Now that the Quilt Along for Charity has finished I decided to contact Pillowcases for Oncology Kids to ask how we could best help them. I was delighted to receive a reply from both Brittany and Neil (Brittany’s grandfather) and the response was a positive one for the suggestion of Christmas pillowcases. Brittany also suggested that they were in need of some that were suitable for teenage boys.
I’m sure we will be able to help out! I can’t make promises about how many we can make, but Neil told me about a lady who has supported them from the start. Just before I phoned Neil, this wonderful lady had dropped off 374 pillowcases!!!! Individually, the same lady has made a total of over 800 since Brittany started!!!!
So let’s see how many we can make over the next month – let me know when you finish one so we can add it to the overall tally – and happy sewing!!
What is Pillowcases for Oncology Kids?
“Set up by 17 year old Brittany, we create and donate pillowcases to oncology kids in
hospitals around Australia.
Brittany was 6 months old when she was diagnosed with a rare GERM CELL tumour; she had treatment for 3 years, and was given a 0.01% survival rate. She is now a gorgeous 17 year old who still has a long way to go, but has decided to help put a smile on someone else’s face by creating “PILLOWCASES FOR ONCOLOGY KIDS”.
She knows how hard it is, and that sometimes you have a long road to travel. She also hopes that one day no one will have to go through what she has to.
Brittany used to have a particular pillow/pillowcase that she took to hospital all the time she was receiving treatment, hers was navy blue with tiny red cherries on it.
What started out as a small pillowcase drive to collect/create handmade pillowcases
that she could donate to Oncology Kids in Hospital, (she was able to donate approx.
120 pillowcases to Westmead just after her 15th birthday in September 2011) has now escalated to something she wishes to continue 365 days a year and donate pillowcases not only to Westmead Childrens Hospital, where she received and continues to receive her treatment, but to hospitals all around Australia and overseas.
We have delivered over 10,000 pillowcases to date.”
What sort of fabric do I use?
The pillowcases are to be made from 100% cotton.
Neil explained that when the pillowcases need washing, the 100% cotton ones can be washed at the extremely high temperatures required. They also become lovely and soft with use.
Is there a ‘theme’ for the pillowcases?
Any pillowcases are gratefully received but:
We will be concentrating mainly on Christmas themed pillowcases – let’s help make sure that all the children receive a pillowcase this Xmas!! and
I would also like to gather some pillowcases for teenage boys. Speaking with Neil earlier today, he suggested “anything macabre – skulls, coffins, real Halloween sort of stuff – that seems to be what they are ‘in to’!!”
What if I can’t sew or don’t have the time to sew – how can I help?
You can still help by donating 1m of 100% cotton fabric (1m will make 1 pillowcase) and someone else will make it up for you. I have already had offers of both fabric and sewing so thank you!! If you would like to help, please message me at Nannycraft4u or email me at nannycraft4u@gmail.com
Where do we send the pillowcases?
Please forward your washed, ironed pillowcases to:
SE Qld: PO BOx 250
Maleny Qld 4552
NSW : 22 Lacebark Grove
Worrigee NSW
SA: Teresa Lane
27 Bywaters Ave,
Willaston SA 5118,
__________________________________________________
So Let’s Sew!
We will start with the Standard pillowcase!
Note the Boo Designs pattern makes a pillowcase a bit larger than the required size so I have put the measurements suggested by Pillowcases for Oncology Kids.
1. Cut out 2 rectangles – one 50cm x 75cm and the other 50 cm x 94cm. Now is your fabric directional? Does it have a picture or writing that only has a right way up? Mine does –
so put the larger piece (the back) face down on the table making sure that the writing or picture is the right way up.
Place the smaller piece (the front) on top, making sure the writing is still the right way up.
2. Fold over 1cm on this short side of each piece and press. I just pressed it with my fingers – it doesn’t have to be exact!!
3. Fold again and sew close to the edge.
4. Now turn the back piece over,right side up, keeping pictures up the right way, putting the hem to the left. Matching the raw ends, place the front on top, up the right way and face down so they are right side to right side.
5. You are now going to fold the back OVER the front until it reaches the hem on the front.
6. Now sew around the 3 raw sides, starting and ending with some back stitches.
7. Finish the seam with an overlocker/serger or a zigzag and trim.
I told you it was easy!! You have now made a beautiful pillowcase that will delight a child spending Xmas in hospital – thank you!!
Make sure you give it a good press and please take a photograph to share with us.
If you are only able to make one pillowcase, that is wonderful, and it will be just as gratefully received as any other but, if you are able to continue helping out, that would be wonderful too!
We will look at some different ‘styles’ as we go to help use up the off-cuts.
Until next time
Nanny xx