Pillowcases Challenge 2014 Sewing for Jessica's Joy

Every year I read about sewing challenges and projects. There are so many that my poor easily-distracted brain can't keep up. They all sound worthy and good but for whatever reason I come up with I can't seem to do it.....that is, until now. 

Recently a friend posted a cry for help on Facebook...a sewing cry for help. She runs a ministry called Jessica's Joy. It is a legitimate charity and best of all, it's local. The charity provides food at the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville, gifts for nursing home patients in Cross City, Fl, and pillowcases for the children at the UF at Shands Oncology unit. When she told me about the pillowcases I knew I finally found the right thing for me...the perfect fit. Something with a needle and thread that I can do at my pace and fit into my crazy schedule.  

I had a pile of holiday fabric I was planning to make scrub tops with but, hey, I'd rather make a pillowcase to comfort someone with, ya know? Much better.

2 yards makes 2 pillowcases plus trim for 3 more. Mix and match. Good to use odds and ends of lace and ribbons, too. 

I love the pink striped fabric! Girly girl stuff. 

So, with a tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Company (I love their roll-up pillowcase tutorial), I made a few pillowcases. Eleven to be exact.  Next project will be neck pillows and walker caddies.  

If anyone wants to help, add a comment....or if anyone is doing a challenge or sewing for a cause, give it a shout. It's good stuff.

The frog fabric is too cute. 

Pillowcases from new and old holiday fabric. 

A pile of them!

Post by Eileen Patterson aka GoofingOff

Making Christmas Memories....Twas the Night Before Christmas....

I'm bad...so bad. I haven't written much in a long time. I've been so busy....Yeah, I know, poor excuse. Well, here goes...Twas the night before Christmas...well really, a couple of nights before Christmas, not a creature was stirring, except me at my sewing machine. What to make that I can do in a hurry, look good (not me, the thing I'll be making), and can fit in an envelope with 2 day shipping? Oh, and for 2 little girls.....I could buy something but honestly, my grandkids are blessed...everyone of them. Loving parents and grandparents who buy them things they need AND things they want so I make things for them. This time I had a time crunch, 1 day, to make it and get it out so I went to my stash and found enough fabric to make pillowcases.
I used this tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYWCma9wgM from the Missouri Star Quilt Company

Here's an example of the pillowcase on their site.
Here's the fabric I used:

Cute, huh? I love the colors, bright and cheerful. Adorable owls, cupcakes and beach balls. Fun!
I'd show you a picture of the pillowcases but I sent them out. I've got a schedule to meet!
Not Neiman Marcus stuff but not too shabby and made with love.

Well, have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy and don't forget to make memories. After the batteries are dead, the dolls busted, and the pieces are missing to all the stuff you get, it's the memories you'll have left. Make good ones.