Pillowcase Patrol

Our 2011 Charity event is the Coats & Clark Pro-Am Sewing Exhibition. Because our charity this year is the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital -- we are ALSO collecting pillowcases for the patients and families of Mary Bridge. Here's more information...

Mary Bridge is Western Washington’s only state designated Level II Pediatric Trauma hospital. With 72 inpatient beds and a busy outpatient clinic, Mary Bridge specializes in advanced care for children offering services to patients for everything from open-heart surgery to asthma treatment, cancer care to diabetes. Their mission is to provide compassionate and exceptional care for all children, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

One of Expo's attendees, Leanne -- had a goal of making 100 pillowcases...and she is well on her way...


When I sent a picture to Barbara Bartolatz Littrell, our contact person at the hospital -- she wrote back, "Wow, 100 pillowcases from one donor! That is fantastic. We see about 4,400 patients in the hospital each year and 80,000 patients in our outpatient clinics. When a child comes to Mary Bridge for a day surgery or a stay in the hospital, we like to have their room be a friendly, welcoming place. Colorful soft pillowcases and small stuffed animals on each bed help to make the unfamiliar surroundings more comfortable and less frightening for our patients. We joke that moms and dads cannot go into the operating room, but pillowcases and beanie babies can."
I'd like to thank Annette, here with her Mom, Leanne -- for sending me the great pictures!! I interviewed them for the Seattle Times -- and if you see them at the show -- be sure to say "THANKS FOR MAKING ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL PILLOWCASES."

Remember -- every person who drops off pillowcases will receive a "thank-you" spool of thread from Coats & Clark (one per customer, please). AND for each pillowcase, you'll receive a door prize ticket for our GRAND DOOR PRIZE DRAWING -- which will take place on Sunday.

Mary Bridge has not imposed a lot of rules and regulations about the pillowcases. We think this is a wonderful project -- and -- hey -- most of us have bought way more fabric than we need -- what A GREAT WAY TO USE UP YOUR FABRIC STASH!!

If you need a pattern -- Ann has a pillowcase pattern from Pacific Fabrics posted on the show website -- or, of course, you could go into any Pacific Fabrics location to pick up their pattern directions.

You might also find free pillowcase patterns online. We don't care what pattern you use. Remember -- the pillowcases are for the children -- or they will be used at the Mary Bridge Tree House -- where families can stay while their children are undergoing treatment.

One of our vendors, Buzz Tools -- has created some beautiful juvenile embroidery designs. So, if you have an embroidery machine -- you can go to the BuzzTools website and download the designs.

She sent me this link -- PILLOWCASE PATROL FREE DESIGNS

THANKS COATS & CLARK, THANKS BUZZ TOOLS...

It's going to be AWESOME...