How to Make Post op Snuggy Blankets for a Medical Mission

Late last week one of the nurses I work with posted a cry for help...something she doesn't do often. She is going on a medical mission to do oral surgery on children and money is tight....everything goes to the most necessary supplies...they don't have blankets to swaddle the babies post op and calm them and asked for help.
I took a trip to my local thrift shops but found very little so I thought I would make some.
I bought Polar Fleece fabric to make some quick and easy no-sew blankets.
I chose fleece for several reasons.
Fleece is usually 60 inches wide. Since these blankets are for babies, 30 inches wide by 36 inches long should be big enough for a little ones coming out of the operating room and into their mothers' arms. 2 blankets per yard of fabric.
It doesn't ravel or shred making it perfect for a no-sew finish.
It comes in a wide array of colors...like a rainbow sherbet of the blanket world.
And, finally, it is inexpensive. I didn't buy the top dollar fabric. I bought the under-five-dollars-a-yard fabric. The blankets have a mission...and they are not meant to become heirlooms...and that's OK.


With that in mind I took a trip to my local Walmart (we still have a fabric section) and bought about $20 worth of fabric. Even though I figured on a yard for two blankets I went a little longer.....1 1/2 yards per color.

From each 1 1/2 yard length I cut two blankets. 

I used the instructions for no-sew fleece blankets from NebraskaViews blog....click here for the instructions. It's as easy as she says and it looks good, too. 

I used masking tape for my cutting guide, 1 inch wide and 2 inches deep with a 2 inch square from each corner. A small slit near the bottom of each strip allowed for the crochet hook to go through (I used a K hook) and the fabric to pull through. 

I drafted my buddy Diane to help me with cutting the fabric. After that, the finish was easy to do.

Mission accomplished. The blankets are on the way to Honduras to take part in a medical mission. 

I hope the blankets provide warmth and comfort for the children after their surgery. I can't be there but a little bit of me will be there. Maybe I'll get to make more for the next mission. 

Post by Eileen Patterson

Making Kaps for Kendall

After passing on the word about Kaps for Kendall I thought I should make a few caps, too. After all, I have a HUGE pile of fabric and I’m sure there is a piece or two of fleece that would make a few hats to help the cause.            Here’s the fleece I picked out, bright and colorful enough to brighten anyone’s spirits. I used the measurements and guide from Cheri’s “I Am Momma- Hear Me Roar: Upcycled Boy Hats”

After finishing the hat, it sort of reminded me of a kippah. Have to perfect this one for my use. Cute, though.

Made a couple more hats using a pattern I’ve played with before. Here’s the final result.

Too Cute!

Post by Miss Eileen.

Keep a Kid Warm This Winter

Found this in my mail box today. Craftsy teamed up with Project Linus and Kaps for Kendall and the “Keep a Kid Warm This Winter Campaign.” The goal is to collect 1000 blankets (Project Linus) and 1000 hats (Kaps for Kendall) by December 15, 2011. Knitted, crocheted, sewn, it’s all good. Here’s the link:

http://blog.craftsy.com/2011/09/help-craftsy-keep-a-kid-warm-this-winter/

And, here are a few hat patterns to get you started.

Knitted Hat and Scarf. Traditional is always in style.

Color Blocks, totally crocheted. Comes with the cardigan pattern, too.

         This one is sewn from fleece remnants. Vintage styling and very cute!

 

Post by Miss Eileen of GoofingOff and MissEileen on Etsy and Artfire.