Creative Gifts
Fiber Artists’ Guide to Giving
There are many ways to use your creative gifts to help others.
You can create art that amplifies messages you believe in and support, and show those pieces to spread the word. The AIDS Memorial Quilt falls in to this category If this appeals to you, check out the Social Justice
Sewing Academy.
You can create pieces to donate to fund-raising auctions
You can dedicate a portion of the sales or your own artwork to charitable giving, and rally your customer community to support your causes as they support your brand.
The posts that follow have a different intent. They are a (very!) partial catalogue of places you can directly donate things you have made that will make their way directly to individuals in need.
The final section also gives you some ideas of places you can donate items from your stash(es).
These are examples of national or international organizations, some with local chapter networks. Use them as inspiration to call around your local area – people in need and people who serve them are all around you
For Quilters
Quilts and blankets, including fleece blankets, for donation to children. Local chapters exist
Accepts any form of blanket to be distributed to refugees
Quilts for Veterans recognizing service
Blankets of all kinds for kids
Google Locally:
Fire Departments
Refugee Support Organizations Night Ministries
For Sewists
Sew Pillowcases for kids in long-term hospital
Little Dresses for Africa/Britches for Boys
Sew pillowcase dresses or t-shirt shorts to enable kids to to go school
Sew “period purses” to enable girls to attend school during their periods
Toys, booties, blankets for newborns (knit and crochet welcome as well)
For Knitter and Crocheters
Wooly Hugs (UK Based)
Hats for cancer kids with “hair”, “braids”, etc.
Breast Prosthetics for pre-reconstruction
Welcome Blanket
For refugees
Gifts for kids aging out of foster care
Lots of resources and recommendations
For De-Stashers
Donate wedding and other gowns to make infant burial dresses
Quilts for Veterans recognizing service Accept fabric, especially red/white/blue Contact a local chapter
Quilts and blankets, including fleece blankets, for donation to children. Local chapters exist
Accept fabric at local chapter level
Diary of a Quilter has an extensive post with ideas of places to donate fabric
Knit for Peace (UK) has a long post with a list of places to donate yarn and other supplies