Archive for Sewing ideas
Manicures and pedicures are not just a want, but for some…a need!
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Blessing the lives of those who need help is Christlike.
Summer is here – there are manicures and pedicures to take care of ‘summer sandal feet’. You wouldn’t think that would apply to charity as it would seem to be a ‘want’ and not a ‘need’, but for the handicapped and ill, it is a serious need as feet and hands can get sores and cracks leading to infection if not taken care of.
Wheelchair bound patients with braces on their legs develop blisters and open sores that need attention. Caring for those with these special needs takes love, patience and knowledge to give them the assistance they require.
Relief Share donated hygiene products and coordinated efforts to meet the needs of those who required specialized care for their hands and feet. Volunteers, who offered their time and services to give much needed manicures and pedicures, showed compassion and Christlike love to the permanently wheelbound and also patients recovering from serious surgeries as they tenderly ministered to them.
Spirits were lifted, hearts softened, hope returned to those who sometimes seemed forgotten and all were blessed as the spirit of service touched everyone.
We are grateful for our volunteers who blessed the lives of those who needed this specialized kind of help. We are also grateful for the wonderful donors who provided the funds and supplies that the volunteers put to use for the benefit of those needing personal care in these areas.
President Carol Green
ReliefShare.org
info@ReliefShare.org
Pattern for baby positioning aids we donate – ‘neonatal nests’
Posted by: | CommentsThe pattern for a neonatal positioning aid is very simple. It’s basically a tube with an elastic at one end to catch the other end in to make a circle. The baby nest provides a boundary for developing neonates and promotes containment, flexion, correct positioning and musculoskeletal development.
From selvedge to selvedge cut a 6″ wide strip for a small size diameter and an 8″ wide strip for a larger size diameter. Sew it into a tube, stuff it, and sew it closed. Place an elastic loop about 6″ down from the top on one end (I sew it into the seam so it doesn’t rip out). The elastic should be large enough for both ends of the tube to go through.
Form a circle with the tube putting the one end of the tube into the elastic on the other end, making sure that both ends are inside the elastic for stability.
Place a receiving blanket over the entire tube and place baby down in the center – like you would if you were taking baby to the swimming pool and were going to float him in an inner tube.
This positioning aid can also be used by doubling the tube up and placing behind baby to keep him on his side. Babies should not be placed on their stomach, ever, according to recent statistics from the SIDS Council, and laying baby on his back is best unless dealing with reflux problems.
A tube is a tube – you really can’t improve on that 
We have made thousands of these, the hospitals love them and use them as rewards for mothers to take Lamaze and prenatal classes. They are fun to make and your children’s group or our own kids might like to make them and donate them to your local hospital or crisis center.
Tip for stuffing. Cut out the ends of a tin can with a can opener so you have a tube. Put the fabric tube you have made down through the middle of the can and pull the fabric opening over the edge of the can. Stuff the fabric tube, pulling the tin can further and further down it as you go until you are at the end. The tin can provides stability while you are stuff the nest 
Carol
Info@ReliefShare.org
Baby Quilt Pattern – quick & easy!
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Supplies Needed for this darling Baby Quilt (make 2 – one for yourself and one to donate
Color One: 1/2 yard of 44-45″ fabric (1 yard for larger size)
Color Two: 1/3 yard of 44-45″ fabric (1/2 yard for larger size)
Color Three: 1/3 yard of 44-45″ fabric (1/2 yard for larger size)
Binding: Cut binding either 1.5″ wide or 2″ wide (your preference), and long enough to go all the way around your quilt – about 120 inches for the smaller size and 180 inches for the larger size (you may piece strips).
Batting: You will need a 28.5″ x 28.5″ piece of batting (or 42.5″ x 42.5″ if you are making the larger size).
Quilt Backing: 28.5″ x 28.5″ piece of fabric for the quilt back (or 42.5″ x 42.5″ if you are making the larger size).
Cutting Instructions
PRE-WASH AND DRY YOUR FABRIC before beginning, if desired.
Small Quilt – Baby Blanket Size (28.5″ x 28.5″) Cut strips of fabric 4.5″ x w.o.f. (width of fabric) For color one, cut three strips, each 4.5″ x 44-45″ (your width of fabric) For colors two and three, cut two strips of fabric 4.5″ x w.o.f. Cut strips into 4.5″ squares. For color one, you will need a total of 25 squares. For colors two and three you will need a total of 12 squares of each color.
Larger Quilt – Lap Size (42.5″ x 42.5″) Cut strips of fabric 6.5″ x w.o.f. (width of fabric)
For color one, cut four strips, each 6.5″ x 44-45″ (your width of fabric), plus one more square that measures 6.5″ x 6.5″ For colors two and three, cut two strips of fabric 6.5″ x w.o.f. Cut strips into 6.5″ squares. For color one, you will need a total of 25 squares. For colors two and three you will need a total of 12 squares of each color.
Sewing Instructions
Using 1/4″ seam allowances, sew the squares together. It is easiest to assemble the squares into one row at a time. You can create horizontal or vertical rows. After your rows are created, sew the rows together. TIP: Iron all squares before sewing them into rows. Iron the rows before sewing them together. It works best to press the seams in opposite directions. In other words, if row one has seams pressed to the left, press the seams of row two to the right. That way, when you sew the rows together, it is easier to match corners more precisely.
Quilting Instructions
You can now stitch the three layers together, either by tying with yarns or embroidery floss, hand quilting or machine quilting.
President Carol Green
ReliefShare.org
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
417-763-3288
Make your own double bias tape – quick and easy!
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For folks helping out with making bibs and other items with bias binding on it, there is a cheap easy way to make your own bias tape. Now you can have a darling custom fabric bias to match the item you are making and you don’t have to pay a lot to buy the store bought bias tape!
We found this wonderful visual tutorial for DIY bias tape on the net and are happy to share the link with you!
bias binding
When you find fun informative sites like this one, please email us so we can include a link to it on our site so everyone can enjoy saving money and having fun being creative!
30 more twin size quilts donated to Shriners Childrens Hospital!
Posted by: | CommentsOur volunteers have been busy as little bees. We have just made and donated THIRTY patchwork twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital for use on their patients beds and for cuddling the children after surgery. We now have another 68 quilts to go to make our 240 goal that was requested!
All the fabric, batting, thread, yarn and machines needed were dedicated and consecrated for the benefit of the sick and needy. Nothing is wasted, each piece of fabric is sewed into place with love and concern for the little ones who are getting needed treatment at the hospital.
Many of the children are missing limbs, some can’t walk, some have halos, others needs spinal surgery and ALL are very much loved and well cared for at the hospital. We feel blessed to have the opportunity to bless the lives of the children by creating our quilts made by happy volunteers and loving hands.
If you would like to be included in this wonderful project – feel free to contact us at info@ReliefShare.org
Busy righteous hands belong to happy people! Join us!
How to make a quilt into a pillow for storage
Posted by: | CommentsWhen donating to the hospitals, crisis centers or homeless shelters, storing quilts can take up quite a bit of space and make a mess for the staff as quilts are pulled out for use. Donating “quilts in a pillow” helps with storage and also provides a more useful multi use item.
The fastest way to make a’quilt in a pillow” is to first make a ‘pillowcase’ quilt. Lay the front and back of the quilt down with the right sides together. Put the batting on top of the front and back and cut all three layers together the same size.
Sew a 1/2 ” seam around all the edges, leaving a large enough opening in the center of one side to turn the quilt. Turn and either sew closed by hand, or sew closed by machine. Topstitch 1/4″ all around the edge to secure. Tie, hand quilt or machine quilt the quilt. If tying make sure that ties are at least 4″ apart or less for stability of the quilt. Double tie the knots. Please do not just take a stitch and then another one in the same spot and keep going. Quilts that are tied this way without making a knot come undone in hospital laundry. Make sure you tie a square knot using thread or yarn that does not slip. Embroidery thread is not a good choice because it tends to work it’s way loose through wear.
Make a square mini quilt the same way you just made the quilt (omitting the tying or quilting) that is approx. just larger than 1/3 the size of the narrowest width of the quilt. For example: if your quilt was 45″ x 72″, then make your mini quilt 18″ square. The mini quilt makes the pocket.
Lay the larger quilt down with one shorter side next to you like you are standing at the end of a bed. Place the mini quilt on the edge of the short side nearest you and center it on the edge. Sew down three sides, leaving the side open that faces the center of the quilt, making a pocket. Reinforce the ends of your stitching so the pocket will not come unsewn from the quilt.
To make the quilt into a pillow, lay the quilt with the pocket side down . Fold the quilt into thirds longways, overlapping long edge. Turn the pocket over the end of the quilt. Fold the remaining quilt into thirds and continue folding into the pocket forming a pillow.
Voila! Done You can embroider a cute teddy bear face or heart on the front of the pocket if you want to make it fun for a child or adult.
Note – regarding quilt sizes: Baby quilts can be 36″ x 36″, 36″ x 45″ or 45″ x 60″. Larger quilts can be 45″ x 60″ or larger, depending if it is going to be used for a child or adult, partial coverage such as a wheelchair quilt or full coverage for a bed. The bottom line is pretty much any size is welcomed to keep the sick and needy comfortable and warm. Twin size quilts are the most urgent size needed right now – approx 70″ x 90″. You can make the quilts all the way up to 120 x 120 if you like, be creative and have fun making your donation of love for the sick and/or needy. Feel free to sign the quilt and ask your church group or quilting group if they would like to get involved.
We love to receive volunteers items lovingly sewn for the sick and needy to distribute where the need is the greatest. If you would like to donate quilts in a pillow or supplies to make them to Relief Share, please send donations to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd., Houston, MO 65483-2225. All donations are gratefully accepted and acknowledged with a tax deductible receipt and thank you letter.
Patterns and ideas are happily accepted to share with others on our Relief Share website, blog and at work meetings. Please send submissions to info@ReliefShare.org Upon receipt, all submissions will be considered public domain for distribution for charitable purposes and will not be returned so if it’s your favorite pattern, please make sure you have a copy, too. Thank you
Recent donations in – supplies, children’s clothing and more & Donations out
Posted by: | CommentsRelief Share has been very blessed with donations to help the sick and/or needy families we serve. Donations of baby and toddler clothing, shoes, diaper bags, quilts, blankets, sheets, and toys came in and very quickly were donated out to where they were needed the most.
A generous donation of books from Alma Mooney of Licking was received as a fundraiser to raise money needed to purchase flannel for the backing of the Relief Share Quilts for Kids project.
Donations out include helping a family with a young child and another on the way with nursing pillow covers, household goods, food, baby clothing and bedding, essential supplies, toys, and other needed items. Newborns in Need Ozarks Chapter was the recipient of a large donation of cone yarn, baby clothing, bedding, fabric and diaper bags.
Donations of clothing to area residents in need of warmer seasonal clothing and food was also given out.
Wonder what you can help with? Here is a handy urgent needs list that you can print out and take with you when you do your shopping. Just get one or two extra items and send them to:
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225
All donations are tax deductible.
Urgent Needs List:
Basic food item suggestions – Sugar, flour, salt, pepper, oil, cereal, tinned food such as beans, vegetables, fruit, soup, etc. Baby food, formula, crackers, tuna, etc. Many of the families we serve are very grateful for the food given them. A package of animal crackers, macaroni and cheese or juice boxes can make the world of difference to a hungry child. A Wal Mart gift card is also a great donation item as volunteers in our Relief Share office are happy to take the list of what is needed and purchase food and personal items, like toilet paper and shampoo and deliver it to the needy family – this also saves on shipping cost to us.
Clothing – clean gently used clothing or new. Socks, pants, tops, coats, shoes, undergarments, hats, mittens, etc. Accessories like purses or wallets, belts and backpacks are very gratefully accepted by recipients.
Bedding – home made, clean gently used or new. sheets, blankets, baby blankets, receiving blankets, pillows, pillow cases, crib sets, afghans.
Personal hygiene items – shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, deodorant, moisturizer, lotion, wet wipes, baby oil, baby diaper cream, baby powder, etc.
Books, toys, movies, games, and furniture is also welcome. Christmas is coming and many of the families we care for have little or nothing for the holiday. Full size filled stockings are a huge blessing at the Christmas season. We donate the stockings, when available, to foster homes, hospitals, medical centers, crisis centers, homeless shelters and area churches who care for the sick and needy. A doll or book can make a wonderful difference in a little one’s holiday season. A mother struggling to care for her family with no partner for support is grateful for a soft warm scarf from a donor to show her someone cares for her.
You can make Christmas brighter and more blessed by showing your love to a stranger who has need of your care.
Here are some ideas for you to consider making items to donate:
Sewing – quilts, baby clothing, bedding, blankets, tote bags, diaper bags, toys, dresses, diapers
Quilting – baby quilts, twin size quilts, toys, Christmas ornaments, tree skirts, wall hangings, totes
Knitting – hats, sweaters, mittens, socks, pants, tops, blankets, afghans, toys
Crochet – afghans, blankets, hats, dish cloths, toys, clothing, sweaters, mittens
Tat – handkerchiefs, bonnets, doilies , lace trim for baby gowns
Embroider – blankets, hats, clothing, toys
If you have questions or would like to talk with representatives from Relief Share – please feel free to email info@ReliefShare.org or call 417-967-3340 and ask for Stephanie or Carol. Please note: all Relief Share workers are volunteers – no one is paid – this is a work of the heart in Christ’s name giving relief through sharing to God’s children. We are his hands and feet showing mercy to the less fortunate – join us and make a difference today.
Diaper Covers for the hospital for children
Posted by: | CommentsThis is what we have been busy sewing. When children are in a body cast or spica cast, they need a large diaper cover that goes over the diaper area – right over the cast! These diaper covers are lined with a waterproof material called PUL that does well in medical applications as it stand the heat well in cleaning. On the outside of the PUL material we use cotton or knit.
The medium size diaper covers for a little girl were done in pink minky fabric, so luxurious and soft. The larger diaper covers were made in kids print – hopefully to bring a smile to the face of the patients and their parents.
Here are pictures of the diaper covers – we used wide velcro and plastic resin snaps applied with a snap press for closures and they can be snapped small or all the snaps opened for a very large diaper cover. There are three rows of snaps for a wide range of sizes, depending on how you snap the diaper cover.
Medium and large diaper covers
Medium size diaper cover that can be snapped down really small or unsnapped for a much larger diaper cover.
Large diaper cover in animal print for boys. Note that the pattern is upsidedown so the child will be able to see the animals.
Nemo large diaper cover.
Large diaper cover - little girls love princesses
back of large diaper cover with fun girly print.
fun fairy print in large diaper cover for little girl
two more diaper covers in fun fairy print and lined with PUL
Large diaper cover lined with green PUL
We created labels for the diaper covers using our ink jet printer
Fool proof way to remove applied plastic snaps.
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Ever used your snap pliers or snap press to put on snaps and realize you put on the wrong part? Tried to get it off but put a hole in the fabric and ruined the item? This is for you…..
My daughter found a fool proof way of removing the snaps without damaging the fabric.
She took a pair of button shank removers and cut off the top of the snap completely – making sure she got the center as that is what holds the snap together. Then she turned the diaper over and put the edge of her fingernail under the cap. She inserted a small slot screwdriver under the cap and turning it slightly on it’s side, she popped off the cap.
Once she got the hang of it, it took her less time to pop the snaps off with no damage than it does for me to write this post.
KMart, Hancock fabrics and most other fabric stores carry button shank removers. I bet a pair of small wire cutters would do the same thing.
Good luck!
Carol
Donation out – gowns to make burial layettes with
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the items that we make at Relief Share is burial layettes for children who have passed away and only need one last gown and blanket to be snuggled in.
When someone is willing to make these burial layettes for the hospital, we donate out satin gowns to be cut up and used for the burial layette. Out of one wedding dress we can get 20 gowns!
We just happened to have 2 dresses made of satin and lace with beading that were donated by a store who couldn’t sell them because someone had spilled something on them. There has been no time lately to make them up into burial layettes but we weren’t concerned because we didn’t have any recent requests for them.
A lady from another charity asked for supplies to make burial layettes with so we donated the gowns out to her to use
If you have a beautiful wedding or bridesmaid gown that you are no longer using, please consider sending it to us to be used to make burial layettes. Many a grieving parent have expressed their gratitude for the beautiful layettes we provide in their time of need. You can help make it happen.
Donations out – tote bag
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I just finished working on this tote bag for a wonderful lady who has cancer. She has always given of herself when others needed her and now it’s her turn to be shown love. She wanted a book bag that she could also put her craft projects into to take to doctor’s appointments.
This tote bag is a unique design that was made just for her. The bag is lined and has fiberfill throughout to provide stability. I used the snap press to put snaps on the ends so she could make the tote smaller or larger, depending on what she was carrying and there is also a key holder that snaps in one end. I put a snap closure in the middle to hold things in.
The tote is trimmed in gold metallic bias binding and made from cotton quilters fabric. I padded the handles for comfort and double stitched everything so it is durable. It is a generous 25″ across. A lot of things can fit in this bag so it could also double for an overnight bag if needed.
My daughter, Laura, chose the fabric as it is perfect for this sweet lady. She loves the Lord and knows he will be with her throughout any and all trials she will experience. We are including a book for her to read called “Everyday Miracles”.
I started the bag this afternoon and stayed up to finish it so we can ship it first thing tomorrow via priority post. Her surgery is coming up ASAP and we want her to have the bag to not only use, but know she is loved and cared for.
Tutorial – How to make your own cloth labels
Posted by: | CommentsMaking your own cloth labels is so easy but it took a lot of research and testing before we came up with the right way to do it.
Materials needed:
- white or cream muslin (you can use whatever material you like, including gross grain or ribbon)
- freezer paper
- heat and bond
- compute
- ink jet printer
First wash your fabric to make sure there is no sizing or other chemicals in it as the sizing interferes with the ink’s permanency. I purchased white muslin from my local quilt shop that has no sizing or chemical in it. The store owner carries this muslin specifically for projects where folks are making memory quilts or labels. Dry and iron your fabric so there are no wrinkles.
Design your label on your computer. I used Adobe Photoshop as there was a graphic on the label as well as fonts, but if you are making sizing or care labels and just need black text, you can use a word processing program.
Put the logo you have designed into Microsoft Word or another program that does labels – I chose the format that prints out 30 labels on a page. You can use your graphics program and lay out a sheet of labels but I found that printing smaller text from a graphics program results in lack of sharpness in the text and prefer to use MS Word or Publisher.
Cut your fabric and freezer paper to 8 1/2″ by 11″ and fuse the freezer paper to the back of the fabric. This makes the fabric stiff enough to go through the printer with no problem.
Print out your labels on the fabric. Let dry completely – at least 10 to 15 minutes, but I let mine dry overnight. Peel off the freezer paper from the back of the fabric.
Iron on heat and bond on the back of the labels – being careful not to rub or press too hard and cause the print to smear. You can skip this step if you are sewing your labels in but I use heat and bond on the back of my labels even if I am sewing them on because it holds them quite nicely as I am sewing and makes sure they are on to stay.
Peel off the paper off the heat and bond backing from the back of the fused fabric. At this point, I cut my fabric into individual labels with a rotary cutter. Fill a plastic bowl or your sink with very cold water. I used the cold water from my fridge dispenser as it was close and easy. Make sure there is plenty of water as you are pulling the excess ink off the fabric so the particles don’t come off and adhere to other parts of the label you don’t want it to and smear or ruin the label. Do not twist or rub the labels – just carefully lay them in the water and gently swish them with your hand, separating the labels that want to stick together. The water should be clear and the font on the labels look darker because of the water.
Gently remove the labels from the plastic bowl and lay out individually on a towel. Put another towel over the labels and with a rolling pin, press to remove excess water.
Set the ink by using the highest heat on your iron for 8 to 10 seconds, but be sure to drain the water from your iron first because you don’t want any steam.
Since there was fused heat and bond on the back of the labels – I put the slightly damp label on the edge of the xray room hospital shorts and fused the label on at the same time that I set the ink. I had extra labels left over so I set the ink and used some of the backing for the heat and bond that I had taken off the back of the labels so all I have to do when I want to use those labels is again peel the backing off and they are good to go.
I sewed around the edge of the label with a straight stitch just inside the edge. Voila! All done.
It really didn’t take all that long, but it was a huge journey of finding the right way to do it and a lot of frustration trying out different methods and things.
This method for making labels can be used for printing out photos for memorial quilts and anything else you might want to print on fabric.
Enjoy.
Snap Press now set up as a foot press! A huge help!
Posted by: | CommentsA big thank you to Richard Green for converting our hand snap press to a foot press. It is quick and easy to use now, with no discomfort or pain in attaching snaps to our diaper covers and IV hospital gowns for the hospital.
The snaps are resin so the hospital is delighted as the gowns don’t have to be removed when the children are xrayed. They also go through the hospital laundry just fine.
We are also thrilled that Friend Lumber in Licking, MO allowed us to purchase all the lumber needed for the snap press for only $6.38 because we are a charity. Good people are everywhere!
Snap press conversion to foot press.
Snap press to attach snaps to hospital gowns and diaper covers
We have already put the snaps on 15 hospitals gowns! This would have taken us a LOT longer without the press! With the press converted to a foot press, there are no aching arms and backs! Wonderful!
Embry Claire helping her Mommy put snaps on
Charity quilt being worked on
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Quilt for little patient at Shriner's Hospital being worked on
This quilt is certainly being made with a lot of love. We are using a Cardinals t-shirt purchased at Wal Mart as we couldn’t find any St Louis Cardinals fabric to use. Wal Mart also had the perfect red, blue and yellow fabric to go with the red shirting material with logo. We are strip quilting the quilt and need to go purchase stabilizer to iron on the back of the shirt that we have carefully cut open on the seams to use for the quilt. Fortunately, there is a quilt shop having a sale of 40% off in town so we can get the stabilizer there.
When the patchwork quilt is pieced, then we will add the patients name in applique on the top of the quilt. Everyone is so excited to get the quilt done and to this darling little boy. He has had many many operations in his short life time and is always cheery and fun to be around. What a good example to the rest of us, eh?!
Keep checking back, we will post the progress on this quilt of love.
Sewing blocks for twin quilts – pattern idea.
Posted by: | CommentsI am so excited. Yesterday, when shopping for more fabric for the twin size quilts wer are doing for Shriner’s Hospital in St Louis, I found some marvelous shiny fabric that is perfect for fish applique! The little children will love it. I have the perfect block fabric to go with it.
This shiny kind of fabric must not be sewn on directly if you are doing applique unless you are very patient and skilled in handling it. I have a wonderful quilting book with templates for frogs and fish that I will be using. Here is how you do it:
Cut two squares the size you want, making sure you leave a 1/4 seam around all edges. Place fabric right sides together – for these blocks I am using 100% cotton quilting fabric. Pin together so the fabric does not shift and carefully trace the frog or fish applique shape on the block, centering it – or even putting it slightly off center for an interesting block. Sew around the shape with a short stitch, approx 2.0. Cut out the inside of the shape, snipping the curves and turn so right sides are out and iron. Now you have a block with the shape of the fish or frog in the middle that is ready to be laid down over the shiny fabric.
Pin carefully with silk pins so there are no pin holes in the fabric and the fabric doesn’t shift while sewing, layering the shiny fabric right side up on the bottom and the cotton fabric you have just sewn on the top so the shiny fabric fills the outline you have just made. Sew carefully around the outside of the frog or fish shape approx 1/8″.
Viola! You now have a wonderful block to incorporate into your twin size quilt for the hospital.
The book I am using for the shapes is called 150 blocks for baby quilts by Susan Briscoe. I bought it at the local Enchanted Quilt Shop. The frog pattern in that book is my very favorite. It is on page 79.
I would love to see your block pattern ideas for the quilts you are making. Feel free to post ideas and pictures here to our Relief Share blog!
Happy sewing,
Carol Green
President
www.ReliefShare.org