Flannel Hearts: Connecting Families in the NICU
The Tree City Quilters Guild is partnering with the UF Health Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to provide flannel hearts to parents of hospitalized babies. This special program helps facilitate bonding between parents and their infants, even when they can't be physically together.
Here's how it works: Parents wear a flannel heart against their skin, allowing their unique scent to transfer to the fabric. This scented heart is then placed near the baby's head in their isolette. This simple yet profound act allows the baby to feel a connection with their mother's or father's comforting scent, promoting a sense of security and attachment.
The initial funding for this heartwarming initiative was generously provided by the March of Dimes.
How to Make Flannel Hearts:
Creating these special hearts is a wonderful way to contribute! Here are the simple steps:
- Prepare your fabric: Place two layers of flannel with their right sides together.
- Trace the heart: On the wrong side of the flannel, trace a heart shape that is approximately 5 to 6 inches wide at its broadest point.
- Sew the heart: Stitch around the traced heart shape using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Remember to leave a 2-inch opening unsewn so you can turn the heart right side out.
- Finish the heart: Turn the heart right side out through the opening. Then, close the opening by hand or machine stitching.
Where to get flannel: You can pick up flannel at guild meetings and Charity Workshops. You are also welcome to use your own flannel.
Spreading Comfort and Care: Handmade Pillowcases for Our Community
Our dedicated group has been working diligently to create comfortable and cheerful pillowcases for individuals in need throughout our community. Partnering with various local agencies, we are distributing these handmade items to bring a touch of warmth and support to those who may be going through challenging times.
These aren't just ordinary pillowcases; they are crafted with care and attention to detail, representing a tangible expression of our community's compassion. We believe that even small gestures can make a significant difference in someone's well-being, providing a little bit of comfort and brightness in their day.
Would you like to get involved and help us create more of these comforting pillowcases? Here's how you can make one yourself using our simple "Burrito Method":
Make a Difference with a Handmade Pillowcase (Burrito Method)
This easy-to-follow method creates a beautifully finished pillowcase with no exposed seams, perfect for sharing comfort.
You will need:
- One piece of fabric for the main body of the pillowcase (27 inches x 42 inches)
- One piece of fabric for the cuff (9 inches x 42 inches)
- One piece of fabric for the accent flange (3 inches x 42 inches)
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
- Iron and ironing board
- Pins
Instructions:
- Prepare the Accent Flange: Take your 3-inch wide accent flange fabric. Fold it in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together, and press it flat. This creates a clean, folded edge.
- Stack Your Fabrics: Lay your three fabric pieces on your work surface, all with their right sides facing up.
- First, lay down the cuff fabric (9" x 42").
- Next, place the main body fabric (27" x 42") on top of the cuff, aligning one of the 42-inch edges.
- Finally, place your folded flange fabric (3" x 21" folded) on top of the body fabric, aligning the raw edge with the same 42-inch edge. Make sure the folded edge of the flange is facing towards the center of the body fabric.
- Start Rolling the "Burrito": From the 42-inch edge opposite where you stacked your fabrics, begin to roll or loosely fold the main body of the pillowcase towards the cuff. Continue rolling until you are just a few inches away from the folded edge of the flange. The cuff and the unfolded portion of the flange should still be lying flat.
- Enclose the "Burrito": Now, take the loose, unstitched edge of the cuff fabric and bring it up and over the rolled body fabric. Match this raw edge with the raw edges of the other three layers you aligned in step 2. You should now have all five raw edges (cuff, body, and flange) aligned, forming a tube with the rolled pillowcase body tucked inside. Pin all five layers securely along this raw edge. Sew through all five layers using a 1/4-inch seam allowance along the pinned edge.
- Reveal Your Pillowcase: Once you've stitched that seam, gently reach inside the "tube" formed by the cuff and pull out the rolled body of the pillowcase. Turn the pillowcase right side out. You'll see the cuff and flange beautifully attached. Press the seam you just sewed flat. The flange piece should now be facing away from the cuff and towards the body of the pillowcase.
- Sew the Side and Bottom Seams:
- Fold your pillowcase in half lengthwise, with right sides together, carefully aligning the raw edges of the cuff, body, and flange.
- Pin the raw edges together along the long open side and the short open bottom.
- Stitch along the long open side using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, starting from the cuff end and continuing towards the open end. Turn the corner and continue stitching along the shorter open bottom side, also using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
- For neat corners, clip the excess fabric at the corners at an angle before turning the pillowcase right side out.
- To prevent fraying, you can finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch, a serger, or by using French seams for a more professional finish.
- Final Press: Turn your finished pillowcase right side out and give it a good final press.
A Quilt from the Heart: Supporting Ronald McDonald House
This Ronald McDonald House Heart-to-Heart Quilt is a true labor of love, brought to life through the collective efforts of our guild members.
Many hands contributed to this special project, with guild members pouring their love and creativity into each unique quilt square. The squares were then expertly pieced and quilted by Sandy Pozzetta's "magical sewing machine," transforming individual contributions into a cohesive work of art. Finally, Melanie Jensen worked her magic, completing the quilt with beautiful binding and a commemorative label.
This wonderful group effort culminated in a truly heartwarming quilt. Sharon Fuentes and Trish Everitt had the honor of presenting it to a very grateful team at the Ronald McDonald House. We hope it brings warmth and comfort to the families it serves.
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