Another Worthwhile Project

Submitted by Dianne McD with help from Deb Messina

In late 2018, MPS received a grant from an organization that was closing it’s doors.  The purpose of the grant was to fund the making of 271 pillowcases.  These pillowcases are used by Oregon Children’s Protective Services for police officers and social workers who must remove children from their homes in emergency situations.  Without these pillowcases, children are given black garbage bags in which to pack their belongings.  The pillowcases are meant to replace the garbage bags and provide a small bright spot in a traumatic time.  And the children get to keep them. 

Deb Messina has been spearheading this project for the Guild.  Deb is a member of MPS, but she is also the owner of The Quilters Corner Store, which is an online fabric store.  You’ll want to check out all the goodies she has to offer on her website here.  The following is a message from Deb about the current state of affairs of the Pillowcase Project.

Greeting MPS Members! I hope everyone is staying well and enjoying some unexpected creative time. In addition to making (LOTS of) masks – I have been making up the last 15 of the Pillowcase Kits that we committed to for the grant we received. The grant covered the making of 271 Drawstring Pillowcases that we are donating to Children’s Protective Services. All 271 kits have been checked out by members over the past 18 months or so. A great many of the finished Pillowcases have come back completed and have been donated – there are still quite a few that haven’t yet been completed, but I’m hoping that if you have one (or more) checked out – you’ll enjoy an afternoon finishing them up.

In addition to the 271 kits covered by the grant – many of you have been making these Pillow Cases up from your stash and turning them in for donation as well. We’ve had over 80 of these additional Pillowcases turned in – well done!!

Don’t have a kit checked out but want to make up one or two from your stash? No problem – here’s the pattern for you to print out. (Link to the Pillowcase Pattern)

Do you have some finished that you’d like to get to me? Email me at Deb@QuiltersCornerStore.com or text me on my mobile phone – 503-819-2955 (let me know who you are when you text : ) I’ll respond with drop off info.

Thanks so much to each and every one of you!
Stay well.
Deb Messina – Pillowcase Project

I have provided a permanent link to the pillowcase pattern. You’ll find it in the “MPS Links” on the right-hand side or bottom of the website. If you are done with mask making, here is another worthwhile project to turn to.