Project Liinus in Thrift Store
 

Yesterday while out and about I had time to kill so I stopped in Salvation Army just to look around. Checking out the linens for anything I could use as a quilt backing I spied a cute little girls quilt. Pinks with BEAUTIFUL machine quilting. I was then shocked to see a Project Linus tag sewn to the backside of it. Why would a parent give it away? Didn't the child want to snuggle with it? It wasn't to the parents liking? Had the child out grown it? It wasn't worn, torn or tatered. In all the quilts I've sewn for this organization I never once considered one ending up in a thrift shop. I'm still mystified....and a little heart-broken.

child probably outgrew it. Donating to thrifts is another way of playing it forward.

I think when you give a gift, you always have to be prepared for the possibility that the recipient won’t like it or won’t use it. Yes, it can break you heart, but you are obviously someone whose heart is so big, that you will still have plenty left to give.

Have been admiring your wonderful quilts !

Perhaps , worst case scenario something happened in the home and the Project Linus quilt was a painful reminder.

Other Ideas , 💡 Quilters

There could be many reasons. I see quilts in thrift stores, some seem almost new. I don't see anything wrong in quilts being given to thrift stores. I'd rather a quilt be available to be taken to new home then disposed of.

A very kind and thoughtful attitude!

For whatever reason the quilt landed in the thrift it's better than being used as a dog bed. Another little girl will get to enjoy it now.

I donate a lot of quilts. When they leave my home I let go. I have high hopes they will be loved and used.

I've picked up a few quilts from thrift stores. I look for a label, but none are on them. I've got 2 receiving blankets but it's more or less as a guide for me when I decide to Subscribe make one. I like to duplicate patterns if it calls out to me.

I've read about people who find a quilt with a label in a quilt store, hunt down the family, and return it to them. I dread that happening to me some day. I don't want the quilt back and I don't want to know that's where it was found.

My first thought about this Project Linus quilt is maybe the child died, or was adopted, and the family decided to pass the quilt on to someone else because of the memories attached to it.

[QUOTE=Peckish;8558459]I've read about people who find a quilt with a label in a quilt store, hunt down the family, and return it to them. I dread that happening to me some day. I don't want the quilt back and I don't want to know that's where it was found.
/QUOTE]

This one of the reasons that on my quilt labels that I've made for family, I sign it with (Love Nana and the year) They know who Nana is and if it is handed down, they can pass the word. Otherwise, if given away, I don't have a surprise later from a searcher.

But if it was stolen, the family will want it back. Quite often in a house burglary, a quilt or other bedding item is used to haul out stolen goods.

I would simply use that as an excuse to make another quilt to give to them. 😊

Though we know that our quilts are unique, irreplaceable, priceless works of art, there are those who do not differentiate between them and a mass produced, made in China blanket they can buy in Walmart for $19.99.

And that’s how a Project Linus quilt can end up in a thrift store.

Hopefully, someone who knows it’s true value will recognize the hidden gem that it is, give it a new home, and treat it with the respect it deserves.

Exactly.
If I had a house break in, the last thing I would worry about would be the quilt. Keepsakes are nice and mean a lot, but all the love I put into the quilt that got taken, would be put right back into another. There would be no way to keep every single quilt I have made, including the numerous quilts given to family. That's what memories are for!

Where's the upvote button? This is exactly the situation. It's why so often people who do sell quilts hear "why so expensive? I can get the same for $30 at Walmart."

My son spent a lot of time in hospitals as a child. More than once we saw room mates (or their families) throw a project linus quilt into the trash as they were checking out. Who knows why. Maybe they didn't particularly like it or it had bad memories associated with it. Maybe they had limited space at home. Maybe it was soiled and they didn't want to take home hospital germs. One of the nurses would take them out of the trash, wash them in a laundromat, and donate them to animal shelters, which I think is better than a landfill, but I did wonder how a quilter would feel potentially seeing a quilt they made being used for an animal shelter.

The bottom line is, you have to give a gift and release your sense of control. The recipient will do what they do.

Project Linus quilts are given to children in traumatic situations. I can understand the possible bad memories. The future of quilts I donate to PL doesn't stop me from making them.

Like fishing
 

This is a reminder that quilting for charity is similar to catch and release in fishing. For those of us who have been making charity quilts exclusively long term, we learn early to make and release. We are motivated by the stories we hear like I did from my physical therapist.

Our guild gives a quilt to every pediatric patient in the local hospital. My PT’s four year old had to have surgery. At eight years old he slept with his quilt every night. It went with him if they traveled even. That story alone fuels my commitment.

So sad. I quilt for Project Linus.. and sadly yes, sometimes the quilts are discarded. But the intent is always pure in heart.

I always say a little prayer to release the quilt when I give it. Once given, it is theirs to do what they wish with it. I know that now in my great old age, I sometimes will remember a kindness that I did not recognize at the time it was given. I do sometimes wish that I could back in time and properly thank that person and let them know how much I appreciated it.