I just ordered a kit from Downy. I heard about it on this board a few months back. Since I'm new to quilting, I was a little intimidated by their request for LOTS of quilting. Recently, I've done a little more FMQ and I had a brain fart last night that a Downy quilt would be a great way to practice! I'm looking forward to receiving my kit. Just thought I'd mention it for those of you who, like me, still have a lot to learn. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here is the link:

http://www.quiltsforkids.org/news/4/...ip-with-downy/

I ordered by first downy quilt a couple of days ago. I have only been piecing for a couple of months.

I was also leary about committing to this, but it such a worthy cause. I just hope I can make it nice enough.

Never done any FMQ so this will be a learning experience. I plan on quilting by making diagonal lines or SITD.

Good luck on your quilt and with mine two more children will be happy.

My thought too was how to do the actual 'quilting' on it...The quilts I've done for myself and to give as gifts, I've had quilted by a "professional". This weekend I went to a Project Linus quilt day...what a blast..we only had to do the tops tho. The stories they told about some of the recipients of the quilts made me teary....what great causes!
Melinda

I ordered one right after I got a long arm and have now done two. Great way to practice my pantographs.

After reading your thread, I went to the link and also ordered my first Downy quilt.
Thanks

I ordered one last week... I can't wait for it to arrive, which should be tomorrow. I am so excited. I love doing things for others.

I just received my first quilt kit.I kept seeing posts about everyones Downy quilt. Had to find out what they were talking about. The fabrics in the kit are really of a nice quality. The pattern is easy and shouldn't be too hard to quilt for those of us who don't do fmq or have a long arm.I plan to sew x's in the blocks and sid. That should meet their qualifications. All they ask is that you also include a quilt made from your own fabrics. That shouldn't be too hard for anyone. We all have large stash of fabrics. Have fun with yours. The print on my fabric is boys on skateboards. I have to come up with a good name for the quilt. Any ideas? Thought I would ask my 10 yr old GS for an idea.

Sunflower, I'm glad you mentioned that they want us to include a quilt with our own fabrics. I didn't see that part. I was planning to see how much shipping is and then make a donation of that amount. Making another quilt is a bonus!

As for the quilting, I've done SITD and also just a diagonal grid. Both of those have worked out. I'm hoping to try something a little more difficult without totally wrecking it.

As for the skateboards, I'm getting a 10-year-old will have lots of ideas. Isn't there something the kids say when they skateboard like "Awesome!" or "Radical Dude!" or "Kowabunga!" Just kidding. A 10-year-old will definitely have the lingo.

Do the kids get to keep the quilt to take home?

I too followed your link and ordered a kit! I have been wanting to order for quite awhile, but could never get myself to do so. I have enough projects to last me a lifetime without adding another. But, It is for such a good cause!

You know, I wondered about that too, because they specifically ask for lots of quilting so that the quilt can withstand many washings. Also, they specifically do not allow tied quilts because they can be a choking hazard. Still, there are some testimonials that indicate that at least some of the kids have taken them home. Could be that they are washed by the hospital before they are put into use. It would seem mean to me to give a kid a quilt and then take it away from them when they leave.

A friend of mine makes quilts for a neonatal unit of a women's hospital in Pittsburgh,PA. They are given to the preemies and they can be taken home when discharged. However she said that they are constantly being washed if a blanket so much as touches the floor. She had a granddaughter in the unit for several months last year. I believe they had to take the quilt home themselves and wash it but I'm sure that varies depending on the hospital.

That makes sense. I'm sure they must take the quilts home.

I didn't see where they wanted you to make a second quilt. Where did you see that? In the kit?

:?:

If it's on the website, can you point it out? I have no center vision, so I kind of skim over the words. I can only see 3 letters at a time. That must have been in the blind spot.

I just went to Joanne's today, I would have bought more material.

:thumbup:

I just got my kit today. I also got the boys on skateboards fabric. On the papers that come with the kit it says for donating a quilt of your own the size should be 38"x46" and they will sew on the label when they receive the quilt. It doesn't say you HAVE to or anything, but who wouldn't want to for such a good cause. Can't wait to start mine.

Saturday at the Project Linus quilt day I went to, we were told that the quilts they give to seriously ill kids are theirs to keep. The sad part was if they baby happened to pass away, they leave it up to the parents, some want the quilt buried with the baby, orthers take it home for comfort.
Again..both are great causes!
Melinda

If anyone is hesitant to do this because you feel like your work may not be up to par, look at it this way.... A child will not judge your seams or quilting lines. It will be cheerful and make them happy to recieve a happy quilt. Nobody is perfect & we all just try our best. I marked my quilting lines before I sandwiched the quilt & they turned out pretty straight. Did it on my Bernina. Good Luck & have fun.

Thanks, Gramof6. That's very good advice.

I just ordered 3. I sure hope I can quilt them, I have never done one by machine.

If nothing else, you can just do a straight line grid. It looks better than you might think and it's very easy and forgiving.

thanks, I may try that.

They are so much fun.