I only donate what I would like to receive.

I think I would make a quilt that I would be proud of if my name was on it. it may not be colors or patterns we would want but we would still make something to make ourself or someone else proud of like you say we don't all like the same thing but make something you can put your name on. Good Luck. Sue

I think charity groups should be thankful that people took the time out of their day and supplies to create a nice quilt for whoever it is going to. I agree with others that if it's a difference between someone staying warm or freezing because they have nothing that should be the focus not how it looks. I also agree that it shouldn't be falling apart after the first couple of washes.

When my MIL was going through cancer treatment and on one day when I went with her to get hooked up I saw some of the quilts the local guild had provided. One was made of a lot of very bright and wild prints that I thought wow who came up with that color scheme. And the person in the chair looked at me and said isn't it the most beautiful thing you've seen. She said she loved the colors it's so bright and cheery it's my favorite quilt in the whole room because it makes me smile, when most days I want to cry. It made me rethink how I would make a quilt for them and instead of doing something with the usual pink colors to make a quilt of bright vibrant colors. I don't know if that helps you in your decision or not.

I give quilts that I would like my own grand children to get.

the ugly quilt project is such a great one! our little sewing group meets once a week just to work on these- we've made 17 in the past 5 weeks!
one of the ladies visited the habitat re-store and found a dozen mattress pads, old blankets- when she got to the check out and told the sales gal what they were for she was given the whole lot for 50 cents apiece! we use old ties= make them so warm....it is really cold here-and we have quite a few homeless even though it is a small town area-
i found a place for old (pilled) flannel sheets---they work for liners- they are actually kind of fun to make-
and groups popping up all over the country!
great program!

It seems a lot of church groups use whatever has been donated so they don't have alot of expense. some of the things that are donated don't seem very nice but it is used and sometimes it turns out better than you think.

This is my understanding from the church ladies who make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. LWR does not want pretty quilts, because they prefer that the recipients not resell the quilts. If the quilts are going to a third world country, the goal should be a sturdy, well constructed three layer fabric covering that could be used for several purposes. Tying is better, because it is faster and sturdy.

I think that you have to be clear about which 'charity' you're quilting for, before you decide what the standard should be.

When you say a person should be grateful no matter what they receive, you show no compassion at all. Why not just send an army blanket? If you are sending quilts because quilting is your hobby and the charity is a convenient place to unload quickly made hobby quilts, then please have enough compassion to not send a quilt most people would label as ugly- unless ugly is requested.

It sounds to me as if leadership is an issue in this group. If the group and its leader have a clear understanding of the standards of the recipient organization, then decisions can be made as to what supplies to keep.

Leaders can quietly and possibly gradually go through the stash, removing the unsuitable items. And from then on, be at the incoming door when new donations come in, so that they can be sorted through before other people see them.

We must always be understanding of peoples' history and circumstances. There are different possible reasons why people think that "everything" should be used. It could be that they have suffered scarcity in their lives. Other people simply have a need to keep things. And in the case of charity work groups, there may be some inexperienced people who just don't know much about textiles.

It is always a challenge to do charity quilting with a group, but with good leadership, it can be a rewarding experience where people grow in many ways.

Dayle

I would not make an ugly quilt for a child. One time I helped make quilts that were plain janes, but they were not ugly. I was a guest at this group and helped out. They were not the kind I would or have made for charity. When you make an ugly quilt or a plain Jane instead of a cute quilt, I feel you are not doing your best. I do not believe a quilt has to be perfect, but that we should do our best. I guess this a quality versus quantity issue.