Caring for God’s creation also involves caring for each other. This month we are going to learn how to sew several items that will bring comfort to people and demonstrate our love for them by using or discovering our own gifts (1 Peter 4:10). These service projects make both those receiving and those giving feel good! It can often lift our spirits when we focus on other peoples’ needs instead of just our own.
These items will be made with a sewing machine and involves very little money. We will be making stuffed bears for children in hospitals (or anywhere), and bibs and lap blankets for elderly people in nursing homes. Several congregations in my area make the bears and donate them to the local children’s hospital. They bring comfort to the little children in the emergency room or those who have longer stays in the hospital.
Getting Started
One idea is to get together with some of your girlfriends and make these items as a girls’ night activity. Meet at the friend’s house––preferably one who owns a sewing machine, or someone else needs to bring one––and get a production line going. Someone can cut out the patterns, another can sew, and others can stuff the bears, if that is your project. You could also do one or more of these projects with your mom or grandma, a sibling, or by yourself since none of them are difficult.
My sister’s congregation made the bibs and blankets for the elderly in the nursing homes. The bibs help the men’s and women’s clothes to stay clean while they eat. Sometimes as people age, they get cold easily, so the lap blankets that tie onto their wheelchairs are very helpful. The bibs are easily made out of new bathroom hand towels. The towels that I purchased were only $2.50 at the neighborhood superstore. The lap blankets are made out of cotton material.
The little bears can be made out of fabric remnants that you may have at home––any material can be used, but cotton works best. I have used fluffy material before, which makes really cute bears. I suggest avoiding silky material as it is difficult to work with.
Project materials and instructions
(Click on photos to enlarge images)
Material needed for the bears:
Bear Pattern
Two square pieces of material, 12 inches x 12 inches
Small pieces of felt to make eyes, nose, and tongue (you can also draw them on with permanent markers)
Ribbon, optional for hair bow or neck tie
Stuffing (Polyester Fiberfill)
Thread to match the materials used
Straight pins and a sewing needle
Instructions:
Pin the bear pattern onto two pieces of material, wrong sides together. Cut out around the pattern. Cut out eyes, nose, and tongue from the felt material. Sew the colored part of the eye to the white of the eye. Sew the tongue and nose onto a rounded, triangle shaped piece of felt. Then sew all facial parts onto the face of the bear. For safety reasons, I recommend sewing them on securely and not using buttons or anything that a small child could choke on if it fell off. Make a small bow out of the ribbon and secure by hand- sewing it onto the bear.
With right sides together, machine stitch around the edges of the bear, leaving part of the outside of one leg not sewn so that you can stuff it. Turn right-side out, and using an eraser end of a pencil, stuff with the Polyester Fiberfill. Then hand stitch the opening.
Material needed for bibs:
1 new hand towel
bias tape
thread to match
Velcro
Instructions:
Cut a deep circle from one end of the towel, being sure to keep the two ends large enough to attach the Velcro (see picture). Pin bias tape to area just cut. Machine stitch in place. Sew Velcro onto the loose ends, making certain to put the Velcro on opposite sides so it will fasten easily.
Material needed for lap blankets:
2 pieces of material, 1 yard x 1 yard; can be a different color or pattern on each side
thread
yarn – optional
Instructions:
Put the right sides together and machine stitch all 4 sides of material, leaving an opening to turn it right-side out. After turning it right-side out, press with iron, making sure that the seam is turned inward. Machine stitch, width of presser foot, from seam edge. Press again.
Optional: Throughout the blanket, pull pieces of coordinating yarn through with a large sewing needle, tying ends on just one side of the blanket (you will want to do this especially if you make a patchwork blanket). Sew a piece of material or yarn to one end of the blanket so it can be attached to a wheelchair.
A pretty, alternative way to make a blanket is to make it a patchwork blanket on one side. Just cut out whatever size squares you want, and sew them together; proceed as above. You will tie the yarn to each edge of the squares.
If you can’t sew…
These are really simple projects that can make a big difference to someone. And don’t worry if you don’t have a sewing machine––you could make a no-sew tie blanket. Check your local Jo-Anns or other sewing/craft store for kits, or ask an employee for help.
This month, let’s focus on caring for God’s creation––specifically the sick and elderly. No matter how young or old, sick or healthy we are, we all appreciate thoughtful things others do for us. Let’s lovingly give to the ones He loves so much who are often unable to give back (Matthew 25:34-46).
By Carol Gartman
Gifted Girls is featuring cooking next month, so please send recipes or photos of baked goods to Info @ PierceMyHeart .com (remove spaces) by April 28 for use in next month’s article.
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