Helping The Homeless.

Yesterday I delivered 4 large boxes of donations for an organisation in Dandenong which helps disadvantaged families and the homeless.  We donated 1 very large quilt,  2 knitted beanies, 22 warm jumpers, 5 vests, 50 pair of dress pants and 12 drawstring bags.  The clothing was all obsolete uniforms donated by Ambulance Victoria and I just needed to remove their badges. 

There's a big need for newborn booties so I have added the pattern here. If you do knit them could you please attach them together so they don't lise their mate. They knit up quickly in 8 ply.

 There's also an ongoing need for Santa Sacks sized 16 x 20 inches or 20 x 24 inches, drawstring bags sized 12 x 14 inches, quilts for 7 to 10 year olds sized 40 x 48 inches, crocheted blankets and handknits.

I've also finished another I Spy quilt made from obsolete uniforms and I have more squares ready to sew.

Backpacks 4 Vic Kids have also requested shorts of all sizes.

Many thanks everyone for your support. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

A Variety of Donations.

Lots of lovely donations have arrived and Kaye Hardman made 4 colourful library bags.

Mary Anne Rooney sent a large parcel containing 4 Santa Sacks she made as well as 28 QAYG blocks from Jayne Alexander and the Charity Sweres from Bendigo.

Annette Pascoe donated a large amount of fabric and a large bag of soft toys.

Annette's mother,  Nell, has donated 4 beautifully knitted baby's jackets and 6 beanies.

Margaret Humphrey and the Somerville Stitchers have been very busy again and have donated 9 lovely quilt tops,  12 pair of booties, 10 knitted beanies, 6 baby jackets, 7 burp cloths, 69 pieced squares,  12 knitted squares,  a bag of bindings  and fabric.

The QAYG quilt was made by Jayne Alexander and the Charity Sewers from Bendigo. 

Annette Pascoe donated these 3 beautiful quilts for kids.

 Many thanks for your generous donations. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

It was lovely to have a very productive sewing retreat and I managed to finish up lots of bits and pieces. This lovely top,was donated by my friend,  Marijke from Holland, and a child will love it.

Kaye Hardman made 12 drawstring bags from fabric donated by Dymphne Anderson. 

Kate from NSW has donated this beautiful quilt. 

I quilted another donated quilt top and a boy will love it.

 Wendy Fry very kindly added the press studs to 6 premmie nighties and I made 12 drawstring bags from donated scrap fabric. I also made 23 bibs which had been donated as tops and it's great to get things finished and ready for donation. 

It was lovely to spend time with friends 

Mainly Sewing.

I've just returned from a 4 day retreat at Mainly Sewing with quilting friends and it was very relaxing but also very productive.  I sewed 2 tops, pin basted 3 tops and quilted one.

We donated 15 quilts for children and 1 special quilt to be raffled by Fusion who do wonderful work with disadvantaged families in the Frankston area. 

The venue is beautifully situated on a few acres and surrounded by bushland, providing a very peaceful atmosphere. 

I attached 3 borders to this quilt top to make it larger and more useful. 

I  took a large tub of donated fabric scraps and some made library bags from them.

I also made 12 drawstring bags and cut some into useful squares. 

 I had received a donation of baby bib pieces and finally finished them so that us another 23 ready for donation and I knitted half of a cardigan for a baby.

It was great to get some UFOs finished and ready for donation as well as spending special time with friends. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

Arrivals and Departures.

These 3 fabulous quilts were dropped off today with a note that they're from Lyn, but I'm not sure which Lyn. Many thanks if it was you.

I was busy still sorting boxes of donations and creating more storage space in the garage and found that I had enough items to take another trip to Backpacks 4 Vic Kids  today. We donated 10 quilts, 123 Santa Sacks,  133 drawstring bags,  108 soap pouches,  school supplies,  hand knits, 52 teddies with custom made jumpers,  soft toys, and baby garments. I also took 3 large bags of fleece fabric as they have a sewing group who will sew track suit pants, which are always needed. That frees up storage space and gives me more time to quilt.

 The staff at Backpacks were very happy with all of the donations,  especially the Santa Sacks as they have started packing them already and packed 400 last week. They really appreciate all the time and effort you put into your donations. 

Many thanks. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

Two New Arrivals.

Judith Cooke has very kindly donated another 2 beautiful quilts which will bring warm hugs to people in need.  Patty McNamara has very kindly delivered the quilts to me for Judith. 

 Our weather is turning colder and quilts, blankets and hand knits are in demand. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

The Nicola Crt Quilters and More Finishes.

Margaret Brown and the Nicola Crt Quilters have been very busy sewing and have donated 28 tote bags, 68 pencil cases with pencils,  108 soap pouches with soap, 57 bibs, 87 baby beanies, 14 crocheted squares,  63 drawstring bags and 123 Santa Sacks. 

Margaret also made these 4 beautiful quilts. 

I've been knitting and crocheting at night time and have made 4 baby jackets, 5 pairs of booties and 2 sets of miniature beanies and booties and a very small baby jacket for the Treasured Babies organisation. 

I've also been creating larger blankets by joining 4 smaller blankets to make one larger one. I've created another 2 large blankets this way.

Hugs, Jan Mac xx