Sewing Suggestions with Tutorial Links for the 1st Quarter Project!

Ok, let's get this party started!!!! :)

I figured it might help if I included links to a variety of sewing tutorials that I have come across that could be used for our 1st Quarter Project. Please don't feel limited to these in any way, if you have a pattern or tutorial that you prefer, run with it! This is just a spring board to help us all get started. Oh, and if you do have a great pattern and/or tutorial, Please Share! :) We might love it too!

THINGS WE CAN SEW:

This list will provide links to a variety of FREE Sewing Tutorials for the following items....

Tote Bags and/or Diaper Bags: LOTS of options on my "Pouches, Purses & Bags" pin board here.

This Cargo Duffle from Robert Kaufman is a perfect option for the older teens, especially BOYS!

Pillowcases: There are more pillowcase tutorials than I could count on THIS BOARD that Melissa & I created for a project back in September 2012.

You can also find MANY Pillowcase tutorials from the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge HERE.

Laundry Bags: Marie-Madeline Studios has a darling one HERE.

And this Wash & Go bag from Sew It All Magazine HERE.

Cosmetic/Toiletry Bags & Pouches: Again, there are a bunch of these on my "Pouches, Purses & Bags" board here, but I just LOVE this Overnight Bag from The Purl Bee found HERE.

Hooded Towels: Crazy Little Projects shares a BUNCH of ideas HERE!

Or there is an adorable and easy to sew Hooded Fleece Poncho at Blessings Overflowing HERE.

Other Useful Items:

Links to a variety of tutorials for Bibs, Burpcloths and load of other handmade baby items can be found on my "Baby Sewing" board here. 

Links to a variety of tutorials for Headbands/Hair Wraps/Hats can be found on my "Head Gear" board here. 

Again, if you know of others, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. 

Thanks for sewing along this Quarter!

2014 - 1st Quarter Project Announcement

As many of you know, our family is personally connected with our local foster care community. A need that is continually been brought to our attention is that of Hygiene Products for children as they enter foster custody. As I have mentioned before when we have sewn for the foster care community, it isn't uncommon for children to come into care with little to no personal belongings. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but the NEED remains the same. The children range in age from newborn - 18 years old. By providing Personal Care Bags for the children, they instantly have something in hand that belongs to them, while at the same time, it will help lighten the instant preparations of their new caregivers.  

For our 2014 - 1st Quarter Project, we are going to focus on how we can meet this need. I'm going to break down the details below with Suggestions of different items that can be sewn or purchased in support of our 1st Quarter Project. I'm trying to simplify and help guide our sewing/gathering with these suggestions, but please do not feel limited by them in any way. 

The need is Hygiene/Personal Care Bags filled with Age Appropriate items. 

Have fun filling them with things you, your children or grandchildren might like, and I'm sure they will find their way to a child who can use every single item included! As always, please don't hesitate to email me with any questions and I will personally reply as soon as I can. Here we go....

THINGS WE CAN SEW:

Tote Bags and/or Diaper Bags

Pillowcases

Laundry Bags

Cosmetic/Toiletry Bags & Pouches

**Additionally, I have had a specific request for Hooded Towels/Blankets since some children are having to be treated for head lice immediately upon coming into care, and may be transported with hair still wet. Having their heads covered is especially important during the cold months we are in. Find a link to several different DIY versions here.

THINGS WE CAN PURCHASE:

Many of these items may also easily be sewn for those interested in doing so. Focus here on what is age appropriate for the age range you are packing the bag for.

Newborn-Toddler Bag: Wipes, diapers, diaper cream, baby soap/shampoo, bibs, burpcloths, pacifiers, bottles/sippy cups, snacks, formula, small age appropriate toy/activity/book. 

5-12 years Child's/Junior's Bag: Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Tootbrush/Paste, Brush/Comb, Hair Accessories like pony tail holders, styling products, etc. , deodorant, lotion, underwear, socks, small age appropriate toy/activity/book.

13-18 years Teen's Bag: Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Tootbrush/Paste, Brush/Comb, Hair Accessories like pony tail holders, styling products, etc. , deodorant, lotion, perfume/cologne, underwear, socks, shaving supplies, menstrual supplies, journal.

TARGET DATE:

The need is immediate, so you can send your items as soon as they are ready, and I will make periodic deliveries throughout the Quarter as I have a box full.

The 1st Quarter Project will run active from January 1, 2014 - March 31, 2014. Seeing as how this is most definitely an on-going need, I will gladly continue to deliver any bags anyone wishes to send on-going for this need as well. 

SHIP TO:

When your item(s) are ready to be mailed, you can ship them to me at the following business address to insure the packages are never left unattended. **Please notify me upon shipping your package whenever possible so I can be watching for it. As always, I will post either on your photo in our Flickr group album or facebook when packages are received. 

Kristy Smith

c/o Echelon Florist

1260 Rocky Hill Road

Knoxville, TN 37919

I will be sharing samples of the bags I put together along the way to provide ideas and welcome any you may have as well! I've created a 2014/1st Quarter Project Flickr Album where you can add pictures of your project donations, which can further serve as ideas and inspiration for others interested in participating. 

Additionally, if you come across any new patterns/tutorials or special sales on items that might be useful for our project, Please Share! I will do the same, and already have pinned many, many sewing tutorials perfect for this project on my Pinterest Boards HERE.

Let's make an impact on this precious community of children and their caregivers this quarter!

2014...A Look Ahead

Hopeful Threads is entering is 4th year of sewing to give. 

4 years. 

WOW! It's been an amazing journey filled with getting to know so many of you as we share our creativity, far and wide, in many, many ways to help our friends in need. What a blessing it has been!

While I am looking very much forward to a continued outreach in 2014, there are going to be some significant changes to the way things flow around here that I would like to share with you. 

As you saw in the post I shared yesterday, we have been very busy around Hopeful Threads.

In 2013 alone, the Hopeful Threads community has sewn and donated hundreds and hundreds of handmade gifts to fulfill a variety of needs! Some of these have included care bags for homeless shelters, bibs, blankets & quilts, school supplies and the project closest to our family's hearts, nearly 500 stuffed toys have been donated since May, to children in foster care through our ongoing FLUFF Project! 

SEW EXCITING!!!!!!

As we look ahead to the coming New Year, it's always a time for us to pause and reflect, but also begin planning. 2014 holds some significant plans for our family personally, and so we are adjusting our calendar now to begin preparation. This includes Hopeful Threads.

Rather than having Monthly Projects as we have for the past 3 years, for at least the 2014 year, we will be transitioning to Quarterly Projects. This will allow us a more concentrated focus and greater impact per project, as well as, free up some time personally for me. There will be times when my posts are as frequent and detailed as they have always been, but there will also be times when things are a bit quieter, as I attempt to follow the ebb & flow that life presents on a day to day basis, with my primary focus being on my family.

I look forward to continuing to ride this ride with each of you and am so very grateful for your friendship, support and participation. 

Happy New Year, and.....

2013....Projects at a Glance.

2013. A fabulous year of sharing our creativity in a way that helps another!

Read more about each of our projects HERE.

Thank you for being a part of the giving efforts of Hopeful Threads!

Looking forward to sewing with you in 2014.

Good Tidings of Great Joy to ALL!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas....

source

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Maybe....

Free Printable HERE.