Thursday, March 22, 2012

April 20th Friday Night Sew In – Big Announcement

You know how we always stress that the purpose of the FNSI is to take time for YOU?! Since we all have a tendency to put others before ourselves?

Well, we are changing that in April... but in a good way.

By now, I’m sure you have heard about the organization called Conkerr Cancer. I love their tag line at the top of their website “Giving sick kids a reason to smile.. one pillowcase at a time.”

What does that have to do with Friday Night Sew In you ask? Well, for the month of April, we have partnered with Arrow Sewing Cabinets and Conkerr Cancer.



We would like to ask each and everyone who participates in the April Friday Night Sew In on April 20th, to make a pillowcase for a critically ill child. Just think of how many children we could make smile if we do this together!

Of course – making a pillowcase is totally optional. You can still make your own planned projects if you choose. But Bobbi and I thought that maybe just for the month of April – we could join together and do this as a group. Just think of the impact we could have.

If you decide to join us and make a pillowcase (or more than one) – here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

1. Please use this pattern/guidelines for making your pillowcase.

2. Use cheery fabrics for kids – colorful and fun as possible. They love the fabrics with food on them like donuts and pizza.. or sports teams are always popular too. Or racing/Nascar fabrics - etc.

3. Remember many patients are adolescent boys and girls, we always need pillowcases appropriate to teenagers as well as the young ones.

4. Cotton or flannel only!

5. Mail your completed pillowcases (at anytime before the deadline) to:

Arrow Cabinets
310 O’Connor Dr
Elkhorn WI 53121

*Be sure to add a note to let them know you are part of the April FNSI!!

Arrow Cabinets will also be sponsoring the Giveaway for this special event. And what a giveaway it will be!

To be eligible for the giveaway – you must make at least one pillowcase (and mail it).

The GRAND Prize is this rolling tote!! **

And 2nd Prize is this amazing June Taylor Kit.**

We will draw the winner of the Grand Prize on Sunday April 22nd.

We will draw the winner for the 2nd prize from all the pillowcases received at Arrow Cabinets by May 11th. That gives everyone time to get them in the mail.

**Prize winners will not receive their prize until Arrow has received their pillowcase.

So - What do you think? Are you as excited to be a part of this as we are? You could even start sewing pillowcases now.. why wait!! Gather up your sewing friends.. make pillowcases together! Just make sure to mail them with your name and let them know you are a part of the FNSI group!!

Here is the signup... The official FNSI is on April 20th, but you can start sewing and mailing those pillowcases anytime and you will still get your name in for these awesome prizes!!

Get your name on the list (include your state or country). Let's make a difference!

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94 comments:

Deanna said...

I have made severalpillowcases for this worthy cause in the past, but I guess it is time to make one again. I'll be there!

This Life of Mine... said...

I never did this but I want to do this! I have plenty of fabric! I just Signed up for the Friday Night sew in!

Sue Daurio said...

What a great idea, LOVE it, I'm in.

Lisa Lisa said...

I'm a cancer survivor and am looking forward to participating in the April FNSI (my 2nd). What a great idea!

Larissa said...

This sounds like a fantastic idea!!! I will consider joining in making a pillowcase, though I am on a tight budget and have already pledged to make four quilts over the next few months that will be going to just-as-worthy-causes! Would be easier if one of the groups was here in Australia ... Looking forward to a wonderful evening focussed on sewing 'with' friends!!!

Kristen King said...

My last two FSNI's have been a bust, but this next one I am going to sew. I know how much kids love these pillowcases..I made two for my son last summer and he just loves them. It will be fun to make some for other kids to enjoy. :) Thanks for the head's up early, I need the extra time to get started on my pillowcases.

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

What a great idea! Count me in...I love FNSI and this will be fun:)

Christine L said...

How Exciting! I look forward to a fun and supportive FNSI!

Becky said...

What a GREAT idea - I'll pull my tub of "Novelty" prints out and use some of those up for this. I went ahead and wrote up a short announcement on my blog - http://lifeforus.blogspot.com/2012/03/april-fnsi.html

Quilter Mom of 3 said...

I really like this idea!

"See" you then!!

ute br. said...

Helo Heidi,
please help me with an information. I´m a german. which is the adress from germany?
otherwise I will send from NY in two weeks ...
greetings from germany
ute br.

Cindy said...

What an awesome idea! I'm excited to be a part of it!

My Old Quilting Soul said...

Looks like I'll be off to JAF this weekend to buy some snugly fabrics!!

meg said...

Great idea; I'm happy to join in!

Christie describeHappy said...

This is so touching.. and the timing is perfect!! I am looking forward to making a bunch of pillowcases to support the effort!

jlk said...

Great idea!

Diane said...

I don't have a blog but I love this idea so I will be participating!! Thanks so much for organizing this!

Anonymous said...

Count me in, too!

KellyS said...

Awesome! I made 4 pillowcases for my Modern Guild, so I should be a pro at that pillowcase pattern. Count me in!

Svetlana said...

What a fantastic idea, this is going to be my very first FNSI, and what a fun one to start with.

Impera Magna said...

I'm in! What a great cause!

Karen said...

Great idea! I can't wait to find some fun fabrics for this!

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

What a great idea! I've signed up for FNSI.

Donna Baker said...

what a wonderful idea! I am SEW in for this SEW IN!

Marianne said...

I've made tons of these pillowcases as I have a large stash of novelty fabric.

Nancy said...

What a worthy cause. I'm in!

Florence said...

just joined,,,,,,will make a couple,,,,,,what a sweet thing to do,,,,,Forgot to put,,,im in Missouri, north of kc,,,,,,blessings, flo

Patty said...

This is a really nice idea and it will be fun too!

Jennifer said...

I haven't heard of the pillowcase for kids but am always really excited to help in all ways possible. I have made several quilts for donation for St. Judes and for the Relay for Life so count me in, I am excited!!

My Old Quilting Soul said...

Hello again!

ConKerr asks that the cases be washed before they are received by the kiddos. Are we doing this or is the destination address you provided going to be washing them for us? I just want to be sure mine are ready to go when the time comes!

I have also made a tutorial for those who don't know how to make pillow cases {since I didn't and had to do some searching!}.

http://myoldquiltingsoul.blogspot.com/2012/03/pillow-case-tutorial-with-finished.html

Teresa said...

What a fantastic idea. Count me in!

Patty said...

Great idea cool cause count me in.

Anonymous said...

Sounds Great! What a great idea!

Sarah said...

This is a wonderful idea! Thanks sooo much for hosting the FNSI!

sewing scrapper said...

Being an Aussie I have not heard of this organisation. So I will give it a shot.

Cheers Kate.
(I don't suppose they will want to post the big trolley to Sydney hey??? Ha Ha)

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

got my pillow case fabric on Saturday.. all ready! :o)

Gayle said...

A wonderful idea, I will be making pillowcases for FNSI.

Nancy Lee said...

Great idea! I will do a pillow case or two, but due to hideous postal rates for Canada to the US, I will donate it to local treatment centre.

Manders said...

I love it! I am signed up and plan to make a dozen!! Can u find out about the washing instructions? Thx!!

Sherry said...

This will be a great way for me to use some of my stash! Great for me, great for the kids.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I haven't made any pillowcases yet (by kids don't use pillows - they sleep on stuffed dogs). I want to make some pillowcases for some girlfriends for our annual camping trip, so this will be the perfect practice for me.
I can't wait to participate!

Stephanie said...

What a WONDERFUL idea!!! Very excited to be a part of it!

Cheryl said...

Such a great idea!!!! Definitely count me in.

Wendyb said...

what a great idea!? Congrats girls.....I'm off to print off the info and get started!!!
sugary hugs
Wendy :O) xo

Madelyn said...

I haven't participated in a FNSI in months. Count me in for April. I'll see if I can get a few pillow cases down before then.

Impera Magna said...

Pillowcases made.... my granddaughter helped me to pick out the fabrics. Looking forward to the April FNSI!

Skinny Divas said...

First time, Great cause!!!!

Maria said...

A great cause but the postage from Australia would be quite steep. Maybe I could make a pillowcase for an Australian branch of a children's cancer group such as Project Linus???

CJ said...

I was just checking out when the next FNSI was going to be and saw the pillowcase project. WOW!!! I have been meaning to do something like this but kept putting it off. I am in a holding pattern with planning my daughter's summer wedding AND I just happen to have a lot of fabric that is just sitting (various abandoned projects). I started going through all that fabric on Sunday night, pulled a bunch from my stash and got it prewashed on Monday. Monday afternoon/even I made 6 pillowcases and then late Monday night I cut out 7 more pillowcases and have them piled up all ready to be sewn. Today was a busy day out of the house but tomorrow I plan to sew up those 7 cases. Once these are all finished I may go looking for more fabrics in my stash that will work. I think I am going to send these to the Children's Hospital in Seattle. I no longer live in that area (or state) but my son was admitted onto the cancer ward when he was 2.5, for 3 days. After many tests and procedures he was released with a diagnosis of something much easier to handle than cancer. We were very fortunate in that situation and very well taken care of while we were there. I don't really blog anymore so won't enter the contest but I just wanted you to know that you spurred me into action! Thank you!

Deborah Hamilton said...

I will be making two pillowcases.

Grandma Shell said...

I'm so glad I came by this morning to see what you've been doing! I've done some of these "pillowcase causes" before and they are really fun! Thanks!

Unknown said...

So glad that I meandered my way to this site - I'll be sewing up a few to send in.
~Amy @ Permanent Kisses

Linda said...

What a great idea! I'm a cancer survivor too and it means so much to get things like a pillowcase or quilt or anything really just to know that someone is thinking of you during your illness. Thanks for doing this.

Angela said...

I don't have a blog, but I will certainly make some pillowcases for this! And maybe I can get my daughter interested... an easy project for a complete beginner!

Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting said...

You can count me in! This is a fabulous cause, so good of you Heidi to run something like this.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a wonderful idea. I've been wanting to try making a pillow case using the roll-up or hotdog method. Now great reason to give it a try.

Maddy said...

What a fantastic idea, you can count me in.

Wendyb said...

have sent my 2 pillowcases off today ....only hope they get there by the deadline!!!!! *eek*
i think I'm going to make some more next Friday...they were fun!
hugs
Wendy :O) xo

Maria said...

Heidi I am happy to make and send a pillowcase over to the US but please DO NOT put me in the draw. Just pleased to help.
Maria from Aussie

~Kelie~ said...

I think this is a WONDERFUL idea, I have already made a few pillowcases. My only problem w/ the FNSI is I have to work! :( Could you please email me and let me know if I can still join in? craftnursequilt(at)gmail(dot)com

Debra-Tx said...

I've never made pillowcases for this cause but would love to help. I have made wee care quilts for our local hospital and I know how much parents appreciate them. This is a great opportunity to help the little ones that are sick and I'm proud to be helping where I can.

Rina Mason said...

Have made pillowcases for ConKerr before and enjoyed picking out the fabric combinations. I don't know if I'll make the deadline but will get some in the mail Monday. Sending them with love from Missouri.

teachpany said...

I have a few planned. I'll get the fabrics cut so I'll be ready! Thanks.

Quilt n Queen said...

Looking forward to FNSI....I'll be making pillow cases and working on quilts for our service men and women. Our quilting guild is collecting charity quilts on May 17th and I still have lots of sewing to do before they are ready to donate.

Jennie said...

Hi Heidi, I hope you don't mind, but being in the UK, my pillow cases wouldn't make it in time, so I plan to make some incubator quilts to donate to a local charity in the North East of England that are given to the parents of premature or still born babies. Not the same cause, but just as good I think.

Cheryll said...

I'll be away this FNSI but intend to knit something instead of sewing. Sorry I can't be apart of this wonderful Pillow Case project. My heart is with you all though! :)

RandR Serenity said...

What a great cause.

I will also be making a pillow case for your cause.

Hugs from Australia,

Julianne said...

ready set go. hope to get some real me time

Hands Sew Full said...

I have been so busy I have all but abandoned my FNSI's, so this will be a good cause to get back to the machine for! I am in Canada so shipping may take a bit longer but I hope it arrives before the deadline!

Anonymous said...

I have some wonderful flannel that would be ideal for teenagers! Of course younger children would like it too! I am going to get the flannel out today and rewash so I will be all set to go tomorrow !!

Arrow Cabinets said...

Can't wait to see eveyone's pillowcases!

puu said...

i probably won't make a pillowcase, it's not in the cards for me this week, but i think this is a wonderful and thoughtful idea and hope everyone who participates enjoys their evening and their task.

teachpany said...

I just got 3 pillowcases done. They are in the wash, and as soon as they are dry they will get mailed to Arrow. Thanks, both of you, for doing and sponsoring this.

Debbie said...

Will add pillowcases to my to-do list for Friday night. Such a great idea

Cynthia said...

I waited to tonight to sign up... just got a head start and cut fabric for the pillowcases. Thanks for hosting this!

Susan said...

What a great idea! I'll be making some pillowcases and dropping them off at my local shop.

Patty said...

just realized I hadn't officially signed up!

Regina said...

Don't know if I will get the pillowcase done - but it is an AWESOME idea!!!!

Kathy S. said...

Count me in on the pillowcase.
http://www.new2quilting.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-fmq-challenge-with-sewcalgal.html

Christine L said...

Excited to work on a quilt tonight for FNSI! Thanks for hosting a great linky and for some wonderful giveaways

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

I hope to get at least one pillowcase in tonight. We have a church function to attend so I am shooting for one. :)

Becky said...

I just wrapped up for the night as I'm too tired and it's too dark for me to see anymore. But you can read about what I did on my blog... http://lifeforus.blogspot.com/2012/04/fnsi-conkerr-cancer-pillowcases.html

I will wash all the ones I make and put them each in it's own ziploc bag and will mail them out Monday.
Becky in Cayce SC #14

Teresa said...

Another great FNSI.. Thanks guys. I will send my pillowcases off on Monday.

Fiona said...

Brilliant idea... I haven't joined in with this cause but did spend my day sewing for a local charity cause....
Hugz

Madelyn said...

As tired as I was last night I made myself sew up a pillowcase: http://hookssticksandwheels.blogspot.com/2012/04/friday-night-sew-in.html.
I will make at least one more then get them off in the mail. Happy sewing!!!

Donna said...

Hi there, just found this. Joining in. A great cause.

Donna Baker said...

I'm so sorry, I wasn't able to make anything or participate in general! hopefully next month I can!

Jodi said...

I got 2 pillowcases made, that was fun the first time I've made pillowcases. I also got 3 birth announcement blankets made and got the feet of a personalized bear done. Please feel free to go to my blog and check it out CreationsbyJodi.blogspot.com

Until next time,
Jodi

Julie said...

Mine are done! First ever! Whoot!
Thanks for the idea!

Julie said...

OOPS - Meant to link to them!
http://wannabequilter.com/2012/04/21/pillowcases-done/

Kim said...

Thanks for hosting this! I finally got around to making them. They are so much fun to make :-)

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

No FNSI for me after all. I will likely still try to get a pillowcase or 2 out anyway.

Madelyn said...

I did three more yesterday for a total of 4 to be mailed:
http://hookssticksandwheels.blogspot.com/2012/04/few-more-pillow-cases.html

Susan said...

My girls and I made 35 pillow cases last year. We so enjoyed it. This time I was able to finish one and hopefully will have another done by the time I mail on Monday morning.
Thanks for hosting this great event.
Susan