Get out your diaries for our craft day

OK, I’ve just booked the hall so it’s all happening. Get our your diaries. We are going to be making some lovely things for Dandelion Support Network on Sunday 24th March in Sydney.

What are we doing?

We are making quilts and blankets to donate to Dandelion Support Network who are an amazing Sydney based charity who respond to requests from social workers and charities for mums and families who need baby and children’s items. Cots, prams, clothes, formula, nappies and more. They do such good work and they did have a local group making quilts for them that they would give with each cot/bassinet package but they’ve run out of quilts. So each quilt will be given to a family in need. If you go and follow their Facebook page here you will see that some of the requests are so urgent with women in shelters, refuges and no one else to turn to. They are the sister network of St Kilda Mums who are based in Melbourne and also do amazing work. You can find their page here.

What do we do on the day?

we will unpack parcels, make up quilt blocks, quilt quilts, make binding, attach binding, embroider/stitch a little message on each quilt, write a little card to go with each quilt. I’ll also get some people to make some quick patchwork quilts using charm squares and polar fleece/flanelette backings.

Where is it?

The venue is a community hall on Sydney’s northern beaches (lower) near the Wakehurst Parkway. It’s in  quiet suburban street with plenty of free parking outside. It is upstairs so if you need assistance getting upstairs or bringing your machines up just let me know and we’ll help you up. And if you are planning on coming please email retromummy@hotmail.com for the address.

What do you need to bring?

Your sewing machine, basic sewing supplies, any fabrics you wish to donate that are suitable and a plate of something sweet or savoury to share. I’ll have extension cords, powerboards and 2 irons all set up.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Everything is paid for and I have 2 huge overflowing tubs of charm squares, scraps, bits of fabric and 2 huge rolls of batting so even if you don’t have fabric just come along with your machine and we’ll get you sorted. We’ll have tea, coffee, sweets, water and drinks provided.

What size quilts should I make?

You can read some measurements here but just use them as a guideline, there are no hard and fast rules with this.

What if I don’t quilt?

Do you knit or crochet and could get started on a small cot or pram size blanket and finish it on the day. We’d love to donate some sweet blankets too. If you can sew a straight line and have a machine then come along and we’ll put you to good use. What about baby hats or little cardigans? We also need a person or two to stitch by hand a little message on each quilt just to make it a bit more personal and a keepsake.

What about the flood victims?

Yes if you would like to donate some quilts that aren’t for babies/toddlers then we will be donating those quilts and accepting blocks, quilt tops and quilts to donate to Queensland (perhaps Bundaberg) or another flood affected region. This follows on from the amazing number of quilts we donated with Quilts for Queensland back in 2011.

I don’t live in Sydney?

We would love your quilt blocks, quilt tops and completed quilts that are suitable for babies and toddlers. I am planning to do a melbourne day somewhere in the middle of the year when we’re next in Melbourne so stay tuned. If you’d like to send us something then please email retromummy@hotmail for the postal address.

You can read my previous posts on what we’re doing here, here and here. If you have any more questions just ask in the comments.