Frequently Asked Questions

What are the guidelines for acceptable quilts?

First, thank you for donating your time and energy to make a quilt for a child in need. We truly appreciate our volunteers' efforts to make our mission possible. Please see a list of guidelines for quilts to be donated:

• We ask that quilts be made with new quilting cottons, no 'previously loved' fabrics like shirts or upcycled quilts.
• Fabrics with beloved cartoon characters, bright colors and other juvenile prints are most appreciated.  We are unable to distribute quilts that include any religious, political, or holiday messages. The quilts are distributed randomly to children of many backgrounds all over the country, please keep this in mind when choosing fabrics. 
• Cotton batting is preferred over a poly batting as it will stand up better to hospital washings. Poly fill can shift as it wears out and leave areas uninsulated.
• The quilting pattern you choose should not to leave more than about 2 inches unstitched. The more stitching the more it will stand up to the hospital washings.
• We ask that you pay special attention to the binding stitching. Binding that can lift up and get snagged on wires and tubes can cause issues for a patient. Machine stitching is strongly recommended.
• Additionally, we must pay special attention to not have folds in our quilting. Folds or pockets of fabric are another snagging hazard for patients.
• Please do not use monofiliment thread as it may melt. Cotton threads are preferred. 
• The size of the quilt should match that of our kits, approximately 38" wide x 44" tall.  This 'comfort size' quilt matches the size a majority of recipients require. Since our quilts are distributed those with ages that range from birth to 22 years, smaller or larger quilts are set aside to go to the appropriate recipient, so we happily accept all sizes. 
• The quilt should be washed, free of pet dander and other odors. The quilt should be thoroughly checked for pins and loose threads. These steps allow the quilts to go through quality checks quickly and sent out without delay.
• Please do not add your own personal label to the quilt. Our volunteers will add a Quilts for Kids label with your name on it before it is shipped to a hospital. 

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Do you accept 'rag' or 'tshirt' quilts?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept these types of quilts for hospital donations. Due to immunity issues that the children may have, only NEW 100% cotton fabric is allowed. No re-purposed fabrics can be accepted, so please do not use shirts, sheets, curtains, etc., for fabric. 

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Is it OK to use flannel?

If it is a high quality new flannel, feel free to create a quilt out of it. Lower quality flannel pills and looks used the moment it is washed so please do not use a discount store flannel which does not have the high thread count necessary to stand up to numerous washings.

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Do you accept hand-quilted, fleece or tied quilts?

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept tied quilts due to the potential choking hazard that hand ties create and their inability to stand up to the hospital washers and dryers. All quilts have to be machine quilted for that same reason. Fleece is not acceptable because it causes static which can interfere with hospital equipment.

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Do I have to use one of the patterns featured on your website?

Not at all.  We are endlessly fascinated by the variety of patterns and ideas that come in to Quilts for Kids.  Use any pattern you like!

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May I donate the quilts to a hospital/child in my area?

Unfortunately, no. All quilts made from quilt kits must be returned to headquarters for quality control, QFK labels, and appropriate record-keeping. Each quilt is carefully checked for pins and loose threads; if a quilt has not been washed, we do that, too. Careful records are kept regarding the number of kits sent out and the number of quilts returned to us. If there is a QFK chapter in your area, you may work with them; however, like kit quilts, stash quilts can always be sent to headquarters at 494 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills, PA 19030.

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My quilt is ready to go. Where do I ship it?

Send your finished quilt to:
Quilts for Kids, Inc.,
494 Lincoln Highway
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
Please be sure your name and return address is included on the packing slip, decreasing the odds of your package from becoming lost. We also ask that you always please include your name, address, phone number, and email on a slip of paper inside the package so we can be sure to have the most current contact information and log the donation appropriately.

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How can I find a chapter in my area?

On the Quilts for Kids homepage, go to "How to Help" at the top of the page and click on "Find a Local Chapter."

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Can I donate fabric and not a quilt?

We would love to accept your fabric to make kits for quilts. The fabrics would need to be juvenile or at least child friendly prints. We can use fabrics that are quilting cottons only and are selvage to selvage, free from stains and odors. Unfortunately, precuts cannot be used in kits. We cannot accept unfinished projects or other fabrics such as fleece or home decor fabrics. 

If you do have an excess of precuts or other fabrics that for one reason or another are not kit friendly, we can accept donations that are saleable fabrics. We would use these donations to raise funds for shipping and other costs. 

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