Heart Cushions

Photo courtesy Patchwork and Quilting Magazine

Norfolk Quilters began making these small heart-shaped support cushions on 14th February 2004, for ladies who have experienced breast cancer. The response has been overwhelming. At the start of 2005, the known total of cushions made and given away by Norfolk Quilters had exceeded 200. Of course, in reality, many more have been sewn by members for friends and relatives.

We are constantly being told that it is not merely the cushion itself which provides some comfort, it is the knowledge that someone has taken time to create such a gift and given it freely. Time and again remarks such as “someone has thought about us“, “what a lovely idea” and “thank you for thinking about us” are passed to our members.

Norfolk Quilters are finding that ladies who have had treatment as long as ten years ago still find the hearts to be beneficial, so we make and give them to any lady who has experienced breast cancer, regardless of how long ago or the level of treatment. They are given free. Read more about how to make these Heart Cushions.

Welcome to Norfolk Quilters’ Projects

Like most quilting groups Norfolk Quilters currently supports several different charity projects.

Making Heart Cushions

This original design is from an article by Maggie Martin published in Patchwork & Quilting magazine, Oct 2003 – you can of course consider the pocket and ribbons optional, although a scented sachet is a very nice, thoughtful extra which is appreciated. However, if you are making these cushions for a hospital or GP surgery, do check they wish to have the sachets included.

Norfolk Quilters use various quilting techniques for the front of the cushion, with crazy patchwork embellished with embroidery stitches being very popular, but there are so many techniques to choose from. You can, of course, just make a simple heart in pretty cotton fabric. Your gift will be appreciated however you make it.

For the cushion pad, the stuffing from a new pillow is ideal; one pillow will make up to three cushions, depending on the pillow. Generally, make the cushion pads to a medium firmness, soft enough to be comfortable but firm enough to give some support. May you have pleasure in making and giving these cushions.

The patterns, and instructions can be downloaded here as PDFs. Heart Instructions, Hearts A and B, Heart C. If need be you can Get Adobe Reader here.

If you would like further information, advice or help in relation to breast cancer, visit - www.macmillan.org.uk.

Project Linus – How you can help

The project is happy to receive quilts at any time and it also welcomes nominations for recipients, so if you know of a child in particular need or would like to donate a quilt please contact us, details below.
Project Linus is 100% volunteer based and non profit-making so we rely on donations. We welcome donations of supplies such as cotton fabric, wadding and postage stamps to help keep us running smoothly. Fabric is passed on to volunteers who have no materials of their own that they can use.

Last Cuddle Quilts

Last Cuddle Quilts

For parents of stillborn babies these quilts are very much appreciated and treasured for years to come.

A lot of people ask me what size they need to be. Well size is not crucial for this. However about 2ft square is a good size, but smaller is fine too. They need not even be square or oblong – you could even experiment with round or oval if the muse takes you.

If you want to try out some techniques before starting larger projects you could use your practice pieces to make up some quilts for this purpose.

Quilts for Babies in Special Care

There have been recent studies which show that special care babies thrive better if they are kept in the dark for certain periods. The only practical way of doing this is to place covers over the incubators, as these can be put on and taken off easily.

Quilts for babies in Special Care Units at local hospitals has been an ongoing project for Norfolk Quilters. All quilts for babies have to be washable, but they do not have to be boilable. However, it is always wise to prewash certain colours for colourfastness; if in doubt, prewash all fabric used. Do not use not buttons, ribbons, beads or any similar trim which would not be suitable.

I recently had a meeting with the nurse in charge of the Special Care Baby Unit. When Norfolk Quilters first started making quilts for them they wanted tiny quilts 17″ x 21″ which then changed to 24″ x 18″ to go on top of the incubators. What they really need now is larger quilts about 3ft Square.

They do still have some of our quilts which they use, but not enough and so they are using hospital towels to serve the purpose for most babies. They would much prefer to have lovely quilts which make the place look less clinical and more welcoming for the families.

Can you make some 36″ Square quilts quickly? They would be grateful if you could. All projects can be handed to the Chairman at Norfolk Quilters’ events, or at the AGM in October.

Wounded Service Personnel

Pat Lowe has made contact with the lady who is co-ordinating the delivery of quilts to Headley Court, Selly Oak and other centres. We are asked not to try to deliver to these centres in person as it can be very disruptive.

If you wish to make a quilt we have been asked for mostly single bed quilts about 60 by 72 inches in size. They need to be masculine colours, no flowers, as even the girls who are injured are engineers or heavy goods vehicle drivers and like the same sort of thing as the lads. Each quilt has a union flag sewn on to it as this is much appreciated. Some are also personalised with a regiment. Please could they have your name – not a group name on them – as it seems their new owner likes to be able to relate to the person who made it and a group does not give them this ‘contact’.

Contact Pat – e: tricialnq@aol.com | t: 07930 917 343. Please contact her with your details if you want to arrange delivery or collection of a quilt when she is in Norfolk. Pat will be making deliveries to the co-ordinator regularly.

Thank you for your support.

Project Linus

Project Linus Quilts

How it all began

On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled ‘Joy to the World’ appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a small child. She had been going through intensive chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments.
After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Centre, and Project Linus was born.
Since that time, over 3,000,000 blankets and quilts have been delivered worldwide. Project Linus is named after the blanket-toting character in the Peanuts cartoon strip. The strip’s creator, the late Charles Schultz, was pleased to have Linus inspire quilt makers to help sick and traumatised children.

Project Linus came to the UK in March 2000 and there are now coordinators in most areas of the country. To date over 116,000 quilts have been distributed, 3,400 of them in Norfolk. Norfolk Quilters have always been a strong supporter of Linus and many of its members make and donate quilts for the project.
Originally targeting paediatric cancer patients, Project Linus UK has broadened its focus over the years and now donates quilts to seriously ill, abused, bereaved or traumatised children from premature birth to 18 years old. Read more about How You Can Help.

Norfolk Quilters’ Past Projects

For further information about past projects Norfolk Quilters have undertaken and/or instructions use these links:

• Project for 2007 – Armchair caddies for the visually impaired,
• Project for 2006 – Sensory quilts for adults,
• Group Project to commemorate Lord Horatio Nelson,
• Tote bags – medium sized for use with zimmer frames and larger ones for wheelchairs, to be used in residential homes in Norfolk.

Armchair Caddy for the Visually Impaired – Project 2007

Armchair Caddy

At the 2006 AGM it was decided by members that our project for this year would be armchair caddies for people who have difficulty with their sight and will be taken to the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind on Magpie Road.

This caddy will be approximately 24″ x 10″ when finished and the instructions are as follows:
Cut 2 pieces of fabric 24 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ and 2 pieces 10 1/2″ x 16 1/2″. Take each of the pieces 10 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ and fold them in half so that the short edges come together (wrong sides together) these are the pockets of the caddy.
Take one of the pieces 24 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ and lay it right side up on a table. Place one pocket on each end lining up raw edges and pin in place. Then lay the other piece 24 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ on top of this wrong side down and pin all layers together.
Now machine around the caddy starting in the middle of a long edge and go around, but leave a gap of say 4″ to turn the caddy through.
Turn the caddy through the opening and stitch the opening closed. Furnishing fabrics are good for this caddy, but if you wish use finer quilting fabrics you would need to insert wadding to give the caddy stability.

These measurements are guidelines only, if you wish to make them a bit bigger it is up to you, but please do not make them any smaller.

Sensory Table Quilts

The Norfolk Quilters project for 2006 was sewing small sensory table-top quilts, for adults with poor memory recall or poor cognitive ability.

It was an opportunity to use any form of texture and raised designs; possibly different textured blocks in one quilt; an opportunity to try raised applique/trapunto, cording, couching; (perhaps some stumpwork, though this must stand up to wear and tear); folded patchwork; 3-d flowers; buttons can be used, perhaps to create a picture; ribbons, knots, bows, various fabrics, including washable fur (for some such fabric it may be best to insert a small piece into a block, to reduce bulk on seam allowance when sewing blocks together), velvets, suede-type, rough weave, knobbly weave; washable felt; perhaps some ragwork; braiding; also photo-imaging, perhaps of a well-known event, or an image from the past; foiling; chenille work; tassels; fringes; bobbles; trapunto and Italian cording.

Blocks containing images of childhood will also be good for many patients often regress to childhood memories: teddy bears, dolls, toys, animals, etc. Some patients also like to fold and unfold fabric continually, so flaps or envelope-style pockets might be worthwhile experimenting with. Also, a scented sachet will also be beneficial as a sensory therapy, perhaps in a pocket or attachable in some way.

These quilts will be distributed to residential homes/day centres; a rehabilitation unit and also to the British Legion residential home in Norfolk. You can find out more about Alzheimer here.

Lord Horatio Helson

Group Project for 2006

Norfolk Quilters made a group quilt, to commemorate the life of Lord Nelson. The quilt, was presented, to the Norfolk Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth, where it has been put on permanent display.

To discover more about the museum, click on www.nelson-museum.co.uk.

Tote Bags

The smaller-sized bags are for use with Zimmer frames/walking frames, and the larger size to be used on the back of wheelchairs, for use by elderly in residential homes. An ideal opportunity to put to good use any spare blocks.

Bag for use with Zimmer frame – bag finished size 14″ x 14″. When making up, allow up to 1/2″ seam allowance for strength. This can always be trimmed down slightly after stitching if necessary to reduce any bulk. The finished bag will consist of outer fabric, wadding, lining.
Straps: These need to be finished length of about 18″ each (4 straps) x 1/2 ” wide, so cut 20″ strips x 2″ wide (fold raw edge in on one end per strip, then fold sides to middle (1″ wide) then in half (1/2″) for strength, topstitch all round close to edge). Attach each strap either side of side seam on bag, before lining is added, secure with a couple of rows of stitching for strength. Topstitch round top of finished bag for extra stability and strength for straps.

Large tote bag – for use with wheelchairs - bag finished size 15″ x 15″ + 2″ added gusset OR 17″ x 17″ with 2″ seam across corner, to give gusset. Add seam allowance. Make the gusset in either one long strip (45″ x 2″ plus seam allowances) or in three sections (15″ x 2″ + s.a.) Again, ready made blocks can be used, made up to size with added borders. Cut scant 17″ x 2″ strip of stiffener to go in bottom of bag, secure to seams with a few tack stitches before lining is added. Straps: as above.