Visit a Quilt, Fabric or Sewing Machine shop to see what’s new.
Make a quilt, placemat or pillowcase to support local charities.
Teach someone else how to sew.
Experiment with a technique/process that intrigues you – applique, sashiko, EPP, shibori dye, weaving, felting, zipper insertion, detailed quilt blocks, bag making, paper piecing, crochet, etc.
I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to do what I loved most about my work as a children’s librarian – sharing great picture books and creating/making stuff with the kids. Three different homeschool groups share the space where I work as an enrichment teacher on Mondays. This means I must bring all materials and supplies with me each time. We’ll be sticking with paper, felt and nature crafts for now.
This week we created a our version of Mo Willems’s Duckling character along with zero calorie cookies:
The kids enjoyed making the cookies. In hindsight, I should have precut EVERYTHING for K & 1, put precision tips on the glue bottles and remembered to bring plastic baggies to wrap the cookies in for transport home. Oh well, I learned some valuable things – namely this activity is better suited for grades 2 & up rather than K-1.
Following is a list of the items I find essential for our crafting activities. An asterisk indicates items kept in small bins that I bring to each class. Other materials are added depending on the projects we make.
Essential Craft Supplies Crayons* Colored pencils Markers/Sharpies Scissors* Glue sticks* School glue* Glue gun & glue sticks Cellophane tape* Plain copy/printer paper White cardstock Large pad of drawing paper* Construction paper Assorted colors of gift tissue paper (or single color napkins) Scrapbook assorted paper pad (12×12) Paper plates Coffee filters Craft sticks in assorted sizes Ruler* #2 pencils* Pencil sharpener* Single hole punch* Twine Felt (assorted colors) Wax paper
Add-on Craft Supplies (easy to transport and reasonably priced on sale) Yarn in assorted colors Stickers Wiggle eyes Chenille stems (pipe cleaners) Pom poms Pony beads Craft cord Ribbon and trim Washi tape Bling – stick on jewels, sequins & glitter Polyfil stuffing (small bag) Large eye sewing needles for craft cord Needle threaders Large tomato pincushion
Specialty Craft Supplies Small set of acrylic paints Modge Podge Small set of assorted size paintbrushes Small set of foam brushes Melty Beads Looms & loops for weaving Pom pom makers Shrinky dink E-textile findings (thread, snap circuits, LEDs, etc.)
Dollar Tree is an excellent source for basic craft supplies and ready-made seasonal craft kits. Where else can you pick up a craft kit to make six complete items for $1.25? Hobby Lobby is my go-to for craft kits, paper goods and general craft supplies when marked 40%-50% off. For me, Office Depot was the best place to get crayons, markers, scissors, glue and glue sticks during back-to-school sales.
I personally purchased all of the items listed under the specialty category while I was still working full time. Said items were definitely not left behind when I retired last year.
What’s your go-to pattern for charity quilts? Unless I’m using precuts, my go-to patterns come from the 3-Yard Quilts books published by Fabric Cafe. Most quilts finish at approximately 44″x58″, which is the equivalent of a lap/small throw size quilt.
One of the charities my guild supports expressed an urgent need for quilts suitable for girls ages 10 years & up. I’ve used up most of the yardage in my stash over the past year, so it’s slim pickings when it comes to fabric choices for another 3 yard quilt. Not to worry, the Labor Day Sale is on @ Joann’s, so Sadie & I went shopping this morning:
Big Girl supervised the cutting of 1-1/4 yards of each fabric. (The clerk used a noisy electric cutter, which caught Sadie’s attention – she put her paws on the counter to watch.) Yes, I buy a 1/4 yard more fabric than is required. I prefer to do a traditional binding rather than the economy binding featured in the pattern. Any extra fabric will be incorporated into the pieced backing. Everything else will come from my stash. A loopy FMQ design, an ECQG donation label and a quick wash will mean this quilt is ready to be turned in to our community service group. My total out-of-pocket cost for this? $20.00 and I’m happy to do so.
Quilt purists will complain that I used fabric from Joann’s in my quilt. Extremely frugal quilters will be aghast that I spent my own money on supplies for a charity quilt. Who cares? I, as the maker, certainly don’t. I can guarantee you that the ‘tween recipient certainly won’t. She’ll be beyond thrilled to have a quilt to call her own.
Go forth and make quilts to donate to a charitable organization in your local community!
Come Stitch With Me 