Hugs - Wrap Up and Reflections

As Valentine's day approached, I had the idea to turn expand the concept of gifting a sign of affection beyond a single day and beyond those very close to you.

What if we all united to turn the entire month into one of giving handmade to others who needed to know that someone cared?

My goal was to encourage others to give handmade and bring attention to organizations that I uncovered in my research that were doing good things.  There are so, so many wonderful groups out there focused on doing good.  I hoped to have people link up, use social tags to bring awareness to groups they cared about.

While I didn't get any takers on using my social tags, I know from the comments and emails I did get, that Hugs introduced a few people to groups who cause touched their heart and I hope that some of these people will be inspired enough to get involved.

Focusing on Hugs also helped me recognize how many wonderful blog posts show up all the time about how quilters are giving to others through their guild, through their church and through some of the organizations I was blogging about.

My reflections and advise as a result of my research in support of Hugs:

• The world is filled with many generous people.  Generous with their time and their handmade items.  (To be fair, I already knew this going into the series but it was wonderful to have it confirmed over and over again.)

• Before crafting for any organization, ask first.  Ask what they need the most.  Ask about what kind of materials are required.  Ask what size of quilt would best meet their needs.

• Consider how you can help people local in your own community.  Your local quilt shop or guilds are terrific resources here.  They are often collection points for local delivery and can also be sources for donated fabric and supplies.

• There are many organizations in the world doing their best to support people in need.  Find one that you are very passionate about and figure out how best to support them in a way that works for you.

Hugs became more about my personal journey than I anticipated.

The research I did associated with these posts helped me sort out where I wanted to focus my time in support of others.  All of the organizations  I wrote about and donated to are doing amazing work and I truly enjoyed donating the items that I made.

What I've sorted out is I want to donate locally, for children and perhaps for children with Down syndrome.  I'll now explore how best o support this focus.

Thank you for reading along and doing what you do to give a handmade hug to someone who needs one.

Hugs.



Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs - So many places to help

Elm Street Quilts is not directly affiliated with any of the organization featured in this series.  With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, in the blog comments or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

Throughout the month, I wrote about several organizations that are working very hard to get quilts and handmade items to those who need a hug.

• 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge
• Project Linus
• Quilts of Compassion
• Sewing Miles of Smiles
• Little Dresses for Africa
• Hugs for a friend in need
• Charity through your local guild

There are so many more organizations that I didn't write about - two of which I did want to cover in this post



Quilt for Kids accepts quilt donations.  Quilt for Kids has been going strong for 14 years and sets a goal of donating 30,000 quilts to kids every year.  There are a lot of chapters across the US - check here to find one near you.

 Their FAQ page contains helpful information on where to ship finish quilts.  They also supply quilt kits for free - you just cover the shipping charge of a modest $6.  QFK also has a pattern page in support of their kits.


Veteran organizations are important to consider for your handmade.  Quilts of Valor is the one you may have heard about.  Their mission statement - "The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." is a wonderful one.   Making a quilt for a service person is a wonderful way to say thank you for their service.

There are Quilts of Valor organizations in both the US and Canada.  Lesley from The Cuddle Quilter had a couple of recent posts (here and here) on her involvement with the Canadian branch of Quilts of Valor.  (Check out the second one to capture her featured in a bit on the local news station.)

Some other resources and perspectives that you might find helpful in your own journey on giving handmade:

Warren although I call him Beau

• Sew Mama Sew has a monthly series about Sew Good - focusing on people who dedicate time to sewing for others.  A recent post featured  Alison Robins ( Little Island Quilts) and the quilts donated to an orphanage in Mexico city.This post on Sew Mama Sew makes a great read to both understand why Alison is focused on this group but it also captures the essence of what many of us feel.  Namely, you know there so many people in need out there and you want to help.  How best to do so is the question.

• Wendi from Shiny Happy World wrote a great post about giving handmade.  I found it extremely helpful as I started my journey.   I made my own version of Warren, her free charity bear pattern.   Haven't yet found a home for him but I know I will.  And once I do, I've got more fleece and will make him some friends.

• Abby from While She Naps shared her insights on giving handmade to charity in this post.   She discusses truly understanding what is needed and will be used as well as considering financial donations. 

• This post on Handcrafting With Love had some great thoughts and tips.

I'll be back tomorrow with one more post on Hugs to wrap things up with my reflections after authoring the Hugs series of posts.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs - Charity Through Your Local Guild

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with any of the organizations in the series.

The objective in the series of Elm Street Quilts Hugs blog posts is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   


A great place to find like minded individuals who want to quilt for charity is to look no further than your local guild.  Capital Quilters is one of the guilds in my area.  They've been donating quilts since the guild began in the early 1980's with quilts in those early years going to Ronald McDonald House and local Neonatal care units at area hospital.

While not yet a member of the guild, I did attend one meeting to get to know the organization.  I was very impressed with the parade of charity quilts that surrounded the large audience.

Bonnie Hunter was speaking that night which clearly drew in a lot of people.  Which met circling the audience with the parade of  charity quilts even more impressive!  (Bonnie's post from that evening.)

The guild newsletter said more than 80 quilts were collected that evening alone.

Photo credit to Bonnie Hunter from http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2015/11/and-then-there-was-some-raleigh-show.html

The Capital Quilters guild has focused their charitable quilt making for 2015-2016 on quilts for kids, Quilts on Wheels and SAFEchild.  Goals to donate 225 quilts have been set for each group.  The quilts for kids are donated to  the Neonatal Intensive Care units at two local hospitals.  Quilts on Wheels is a program that provides lap sized quilts to residents of local nursing homes.  SAFEchild (Stop Abuse for Every Child) organization provides support for children who have been identified as abused or neglected in our local county.

The guild provides kits to members for some of their charitable quilting and accepts donations of supplies.

The guild's primary purpose for making comfort quilts is to provide a personal gift of a lovingly created textile creation to area hospitals nursing homes and families graduating from the SAFEChild parenting education program. The are well over 300 members who make these quilts to share their love of quilting with the community.  

In the guild's December newsletter, there was a great quote from someone whose mother-in-law had received a quilt through the Quilts on Wheels program:

"Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt you made for my mother-in-law. .......When she was younger she made about 125 quilts to give to her four children. They are a treasure to us!! She is 95 years old now and is not able to quilt. We appreciate your thoughtfulness!!”

The members of the Capital Quilters guild are certainly doing a lot for our community.  I thank them for all of the handmade hugs they are creating.

Have you done charity quilting through your guild?


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs: Quilts for Someone Who Needs a Hug

The objective in the series of Elm Street Quilts Hugs blog posts is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   


I start quilts for basically two reasons:

    -  The quilt is in honor of a person, perhaps for birthday or wedding.
     - The quilt is just for fun - enjoying the making process as I quilt along with a  BOM or QAL.

Except once.

Back in 2011, however, I started a jewel box quilt and from the very beginning I knew deep inside I was making the quilt for someone.

I just didn't know who.   It was a feeling that kept with me throughout the entire process of creating the quilt top.

And then a very dear friend learned she had breast cancer.

The quilt became Sweet Tea and was gifted to her as soon as I got it quilted and bound.

It was amazing really as the quilt was perfect for her.  The fabric absolutely were her.   She is this fabulous person, full of energy and compassion for everyone.  She is also from the south and the name Sweet Tea was in celebration of all of that.

I cried when I gave it to her.

My dear friend is doing fine - she beat that cancer.  I don't get to see her often enough but when we do get together, we laugh and pick up the conversation like no time had passed.

Have you gifted a quilt to someone who needed some extra support?  In situations like this, it can be hard to know how to help but leaving someone a quilt - a handmade hug - helps them remember that people care.

Please join me in this month of hugs.

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization you support with your #handmadehug giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs: Little Dresses for Africa

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with the Little Dresses for Africa organization.  With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.


Today's post is about the Little Dresses for Africa organization.

I first learned about the  Little Dresses for Africa organization from my friend Jan from Sew and Sow Farm .  Last year, she sponsored a sew along for making dresses for girls and simple shorts for boys. 

For girls, the simplest dress will do.  There are actually patterns available which makes the dress from an actual pillowcase (pattern).   Using a pillowcase makes for a quick sew - the seams and hem are already finished.

Jan has a great post on her Sew and Sow Farm blog about the organization and a sew-along she is planning this spring.

Lorna also has a post on her blog Sew Fresh Quilts today on this organization as well.  See her post here.  (edited to add this link)

Please go visit Jan and Lorna to learn more and see some photos of what she made last year.

You can see the full list of posts in the Hugs series here.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs: Sewing Miles for Smiles

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with the Sewing Miles of Smiles organization.  I  was inspired enough by what I learned about the group to make a few donation blocks and wanted to share.

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

Don't you just have to smile when you see this bear?

Imagine a whole quilt filled with these guys in all different colors and you'll have a quilt that is sure to brighten the world of a child.

Sewing Miles of Smiles is partnering with Embrace Washington to make twenty of these quilts for foster kids headed to camp this summer.   Can you imagine how excited a child would be to arrive at camp and find a quilt on their bed with sweet bears for their very own?  And the quilt is theirs to keep.

I exchanged email with Dona Reynolds from Sewing Miles of Smiles to learn more about her organization.

Dona got started about 5 years ago sewing for a children's hospital - making about 800 items per year.  (Wow!  can you imagine?)  You can see pictures of the really cute softies she has made on the Facebook page.

A meeting with Anne Alexander, the Executive Director of Embrace Washington shifted her focus to being part of the team that makes items for foster kids.  Dona made 360 dolls and pillows for the 2015 Embrace Washington Foster Kids Santa breakfast.  Now, in addition to still sewing for the hospital, she is focused on making capes and flags as well as the quilts for the summer camp this June.

Dona sounds amazing.  I was happy to meet her through Facebook.  I love this quote from her email -

 "Once you see those children smile, you have to keep sewing!"

This sweet Peekaboo Bear block (pattern from Shiny Happy World) was so fun to make.   I enjoyed the embroidery on his face to give him a bit of personality.  However, it was a bit difficult to pin him down - felt like I was giving him acupuncture or something!

Want to help?

Reach out to Dona on the Sewing Miles of Smiles Facebook page and let her know you'd like to make some donation blocks or maybe a whole quilt!

I like the idea of donation blocks - it is a way to contribute to something worthwhile even when your schedule is quite busy.  Besides their cuteness value, these blocks make particularly good donation blocks because it would be easy to get all the donated blocks to the same size without trimming off part of the block.

While I do really encourage donating to your local community, the Washington area is special to my son and therefore special to me so I wanted to do something to help.

I'm going to get these two blocks off in the mail right away and get started on another block.

To read more about the other organizations Elm Street Quilts has been featuring as part of Hugs, see this overall post.




Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs: Quilts of Compassion

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with the Quilts of Compassion organization.  I  was inspired by what I learned about the group and wanted to share.

All photos shown are used with permission sourced from their Facebook site .

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

Today let's talk about giving a quilt through the Quilts of Compassion organization.

For this post, I spoke by telephone with the founder of Quilts of Compassion, Janice Grimes. Janice's passion for the mission was evident throughout our talk.  It was clear that she cares about people and is doing something to help them on their path to recovery.

Quilts of Compassion is an organization founded by Janice in 1999 after she herself was gifted a quilt after an accident.  That quilt bought her comfort and was a source of encouragement throughout her entire recovery and rehab.  The fact that someone she didn't know cared enough to make something for her gave Janice much hope.

Once recovered, Janice learned to quilt herself and recruited others to create quilts for those in need.  For many years, her focus was on bringing hope and encouragement to those in her community delivering a quilt directly into the hands of the person who needed one.

The focus of Quilts of Compassion broadened after the devastating tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri in May 2011.  So many people lost everything in this horrific weather event.

To help the community of Joplin, Quilts of Compassion sent in a Disaster Response team delivering hundreds of quilts directly to the families.  They worked with the chaplains in hospitals to help them get to the people who needed it the most. Since that initial deployment, they have returned to Joplin multiple times

The Quilts of Compassion web site lists more than 25 deployments, most of them being to towns hurt by tornadoes.  Most recently they had a deployment team in South Carolina after the horrible flooding this October, bringing over 550 quilts to the area.  The intent is to make at least two more deployments to South Carolina.  The next deployment is likely March to towns in Texas.

Quilts of Compassion will deploy to an area six to sixteen weeks after the event.  (This photo to the right is one of their deployment teams.) Janice said they visit at area in the 6-16 week range because by this point, the basic needs for families have been taken care are and the focus in on  rebuilding lives.  This is where a quilt can really help.

There was a comment on the Quilts of Compassion Facebook page that really underscores their mission and how a quilt can help.

I am in tears! My husband and I are flood survivor residents of Pine Glenn in Columbia, SC and we have just received 2 of your quilts as we were leaving our church, Christian Life Columbia, this morning. Thank you! We are truly overwhelmed. They are absolutely beautiful! I have never had a quilt and I always wanted one, didn't want to get it this way though..... but what a blessing! This has really touched us. Thank you for such kindness and compassion. Thank you for thinking of us. A handmade quilt..... what a labor of love. I feel like I was given a giant hug this morning, just when I needed it. It's been a rough & emotional week. 

When a natural disaster strikes, it is always hard to sit by and feel hopeless.  Many of us look for a way to help.

Quilts of Compassion is an organization which has the experience to deliver a donated quilt gets to someone who needs it.  Consult their web site for the information about quilt donation.  They will accept quilts that are tied or are quilted and would like quilts for adults or kids.  The preferred size is twin.  Financial assistance is also appreciated to cover the costs of the quilt deployment teams.

Their goal of Bringing Hope & Encouragement to the Hurting summarizes everything I learned in my conversation with Janice.

For additional information, please see the Quilt of Compassion site or visit them on Facebook.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs - Project Linus

Elm Street Quilts is not directly affiliated  with  Project Linus.  The blog post includes photographs of a quilt that I am donating to Project Linus.

The objective in the series of Elm Street Quilts Hugs blog posts is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization you support with your #handmadehug giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

Project Linus  may be the most recognized organization for distributing donated quilts to children and their web site celebrates the over 5.7 million donation quilts since 1995!

Project Linus is a non-profit, all volunteer organization that brings quilts and blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children in your local area.   All sorts of blankets and quilts are needed.  Information on how to donate locally in the US here.  You could also check with your local quilt guild.

There are 280 chapters of Project Linus in the US.

Susan Holmes, founded my local NC Project Linus chapter in 1996 and is the chapter's coordinator. Susan graciously answered some questions for me via email.

Susan wrote:

 Project Linus is a wonderful organization because it's really just about people who care about kids in their community and want to ease their pain a little. We make and bring handmade blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children in the area and to children of deployed and fallen military personnel from Fort Bragg. We all do whatever we can to help. Some folks make blankets, some folks pick up from drop sites, some folks donate funds. It is encouraging to realize that there are so many goodhearted people all around us.

In my community here in North Carolina, over 32,000 quilts (almost 3,000 of those in 2015) and blankets have been delivered to local agencies that help seriously ill or traumatized children who need a hug. Agencies include local hospitals and groups supporting children who are going through a difficult time. 

According to Susan, quilts are delivered to infants through young adults.  Preferred are quilts and blankets that are 40 x 50'' or larger.  (Larger is better because it offers more flexibility on who the recipient might be.)  All patterns and colors are welcome and bright colors are really appreciated.  (Patterns are available.)

The quilt or blanket maker should donate the quilt and secure  their name and address on piece of paper to the quilt with a safety pin.  Before delivery, the Project Linus team will sew on a fabric tag that says "Made with tender, loving care for Project Linus."   At least in my local chapter, the paper with the makers name remains on the quilt or blanket when donated to the local organization. 

All blanket styles are welcome, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Always remember that blankets must be homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from smoke-free environments due to allergy reasons.

Cash donations are also accepted.

Before making a quilt for donation to Project Linus or any other organization, be sure to visit the organization's web page to make sure you understand what is required.  Are there restrictions on materials used?  Are there size requirements?  Understanding mailing instructions or drop off requirements are also important.  In addition to quilts, organizations often need funding for the postage required to get the quilts to where they are most needed so consider a cash donation as well.

I recently finished my Project Linus donation quilt (pictured in this post) using a disappearing 9 patch pattern and some really cut fat quarters that were in my stash.

Have you made a quilt for Project Linus?  Tell us about it in the comments or write a blog post and share at the Hugs linky.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs - Pillowcase

The idea for turning February into a month of giving a handmade hug to others came to me as I was sorting through my stash and found some fun novelty fabric I had purchased.

Puppy dog fabric.  Robot fabric.

Perfect for a pillowcase!

Pillowcases bring hope and comfort for to sick kids, homeless families and people who need to know someone cares.  Pillowcases can be a way for someone like me - and someone like you - who loves quilting and sewing to send a message of caring to someone in need.

The American Patchwork & Quilting 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge continues – and they need your help to reach their goal of providing 1,000,000 pillowcases to people who need to know someone cares.  So far, more than 655,000 pillowcases have been recorded on their website.  A handmade pillowcase can truly brighten the day of someone in the hospital or in foster care.

(See that pillow the boy is holding in the graphic form AP&Q site?  I've donated pillowcases before using a blue coloring of that same fabric!)

While you record your pillowcase on AP&Q site, you give locally.

There are many agencies in your local community that welcome pillowcase donations.  The AP&Q site makes it easy to find a local quilt shop that will accept donations and distribute them to agencies in need.

You could also contact your local hospital for information on donations. I reached out to my local hospital and confirmed that pillowcase donations are welcomed.  My daughter spent some time there when she was young so I want to donate to support other kids in care.

For my first pillowcase, I used this basic pattern for a pillowcase using French seams which I found on the pillowcase pattern page.

If you never made a pillowcase with this tutorial before, you may wonder about the magic involved in rolling up the fabric....

.... before wrapping the pillow edge fabric around it.

You sew through the three layers, making sure you catch both sides of the pillow edge fabric and one edge of the main pillow fabric.

Now the real magic as you turn it inside out!

This gives a great finish to the edge and I added a row of stitching.   The directions cause for using french seams by sewing wrong sides first with a scant 1/4" seam.  Then turn right sides together and seam again, tucking your first seam inside the second for a really nice polished finish!

I'll be making a few more pillowcases and then giving them a nice wash in the machine before donating.

Missouri Star Quilt Company has a great youtube tutorial on this easy tube construction method with an extra burst of color.

My goal with Hugs is to get lots and lots of participation - blanket the world with hugs in the month of February.   Take a look at your stash for some fun fabric and join me in making some pillowcases.

Will you help me spread the word?   Grab the button from the sidebar and use #handmadehug or #ESQhugs as our social tags.

The linky party is here - share a finished donated item or work in progress - pillowcases, quilts or just talk about an organization you have supported!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hugs

Just about a month to Valentine's Day.  February 14 - a day devoted to showing your loved ones just how much they mean to you with gifts of flowers, candy and other small items.

Elm Street Quilts would like to celebrate giving handmade in the entire month of February with Hugs. 

Hugs is about giving handmade to those in need - a way to tell them that someone cares.  Give a handmade hug to an ill friend or family member. Give a handmade hug to a charity that collects handmade for those in need.

Throughout the month of February, Elm Street Quilts will feature posts on organizations that accept handmade items and share tutorials and photos of the items I'll be making to donate.

Is there an organization you'd like me to feature?   Comment below or drop me an email at elmstreetquilts at gmail dot com.

My goal is to get lots and lots of participation - blanket the world with hugs in the month of February.

Will you help me spread the word?   Grab the button below and use #handmadehug or #ESQhugs as our social tags.

Besides tutorials, there will be a linky party so you can share what you made and donated - works in progress or recently donated are all good.


Grab the button and join me in Hugs!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Elm Street Quilts"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Wz7d8POMXRxUDdz1TOgBBYHvGsFJBZIgNgU-mmbTDEWLT3NzPLzhk8oRF2UOLhZpyiiw9xktCT68ocsI2MqMd0ay1QezPgIVY1HUuxHpenRtr8jjVnF0jJepemMtrfaNRj4U1cyLM0/w300-h200-no/" alt="Elm Street Quilts" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful day!

Patty