell you how lucky you are too. I make little dresses and sorts for orphanages in Nicaragua and Africa. I was about bowled over when a lady in a local quilt shop heard about what I do, and she gave me a little, brown grocery sack of fabric! I sure didn't expect it. In some ways, I am jealous of you just because you will always have a continuous supply.


There might be a demand for some of your vintage items. Maybe you can take really good photographs of them, and try to raise money by selling them in groups, or with some accent fabrics? Just an idea!