It's also nice just to have a few throw sized quilts on hand. They make nice gifts for friends & family who suddenly become ill or just in need of a hug, and it's always nice to have a couple baby quilts so you are not in a last minute situation the day before the shower. I personally don't stress if the quilt doesn't match the baby's room!

I donate through my guild - even if you're too far away from a guild to join up, you can probably email the local one and get a list of charities. Some charities have specific needs/wants for the quilt construction, others will take whatever they can get.

Charities for women & children go through a lot of quilts, and some animal shelters will take them too.

Our guild had a speaker come in recently from the local women's shelter that we donate to, and by the time she was done telling us how much these quilts matter to these women there wasn't a dry eye in the room!! So it's really sweet of you to think to sew and donate quilts with your inheritance, I'm sure your aunt is beaming with pride and joy wherever she is. :)

Welcome, so glad you joined us. As far as what to do with your inheritance, there are many organizations that would love to receive lap quilts, 99% of my quilts are donated to kids with cancer or some other nasty disease, I also make 2 quilts a year to our local Humane Society as fund raisers. I also live in an isolated area, so when I go where the kids hospital is, I take a pile of them with me and deliver them. The kids and parents are always thrilled to get their own quilt. As for selling, most people don't have a clue about the expense and work that goes into a quilt, since they can get the whole bed "set" at WalMart, KMart, Target for under $100, they figure that only the quilt should be much less, since they're not getting the "set", people don't want to pay much at all, people who KNOW what goes into making a quilt are much more liable to pay the price.

I would love to make quilts for our local nursing home, but after checking with them, they told me that when the resident passes, that if their family doesn't want the quilt, they toss it in the garbage. I asked them why, since they wouldn't be made with a specific person in mind, they said that's their policy, so needless to say, I won't be donating any quilts to them.

I also live in "podunkville" but I've discovered that there's always somebody around who can use a quilt. It may be a family member, it may be a friend, it may be someone I don't know very well, or even someone who's a friend of a friend. But it's really nice to have some on hand that are done or nearly done when the occasion arises.
So go ahead and make those quilts to your hearts content, a recipient will show up when you least expect it!

And you can make pillowcases for charities as well. Quicker but still appreciated.

I agree with you, your aunt would be pleased to see you using what she left you. What to do with the creations is a good question... I haven't really been seriously into this too long. Bought my own machine just 1-1/2 years ago. But I have been keeping busy since then.

I found Quilts or Kids and I love that organization and I get a lot of practice making those quilts. Quilts for Kids sends me the kits for free (I have to pay postage to my house and to return the completed quilts). All I have to provide is my time, thread and batting - the fabric and pattern is shipped free of charge.

I have made some quilts for my family... and I will probably keep making them.

I enjoy making charity quilts for others. It depends on what you would like to do. There are local Linus groups that make quilts for children. There are disaster charity groups that will take anything such as fabric, blocks or quilt tops and make them ready for the next disaster to hit our country. I am a member of the local church's group of sewers which I do enjoy going to their meetings twice a month. Good Luck in your search.

There are many things you could make using quilting skills other than quilts. I take ready made dishtowels and put patchwork strips on them, same could be done with bath towels. I did Seminole patchwork and put a border on a top sheet and pillowcases as a gift for Christmas. Mug rugs and potholders are always needed. Pick your favorite quilt block and make that the basis for a pot holder. I helped someone make a quilted tea cozy for a tea pot. Placemats are another idea. I use quilts for table cloths (not when serving spaghetti or small children!). Pillow covers are another way to use quilting skills. There are other ideas I'm sure.

I agree with paper princess. I wish I had a few quilts in reserve. I'm still new to quilting and when a friend became ill or another had a baby, I had none to give and not enough time to make one. Keep a couple extras for just those emergencies when you know a quilt will soothe.

Gave away a few, but now I'm quilting just for me. I don't know when I'll have enough, I'm always thinking of anothe project.