Charity Stitches

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2013 Pillowcases

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2012 Charity Projects

This page is all about my sewing for charity. Giving back. My Charity Stitches.

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As you know, the Quilting Community is alive and well. It is amazing. Thousands of sewers and quilters worldwide GIVE of themselves. Their time, talent and supplies. To provide comfort and bring cheer to those in need.

Since I have the time, some talent and lots of supplies, I decided to join in and help where I could. I selected several projects. For needy children and for our soldiers who keep us safe. One is local, close to home. And others are worldwide organizations.

So far, I have made pillowcases, quilt blocks and one quilt top.

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Here is a list of those organizations I am currently sewing for or plan to in the future. (I borrowed these banner photos from their websites.)

Pillowcases: http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/

Pillowcases: http://conkerrcancer.org/home/

Quilt Blocks: http://margaretshopechest.blogspot.com/

Quilt Top:

http://www.americanheroquilts.com/

http://americanheroquiltswa.blogspot.com/

http://www.wrappedinhope.blogspot.com/

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First, let me tell you about the pillowcases.

SWEET DREAMS

Sweet Dreams is what I named my pillowcase project. Because at the end of the day, I want needy children to lay their heads down and get a good night’s sleep. Dream of the days, weeks to come, their futures. I don’t know any of the recipients but I hope my pillowcases bring smiles to their faces.

My commitment for 2013 is 240 pillowcases. Five a week or 20 a month.

I started this project in May 2012 and began making one pillowcase a day. Then two. Eventually, it worked out best for me to work on six or seven assembly-line style. A pillowcase marathon. Over one or two days.

My process is pretty simple.

After selecting one fabric for the band and a coordinated fabric for the body, I get started. Measure, cut, pin two fabrics together. Sew band to body. It takes about 60 minutes from start to finish and 90 minutes if piecing is necessary.

Some sewers probably sew faster but I like to take my time. I do all the little “extras” at every step. Ironing, trimming, ironing, trimming, poking out the bottom corners, clipping any threads caught in the outside seams. I use my quarter inch foot half of the time. And my walking foot when sewing side and bottom seams.

My favorite step? French seams. I love sewing French seams. I think I love them so much because I know that is the last step. Seeing the pillowcases start to collect in stacks, finished and ready for mailing, warms my heart. 😀

You can see my progress below.

2013 totals: 66
Jan Batch 10: 20
Feb Batch 11: 22
Mar Batch 12: 24

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2012 totals:
168 pillowcases made and shipped
Batch 1: 27 (5-13/5-19)
Batch 2: 16 (5-22/5-26)
Batch 3: 12 (6-21/6-22)
Batch 4: 17 (7-19/7-23)
Batch 5: 10 (7-25/7-26)
Batch 6: 24 (8-27/8-30)
Batch 7: 22 (9-20/9-30)
Batch 8: 20 (10-2/10-30)
Batch 9: 20 (11-12/11-30)

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For 2013, I thought about one-a-day for 365 a year but I want to keep this project fun and not turn it into a Must Do Chore. So I have decided to leave my goal as is. 20 per month. If I get a burst of extra energy, I can always make up a few additional pillowcases each month. Wish me luck!!

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My other Charity Stitches projects had me make quilt blocks and quilt tops. The blocks were made into quilts for kids. The quilt top was quilted by one of the quilting guilds around the country and presented to one of our wounded soldiers returning from the war.

I plan to make more. I love mixing and matching fabrics. My eyes light up seeing the color combinations. Eyecandy galore!!

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How You Can Help

Want to help ME? You can send me cotton fabric so I can keep my projects going. Solids, prints, any fabric as long as it is 100% cotton. Kid friendly, novelty fabrics if you have them. They make up so cute!!

In exchange, we can work out a deal for you to select something from my Etsy Shop in trade for your fabric. You pay for shipping the fabric to me. I pay for shipping whatever you selected from my shop. Unfortunately, this swap is for USA participants only, since USPS doesn’t provide Delivery Confirmation on International packages.

Or You Can Offer Your Sewing Talent.

Here are How-To links.

Pillowcases

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/freepatterns/

http://conkerrcancer.org/pillowdirections.html

http://conkerrcancer.org/pdf/hotdogmethod.pdf

Ragged Edge Blocks

http://margaretshopechest.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-april-project-hope-ragged-squares.html

Quilt Tops/Quilts

http://www.americanheroquilts.com/help.htm

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Let me know if you have any questions on my charity sewing projects.

E-mail me if you are interested in exchanging your cotton fabric for shopping in my Etsy store. (USA Only) Go here to see what is listed. I will be adding more items this week.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/thisyearsdozen

Thanks for visiting my blog. (Leave me a comment so I know you were here. 😀 )

Last update: 4-8-13