If you’re looking for a good cause to support this summer, consider volunteering your time and resources to Quilts for Kids. Their charity uses discontinued and donated fabric, along with the talents of volunteer quilters, to make quilts that will be donated to children who have been hospitalized due to serious illnesses.
There are several ways you can help out! First off, if you’re a quilter, use kid-friendly fabric from your stash to make a quilt to donate. The only requirements are:
- The quilt should measure 38”-40” x 45”-46” and must be machine pieced
- No rag quilts, fleece, low-quality flannel or hand-tied quilts (to avoid health and choking hazards)
- Use low-loft batting, and makes sure that the quilt top is heavily quilted to stand up to frequent hospital washings.
If you don’t have a lot of kid-friendly fabric in your stash, you can request a quilt kit online at http://www.quiltforkids.org/, or through your local Quilts for Kids chapter. Each kit contains enough fabric for the quilt top and backing – you just provide the batting. They do request that you return your completed quilt within 4-6 weeks of receiving the kit, and that you send at least one additional quilt with the kit-quilt, but this would be a great project to work on with your local quilt guild or sewing circle!
If you don’t have the time to finish a quilt this summer, consider making a cash donation, or even sending in some of your un-used, brightly colored, kid-friendly fabric to be used in kits. Remember – all donations are tax deductible!!
To volunteer, or to learn more about this great organization, visit their website at http://www.quiltforkids.org/, or contact them at info@quiltsforkids.org. Your donation will touch the hearts of children and families around the world!
