Frequently Asked Questions

• For sanitary reasons, items in the hospital need to be washed often.  Quilts can withstand the many washes in the industrial machines, but the stuffed animals do NOT hold up as well. Also, the quilts can be wrapped around the kids engaging them visually, providing warmth, and comforting with a hug when the parents can't be with them.

FABRICS

• Quilts shall be made with new quilting (100%) cottons, no "previously loved" fabrics like shirts or otherwise upcycled quilts. 
• We provide these quilts to boys and girls of all ages...including teenagers! Fabrics with beloved cartoon characters, bright colors and other juvenile prints (race cars, dinosaurs, butterflies, animals, etc.) are most appreciated for the majority of our kids which range in age 2-12 years old. The teenage quilts can still have bright or tamed colors with more age appropriate themes or just colors instead of themes.

BATTING

• Once the hospital receives these quilts, they will first wash them before placing on the patients' beds. Therefore, the quilts will need to withstand the number of washings in the hospital and at home afterwards. For this reason, cotton and 80/20 cotton-poly blend battings are preferred over a polyester batting. 

STITCHING/QUILTING

• The quilting pattern you choose should leave no more than about 4 inches unstitched. The more stitching, the more it will stand up to the industrial washing machines used in the hospitals.
• Machine quilting is required. Hand quilting is NOT strong enough to withstand hospital use.
• 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.
• Pay special attention to avoid folds in our quilting. Folds or pockets of fabric are another snagging hazard for patients.
• Cotton threads are preferred. Do NOT use monofilament thread as it may melt during in the hospital industrial dryers.
• Do NOT add embellishments (buttons, long strings, loops, sequins, rhinestones, etc.) because they can be choking hazards.

SIZE

• For the majority of our kids receiving the quilts, the "comfort size" quilt is approximately 38" wide x 44" tall. The free pre-cut kits (which are available at workshops, partner quilt shops and guilds) contain the pattern instructions and fabric to make the "comfort  size" quilts. Should you choose to make a teenage size quilt, the size increases to approximately 38" wide x 50" tall. 
• Smaller or larger quilts are set aside to go to an appropriate recipient. We do get individual requests for all ages, so we happily accept all sizes! 

FINISHING TOUCHES

• If you received a kit, use a pigma or indelible pen to sign the "Quilts for Kids" label (first name or nickname). Sharpies tend to bleed. Place the signed label on the back bottom corner of the finished quilt and machine stitch around all four sides of the label. Do NOT tuck the label into the seam or sew the label on the front of the quilt. If you did NOT receive a kit, don't worry...we'll add the label for you when return the completed quilt! If you need some labels, contact us to request them.
• Check for and remove all pins!
• Wash and dry the completed quilt using a color catcher to avoid color bleeding. Also avoid strong scents in the detergent and dryer sheets.

• Yes, as long as it is a high quality, high thread count and new flannel. Lower quality flannel pills and looks used once it is washed. Do NOT use a discount store flannel because it does NOT have the high thread count necessary to withstand numerous washings. 
• You can also use flannel just for the back of a quilt.

• Yes, fleece quilts are perfect for our kids in shelters! Unfortunately, we can NOT give fleece quilts to the hospitals because they cause static electricity which can interfere with hospital equipment.

• Yes, hand-tied quilts are also acceptable for our kids in shelters! Unfortunately, we can NOT give hand-tied quilts to the hospitals because of the potential choking hazard that the ties create along with their inability to withstand the hospital washers and dryers.

• No because they can NOT withstand the hospital washers and dryers.  All quilts have to be machine quilted by domestic or longarm machines.

• No, unfortunately we cannot accept 'pre-loved' quilts. Due to hygienic requirements of hospitals, the items we send must be clean and unused prior to submission. We are proud to provide our recipients a new quilt made just for them!

• No, unfortunately we cannot accept store purchased quilts. We are proud to provide our recipients a quilt that was made just for them!

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

• No, you can use the pre-cut fabric provided in our free kits. Either pick up the kits at a Workshop, Partner Quilt Shop or Guild or contact us so we can arrange delivery to you.  

You can pick up free kits at

1. Workshops, 
2. Partner Quilt Shops or Guilds or
3. Contact us to arrange delivery to you.  

• Yes, the kits were prepared with enough fabric to make the "Alternate Squares/Basic Beginner" quilt approximate size 38" wide x 44" long. 
• You can use your own fabric with either the Alternate Squares/Basic Beginner pattern or another pattern of your choice. Several free patterns are featured on our website.

• No, in fact we are endlessly fascinated by the variety of patterns and ideas that are represented in the quilts we receive. Use any pattern you like!

• Absolutely not! We have monthly workshops (two in Gainesville and one in Alpharetta) where we meet with other quilters to cut fabric into kits or sew kits to make a quilt. Workshops typically start at 10am, break around noon to fellowship during lunch together, and end at 2pm or 3pm depending on the location. 
• Bring your supplies to cut or sew and a sack lunch and drink. 
• Everyone is invited!

• Absolutely not! We also need help with cutting fabric into kits and ironing. Several of our volunteers also love to teach sewing to interested men, women and children. Monthly workshops in Gainesville and Alpharetta typically start at 10am, break around noon to fellowship during lunch together, and end at 2pm or 3pm depending on the location. 
• Bring a sack lunch and drink, and we'll show how to do the rest. 
• Everyone is invited!

• Absolutely not! We have many areas where you can help! You can help with Fundraising, getting new Sponsors and Grants, Public Relations, obtaining new Partner Quilt Shops and Guilds, getting donations, and helping to spread the word!

• Yes, we would love to accept your fabric which will be used to make the pre-cut free kits for our volunteer quilters. The fabric should be beloved cartoon characters, bright colors and other juvenile prints (race cars, dinosaurs, butterflies, animals, etc.) which are child friendly or teenage appropriate. 
• We can use fabrics that are quilting cottons (only 100% cotton) and are selvage to selvage, free from stains and odors.
• We can use high quality flannel fabrics for the quilt backs and a special project where we make Panda Blankets.

• No, unfortunately all quilts made from pre-cut free kits must be returned to us for inspecting/quality control, adding "Quilts for Kids" labels, cleaning, and appropriate record-keeping. 

First, we want to Thank You for helping Quilts for Kids! 

You can drop off completed quilts at

1. Workshops, 
2. Partner Quilt Shops or Guilds or
3. Contact us to arrange delivery. 

• If you would like to be added to our newsletter distribution list, please include your name and email address on a separate piece of paper inside the package/returned kit.