It’s a new year and we wanted to share ways to benefit the community through sewing & quilting! These organized groups offer a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in our communities while doing what we love…to sew!
The Piecemakers Quilting Group
Giving back to the community while incorporating their love for quilting, the Piecemakers Quilting Group meets twice a month to assemble quilts that are distributed through Lutheran World Relief. The quilt tops are sewn by various members of the group, then the quilts are assembled at group meetings. On average, the Piecemakers complete 10 Quilts at each meeting! Quality Sewing donated a Brother NS40 sewing machine to help this group with their generous efforts. This group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at Advent Lutheran Church in Mill Creek. Visit the Piecemakers blog for more information!
Bags for YWCA
The YWCA’s Women’s Support Shelter is a domestic violence shelter for women and their families. For many, the Shelter and its related services form a sturdy base from which to start fresh, stable, safe, self-sufficient lives. The mission of the Wednesday Bag Ladies at the Tacoma Quality Sewing location is to provide tote bags for their fresh start. Simple totes, for adults & children, can be great canvasses for embroidery, quilt squares, raw edge applique, decorative stitches, etc. The Wednesday Bag Ladies meet on the third Wednesday of each month at the Tacoma store, read more about the Wednesday Bag Ladies.
Quilts for Vets
Our Federal Way Quality Sewing location has a group that meets the 1st and 3rd Friday morning of each month to sew and put together quilts for military personnel and veterans. Last year the group sent over 1,000 quilts to Afghanistan and made quilts that were distributed at local Veterans Nursing Homes. This group meets the 1st and 3rd Friday morning of each month at the Federal Way store from 10am-12pm. Supplies are provided, however donations are always welcome! For more information, please contact Audrey at the Federal Way Store (253) 946-5865.
Project Linus
Have you heard of Project Linus? Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter work together to achieve one mission which is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” Project Linus has distributed over three million blankets to children in need since 1995. Read here for more information about Project Linus. The Puyallup Quality Sewing location is a Project Linus drop-off point where you can bring your completed blankets to the store then they will be delivered to the local Project Linus Chapter.
Pillowcase Patrol at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo
As a part of the “Million Pillowcase Project”, the 2011 Sewing & Stitchery Expo will be a collection point for handmade pillowcases. Create cheerful pillowcases for the children who are undergoing treatment at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Every person who brings pillowcases will be eligible for a fabulous door prize! Click here for more information and to download the pillowcase pattern.
Do you participate in a group that makes items for a charitable organization? Comment on this blog post and share other opportunities you may know about or participate in with our readers!
Tags: charitable cause, charity work, community outreach, non-profit, quilting group, sewing group
Here is another great organization that one of our readers shared with us:
I was just reading your blog about helping in the community and wanted to share with you what Dress A Girl Around the World is doing. We are sewers from several states (including Washington) and countries working with Hope4Kids International to serve girls so poor they can only dream of ever owning a new dress. We transform used pillowcases, sheets and donated fabric remnants into dresses any little girl can be proud of. Our pattern is simple but produces versatile dresses quickly. And by adding a pocket, a little lace or a vintage handkerchief these dresses become even more unique. Some ladies hide a handmade doll or teddy bear in the pocket for a sweet surprise making it even more special!! In the last year, we have delivered over 12,000 dresses to 34 countries. Our ambitious goal this year is 50,000 dresses to girls in need. We have several local groups sewing for this program and new sewers are becoming involved. If you would like more information I have a blog about the Washington groups http://sewdelightful.blogspot.com/ Thanks so much, Suzanne Lofgren
Maple Leaf Lutheran Church Quilters Circle in Northeast Seattle also makes quilts for Lutheran World Relief. These quilts are shipped all over the world to assist with disaster relief. The group needs gently used full (or larger) sheets for quilt backing. Cotton fabric suitable for quilts is also welcome. Donations may be delivered to the Church at 10005 32nd NE, Seattle, or contact bbcook@msn.com for pickup.
Here’s another one. Nancy Zieman pormotes this on her website and show as well. There is a group of us from our Church that is sewing for this project.
Here’s the link – http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/