I make Linus quilts, use lots of my own fabric, but you can get fabric from the local Linus organisers, don`t know if that would be the same in the States. I use sheets to back quilts with, I source them on the internet. We have charity shops over here and sometimes you can get good quality cotton dresses and cut them up to use in quilts.

I was just looking for some denim for a braided rug, our local Goodwill sold jeans for $5/$6 ea. Our local Sr. center sold their jeans for $2 ea, with a special of $1 off all men's pants. In our area I have found Goodwill to be more expensive than other agencies I like to buy from Goodwill as they do good work, but I do look for a bargain too especially when sewing for charity.

If you need fabric, something as simple as posting a few ads on community bulletin boards, church or seniors' notice boards should bring you lots of donated fabric. Seniors are frequently down sizing or moving to assisted living and may be very willing to pass on their no longer needed fabric. Once the word got out in my area that I made quilts for Community Projects, I have had numerous calls about sewing related items (even a couple of machines!) all given because the original owner just wasn't stitching any more.

Check your local children's hospital for organizations that create quilts for kids. They may have a local source for you. There are also mill end shops that sell end runs. If you can get a sales tax licensce you can purchase from places like Choice Fabrics in Springfield, TN. (It was simply filling out a form.)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3124518AA3caDp

Good luck.

P.S. Beware that "sale" prices do not always mean good quality. If you are shopping online you may want to ask for a sample first.

Or, don't know if this has been mentioned yet...some ask for donations on this board in the Free Offers/Donations section.

Just state your charity and what you are asking for.

I scan thru there and occasionally donate and many others do too.

When I go to stores such as Hobby Lobby, I head for the clearance rack to find quality, discounted fabrics for Charity Quilts. Sometimes JoAnn's has a half price sale on their clearance fabric, which really brings it down. Also, my local quilt shop marks down their older fabric, say 2008, 2009, but it is still the same quality fabric by reputable manufacturers. I think I enjoy the fabric all the more sometimes to think I got such nice fabric at such a great price.

This is a great idea. I have been amazed at the people who advertise on craigs list that they are throwing bags of clothes, etc. out. Usually listed under the "curb alert" section.

Good luck and God Bless you for all you are doing. Do hope and pray that your Hubby and all others in similar situations will soon find employment.

http://www.thousandsofbolts.com http://www.marshalldrygoods.com

I just checked out these two sites and the prices are very good. I've only seen two reviews (one each per site) and the customers were satified with their purchase.

When I moved from a large house to a smaller condo I donated literally yards and yards for charity quilts. I would suggest that you get in touch with a quilt group and see if you can get some help. Your local quilt shop should be able to direct you.

I got a lot of stuff at estate sales and auctions. Also ask the members of different churches to donate used clothing and material scraps, sheets and blankets to use at batting. If your willing to pick it up many people are more than willing to donate.

I did just that last week an am waiting for a call back from the Hospital because I wanted to donate to the cancer center for children that have cancer.

The charity quilters that I work with have a box in our church for material/quilt/sheet donations. They also have a small budget from the church. Once in a while, a notice is run in the bulletin as to what supplies are needed. While sorting through things in my in-laws house, I took most of their old sheets, flat or fitted, and blankets, etc. We are based in a suburb of St. Paul, MN.

I agree with previous poster. Use 1000s of Bolts- first quality fabrics for less than $4/yd - plus I LOVE the full name of the on-line shop, 1000s of bolts but only one nut.
I also use Marshall Dry Goods - very inexpensive.
Finally, Fabric.com has frequent sales with excellent prices.
Judy

Kona muslin is beautiful for quilt backs. I buy the wider fabric (108" or 116"...can't remember) and have a lot less waste>

For my DDIL's quilt I made her for Christmas, I went to Walmart and bought a twin flat sheet (Mainstay?) for $4 and used that. Loved the feeling of it after it was quilted. I'll be doing that more often.

There is a Quilt Store in East Lansing that lets you trade in fabric and they give you credit by the pound to buy new fabric. The fabric brought in for exchange is put aside and they have sewing days during the year & use up that fabric. Everyone brings their machine and sews simple patterns, some iron, some border, some quilt them & some tie them, these are then donated locally. I don't know all the particulars, but I could ask them when I get there again. I believe they take some type of tax credit for the donation, so it's good for their business & you get credit in their store for new. Some people get tired of parts of their stash and they enjoy this. I don't know that they will give you the fabric, but they support these sewing days strongly and they're a big social event; some go for 10-12 hours, so they get a variety of sewers. If you're interested or want to present this idea to a local shop, I can check for you.

I looked under our local Craig List but couldn't find curb alert. What heading is it under?

Thank you. :)

Could you share the name and address?

Thanks.

:)

Here's a list of chapters:

http://www.quiltsforkids.org/chapters/

One of the ladies in my guild ask for everyones scraps or UFOs for charity quilts.

One of the ladies in my guild ask for everyones scraps or UFOs for charity quilts.

do you have any textile companies near you? If the make bedding they have a lot of big scraps.

I make at least 40 or more charity quilts a year, and the word is out! sometimes we come home to bags of sheets, blankets. fabric, etc on the porch. Two years ago, someone left SEVEN garbage bags full.....
Sheets are great for backs--I have gotten brand new ones for $2 at yard sales.

I make at least 40 or more charity quilts a year, and the word is out! sometimes we come home to bags of sheets, blankets. fabric, etc on the porch. Two years ago, someone left SEVEN garbage bags full.....
Sheets are great for backs--I have gotten brand new ones for $2 at yard sales.

Go on line and tell people you need solid colors for backing. Be sure you specify the type and weight. I did this several years ago and I got more fabric that I have been able to use.

Also thrift stores and buy sheets or draperies that would be suitable for donated quilts.

I also make charity quilts and spend as little money as possible. I also buy crocheted afghans, bring home and wash and donate them. There are so many ways you can help people. Mine are donated to Veteran's Hospitals and nursing homes. Some time Nursing home won't take that kind of a donation. You also can send one to a soldier overseas. Some churches have Charity baskets that are sent every month to our service men and women. God Bless You!

Old Thrift Store Blankets make good batting for charity quilts. I always just make sure to wash them first because sometimes they have a kind of funky odor. And sheets from the Thrift Store are great for backings. Just get creative

My husband & I are avid garage salers. So I have picked up lots of fabric at sales. I even have him trained so he can buy for me if I'm not with him. I make quilts for wounded warrriors, Quilts for Kids, & sick children in my own area. Most of what I buy isn't QS grade but still is nice. Often, when I tell the sellers what I'm using it for they offer it even cheaper. One lady told me to come back the last afternoon of her sale & gave me all that was left. I shared that with others in my quilting guild who make charity quilts. Wish we lived closer, I'd share with you.

Our quilt guild just made over 900 quilts this last year and 350 tops for charity. Our material sources have been donations from churches, friends, members buying from all of the local fabric places, and sometimes businesses. Our guild sends to shelters, fire departments, police, hospitals, nursing homes, families of the military and the VA hospitals.

Fabric must be clean, unscented, and preferably cotton; although poly/cotton blends are ok for the non-hospital locations. Battings are mostly cotton, but poly, fleece and flannel have also been used for the non-hospital destinations.

Best way to get material - ASK! You would be surprised about the number of friends of a friend who don't sew any more, are moving, just passed away, etc who want their stash to go to a good home, and knowing it is going to a charity really makes the donors and their families happy.

Good luck on your search and let us know what you wind up doing. There are a lot of really good ideas in this post you can use.

Some Project Linus groups have people who donate fabrics for the blanketeers to utilize in making the charity quilts. Also, some quilt guilds have fabrics donated to them and they put them out for their members to take and make cuddle quilts for charity.

Sorry if this was already posted but search for fabric scraps on ebay. Often they come stuffed with all sorts of bolt ends, pre-cuts, orphans. Etc. I've made out like a bandit on some of these auctions.

Some of the ladies in our guild bring fabrics they don't want to use for their own projects, or when they clean out their stash, and they are free for the taking for use in charity projects.

Goodwill - sheets cost is very low. And you can get king sized (flat), the use on more than one if baby or lap sized. I have also used old prom and formal dresses.

I get some of mine donated by my thrift store, or buy clothes cheap and cut them up, I know a few people that are seamstresses so they will donate alot of fabric to me as well, my local shop also sold me very nice fabric for 1/2 off as well.

I have no shame in asking anyone for help with donating and I have never been turned away...it goes for a great cause...

Do you have a source for bedding mill ends?

Thank you. :)

No I don't. I do have the word out now and hopefully I'll get some donations in the near future. Thanks for all your suggestions.

I use all sorts of cotton from thrift shops for charity quilts. I can find fabric, 100% cotton scrubs (neat patterns for kids), men's shirts, sheets, and baby sets that are cotton. I even bought a quillow for $2.95 and tore it apart for the cotton. It's amazing what you can find at thrift shops if you look for cotton fabric. About a month ago I even found 6 rolls of new, in the package, twin-sized batting for $3.95 a roll. And I have a lot of fun looking for things I can use!

Check with your local Senior Center. I've heard of people leaving off fabric with them for charity quilts.

I do a lot of quilts for charity and here are my best tips.

I let all my sewing buddies know that I am doing charity quilts and they give me their scraps.

Our local Goodwill sells fabrics and I haunt the place.

Fabric stores in my area often affiliate themselves with a charitable group and give discounts for people who sew to benefit that group.

Family and friends give me clothes that they can't donate (perhaps there is a hole that can't be patched) and I use those in addition to fabrics I find along the way.

Good luck.

If your local Walmart has fabric, they will often have fabrics that are very inexpensive - as low as $1.50 yard. I have noticed that the Walmart fabric prices are trending upward, but still good prices.

QFK is really great...they just sent me the first 6 kits for the year along with a note that says their records show that I made 83 for them last year!
I usually include 1 of mine for every 2 of their...great group and easy kits.

:shock: