cindyb

Just a little off the subject. What kind of waterproof mattress pad do you use that are not noisy?

quilterpurpledog

Haven't you ever noticed the roll-off bins behind some Goodwill stores? They are there so the employees can pitch in donations that are not worthy of resale-to anyone. Some people donate this kind of unusable stuff just to get a tax write-off. It behooves all of us to donate what is usable-not our trash. I think the organization above needs to take a harder line about what they accept and use. Think how a recipient would feel if given one of these dirty, smelly quilts.

AZ Jane

I volunteer at a Boxer rescue thrift shop once a week. You would be astonished at the trash people donate. For get dirty/dusty. Even used dirty underwear if you can believe it. Even though it is for the dogs and all proceeds go to their care, there is a limit and we do have to pay for the trash we end up throwing away. We are a small shop so have to limit what we can accept, no large appliances, TV's or mattresses, so what do some do, drop it off in front of the shop, sometimes in the parking lot, while we are closed. Now we have to take funds from the dogs to dispose of their crap!! Very frustrating!!

sprice

I volunteer at a used book store (benefits our local library) and we sometimes can't believe the books donated. Moldy, dirty, wet! Yikes! We have concluded that some people just can't bring themselves to throw books away. A lot of books go to a recycler and it does cost us to arrange that. I guess it is the same with some folks and fabric.

luvstoquilt301

I work with a HUGE charity quilting group in Phoenix associated with a church. We get all sorts of weird things people think would be ok in quilts. Families just do not always understand quilts. Seriously---fiberglass curtains? lol

We would never try to wash a top. If it is nasty---we just toss it. That being said we have many many tops waiting for quilting. Our members often make tops and then hope one of the few long arm quilters will quilt them.

Goodwill here sells fabric stuff by the pound to some factory type recycle place. These nasty things get put in a plastic bag and labeled as such.

We have a big presentation program once a year for recipients. I sometimes worry about pet hair and the recipient as they do not require the quilts to be washed before presenting unlike Quilts For Kids.

Onebyone

There is an elderly guild member who took it upon herself to save all the disposable diaper coupons for me when my grandbaby was born. The child is now 3 and she still brings me dozens of coupons every month. I thank her and mention several times the child is now potty trained. She says that's nice and still brings me the coupons. I realized it made her feel good and gave her something to do for someone. I don't use the coupons but she doesn't have to know that. Same with our guild's bad charity donations. The person in charge decides to 'let it go' and no one needs to be the wiser.

Daylesewblessed

I think I should have been more clear in my post. I was referring to my preceding opinions about bad donations. Concerning the task of fixing the afghans donated by the blind lady, I consider "putting the final touches" on her afghans to be a privilege. She has a heart of gold and actually does remarkably good work considering her visual imparity. I treasure her friendship and consider her a role model!

Bobbielinks

I agree with Jeanne S. Soak and dry them before quilting. Always give what you would want to receive.

klswift

I agree that if they are real bad, throw them away. But some people who smoke make quilts and don't realize how they smell. These quilts I would wash in a tub (soak, rinse, re-soak) with a gentle detergent and lay to dry. Sometimes you may need to add some vinegar in the rinse cycle if musty smell. If it doesn't work, then discard them. If the laundering has created some flaws, don't send to a LA. Perhaps you could do some very simple quilting to hold in place and donate to a homeless shelter. I'm sure it will still provide warmth and comfort and the recipient will not care that is doesn't have a super quilting style.

MargeD

I don't understand why someone would go to the trouble of making a charity quilt with dirty fabrics. I belong to the group that prewashes fabrics before making into quilts. I remember back when I used to smoke, and I smoked in my bedroom where I had my sewing machine set up. After I quit, I picked up a cheater panel that my sister had given me and it "reeked of cigarette smoke" - when I quit I really noticed how cigarette smoke had taken over. I washed all the fabric that I had in my bedroom before making anything. I would not make a charity quilt on anything less than I would for my own use or for my family. I would definitely try to wash the dirty quilt, charity quilt or not and I think that if I were a long arm quilter, I would refuse to accept dirty quilts, even if they were willing to pay me to quilt them. That's just me.