charity quilters - dirty fabrics/flimsies, what do you do?
01-30-2016, 06:41 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
Mold can indeed be very ,very dangerous. Throw it away. Smoky smell is gross, hard to get rid of, and can also set off some terrible asthmatic attacks. Throw it away. Charity, by definition, is LOVE, but is giving something MOLDY to ANYONE (to fix, wash ,or use) a loving thing??? Smokers can't usually tell how bad fabric smells; they've become desensitized. But I get nauseated by it. My cousin can be hospitalized if she accidentally inhales second hand smoke.
As for dirty, that could range from slightly dusty to downright disgusting . Giving something dirty (regardless) is also NOT charitable (unloving). I would think about how the recipient would feel to receive anything that even hinted of gross, dirty, stained, or smelly. I hold to my motto that fabric has no feelings, but people do. And for people who have the audacity to "donate" gross looking or smelling things, they either will never know you threw out of their stuff, or if they do, they might learn a lesson. I don't mess around when it comes to this subject.
As for dirty, that could range from slightly dusty to downright disgusting . Giving something dirty (regardless) is also NOT charitable (unloving). I would think about how the recipient would feel to receive anything that even hinted of gross, dirty, stained, or smelly. I hold to my motto that fabric has no feelings, but people do. And for people who have the audacity to "donate" gross looking or smelling things, they either will never know you threw out of their stuff, or if they do, they might learn a lesson. I don't mess around when it comes to this subject.
01-30-2016, 08:06 PM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
so it sounds like you have quilts that have been donated to be quilted and turned over to a charity? I think you need to make a "call" on this--if truly moldy--toss. If they are just smokey/dirty and reasonably well made and your long armer wants to go to the effort, then I would put them into a plastic laundry basket and into the bath tub with a quilting soap and dip up and down, rinse,etc--all in the basket. And then lay them out flat to dry (probably do a little blocking at this point if needed) before quilting. If still smokey smelling, then bag with an opened bar of Irish Spring soap. But as a long arm quilter, I must say that sometimes quilts come my way to "quilt up for charity" that I'd rather not because of the way it's made, time needed, donation of my time and bat/backing materials, etc. So if these are being prepped for a long armer please consult with them too!
01-30-2016, 08:49 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Upper Michigan
Posts: 8,248
This is a common problem. There can be other issues, such as items which are badly constructed or need repairs. These things all take time to resolve, and for me, they take a toll on my psychological well-being. My project right now is to inspect and "fix" several dozen double fleece tied fringe blankets donated for children. None have square knots, none have the layers stitched together at any point, most have not trimmed the selvages off, and a few have pet hair on them.
I think that each group leader needs to make a decision as to what is worth spending the time on and what isn't. Although most quilts, blankets, fabric, etc. are donated with wonderful intentions, keep in mind that some things are given in the hopes that "someone can do something with this." If they hadn't found your group to give it to, they would probably have discarded the item, since they didn't want to tackle its "issues".
Education of volunteers and donors is so important, but there are people who are "walk on" one time donors who don't get the message, and face it, there are people whose standards are very low. Do not feel bad if you have to discard donations.
At the risk of sounding heartless, I will tell you that I regularly repair charity afghans made by a sweet blind lady and given to our group.
I think that each group leader needs to make a decision as to what is worth spending the time on and what isn't. Although most quilts, blankets, fabric, etc. are donated with wonderful intentions, keep in mind that some things are given in the hopes that "someone can do something with this." If they hadn't found your group to give it to, they would probably have discarded the item, since they didn't want to tackle its "issues".
Education of volunteers and donors is so important, but there are people who are "walk on" one time donors who don't get the message, and face it, there are people whose standards are very low. Do not feel bad if you have to discard donations.
At the risk of sounding heartless, I will tell you that I regularly repair charity afghans made by a sweet blind lady and given to our group.
01-30-2016, 09:28 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,291
Completely agree. The blind afghan maker gets to do a good deed and feel like she can still contribute, and Paniacs, you take the time to make sure someone will love the afghan. That's what i call a win/win/win.
01-31-2016, 12:56 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,667
Mold can indeed be very ,very dangerous. Throw it away. Smoky smell is gross, hard to get rid of, and can also set off some terrible asthmatic attacks. Throw it away. Charity, by definition, is LOVE, but is giving something MOLDY to ANYONE (to fix, wash ,or use) a loving thing??? Smokers can't usually tell how bad fabric smells; they've become desensitized. But I get nauseated by it. My cousin can be hospitalized if she accidentally inhales second hand smoke.
As for dirty, that could range from slightly dusty to downright disgusting . Giving something dirty (regardless) is also NOT charitable (unloving). I would think about how the recipient would feel to receive anything that even hinted of gross, dirty, stained, or smelly. I hold to my motto that fabric has no feelings, but people do. And for people who have the audacity to "donate" gross looking or smelling things, they either will never know you threw out of their stuff, or if they do, they might learn a lesson. I don't mess around when it comes to this subject.
As for dirty, that could range from slightly dusty to downright disgusting . Giving something dirty (regardless) is also NOT charitable (unloving). I would think about how the recipient would feel to receive anything that even hinted of gross, dirty, stained, or smelly. I hold to my motto that fabric has no feelings, but people do. And for people who have the audacity to "donate" gross looking or smelling things, they either will never know you threw out of their stuff, or if they do, they might learn a lesson. I don't mess around when it comes to this subject.
Absolutely agree!
Daylesewblessed,
I don't think you sound heartless at all..quite the opposite actually. The lady who is visually impaired is doing the best she can. You're just adding some love to her afghans. I see this as a totally different deal.
Regards all,
Kif
01-31-2016, 04:10 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,866
I discovered a very old quilt that was so dirty that, while I feared it might disintegrate, it needed laundering. I prepared my washer just as though I was going to do a load and then put the quilt into the soapy water by hand and pushed it down repeatedly to get it clean, let it soak. When I thought it had been long enough, I put it through the spin cycle, filled with rinse water and repeated the hand "agitation" as though it had been in the sink or tub and again through the spin. I can never get enough water out of things doing them only by hand and this way the piece was not being wrung out. Put an old sheet on the lawn and spread the flimsy on that to dry. This will help keep the shape and lessen the stress on the unstable quilt. If it is musty smelling, put some vinegar in the wash water. See how it comes out before you toss it. Somebody used a lot of time and love creating this and the person who donated is hoping someone can make use of it.
01-31-2016, 04:12 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,061
I would carefully wash all but the moldy ones. The mold can be dangerous and has to go. Then someone could tie some of them and donate them to an animal shelter of give them as incentive to adopt an animal. Even if the workmanship is not good or there might be a small stain the shelter would be glad to get them and they are still going to charity.
01-31-2016, 05:05 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
It depends on how bad the mold is. Before tossing, put it into the washer with bleach. Yes, chlorine bleach. Some of the fabrics may fade some, but usually not. And usually the mold and its stains are GONE. And it smells better, too. This would work with smoke smell, also.
01-31-2016, 05:33 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,999
I agree with you Tessagain. Plus all my quilts are gifts so I wash/dry them before I give them to the recipent whether its for charity or someone I know. I try to think how I would like to receive it and do the same to those who receive.
After my stepfather died I was helping my mother declutter her house and I was appalled at what she wanted to take down to the Salvation Army. I told her I wouldn't be a part of the "crap" she wanted to take down there. Told her to put it to the curb for the trash man instead of having someone do it for her.
After my stepfather died I was helping my mother declutter her house and I was appalled at what she wanted to take down to the Salvation Army. I told her I wouldn't be a part of the "crap" she wanted to take down there. Told her to put it to the curb for the trash man instead of having someone do it for her.
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