alleyoop1

My Bee did pillowcases for a children's hospital, little dresses for Africa and a Linus quilt. I think the pillowcases were the most enjoyable because they could be stitched up quickly so we were able to make more and they went to a local hospital so it was almost like making them for our own loved ones.

QuiltNama

Our local women's shelters, nursing homes (small lap quilts and shoulder wraps), and the children's hospitals seem to be where our items were needed the most.

Mariposa

I give to local women's shelter/safe house, and to a Mission place that serves the homeless. Also make smaller items for kids in need in my town. Dresses for Africa too.
Best to you in your new adventure!! And happy sewing!

SueSew

Nan why if you are closing a door on a part of your life, why drag it around like a boat anchor for 'a lifetime'? If it were me I would dump some on ebay, give some to charity, write it off as a tax loss at the end of the year, and turn my face to the sunshine! A lifetime spent making charity quilts sounds a lot like punishing yourself for getting out of your fabric business.

Just sayin ...

Anyway, good luck with the new job and all the best!
sue

momto5

I LA for American Hero Quilts and also do some for Quilts for Kids....and try to give to disasters as needed. Sad to say, I feel like I still don't do enough for all the blessings that have been given to me.

Lori S

How I will miss my trips to your store! It was a huge part of my trips "home" to Buffalo. I loved every single time I entered your store... the shelves of great Hoffman and Kaufman... and the Timeless Treasures fall prints always seems like they were waiting for me to come and discover them. It was a true quilters treasure hunt. I will never forget the time I was there with my Mom and Sisters .. we turned a corner ... and my sister gasped and said " we need a moment to just gaze " as there before us was what looked like the entire Hoffman Christmas collection....we just stood there as if we had just discovered "lost Dutchman's gold".
Your staff was wonderful and kind.. soooo patient when my Mom locked her keys in the car.! You made an impression on me I will always remember a wonderful!
As for charity quilts , Pick a cause maybe every year, or what ever fits your "production schedule" that will do a raffle of your work , as cash is so desperately needed and is the most versatile. Consider making some raffle baskets of fabrics for when they have auctions... many organizations have annual events where local's give baskets to be raffled.

Elise1

I love to give quilts to the charities that have a personal connection to a member of my family. I donated quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative in memory of my mother and grandfather, (AAQI is no longer accepting quilts).

I also donate a quilt every year to be raffled by the local autism group that has provided so much help to my son.

bettysew

I direct a group that makes charity quilts that we give locally. We give to many organizations in our town, Hospice, Women's shelter, Battered Women and children's shelter, Pregnancy crisis center and the children's home run by Child Protective Services, and the homeless mission. We love helping out locally.

Favorite Fabrics

Oh my, Sue, I think you've just cut right straight through to the heart of the matter!

You've just saved me at least six months of soul searching.

Are you a counselor? You should charge for such good advice and accurate analysis!

I think that I actually *am* punishing myself for closing the business - or for having to say goodbye to my wonderful staff.

Though... three of them got even better jobs, and one retired early to become a full-time writer (which is what she's always wanted to do). Another just got hired at a local sewing store.

Maybe I should forgive myself for choosing the path that, in the end, gives me a better quality of life... why is that so hard?

GEMRM

While I will miss my trips to your store, it sounds like it's all turning out smoothly for everyone, so relax, don't sweat the changes and don't make a decision about what to do with the fabric in a hurry - at the right time, the right decision will come to you.
Good luck in the future,
GEMRM