This picture is just my "teaser" for her post. Click on the link to get her very easy-to-understand instructions, then cruise around her great site!
Showing posts with label Projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Projects. Show all posts
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Lily's Quilts: Fixing a too-scant seam
Lily's Quilts: Fixing a scant seam
This picture is just my "teaser" for her post. Click on the link to get her very easy-to-understand instructions, then cruise around her great site!
This picture is just my "teaser" for her post. Click on the link to get her very easy-to-understand instructions, then cruise around her great site!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Simple Quilts - Any Size
It's important to have love in our hearts as we serve others through the work of our hands, so we try to do our best when making things for others. We want to make sure our edges are finished and our work is not rushed or sloppy.
With that in mind, we also recognize that everyone's skill levels are different and this should be an opportunity to fun and even growth, rather than stressing over "not measuring up" to some unattainable standard of perfection. So please have fun and sew (or knit or crochet) with a friend (or group of friends)!
For quilts it's best to use woven all-cotton fabric, or cotton flannels, or at least a small percentage of woven polyester like maybe broadcloth. But really, cotton is preferred. You can choose to pre-wash or not, it's up to you. BUT each quilt should be consistent in that - either all pre-washed or all not-pre-washed. There are very nice-looking quilts of both types. If you have some fabric in your stash that you know will "bleed" when washed, then please pre-wash (and rinse well) all the fabrics you'll use in that quilt.
Next - thread: again, it's good to use cotton thread in the needle and bobbin, for construction and any quilting or tacking you do. IMPORTANT NOTE: we absolutely cannot accept tied quilts, for safety purposes. If you send a tied quilt, then we will have to take all those little ties out, and then replace them with machine-tacking.
If you're making a small size for an infant, definitely use only cottons, preferably very lightweight fabric, even flannels, tiny prints or solids. If you're making child-size quilts, still try to use cottons, but a mostly-cotton blend would be okay, in bright colors or pastels. If you're making them for adults (i.e., for nursing homes, cancer patients, etc.) we'd still prefer cottons, but blends would be okay too.
For stillborn babies, please use only white, all-cotton, preferably batiste. These are whole-cloth wraps, meaning all one piece - not pieced or quilted. If you use batiste, it would be okay to use that cotton-poly batiste, since it has a high cotton content and is lightweight. For these special wraps, it's okay to use something lightweight as an inner layer, such as lining fabric (again, white preferred.) If you find some nice very very pastel pink or blue, I would accept that. Also for these, it would be okay to put a nice cotton or rayon lace trim all around the edge - but please don't use those stiff cheap laces. Also for these
For sizes, here are some general guidelines: preemies 16"square up to 24" square, one side lightweight cotton and the reverse side could be lightweight flannel or lightweight cotton, no batting necessary, unless you want to use a layer of flannel for batting. For infants we like 36" square up to 45" square, same materials as preemies.
For other sizes, you can do what you like! a lap-quilt size is usually about 45" square, more or less, not set in stone at all. For young children, you could do 45"x55" and on up from there! Twin size is nice for anyone, especially people undergoing chemo, but it could be a little shorter than that, since they're usually in recliners.
Putting a border on the quilts is a very nice finishing touch, but it is a little extra work so again it's up to you. You can also do it an easier way and sew the layers right sides together, leaving a few inches open to turn it right side out, then whip-stitch that opening closed. If you're doing one with a layer of flannel in the middle as batting, you can still use this technique, trust me. Just be sure you have the face of the quilt and that back of the quilt with right sides together, and then have the flannel (batting) against one of those layers' wrong side - the outside.
I'm sure I've left out something important, but can't think of it - soooo, just ask!
Bless you for helping!
With that in mind, we also recognize that everyone's skill levels are different and this should be an opportunity to fun and even growth, rather than stressing over "not measuring up" to some unattainable standard of perfection. So please have fun and sew (or knit or crochet) with a friend (or group of friends)!
For quilts it's best to use woven all-cotton fabric, or cotton flannels, or at least a small percentage of woven polyester like maybe broadcloth. But really, cotton is preferred. You can choose to pre-wash or not, it's up to you. BUT each quilt should be consistent in that - either all pre-washed or all not-pre-washed. There are very nice-looking quilts of both types. If you have some fabric in your stash that you know will "bleed" when washed, then please pre-wash (and rinse well) all the fabrics you'll use in that quilt.
Next - thread: again, it's good to use cotton thread in the needle and bobbin, for construction and any quilting or tacking you do. IMPORTANT NOTE: we absolutely cannot accept tied quilts, for safety purposes. If you send a tied quilt, then we will have to take all those little ties out, and then replace them with machine-tacking.
If you're making a small size for an infant, definitely use only cottons, preferably very lightweight fabric, even flannels, tiny prints or solids. If you're making child-size quilts, still try to use cottons, but a mostly-cotton blend would be okay, in bright colors or pastels. If you're making them for adults (i.e., for nursing homes, cancer patients, etc.) we'd still prefer cottons, but blends would be okay too.
For stillborn babies, please use only white, all-cotton, preferably batiste. These are whole-cloth wraps, meaning all one piece - not pieced or quilted. If you use batiste, it would be okay to use that cotton-poly batiste, since it has a high cotton content and is lightweight. For these special wraps, it's okay to use something lightweight as an inner layer, such as lining fabric (again, white preferred.) If you find some nice very very pastel pink or blue, I would accept that. Also for these, it would be okay to put a nice cotton or rayon lace trim all around the edge - but please don't use those stiff cheap laces. Also for these
For sizes, here are some general guidelines: preemies 16"square up to 24" square, one side lightweight cotton and the reverse side could be lightweight flannel or lightweight cotton, no batting necessary, unless you want to use a layer of flannel for batting. For infants we like 36" square up to 45" square, same materials as preemies.
For other sizes, you can do what you like! a lap-quilt size is usually about 45" square, more or less, not set in stone at all. For young children, you could do 45"x55" and on up from there! Twin size is nice for anyone, especially people undergoing chemo, but it could be a little shorter than that, since they're usually in recliners.
Putting a border on the quilts is a very nice finishing touch, but it is a little extra work so again it's up to you. You can also do it an easier way and sew the layers right sides together, leaving a few inches open to turn it right side out, then whip-stitch that opening closed. If you're doing one with a layer of flannel in the middle as batting, you can still use this technique, trust me. Just be sure you have the face of the quilt and that back of the quilt with right sides together, and then have the flannel (batting) against one of those layers' wrong side - the outside.
I'm sure I've left out something important, but can't think of it - soooo, just ask!
Bless you for helping!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Constructive Suggestion
One of my very wonderful sisters phoned recently and was asking about what kinds of things she (and others long distance) could make and send to us. I started to describe some of our simple projects and how easy they are to sew, knit or crochet. She stopped me and said, "Hey, why don't you add those kinds of instructions to your website / blog, so others can participate!"
Hmmm, I think she's right. In fact, I don't know why I didn't do something like this much sooner. Thanks Patti!
While I'm at it, I will try to get better at doing regular posts. After all, if I can do it on Facebook I can surely do it here, right? Maybe it will help if I add this blog to my home pages. That way I will see it each time I open my internet browser.
Shalom y'all!
Hmmm, I think she's right. In fact, I don't know why I didn't do something like this much sooner. Thanks Patti!
While I'm at it, I will try to get better at doing regular posts. After all, if I can do it on Facebook I can surely do it here, right? Maybe it will help if I add this blog to my home pages. That way I will see it each time I open my internet browser.
Shalom y'all!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Burial Bunting
Today I'm knitting a sweet little white burial bunting for a micro-preemie. I don't know who this is for, but I always find that when a project is finished, sadly, it has a recipient. Some precious little ones are too tiny or too delicate to be dressed in a regular manner, but we still want them to be wrapped lovingly and beautifully for mommy and daddy's sakes. So I make small buntings of cloth or knitted/crocheted yarns as very tiny delicate burial pockets. It's very emotional to work on them, but so very fulfilling at the same time. There are prayers and tears woven in every fiber.
I will post a picture when it's finished. If it's not needed right away, it will be part of our display and information table at the Cleburne County Fair in Heber Springs, Arkansas from September 7-11.
I will post a picture when it's finished. If it's not needed right away, it will be part of our display and information table at the Cleburne County Fair in Heber Springs, Arkansas from September 7-11.
Monday, August 16, 2010
We Love You Velma!
This is Velma, one of our most faithful and steadfast members. We are so sad that she's quite ill these days, cancer is a nasty thief, stealing people away from those who love them!
Velma is a tough cookie and cares about quality control. When she was healthier (like in this photo) she was our biggest workaholic, always busy and super-productive. When her cancer grew so fast in her wonderful brain, her biggest fear was that surgery would cause her to lose her memories. Thank you God, for preserving her memories! Her husband brings her to sit and visit with us on workshop days, when she is well enough, and we love taking turns sitting next to her and quietly enjoying her company.
To show our love, we all worked on quilt squares for a large quilt to wrap her in our love and prayers. We received so many donated quilt squares from all over the country that the quilt grew and grew, then it became double-sided with piecing on the back too! It was so generous of our local quilt shop (Heber Sew 'n Vac / Quilters' Corner) to donate the allover quilting, using one of their two new longarm machines!
Here's Velma's new quilt (front and back.)
Velma, we love you and plan to visit you this week. We hope you are well enough for a short visit.
Love and blessings, Chaplain Donna
To show our love, we all worked on quilt squares for a large quilt to wrap her in our love and prayers. We received so many donated quilt squares from all over the country that the quilt grew and grew, then it became double-sided with piecing on the back too! It was so generous of our local quilt shop (Heber Sew 'n Vac / Quilters' Corner) to donate the allover quilting, using one of their two new longarm machines!
Here's Velma's new quilt (front and back.)
Love and blessings, Chaplain Donna
Cleburne County Fair
Someone asked me if the Nicholas Project has a website, and it reminded me that I have not taken good care of this blog! So here I am after a long absence, with an update.
Our little group has been busy little worker-bees. Last Christmas we were excited to present 107 lap quilts to residents at Southridge Nursing and Rehab center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Then with the New Year (can you believe it's 2010?) we started making things for small children, to be donated to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates.) We are also making hot-weather clothing to go to a mission in Africa.
Now the organizers of the Cleburne County fair phoned to ask us if we'd set up a table promoting the Nicholas Project. The Fair will run from September 7th through 11th -- come visit us! We will have brochures, as well as samples of our work. I better get busy and make a tiny burial ensemble to show people how important it is to recognize that a teensy stillborn baby is a beloved child -- not just a "fetus."
Shalon y'all! Chaplain Donna
Our little group has been busy little worker-bees. Last Christmas we were excited to present 107 lap quilts to residents at Southridge Nursing and Rehab center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Then with the New Year (can you believe it's 2010?) we started making things for small children, to be donated to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates.) We are also making hot-weather clothing to go to a mission in Africa.
Now the organizers of the Cleburne County fair phoned to ask us if we'd set up a table promoting the Nicholas Project. The Fair will run from September 7th through 11th -- come visit us! We will have brochures, as well as samples of our work. I better get busy and make a tiny burial ensemble to show people how important it is to recognize that a teensy stillborn baby is a beloved child -- not just a "fetus."
Shalon y'all! Chaplain Donna
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
New Year Project for C.A.S.A.!
Saturday morning we had our official Nicholas Project board meeting (required by law). We decided that for the next several months, at least through June but probably longer, we will adopt the C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates) organization. We'll make tote bags (maybe duffle bags) for the children (of all ages) who are taken into the system. The bags will be stuffed with socks, underwear, hygiene supplies, maybe coloring books, crayons, cards, whatever we can come up with. One woman said her church might be able to buy the things to put in the bags (at least some of it). The Nicholas Project will make the bags, putting outside pockets on them, maybe inside ones too, we'll see.
After the board meeting, we wrapped all those nursing home quilts in Christmas paper -- so fun!! We'll go to their Christmas party on the 22nd and hand out the packages, and sing and play with them!
We're dark for December but will start up again in January with our regular schedule. We meet twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays for all-day sewing/knitting/crocheting workshops ("play dates" really). We always take a lunch break and walk across the street for southern BBQ -- yum! We started out with the purpose of making preemie and stillborn items, and still do those things at our first monthly workshop. Then the second monthly one is when we do other special projects.
So I will put my name on the stashbuster group's PIGS (projects in grocery sacks, or kits) list as a recipient. The Nicholas Project would be happy to take in PIGS, complete them and find worthy homes for the finished projects. If you have any cotton fabrics (cut or uncut) or useable remnants we'd take them too! We could also use donations of zippers, cording for drawstrings, velcro, batting, money, etc. Also items to put into the bags: socks, underwear, hygiene items, small activity things (maybe pencils, pens, crayons, coloring books, small stuffed animals, etc.)
If you send something, please include a little note with the value so I can send you a tax-deductible receipt. (It looks like Jess and Samantha are having a dance party in the sewing studio!)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
the day after the day after
Well, after doing much intense homework yesterday, I finally get to reward myself with time in the sewing studio today – yay! First some community and friend interaction at the Jitterbug Coffee Shop in Heber Springs. Then I’ll get to work on the very few remaining lap quilt tops, finishing them off in the next two weeks.
On Sat. 12/12 we’ll have a “wrap” party and several friends will come help us do a simple gift wrap for each quilt. Hey, I have an idea -- if you'll be around this area, come have fun with us!! Can I bribe you with snacks? Snacks always work for me - LOL! It’s so much more fun to have something to open, rather than just be handed a quilt — I can’t wait to join their fun party on the 22nd!
Peace, love and joy!
Donna
On Sat. 12/12 we’ll have a “wrap” party and several friends will come help us do a simple gift wrap for each quilt. Hey, I have an idea -- if you'll be around this area, come have fun with us!! Can I bribe you with snacks? Snacks always work for me - LOL! It’s so much more fun to have something to open, rather than just be handed a quilt — I can’t wait to join their fun party on the 22nd!
Peace, love and joy!
Donna
Friday, November 27, 2009
One Million Pillowcases -- Challenge
So, the Nicholas Project gang is always looking for projects to add to our list -- you know, for all that free time we have in between our other projects! We recently heard about this great and worthy cause to provide pillowcases to a variety of recipients: shelters, hospice, nursing homes, hospitals, chemo patients, etc.
American Patchwork and Quilting - part of Better Homes and Gardens - has challenged the sewing world to join the effort to make 1,000,000 (yep, that's one million) pillowcases by the end of 2010! They have some cute pattern ideas at their website, as well as a basic pattern with no frills. Pillowcases are so easy you almost HAVE to do it. Their project is promoted through local quilt shops, but there's no reason you can't do it on your own too.
If you just love making pillowcases and don't know where to send them, email me and I'll give you our address. We would be happy to find worthy homes for the work of your hands and hearts!
Peace, Donna
American Patchwork and Quilting - part of Better Homes and Gardens - has challenged the sewing world to join the effort to make 1,000,000 (yep, that's one million) pillowcases by the end of 2010! They have some cute pattern ideas at their website, as well as a basic pattern with no frills. Pillowcases are so easy you almost HAVE to do it. Their project is promoted through local quilt shops, but there's no reason you can't do it on your own too.
If you just love making pillowcases and don't know where to send them, email me and I'll give you our address. We would be happy to find worthy homes for the work of your hands and hearts!
Peace, Donna
Friday, November 20, 2009
Fun Workshop Day
Yesterday (11/19) we had our final workshop for the year. Next we'll go to the Southridge Nursing and Rehab Facility for their Christmas party on 12/22 and present all the residents with their new lap quilts. We hope to have the newspaper there, and we'll take more pics and upload those too. This pic shows our table with 107 lap quilts folded nicely, awaiting delivery. (oh yeah, Donna holding one of them that she really wanted to keep at home, but her hubby said nope, it goes to the Nicholas Project, sorry!)
I was able to get our regular lunch place (Spunky Pig/H&F, in Heber Springs, Arkansas) to provide free lunch for the Nicholas Project ladies today! We had BBQ pork sandwiches (the best!), potato salad, coleslaw, awesome baked beans, and iced tea. Wasn't that nice of them? And because of our nonprofit status, I was able to give them a receipt for the value of the meal for the six of us, for their taxes.
And now back to work. Here's Eloise, stitching away!
I have to share a funny story that you all will love. One of our ladies is new to all this sewing stuff, so we've been teaching her some simple things and she's been a good sport about it all. She mostly loves the fellowship of it all, as we all do. Well by the end of today we were wrapping it up and came across a bag of oddball scraps. Well, we got so excited and silly over that bag! We dumped it out on the table and all just dove into it, claiming our favorites, imaging what we would to with them -- just a fun, silly free-for-all. So during all this, Cindy (the novice) was watching like we were from another planet. She exclaimed, "I can't believe how you all are acting over a bag of leftover junk!" We just laughed at her and said, "You just wait, once the bug bites you, it will all become clear and you'll be just like us silly girl!" Her (Cindy) mother recently gave her an old sewing machine in a cabinet. We promised to teach her how to sew after January, and after she gets that old machine tuned up. She has no idea how addicting this can get - LOL.
Here's Cindy at the ironing board:
Janet and Velma:
Ellen joined us, her first venture after recovery from a massive stroke, from which God saved her, having arranged everything perfectly in place for a skilled doctor who just "happened" to be near her when it happened! Here's sweet Ellen:
I was able to get our regular lunch place (Spunky Pig/H&F, in Heber Springs, Arkansas) to provide free lunch for the Nicholas Project ladies today! We had BBQ pork sandwiches (the best!), potato salad, coleslaw, awesome baked beans, and iced tea. Wasn't that nice of them? And because of our nonprofit status, I was able to give them a receipt for the value of the meal for the six of us, for their taxes.
And now back to work. Here's Eloise, stitching away!
I have to share a funny story that you all will love. One of our ladies is new to all this sewing stuff, so we've been teaching her some simple things and she's been a good sport about it all. She mostly loves the fellowship of it all, as we all do. Well by the end of today we were wrapping it up and came across a bag of oddball scraps. Well, we got so excited and silly over that bag! We dumped it out on the table and all just dove into it, claiming our favorites, imaging what we would to with them -- just a fun, silly free-for-all. So during all this, Cindy (the novice) was watching like we were from another planet. She exclaimed, "I can't believe how you all are acting over a bag of leftover junk!" We just laughed at her and said, "You just wait, once the bug bites you, it will all become clear and you'll be just like us silly girl!" Her (Cindy) mother recently gave her an old sewing machine in a cabinet. We promised to teach her how to sew after January, and after she gets that old machine tuned up. She has no idea how addicting this can get - LOL.
Here's Cindy at the ironing board:
Janet and Velma:
Ellen joined us, her first venture after recovery from a massive stroke, from which God saved her, having arranged everything perfectly in place for a skilled doctor who just "happened" to be near her when it happened! Here's sweet Ellen:
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Almost at Goal!
Just so you know our Colorado friend, Miss Jackie, is superwoman! Not only does she sacrifice her body (and maybe sanity some days) for the sake of her high calling to help raise and guide her grandchildren, somewhere in there she sews for charity! (and other stuff too like wifey stuff, etc.)
Today the postal carrier brought a wonderful surprise -- a package from Jackie for the Nicholas Project! She sent a beautiful quilt, with gorgeous embroidery on some of the squares, PLUS some extra squares already cut out!
...and a little birdie just emailed me that another package is on the way from another Colorado friend!
Today the Nicholas Project ladies worked hard all day again, with a fun lunch break to celebrate a member's birthday. She has been our quilt queen (Janet K.) and we were so happy to get to celebrate her birthday and thank her for all she's done. She has a gifted eye for color combinations and placements. With the help of our internet friends, we are pretty sure we'll be at our goal within two weeks! We will meet next Thursday for the last time this year and then take time off until January. Of course we will ALL go together to the Southridge Nursing and Rehab Center to present the quilts to the residents, just before Christmas. I plan to request the little local newspaper to cover the presentation and I'll upload the article and pics if it happens. Either way, I'll upload pics because we'll have our own cameras there. I believe there'll be restrictions on photos due to HIIPA Laws, but we should be able to take pics of staff and ourselves and the holiday-decorated facility at least.
We decided that if we actually end up with more quilts than patients (not likely, but possibly), then we'll have a little inventory for those situations that arise where someone will be in need and we could respond quickly. We have a closet at the church and my house and our goal is to have a few of each type of item on hand, such as burial outfits, preemie outfits, lap quilts, prayer shawls, etc. -- just a little bit of each.
Today we heard of a residential place that houses 8 teen boys who have no family, and are cared for by a house-parent. We may try to do something quickly for them for Christmas, perhaps shoeboxes with stuff like socks, toiletries, gift certificates, etc. We'd like to just do something quick and inexpensive if we can.
We'll meet in December just as a planning meeting, so we start 2010 with an organized plan for the first six months, and then also be flexible in case something critical comes up where we can help.
Love and peace, Donna
Today the postal carrier brought a wonderful surprise -- a package from Jackie for the Nicholas Project! She sent a beautiful quilt, with gorgeous embroidery on some of the squares, PLUS some extra squares already cut out!
...and a little birdie just emailed me that another package is on the way from another Colorado friend!
Today the Nicholas Project ladies worked hard all day again, with a fun lunch break to celebrate a member's birthday. She has been our quilt queen (Janet K.) and we were so happy to get to celebrate her birthday and thank her for all she's done. She has a gifted eye for color combinations and placements. With the help of our internet friends, we are pretty sure we'll be at our goal within two weeks! We will meet next Thursday for the last time this year and then take time off until January. Of course we will ALL go together to the Southridge Nursing and Rehab Center to present the quilts to the residents, just before Christmas. I plan to request the little local newspaper to cover the presentation and I'll upload the article and pics if it happens. Either way, I'll upload pics because we'll have our own cameras there. I believe there'll be restrictions on photos due to HIIPA Laws, but we should be able to take pics of staff and ourselves and the holiday-decorated facility at least.
We decided that if we actually end up with more quilts than patients (not likely, but possibly), then we'll have a little inventory for those situations that arise where someone will be in need and we could respond quickly. We have a closet at the church and my house and our goal is to have a few of each type of item on hand, such as burial outfits, preemie outfits, lap quilts, prayer shawls, etc. -- just a little bit of each.
Today we heard of a residential place that houses 8 teen boys who have no family, and are cared for by a house-parent. We may try to do something quickly for them for Christmas, perhaps shoeboxes with stuff like socks, toiletries, gift certificates, etc. We'd like to just do something quick and inexpensive if we can.
We'll meet in December just as a planning meeting, so we start 2010 with an organized plan for the first six months, and then also be flexible in case something critical comes up where we can help.
Love and peace, Donna
Monday, November 09, 2009
About Us
A few years ago, sweet Nicholas was stillborn -- straight into the arms of Jesus, when my son and his wife were in Italy. As grandparents, we never got to be involved in the pregnancy or meet little Nicholas, until his very sad funeral back home in California.
Our whole family was devastated by this long-awaited child's passing. I started the Nicholas Project as a way of keeping his memory alive, while also finding ways to help others. Our efforts have grown and now we sew, knit, crochet items for multiple charitable causes.
We hold workshops twice a month: once to make items for preemies and stillborn babies, and the other time to make items for other special causes. Right now we're finishing up a huge undertaking -- making 125 (it was 150 until we got a better count) lap quilts for the local nursing home/rehab center. Several of our online Martha Pullen friends have sent some quilts, quilt tops, squares, fabric and even money to help purchase supplies.
Thank you all for prayer support and practical contributions!
Our whole family was devastated by this long-awaited child's passing. I started the Nicholas Project as a way of keeping his memory alive, while also finding ways to help others. Our efforts have grown and now we sew, knit, crochet items for multiple charitable causes.
We hold workshops twice a month: once to make items for preemies and stillborn babies, and the other time to make items for other special causes. Right now we're finishing up a huge undertaking -- making 125 (it was 150 until we got a better count) lap quilts for the local nursing home/rehab center. Several of our online Martha Pullen friends have sent some quilts, quilt tops, squares, fabric and even money to help purchase supplies.
Thank you all for prayer support and practical contributions!
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