First of all, I'm my own boss when I make charity quilts. I make them how I want and out of whatever I want and give them to whomever I want.

NOW-----------most of my fabric is stuff I've inherited. If I need to buy something, I hit the thrift stores first, then fabric stores.

I tried to do for a "group"one time, too many rules and to top it off--------midstream, the rules changed.

Two of my favorite pieces of fabric used to be a duvet cover that I got for a couple dollars at a rummage sale. NEXT TO BRAND NEW.

I shop a lot of Thrift Stores, yard sales and estate sales. I've found wonderful fabrics at all three, and of course, lots of not-so-wonderful stuff. It's up to me to pick and choose the good stuff, and I really have found some wonderful fabrics. Most of it I would use in a Charity Quilt, as long as it was in "like new" condition. A lot of the stuff I've gotten is still on the bolt or in the original package, especially at estate sales. I shop the Quilting Stores when I just can't find the fabric I want in my stash, and I want good quality.

There is no way any organization would tell me where to buy my fabrics. That would be like telling me I don't know how to do my craft properly. A real slap in the face. That would be the end of my affiliation with them! They can foist their fabric snobbery on someone else!

Just my opinion, of course.

I'm just throwing out a thought. Where I live the quilt guilds get a discount on fabric at the local quilt shops. Sometimes arrangements are made with the owners for an extra special discount. Also, flat fold fabric ranges from $1.97 to $3.99 per yard all the time. They are not seconds, just discounted. Just a thought.

i make most of my donation quilts out of my stash- so they are made from lqs fabrics---just not necessarily (new) fabrics- i use up scraps- so i have already made quilts with the fabrics-and continue to use the fabrics up. i would not go buy (lesser quality) fabrics for any quilt it does not make any difference to me who the quilt is for- my mother or challenge mountain---i use the same fabrics- i just use up the scraps that are left over. i have to wonder----would (those people) in your guild really have any idea where your fabric came from- unless you told them??? i kind of doubt it...buy your fabric from where you want- and just don't tell them where it came from- if they do not want your donation quilts there are TONS of organizations that will happily accept them.

I also agree that I would would not make charity quilts for that guild. How about some of the other charitable organizations that welcome you with no requirement to buy from a certain store.

I'm like most everyone else and buy my fabric where I can.

My quilt guild doesn't demand that we buy at the LQSs, but it does encourage us to shop at them when we can just for the support of the stores and because they often donate door prizes for our meetings.

wow - what a hot subject i picked huh? i emailed someone who was sitting near me to get her take on the whole situation. i wasn't sure if i heard or took it correctly. if the guild was going to purchase fabric for the quilts i understand why we would want to use a certain vendor (because she has been EXTREMELY generous so far! I cannot say enough good things about this vendor) but my friend also took it the same way i did. so i guess i won't be making any quilts for them unless they provide the materiall (which they have in the past). Part of me wants to take a quilt top i made years ago that i haven't had the time to finish for a ufo contest they have going. i personally think the quilt top is nice - it is the first one i did- and yes everything was purchased at joann's for it.

We buy where ever we find a good price. Not all inexpensive fabric is poor quality.

There will always be fabric snobs. I make at least 20 Linus quilts a month and I will confess that most of the fabric comes from Joanns. I make sure it is 100% cotton and I like to feel anything I purchase. If it is stiff or course no matter what the price I don't buy it. I also like to use flannel on the backs of my Linus quilts as it makes it cuddley and less slippery. I am basically a handquilter but always simply machine quilt for Linus as the general public doesn't know how to care for handwork. If the child is in the hospital the quilt will go through the institution's commercial laundry at some point. The employees at our local Joanns know I am the queen of end of the bolts. Just a few weeks ago I spent $60 on clearance fabrics that will make at least twenty tops. I always use my coupons etc. Why spend $50 on one quilt when you can make 15 children happy for the same price.