When we still had a garment factory in town, double knit pants fabric and lighter weight shirt knit cut-aways were available by the pound at an amazingly cheap price. Double knit quilts and tied comforters graced many clothes lines. These things wore like IRON. I made a couple myself. The point is, these made attractive, durable and very warm coverings. I would use this for charity quilts, if still available, for the qualities of warmth and longevity and not because the fabric was inexpensive.

I shop thrifts for fabric for my own use--what's wrong with using the beautiful L.L. Bean, 100% shower curtain or the 100% cotton tablecloth for charity?

all of my charity quilts are scrappy...some of the fabric is LQS, some not...it is the only way I can do charity quilts...I would not be working with that guild, sorry.

As President of the local guild I would be ashamed to tell people they had to shop at a certain store. Two things I ask when we do charity quilts 1.) charity doesn't mean ugly and 2.) if you can see through it, it won't last. I like to quilt for my local chapter of Quilt for Kids and alot of my fabric comes from WalMart and JoAnns because they always have a large selection of novelty fabric. That doesn't mean I don't use fabric from my LQS. I use whatever looks good together.

I am chair of out guild's charity quilt committee. We use whatever is donated to us. Some of the ladies use fabrics from their own stash and the fabric choice is up to them. I make up kits for members to take and make up from the donated fabrics. The only donated fabrics no one wants to use are the polyester double knits so I take those to the thrift store.
Remember the quilting tradition is to "use what you have available".

If they aren't paying for the fabric, they have no right to dictate. I use whatever I have, buy at local retailers, thrift shops and have been know to use shirts bought at church sales when you can stuff a bag for $2 and the fabric is decent, etc.

That thought definitely crossed my mind as well.

Our guild does not tell us where to buy fabric. Many rimes I get fabroc from Hancocks o they encourage us to use fanricfom the donation table which is what others dont want and what people have given us and sometimes you can get some really good stuff that you just may have to think what you would like to do with it as far as a pattern.

When times as tough, we need to make choices that are right to us. You make your own judgement, however, guilds should not be tellling people where to shop! If you are uncomfortable with this guild perhaps you could find another or you and some friends could get together and sew quilts for charity - they will be so welcome!

I wouldn't make quilts for that quild for charity. I buy my fabrics for charity quilts where I get the best deal. I can't afford to do anything different.

Is it possible that at the LQS if you say you belong to "such and such guild" they give you a discount for the fabrics for the charity quilt? Or they have kits made up for a certain pattern for the guild to use as a charity quilt? Or have scraps bagged up for you to use? This would be the only reason for going to a specific place.
My guild has a LQS owner in it, and she has had offerings to the guild at times.
Otherwise, I'm like the others. I don't like being told how much to spend to give to charity.

I get fabric wherever the price and quality blend to make a "good valued" fabric. One year it was at eleanor burns tent sale in Paducah. With the daily sales and coupons, at the tent sale we could get fantastic fabric for around $3.75 a yard. I also enjoy hunting down auctions, garage sales, estate sales with cotton of fabrics. I tend to look for fabrics that once were sold at a good fabric store and usually pay around $2 per yard or less at these types of sources.

Our guild is usually swamped with donated fabric from fellow quilters and from the estates of fellow quilters.

I would NOT make quilts for a source that mandates where to buy fabric for charity quilts. I think someone has an issue and perhaps they have gotten some that are old, worn or poly????

My little guild supplies the fabrics for our charity quilts. We have fabrics donated from manufacturers and individuals. We obtain grants to purchase fabric (usually at JoAnn's with a coupon). If someone(s) placed such a restriction on me, I would be looking for a new guild. Do not feel pressured. If you wish to remain with your guild and participate in the charity quilts, make your quilts with whatever materials you have. If they do not accept your quilts, then donate them yourself.

I've been "stocking up" on fabric for charity quilts and will be making some when my life calms down a little. I buy at the LQS but only buy from the discount room at half price.

forgive me, but what does lqs mean?

Sad they put such a discouraging rule. Times are tough and not everyone can afford to buy it. In my eyes most real charities are happy to get what ever they can get, and home made quilts, lucky! It's about the love that goes in, not the COST!...

I go to Hobby Lobby. They always have 30% off on selected fabric, and then there is the "clearance" table with fabric for $3.00 and $4.00. I am trying to use up my stash, so I cut and piece my backs; especially for chldrens quilts and wall hangings. I might add,I try my best to buy USA, but it's pretty darn hard to find. Even the quilt shops have very little USA. Sad. GiGi

the fabric I use for charity quilts is mostly scraps or donated fabric.....I can't afford to purchase everything for a charity quilt....I also use thin blankets for batting and sheets for the backing.....basically whatever I can find that will work....quilt shop quality fabrics are reserved for my quilts.....the recipient of a charity quilt does not care what store the fabric is purchased.....they just want to be warm and comforted

what she said !!!!!

also i make quite a few charity quilts and always from leftovers from my quilting or my friends quilting or fabrics donated to the guild from the estate of guildmembers who have passed on..................I think in quilt heaven there may be unlimited fabric, every kind of DSM, and long arm machines for everyone !

Mostly I use fabric scraps for the charity I make quilts for. If I need additional fabric, I try to wait until there's a sale somewhere. I've been making charity quilts for almost three years, and so far no one has refused them or turned them down. Most places are thrilled with what I make. I'd make quilts for a place that appreciates them, and in return I'd also feel good about making them.

local quilt shop/store

I try to buy quality fabric, but I watch for it on sale. I like Hobby Lobby for my backings. They always have a 30% discount and they have their "clearance" table that has $6.99 and $7.99 for $3.00 and $4.00. I try my best to buy USA, but it's pretty darn hard to find any. Even the quilting shops have very little. I sometimes cut and piece my backings, just to use up my stash. I can understand the guild wanting you use quality material; especially for the children in the hospital. However, they should never dictate where you should buy your material. GiGi

A friend of mine told me that someone donated fiberglass curtains to her church quilting quild for making quilts.

The request may have been to avoid getting something like that.

(I do cringe when I think of some of the scraps I donated to a quilting project before I knew any better - many many years ago - "blush" )

I've been quilting for many years but don't know what LQS stands for. Can you tell me?

LQS = Local Quilt Store

Neither would I. Our guild furnishes the fabric & batting for charity quilts. The fabric is donated by other members but they buy the batting.

cozyhome
 

I am a former LQS owner and when we made shop samples and had scraps from classes I would put them into a bin. I had two ladies that came and took every piece. even the 1 inch strips and small two inch pieces. They would coordinate the colors and make the most beautiful scrap quilts. Most were baby or lap size. Then another customer that had just purchased a Tin Lizzie and needed practice quilted them. All were given to local charities. Why don't you ask your local shop if they would be willing to do the same?

Charity quilts are just that , it is a great way to use fabric left overs and try new patterns. I have done scrap quilts that have turned out beautiful. Seems like you experienced some snobbery.

Charity quilts can be made very beautiful from scraps and a great place to try new patterns.

I would make quilts for Project Linus or local nursing homes instead of for that guild. Buy what you can afford. There are charities that will be glad to get your quilts.

Exactly! As long as the fabric is "decent" it should be totally up to you! I think I'd find someplace else to donate my work! There are PLENTY of places that would be more than happy to get it!

My guild is making quilts for returning military as our quilting day event. I ordered (with guild money)53 yards of fabrics in reds, off-whites, and blues for the event from Thousands of Bolts. The fabric came today, and it is beautiful. Half of those yards are for backs.

What would the charity receiving the donation do? Turn it down, I don't think so. Seriously, charity quilts can be made out of any fabric, preferably fabric on hand, that needs to be used up. Our guild will happily take any quilt that is donated. I don't waste my time sewing of fabric you can see through, but I have found some awfully good deals on good fabric. All you have to do is keep your eyes open and look around. Our LQS has a flat fold table, and I find pieces there that I have paid $10 a yard for 1.99 - 2.50 a yard. If it passes my touch test, I buy it.

Our guild also uses whatever fabric we can get, and much of it is donated by our generous members. Most of it that I've seen is nice quality - just stuff that someone had left over or decided they couldn't use. I can understand the notion that it is not nice to give less than decent quality, but there are many lesser fabrics that would serve the purpose of keeping someone warm. Some charities, I read on this board recently, actually encourage the donation of ugly quilts because, sadly, homeless people may be victimized by thieves if the quilt looks like something that might be sold for drug money.

I'm a little concerned that if a guild is tax exempt as a charity, perhaps it is not even ethical to promote certain businesses over some others. I'm not saying that can't make rules about the quality of fabric, but when it comes to where you should or should not buy it, that does not seem right, IMO.

If your guild's rules are not to your liking, perhaps you could organize a small group to do as you prefer. Someone will be happy to have whatever quilts you make.

The guild sounds a bit snooty to me! I have quillows that were made years ago and have been washed with towels or whatever and they are made of fabric from JoAnn's and such. They hold up just fine.

I purchase every where including Walmart, online and LQS. Just besure to check the quality of the fabric no matter where it is purchased or bought.

Charity options
 

You can still do charity quilts but just don't give them through your guild. I often do charity projects and give them directly. Anyone will have a hard time telling me to do anything let alone where to shop. It may be my first born status or my Aries sign, but I'm hard to bully. Stand up for yourself, do your own thing, give - but on your terms.
Happy quilting.

I only buy fabric for my charity quilts when I am unable to match to what I am using or just need a little something to give the quilt a lift. I belong to a group with 5 other wonderful ladies who make comfort quilts for kids and when the word got out that this is what we were doing we were inundated with donated fabric and so far we have made many quilts using this. Without the donated fabrics I would not be able to make as many as I currently am doing so.

My guild accepts any and all fabric-as long as it is 100% cotton! I would not participate if I was told where I had to purchase fabric.

I would think charity quilts would be a great way to use up my stash!