Ideas for making items for donations

Sewing for Service is a cornerstone of American Sewing Guild. ASG has compiled a list of ideas should you want to contribute with your sewing skills. NOTE: While these places are very appreciative of the donations, you must check their website as most have specific dates and time for drop off.

Grade Schools - Homeless shelters – Mittens and hats - any grade school would love to have spare mittens and hats for children coming to school without. Patterns are available on Pinterest or just about anywhere.

Bridging – Any sort of home goods, placemats, napkins, pillowcase covers, decor pillows, towels, tote bags etc. They do not disperse clothing. https://bridging.org/

Women Shelters – Any children’s pillowcases, women’s or children’s clothing (we often use the one in Plymouth but any would take items) NOTE: These are most often secured for safety of the residents. Double check their drop off processes

Bundles of Lov – Baby items for new moms to bring baby home in. Bibs, blankets, diaper bags etc. They have a big craft sale every October so any fun craft items help their fundraising efforts. bundlesoflove.org. https://www.bundlesoflove.org/guidelines-new-brighton/. To order their specific patterns go to https://www.bundlesoflove.org/pattern-sets

The Potato Head Project – Tiny baby leggings and hats for extreme preemie babies. These are included in a gift package given to new moms of premature infants. These babies often stay in hospital for weeks or months and moms can't dress baby because of all the tubes. So these little leggings and hats are to dress them up. Go to their website for patterns and directions. https://www.thepotatoheadproject.org/sew-for-us. Note: these items have small tags they want attached so plan ahead to request the tags.

Operation Christmas Child – This woman makes 500 dresses and little boy knit shirts and shorts to send in Christmas Shoe Boxes to another country. Contact Jody Wahls@comcast.net Many churches also participate in Operation Christmas Child

Mary's Place - Sharing and Caring Hands – Homeless in Minneapolis. Again, take any new clothing, household items. kids clothing, mittens, hats, pjs etc. https://sharingandcaringhands.org/marys-place

Angel Gowns – Tiny baby gowns made from used wedding dresses that are donate. At this time, they are not accepting wedding gowns, only completed items. For patterns go to 7 pines.com Contact Andrews Angel Gowns, Tess Soloist, andrewsangelgowns@gmail.com. https://www.evefoundation.org/volunteer – seamstresses needed.

Fidget Blankets – Great way to use up extra notions. Usually lap size fabric block with zippers, buttons, sliders etc for hands to keep busy. NOTE: These are beneficial for Dementa patients or those with high anxiety. Be cautious of safety issues, anything that can easily be pulled off and cause a choking hazard. Use zig-zag, multiple layers of stitching to anchor down. Also, keep pockets small as (senior homes report items may get put into the pockets and forgotten about. A lot of time can be spent searching for these items.)

Fairview Hospital ICU – Lap blankets of approx. size of 36X24”. These will be used for terminal patients at ICU as their families pay last respects. Any fabrics or designs are welcome. Cheryl Chapman, CChapma1@fairview.org. or 952-924-5381

Tote Bags – on the larger side for homeless, or we take to Bridging. For this we can often use donated decorator fabric remnants or samples. Again, the pattern is not specific all sizes are welcome.

Ouch pouches – There are a number of patterns on Pinterest. One pattern location is https://antiouchpouchdeonmaas.wordpress.com/2016/08/20/anti-ouch-pouch/

Pillowcases – especially fun children’s cases can go to Children’s Hospital. Other adult cases are welcome at any homeless shelter or Bridging

Stepping Stone Emergency Housing – https://steppingstoneeh.org/.

Pillowcases

Hats

Mittens

Gloves

Adult clothing

Minneapolis Children’s Hospital – 36” square Flannel blankets serged or turned under round the edges and pillowcases. Contact is Pam Zimmerman, pomland1011@gmail.com