What's in a name?
 

Recently our church quilting bee got to talking and decided to change the name "charity" quilt to "comfort" quilt. The word comfort defines the intention of the quilt.

I love that idea! I never use the term "charity quilt" because I don't like the way it sounds, but was never happy with a substitution. This is a great one.

Our guild did the same thing several years ago. It sounded strange to me at first, but I got used to it, and it does define the intention of the quilt. I like that terminology now.

I have not, however, got used to calling our raffle quilt a "donation quilt." Somehow it was decided that here in Texas we couldn't call a raffle quilt a raffle quilt. I think whoever started this idea is just mistaken....but we have called it a "donation quilt" now for at least two years.

Dina

I guess it makes sense but I think coming up with various names for the same thing can be so confusing. I still don't know why some quilters call their quilt tops flimsy (weak, thin, and fragile things). Call me an old dog that can't seem to learn these new tricks.

My group calls our give away quilts donation quilts.

I like that idea. A group near here makes what then call "ugly quilts" for the homeless. I always thought that was such a terrible name. Words do have intentions and who would want to give an "ugly" quilt to anyone? I like the name comfort quilts. That works.

I have belonged to guilds that used the term comfort quilts, and I think that is fine. I do wonder, though, when the word charity became so unpopular.

We've always called ours Community Quilts

Alabama has the same rule, no raffles. We call ours "Opportunity Quilt" and sell tickets just like a raffle with a drawing.

I think that many might think of "charity" as something unwanted but the word its self is good. Charity means ..kindness, compassion, good will, generosity, humanity and other great virtues.

For many years I worked with a world relief organization that collects quilts and comforters to send to refugee and victims of disasters. Sometimes quilts would arrive that were not well made and ugly and they would be taken out and not be sent because when you give, you give with love and compassion and because their motto is "in the name of Christ.

I am in Texas and we still say raffle quilt

Some guilds have been using the name "comfort quilt" for quite a while. When you give one to someone in chemo, for instance, they don't want to fell like a charity case!

I like the term comfort quilts however when I hear it, I think of someone sufferring from a terminal illness. Not sure it is important to find a word to describe your project. I would just call them quilts of love.

Our guild calls the raffle quilt an opportunity quilt. The reason we can't call them raffle quilts is because it is illegal to gamble in the state of Tennessee, but we have a state lottery. Double standards, I think so.

I can't wrap my brain around "comfort" quilt. That sounds like something I would make my granddaughter.

I don't see anything wrong with "charity" quilt. It describes a quilt that is being donated... not made for a loved one... there is no confusion.

I think the word "Charity" can take on a different meaning. Some quilts should be used for "dog beds" instead of giving to those in need. If a quilt does not live up to our standards before gifting it, it should not be given to "Charity". I like the word "Comfort Quilts" also.

Love this idea. Not all people needing or receiving a quilt, want to feel like a person in need. They may very well be in that situation, but they do not want to feel that way. The word "charity" has a different meaning for them, than it does to the one gifting the quilt.

The word 'charity' means LOVE. When did that become a derrogatory word?

Which of the ideas here do you love? I've seen several that I like.

I like that....Opportunity Quilt. Wonder if my guild would like that. Thanks.

Dina

Hmmmm....I suspected that might be the case, that we had been misinformed.

Dina

I like Love Quilt since we make them with love to give to someone who needs some love and care.

My "ugly" quilts go to the animal shelters. If I use scraps it's large scraps. Too easy to rip the other ones open. I was about to throw a old nightgown away and thought I'll just sew it together and basically made a whole quilt. It's a 2x so it was good size. You could call it a 15 minute quilt because that's about how long it took to stitch it up. Birthed it with DH's old under shirts for batting.

Not sure you have been misinformed. Someone in our guild looked up the laws and now it is called a donation quilt. Although our bi annual quilt show is held in a church and might be something because of that. It has been 2 years since we voted on it so not sure if a law or church related but worth checking into.

Love it. 'Charity quilt' sounds so Victorian, as in'we're making charity quilts for the foundling home' 😔. I will use comfort quilts forever more.

I like community quilt for the giveaways within a community, that just doesn't have any negative connotations for me no matter how I slice it. And opportunity quilt for the raffle quilts sounds nice although ours is still called raffle quilt.

The problem with a 'raffle' quilt may be a legal thing. I know that is the case here in california. A raffle infers gambling and as such comes under a whole set of rules. If your group is a non profit organization, there are very strict rules about gambling. One of the ways to get around it is to 'donate' the prizes and 'suggest' a cost of donations (tickets). I know it seems very complex for a simple thing, but it only takes one person to call in a complaint and your organization can be in a lot of trouble. We have experienced this with scouts, with PTAs and even a band organization that was fundraising for uniforms!!!