July 2013 - Monthly Project Announcement

I'm very excited to share this month's project with you!

And I have to give a BIG THANKS to Bonnie from Fishsticks Designs who has helped to design a special pattern just for our project! And it's AWESOME too!

For July, we will be sewing Busy Hands Fidget Aprons.

You can download the pattern FREE at Fishsticks Designs in support of our July Project.

Most all of us have at some point had our lives touched by someone with Alzheimer's, Dementia or similar. It can be a difficult and emotional journey for families. Our hope is that the items we sew this month will help ease some of that. 

The idea for this project was first introduced by one in our Hopeful Threads community, Cheryl. Cheryl has personal connection to a family that this project is especially meaningful for and that has a connection to a local facility where the items will be donated.

Here's more of the details shared by Joanne, the family member that will be delivering our sewn donations this month.

"I lost my father to Huntington’s Disease in 1979 and 30 years later lost my brother to HD.  Having lived with family members who suffer from chronic illnesses, I have a special place in my heart for anyone battling a chronic illness especially those that affect the brain.

My family became close to Carol Ann Lawler while my brother was under Hospice care.

When Carol Ann approached us about working with her to have special aprons made for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, we knew this was a ministry close to our heart and one that our Rag Bag (a fabric and crafts store) customers would willingly help.

We realized this is an excellent project for those who would like to provide a gift to Alzheimer’s or dementia patients, and a great way to get many people involved in a worthwhile project. 

Once ready, your items can be shipped to:

The Rag Bag of Shelby

 810 W. Warren Street

 Shelby, NC 28150

The aprons will then be collected by Carol Ann Lawler the Communities of Faith Liaison of Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region and distributed to Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients in the Charlotte, NC Region. 

  Bonnie is sharing all kinds of suggestions and shopping tips for different types of fidgit items on her blog. Here are a few interesting items I picked up too to give you ideas on the variety of options. When you start thinking with "fidget" in mind, all kinds of possibilities reveal themselves! I was especially pleased with the little stretchy, spiral hair bows. :) There is also an album on Facebook here with other fidget ideas/images.

 I look forward to sewing with you all this month to support this meaningful project!

Our goal is to provide 100 aprons that will hopefully be matched by local Rag Bag customers to provide a donation of a at least 200 aprons.
Are you ready????
Grab the badge, spread the word and let's sew!