Monday 3 August 2015

Pillowcases for Oncology Kids and other Charities

Margie, from Nanny Crafts 4U, is running a sew-along on Facebook, in support of Pillowcases for Oncology Kids, a charity I've supported in the past. They donate pillowcases to children undergoing treatment for cancer, in hospitals around Australia.

Make a Pillowcase and bring a smile to the face of someone who could do with cheering up ~ Threading My Way

Reading about the sew-along reminded me that I had previously cut out several pillowcases, ready to sew when I had a spare minute. The sew-along was just the motivation I needed to sew them up.

Sitting just underneath the cut out pillowcases, I discovered a pre-paid Australia post satchel. Inside were ten finished pillowcases that I'd totally forgotten about. There was still room in the satchel and to save on postage costs, I'd thought I would wait until I had sewn enough to fill the satchel.

Perhaps I need a better storage system so things don't disappear, possibly to be forgotten forever!!!


All up this time I made seven pillowcases, so that brings the total to seventeen and just about fills the post satchel. Think I'll post them anyway, even if there's a little room left over.

My favourites this time are the ones above with the little wind up mice. I bought that gorgeous fabric quite some tine ago, thinking it would make a lovely pinafore. From memory, the gingham was a win.


The pretty rose fabric was given to me by a friend who was de-stashing. It's the same fabric that I used in the Pride and Prejudice dress two years ago. That dress has been so well used!!! I do prefer it with the contrasting maroon, as in the dress, but I had none left, so the pinky / orangey fabric was chosen and it is a perfect match for the roses.


I thought the travel fabric would be perfect for a teenager. It's left over from a drawstring bag and a purse I made my Mum.


Pictured above are the seven pillowcases I sewed up yesterday. The pirate pillowcase below was one of the hidden ten. When I look back at my blog, it was sewn in April last year!!! That's not the oldest. There's two pretty girly ones that were made in February, 2014.


Pillowcases for Oncology Kids is an Australian charity. Details for sending pillowcases are on their Facebook page. Margie's sew-along runs till September, but you can send to Pillowcases for Oncology Kids at any time.

Conkerr Cancer is a similar organisation in North America. There are many chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. Head to the Regional Directory to find chapters near you.

The One Million Pillowcase Challenge is run by American Patchwork and Quilting. They are challenging quilters, sewers and crafters to help them reach their goal of donating one million pillowcases to local charities. As well as charities to help children in hospital, there are also charities helping adults.

From what I can gather, the One Million Pillowcase Challenge is set up for the U.S., although Austrralian Pillowcases for Oncology Kids is listed as one of the charities to donate to. The suggested charities list is huge and I have only quickly skimmed, so quite possibly there are charities from other countries as well. Conkerr Cancer is on their list. 

Make a Pillowcase and bring a smile to the face of someone who could do with cheering up ~ Threading My Way

I tried, unsuccessfully. to find charities where pillowcases can be donated in other parts of the world. If you know of charities elsewhere that accept handmade pillowcases, please leave a link in the comments and I'll add it to the post.

Have you ever sewn a pillowcase? They are a great project for someone who is new to sewing. Later in the week I'll write a post with links to free pillowcase tutorials from around the world.

... Pam

14 comments:

  1. What a great cause! I keep saying I'm going to make a pillow case but have not done it yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like coming across projects that I have forgotten about! Finding a pre-paid packet was definitely a bonus find Pam :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fantastic cause Pam! Margie from Nannycraft4u is a gem. I'll have to join the group and stitch up a few, I've got some great fabric here awaiting a lovely new home! xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely idea and good on you for supporting charity in that way. The last time I sewed a pillow case was in highschool!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I use to send them straight to Australia so I'm glad to find so many different places to send them through to help with their goals Arrow Sewing Cabinets usually colelcts pillowcases as well, thanks for all the links!

    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you have details for sending pillowcases to Arrow Sewing Cabinets?

      Delete
  6. Ohhh! What delicious eye candy for me. You are so good at matching up fabrics turning nice fabrics into spectacular projects! I shall have to see if we have anyone in need of special pillowcases here in New York.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your pillow cases are so beautiful and colorful!! It is a great cause you have been working for.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you so much Pam for the mention. Anyone wishing to join us would be made most welcome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/437689606336248/ :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful pillowcases.. You are working for a good cause. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fun pillowcases for a great cause - win/win! 17 cases - what a fabulous donation - give yourself a pat on the back!

    ReplyDelete
  11. They look so lovely and bright and colourful. This is why I need to make some, our pillowcases round here are much more boring! And perfect that way for the charity I would think.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Foster Closet of Michigan Western Wayne County branch is always in need of home made pillowcases for foster children to use when shopping at the Closet. They pick out their own brightly colored pillowcase before choosing their clothing. This also gives them a soft place to rest their heads at night and it's something they can take with them when they leave their placement. fosterclosetofmichigan.org 800-554-4966 x213

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments and try to reply to all of them via email. If you don't receive an email reply from me, check back here.