Quilt Tips

Our mission is to create patchwork quilts from cotton fabrics to comfort children facing serious illness, trauma, abuse, or natural disasters.  Here are some important details about fabric choices, sizes, construction, and finishing touches.  If you require additional information, please contact us via email.

If you are new to quilting, we encourage you to take a beginning quilting class at a local shop such as Golden State Quilting (Campbell, CA) or The Granary (Sunnyvale, CA).  The former also offers "Better Bindings" classes and generously donates the student registration fees to SVQFK.

We have compiled additional information on some quilting specific topics and techniques accessible here.

Construction

You may select a pattern from the Quilts for Kids, Inc. website or use any of your favorite patchwork designs.

Use only new, unused 100% cotton fabrics for the top and backing of the quilt.  Focus on fabrics that have child/teenage friendly colors and patterns.  Do not use synthetics (or plush fabrics such as fleece, minky),  other non-cotton fabrics or used fabrics (like sheets, curtains or clothing).  Do not use invisible or metallic thread.  We cannot accept hand-pieced, embellished, hand quilted or tied quilts.

Our goal is the provide comfort quilts, not bed-sized quilts. Below are the size range guidelines for quilts our chapter makes.

Quilting 

Batting should be low loft (up to ¼”) cotton, polyester, or a combination of cotton/poly.

Quilts need to be machine quilted by the volunteer or one of our chapter’s long arm quilters.  The guideline is to stitch every 2” - 3” in blocks and borders.  Our chapter may have batting available at workshops for volunteers to use. 

Binding

Use your preferred binding width, e. g., 2 ¼” or 2 ½”.  Double bias binding and machine stitching are preferred because of their durability.  The requirement is the binding is securely stitched and no raw edges are visible.

Launder

All quilts must be laundered before we distribute them.  First, check your quilt for pins and unclipped threads.  Please use fragrance-free detergent and do not use fabric softener in either the washer or dryer as it may add scent.  If you have not pre-washed the fabrics, we recommend adding a Shout Color Catcher in the washer to absorb any excess dye.  

Label

Quilts for Kids volunteers will sew a label on each quilt 30” x 30” or larger.  The label should be signed with the first names of anyone who contributed to its construction.  This is the indication that it is ready to go to a child.