On this page, you will find patterns for TQT’s various Charity Sewing Projects, as well as some of our Holiday favorites.
Charity Project Patterns
Donations for Comer or Rush: The Quilter’s Trunk will accept donations of Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) Scent Cloths and Pillowcases at any time. We in turn give them to Comer Children’s Hospital and Rush Children’s Hospital. These items MUST come from smoke and pet free environments to protect these sensitive patients. Any donations will be laundered in hospital machines prior to going to recipients, so the finished products must be able to withstand high temperature washing. No flannel or embellishments, please.
Donations for the Road Home Program: We will accept donations of pillowcases and lap/throw sized quilts for the Road Home Program at Rush Hospital. The Road Home serves male and female military veterans in a residential outpatient mental health and wellness program. No juvenile fabrics, please. Click here to learn more about the Road Home.
Donations for A New Direction: We will accept donations of pillowcases and lap/throw sized quilts for A New Direction. A New Direction provides support, counseling, advocacy and education to individuals and families affected by domestic violence. Their work is not complete until every home is safe and free from abuse. Click here to learn more about A New Direction.
Serged Pillowcase: This pattern will make a standard 30” x 20” pillowcase using a 4-thread overlock stitch on a serger.
“Roll It Up” Pillowcase: This pattern will make a standard 30” x 20” pillowcase using the “burrito” method - a pillowcase with no exposed raw edges. Pattern is from our friends at American Patchwork & Quilting.
NICU Scent Cloth:
A scent cloth is a small transitional object that can provide a huge sense of comfort to caregivers knowing they are able to support their infant even from afar. Infants are powerfully bonded to their mothers through their familiar natural body scent that is similar to the taste of the amniotic fluid and her breast milk. Scent is also strongly tied to memory and can become familiar over time in the case of our fathers. Caregivers are encouraged to wear the small piece of cloth on their person and to transition the cloth to the infant’s bed upon separation. The cloths work to provide the baby with parental scent but can also be used in the reverse where transferring baby’s scent to a cloth to give to the mother can help support milk let down and pumping.
Breast Cancer Heart Pillow: This pattern will make a heart shaped pillow to help ease discomfort for breast surgical patients. The pillow is placed under the patient’s arm to keep the surgical area open.
