Using more of my stash for charity
 

With the pillowcase challenge going on this month I've found myself digging out fabric and making some more. All pillowcases must be recieved by October 30th so my time is limited. Having made a lot of Project Linus Quilts I thought I would have more fabric for little boys and young men...not the case. Why do we purchase more fabric that is floral and in little girls colors? Looks like even though I said no to buying more fabric, it looks like a trip to JoAnns is in order tomorrow for airplanes, dinosaurs, sailboats, baseballs etc. At least I'm making room for new fabric by using some of my stash! If I were smart, I'd make a couple of pillowcases each week and stockpile them for next years challenge....after all, it does keep me busy and out of trouble...LOL If you know of a great place to buy childrens fabric on-line that is reasonable, please let me know.

I use most of my fabric saved or bought for donation quilts for foster kids, hospitals, assisted living, treatment centers, etc. I know they are welcomed and used. My kids and grands know they have first choice of any quilt I make and they have enough to last until one of them decides to start quilting for future members. Having four grandboys I have lots of boy fabric. I buy most from online sales at Missouri Star because of low shipping cost. The rest from sales at the local quilt shops.

Maybe fewer of the boy prints because you are a girl? :)

Great that you are making the pillowcases. I'm sure they are going to a good cause.
But don't let the end of a challenge end your productivity!
Not sure where the challenge pillowcases are destined, but there are lots more willing recipients. And more than children have enjoyed special themed pillowcases, too!

A few that have welcomed such donations in other localities, and perhaps would in yours as well?
- hospice homes, children's hospitals, foster children, anywhere that does Christmas baskets for individuals/families, women's shelters, long term care homes, children's daycare centres (for nap time), dialysis/chemo treatment facilities, etc.

Perhaps others will add to the list with those that welcome pillowcase donations in their communities.

Best to check with the organizations first, as to any specs before you make them.
Better to know in advance, than to make some pillowcases that are not welcomed, just because they doesn't meet their policies/requirements.

Congratulations LindaSchipper!! ... keep up this important work!!

I’m not sure that our grown up perception of what is or isn’t a girl or boy quilt holds true, especially in the very young.

I would have wrestled any boy that tried to lay claim to a dinosaur quilt. Mine! Mine! Mine! 😻

A good place to find inexpensive fabric is https://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ they have sale fabric from 3.99 and up. Just click on the fabric tab and it pulls up the Daily Treat yardage as well as other choices. The Daily Treat is from 3.99 up to 7.99 a yard. Right now in the 4.99 a yard, they have whales, dino's, I spy, reef, knights, plus more.

I made a "few" (so I thought), baby/small child quilts for my Great Grandchildren. I am 80 and don't plan to be around for these kiddos if and when they come along. I have 2 Grands in college, 1 in high school and 2 in middle school. One has a serious boyfriend but plans on finishing college before marriage and I think with her mindset she will accomplish that. I thought a way to use up fabric was to make some baby/small quilts with instructions to my daughter where they are and she can gift them for me if and when the Greatgrands come along. I finished one yesterday and put it in my hope chest and then counted what I already have made. Yikes, found I have made 9 altogether. I think I'm good now- what do you think?

A project our local guild has been involved in is making 'reader pillows' . It is a 16' pillow cover with overlapping back to insert a pillow form. A loop handle is on top and a pocket the width of the pillow cover and half the height is placed on the front. Books will be donated to go in the pocket. These will go to the early grade school children. I think something like this is on the internet. Our basic pattern/directions came that way.

One place that seems to have some inexpensive quilting fabric is 4my3boyz.com. I used them a lot when I used to swap I Spy squares.
Hobby Lobby has a decent selection of boys fabrics. They have a 40% off sale on fabric fairly regularly. You can check their ad online. It's a great time to get backing fabrics. Their regular price is $12.99 per yard for 108" fabric. If I calculated correctly, it's $8.80 per yard on sale. It can often be used as a blender. They also have white, which my guild is always running out of. So, it's a good time to pick up a yard or two to donate.
I never seem to buy there, but Marshall's Dy goods has name brand fabric for $7.99 per yard (I'm on their e-mail list). There is usually a good selection of I Spy type fabric. Also, it's been reported here that their own fabric is good quality. It's usually really inexpensive compared to retail.

bkay

Yes, I agree more of girls fabrics tend to be girly. I'm sure guys would pick fabric leaning towards male likes.

Just heard of local quilt need; homeless elementary school age children. There’s thousands of these children in our county. Someone from school has taken a personal interest.