What are the safety regulations for donated quilts?

Quilts for Kids have safety regulations for donated quilts imposed upon us by various institutions receiving our quilts who then hand them out to the children. These regulations are also important so that the quilts do not self-destruct when daily washed in industrial washers and dryers. Quilts that do not meet the following criteria are distributed to children through other ministry organizations throughout Utah.

• Used quilts cannot be accepted. Children sharing rooms can tell if they got a used quilt and the rest of the children received new quilts. The goal is to lift them up without giving rise to possible dejection.
• Children come in all sizes at various ages from birth to 21, therefore, acceptable sizes range between 36″ x 44″ on up to a twin size bed.
• 100% cotton fabrics help prevent static electricity around oxygen tanks
• Low loft (1/4″ or less) natural fiber battings help prevent allergens from becoming embedded in the quilt. 80/20, 70/30 blends are fine.
• Monofilament thread (clear thread) melts in industrial washers and dryers. These quilts fall apart really fast. Please do not use clear threads.
• Re-purposed fabrics can cause emotional distress when other children around them receive quilts made with new fabrics. Do not use re-purposed fabrics.
• Quilting stitches must be no more than 2″ apart even in the borders. This will ensure the quilt batting will hold up through daily wash cycles in industrial units. Whole-cloth quilts that are quilted every two inches are perfectly acceptable.
• Binding must be attached by machine because hand stitching has proven unreliable through industrial washers and dryers. Our kits have instructions for machine self-bound binding.
• Even new flannel or fleece quilts look used after they are washed. Since all quilts are washed prior to being given to children, please do not use flannel as children’s hearts can be broken when other children receive new-looking quilts made with 100% cotton quilt fabric.

Tied quilts, raw-edged patchwork quilts, those made with Minky and all other new quilts that do not meet the above criteria will be given to children who are not staying in hospitals.