I love sewing for good causes, so I was excited when I heard about Comfy Cases and the homemade pillow cases they provide for children in hospital. Immediately, I thought of fabrics in my stash that could work for pillowcases for children.
I wanted to start sewing immediately, but first I needed to know more about them before volunteering my time and fabric. I researched and learned that Comfy Cases is a program of the OPACC, a registered Canadian Charity. This program provides fun pillowcases to children in hospital regardless of their diagnosis. The best thing found out is that my local hospital is one of the hospitals they donate to. That sealed the deal! As soon as I realised that, I started digging through my stash searching for suitable fabric.
I was surprised when before I knew it, material for 9 pillowcases magically appeared from the stash. After work last week I spent a few hours cutting the material for the pillowcases and getting them ready to be sewn.
Comfy Cases recommend the burrito method for making pillow cases. I knew that from making pillowcases in the past this pattern would be fun, fast, and easy. Although not indicated in the pattern, I basted the cuff, body and accent strip before making the burrito. The sewing time on each of these pillowcases is less than 15 minutes each so adding that step wasn’t onerous.
The only thing I’m sad about is, that while pillowcases for girls of all ages. it will likely won’t appeal to teenage boys – and I always worry they get forgotten.
Don’t feel like sewing? Check out the Comfy Cases website for other ways to volunteer with them.
What if you aren’t in an area where Comfy Cases operates and want to sew for a good cause? If you are in the US, check out Ryan’s Smiles a non profit in the US who does similar work to Comfy Cases. I’m not aware of charities in other areas that make pillowcases for children who are in hospital. If you know of any, please let me know and I’ll amend this post to include them.
Excuse me; I found some more material that will make great pillowcases for kids in the stash, so I’m heading back into to the sewing room.
I just don’t have kid appropriate fabric! I need to look for some when out. Your cases are so pretty. Good job.
Those cases are beautiful and I’m sure the children will love it!
Lucky kids!
Thank you for the info on Ryan’s Smiles. I’ve never heard of them and I was happy to see there is a local chapter in my city. I’ve regularly donated to Project Linus and Quilts for Kids, but I will happily also donate pillowcases to Ryan’s Smiles.
Lovely pillowcases! And yes, here in the US Ryan’s Smiles is the one I would send to, along with Project Linus for quilts. The kids will love getting a happy pillowcase all their own, much warmer and sweeter than the still hospital ones. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.