Making Charity Quilts
 

My obligation to make family quilts (new babies) is over with for awhile, and I want to start making quilts for the homeless people. Some of my friends who do this are advising me to not make it pretty because they say those quilts get stolen in shelters. I hope this is not true, so I am asking those folks who are so generous and make charity quilts if they have ever heard of such a thing. I am not a great quilter so I plan to make simple designs like 9-patch or strip quilts. I get blankets at estate sales to give to Operation Uplift, an organization that feeds and cares for homeless who live under bridges or along railroad tracks. I would be giving the quilts I make to this group.

I have also heard this, but I can't see the point of making something ugly as a gift. I do think a blanket may be better for the homeless than a quilt, since blankets can be cleaned more easily and cost much less to produce.

There are many charities other than the homeless for which quilts are a great gift. Homes for abused women, foster children, children in hospitals, veterans in hospitals, victims of fires...

I'm not sure about your area, but there are some transition/temporary shelters where people are on a wait list for permanent housing. The quilts that are donated for the beds, go with the person when housing is found. So always there is a need for replacements.
As far as not making something pretty, I think functionality for the homeless is better. Keep in mind with no place to live, there is most times no way to carry your things around and when things get wet, they unfortunately get left behind.

Who needs warm bedding more than the homeless who are living outdoors in this frigid weather?

Like Dunster, I can't see purposely making an ugly quilt! Besides the obvious goal of wanting to gift something useful and nice, I also use the experience of making charity quilts to try new quilting designs/techniques and to experiment with fabric color/pattern combinations. This way I get some useful education as well as creating a useful item for charity.

I have heard this. I think simple comfort quilts are preferred to bright or complicated patterns. On the street nothing is safe so i can see really nice quilts being taken from the defenseless

I never heard of this happening but it wouldn't surprise me. You could use up your scraps doing something like this that was posted here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEROi6myQ9s
I suggested to my church group might like making some of these quilts from scraps

Yes this does happen. One of our church members is a bus driver and a recovering addict. He can spot the homeless a mile away. He has a kind heart, and truly can see the need in a person. Before Christmas he saw a woman on this bus daily, just looking for a place out of the rain and cold (rare in So California) So he asked if we had a larger size quilt, he could give her for Christmas. We gave one for her, less than 2 weeks later, it had been stolen from her in a shelter. So we made another and put her name on it, and gave her a bag with her name on it also. So far she still has this one.

I agree with CJ sews that the quilts you make for the homeless need not be complicated. Big blocks of any color, not necessarily ugly but quick sewn. I sometimes make a quilt out of one piece of material. Don't know if that would fit in with your stash. I have heard people crochet with plarn, (plastic bags cut in strips) for the homeless to place on the ground to keep the dampness under control. Shame on anyone who would steal from the homeless.

On our local TV news, the "law" is chasing out a dozen or so people out of a homeless camp. They are bringing in bulldozers, etc. to "clean" out the little patch of trees, tents, etc. that the homeless have put up. The camera caught a couple of quilts just laying on the ground, dirty and wet, etc. So, I, personally would not want a quilt of mine to end up like that.

I would ask the people who run the organization that you are planning to donate the quilts to. They likely will have the information specific to their needs and what will be most useful for them.

Bibliogirl--my guild donates routinely to Uplift because one of our members is an active Uplift worker. She asks that we NOT donate quilts but instead donate easily wash/dry blankets--especially if accompanied by warm clothing, candles (they use for light and heating food), and waterproof outwear. I'd suggest you direct your charity quilts to another organization where the quilts actually are given to recipients that take them home. We also donate to local fire/tornado/flood victims--you could contact your local Red Cross organization to do this. I know that they often are so thankful after losing everything--quilts really do wrap the receiver up with love!

Sleeping bags are what the shelters request in my area. They're much warmer than a quilt, and more practical.

In the past, my quilt group has donated quilts to a program for terminally ill patients at a local hospital, and a new veteran's shelter that opened up recently. They had beds but no bedding. We donated a large number quilts to them; they had a fundraiser and auctioned a few off and were able to purchase sheets and pillowcases to go with our quilts. Win/win.

I used to work at a shelter & yes, sadly, people steal quite often. In some cases, one client would pull a weapon on another client in order to steal a nice blanket or quilt. You don't need to make it ugly, just simple. Sometimes women & children's shelters are better; it just depends.

Think Traditional Amish quilts. Nothing too light colored because it may travel around all over town & only get washed once a month, if that. Dark colors are good choices for that reason. A solid color whole cloth or basic large piecing would be nice. Nothing showy. Just stop for a moment & think to yourself "would I feel comfortable carrying this quilt while walking alone through the worst part of town? would it attract the wrong kind of attention?" If your answer is "no", you've come up with a good design. The main value in the quilts for the homeless is not their artistic quality, but the warmth the quilt gives, the reliability of having one's own bedding (shelters provide bedding at night, but if you get cold during the day or early evening, you're out of luck), and the health & sanitation benefits of not having to share bedding that was used the night before by a client with ringworm or bedbugs or such because not all volunteers are great at following washing protocol. Besides the fact that people suffering from mental illness or substance abuse are more likely to be homeless than the average healthy individual, others are simply greedy or desperate and a beautiful quilt that would sell for hundreds of dollars is more temptation than some can resist. A simpler quilt truly is a better gift in this case than a large elaborate one.

Bless you for your service to the homeless in your community. I'm sure your gift quilts will be greatly appreciated for many years to come.

I agree with Dunster, there are many charities who would very much appreciate a quilt donation. I would double check with those involved in helping or organizing the homeless in your area to see what the needs truly are.

People on the street are usually homeless because they are mentally ill, drug addicted or alcoholic. They are not going to care for or even keep track of a large item like a quilt. I would donate quilts to hospitals and shelters and help the homeless with blankets or sleeping bags instead.

When I make a charity quilt - I make it knowing that it may end up on the ground as something used between the ground and the person. Many times I use a larger piece and tie it or machine quilt with an overall meander. I make more kids, babies quilts than bigger sizes. Even just cutting twelve inch squares and sewing them together is an easy one - that is how I taught my Granddaughter to sew, she got a lesson in sewing as well as giving. As long as they are clean, you have to give thinking they will be put to good use and then forget it.

I am sure some are stolen but by another cold, homeless person. I love to donate quilts and I try all sorts of patterns. I agree with Jeanne in that it is a learning experience for me. Just donated a quilt to a person that has now gotten his own space. It makes me feel so good that he has a beautiful quilt for his home.

Make what you love and give from your heart to whoever you wish.

A group of students interviewed homeless people to see what they wanted/needed for warmth, functionality, etc., and the "UGLI" quilt was born. It was long, to cover more of the body, the bottom folded down so the feet could be tucked in, there were hidden pockets sewn into the inside so that some personal items could be hidden, etc. Some folks do not like to make those types of quilts, but I thought the design was ingenious.

I'm told that some church groups who ship covers overseas request uglies. The pretty quilts are prime targets for stealing or selling. Recently I offered bed pillows to a homeless shelter and they declined. Said they'd had a problem with bedbugs and only used new bedding.

Do people, homeless ot not, steal from each other? Yes. Should that make your decision change? No.

People steal from each other, no doubt about it. The quilt I made for my mom in the nursing home got stolen. I made her another one and embroidered her first and last name on it in 5 inch letters, this one did not get stolen. After my mom passed away I gave it to a homeless person. In my opinion ugly or pretty is in the eye of the beholder. I've seen many quilts that I thought are ugly on this board but many think they are beautiful. As long as it's functional and you are giving it from your heart it doesn't matter. Give it to who you want and what happens, happens, once you gave it away it's no longer yours and you have no control over it.

A friend of mine sews with a large group that donates many, many different items for charities. The last time she was at retreat she showed me how they make quilts. They sew all kinds of 7" wide scraps into a long jelly type roll first. Then they use that to make reversible sew and flip quilts. They don't use batting on some because many are sent overseas where it is warm year round, but you could easily add batting.
Start with 2 - 7" x 18" strips and place wrong sides together (place batting in between if desired)
Add 2 more strips of the same size, only this time put one on the top and bottom, right sides together, (place batting on wrong side of one strip if desired), and sew the long seam. When you flip them to the right side your seam and the batting will be encased.
Add a second set of 2 - 7" x 18" strips to the opposite side of the strip set and you will have three sets.
Now start adding to the top and bottom in the same way.
Once the top and bottom are done, do each side again and keep building until it is the desired size.
If you don't have scraps that wide, you can use narrower strips, but it will take more rows.
It is fun and goes quickly and makes a scrappy reversible quilt. Just bind when completed and you're done.

here's a link to directions on how to make an ugly guilt for the homeless. It is actually a sleeping bag. http://www.uglyquilts.org/ It is an ingenious idea to use anything handy to make the sleeping bag and very practical.

Here's a link to the group that started the ugly quilt/sleeping bag project:
http://www.thesleepingbagproject.org/

The group that I belonged to before we moved, also gave to the homeless shelters. If you have double knit polyester fabrics, the quilts will last forever, it washes well, it's warm and heavy, keeps color good, although the fabric isn't as easy to work with as cotton, I would also birth the quilts and tie, since it's less time consuming and you don't have to make a separate binding.

There is a Large ( national -- started in New York ) ( my brothers keeper) group, been around for a few years, that started the " Ugly Quilt Project" our sewing group has been making quilts for them for the past 3 years. They are Very warm, made with fabrics that are heavy, water resistant when possible and ( in the quilting world) would certainly be considered ugly. The homeless people who receive them don't think they are ugly -- they are warm and not something someone would be inclined to steal from them. There are people out there who will steal from a homeless person just because they think they have something too nice-- like they don't deserve to have it....there are all kinds of people out there. The main goal is warmth, we make them into sleeping bags. Kind of a * bag quillow* they can crawl into that rolls up, is easy to carry. & yup -- they are pretty ugly -- if you look at them like a 'quilter'.

Project Linus is my favorite charity. Pretty, bright colored quilts are very appropriate for this charity.

Sounds like the six hour quilt techique in Kaye Woods video and book. She recommends the method for charity quilts since they can work up fast. I think she says that in her video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOTV-YSF-48

No matter how cold a drug addict may be, selling the pretty quilt to get drug money is a real possibility. I vote for not ugly, exactly, but much more functional than beautiful. Also, keep in mind that if you take more time with this quilt, it's that much longer before it gets into the hands of the person who is cold.

I'm so happy to see this post. My plan in the next few months is to make donation quilts & try to work through my stash. I can't spend time on "ugly" or even just plain quilts or I would lose interest real fast. My quilting is more about the process than just cranking them out.

All of your input is making me think about where I'll take my quilts. Thank you all for your input.

I was a member of a quilt guild a few years ago that we made made sleeping bags for the homeless and we used very heavy material , we cut up mens wool suits and overcoats in big squares and made heavy crazy quilts, folded then in half lengthwise and sewed it up on one side all the way to the top and the other side about two thirds. so they could get in them then we quilted it SITD and rolled them up and tied them with a mens tie cut in half, The cops were carrying them in their trunks and also gave a a bunch to the shelters. we also made small teddy bears by the garbage bag full for the cops to keep in their trunks for children that had to be taken or parents went to jail,etc, some we even sewed a pillow to the top and stuffed it with batting.They were much appreciated.cmaras1234:o

QUICK NOTE...Remember
.Warm is much better than pretty. cmaras1234

Thank you, all of you, for the suggestions you have given here. So many ideas!! I am always amazed at the complete generousity in all of you, your willingness to give. You have given me so many ideas to ponder and decide and I really appreciate that. This Board is wonderful!!!! Many thanks.

I haven't read every post so I apologize if this has been mentioned, but I do close to 100 quilts a year for Project Linus. There are chapters everywhere and if there is not one close to you, they tend to have drop off places in quilt shops all over. My local chapter is trying to hit 50,000 quilts this year. So far, we are at 45,000 so it is doable. Lots of kids of all ages get quilts to help them cope with whatever issues they are working through.

I don't make quilts for homeless people but if I did it would be for Covenant House. Young people there have so little to call their own and are homeless through no fault of their own. Even baby quilts would be appreciated because some of the girls are giving birth. I support Covenant House as best I can just not with quilts. Mine go to a Children's Home where again the kids between 8 and 18 have little to call their own and the quilts are very appreciated. I can only make about 6 a year anymore. I make them beautiful and enjoy the process so much
Geri in Anchorage

while I understand the "theft" thing, I can't see that they should be ugly. To me it's like saying they don't deserve pretty. I would make something out of dark fabrics, but not deliberately ugly.

I think what is meant is not that they can't be 'pretty' but that they aren't 'showy'. Beautiful 9 patches or even the disappearing 9 patches are great. But a lone star or a bargello might tempt someone to take it. It is sad, but it is the way it is. This might be a great place for a person to try a bargello. The small errors you make or perhaps an odd color placement would probably bother you but the recipient would be so greatful to receive this handmade item. Another great place to donate is to the police dept and fire dept. Small simple blankets in a carry bag (on the idea of a quillow) can be carried in their trunk and given to a child they take from a crisis situation. When a child is removed from a home or has lost everything in a disaster, being given a blanket to wrap in and keep can make all the difference to them. Sometimes it is the only thing they have other than the clothes on their back.

Sometimes my enjoyment of sewing gets in the way of reality. I love making bedding for the animals in the local shelter. I started out making the beds that have the tube sewn around the top and is filled with stuffing. They work up fast and you can still be proud of them. The staff is always appreciative but then I have heard a couple of times since that the dogs tend to chew open the beds to get to the stuffing. And this can result in clogs in the laundry equipment. I now just sew two squares of fabric together, one being flannel, and the other cotton, that can be folded to make smaller or opened up to make larger as needed.
I think the same can go with any charity sewing. Maybe the simplest is better for the reality of the situation. But I know it can be hard to sew that way since I enjoy it so much.

Just my opinion. And to be honest, I have started donating cleaning and food supplies to the shelter, which is really a necessity. The shelter apparently had a respiratory issue that required destruction of the fabric items to prevent re-introduction of the virus.

Even in nursing homes, things that are TOO nice are more likely to "wander". Charity quilts should be IMHO sturdy (deeper seams than show quilts), simple (get it done), and practical (large lap size usually). They are a great place to use up fabrics in your stash that just didn't go with what you thought they would. I agree that shelters are a better place to donate than to the unsheltered.