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HELPFUL LINKS
Email us below!
Members:
Linda & Judi
Judi & Linda 
HOW TO MAKE A BLANKET!
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We accept blankets in all sizes and colors. The blankets should be washable and fashioned with child friendly colors in mind. Blankets can be knitted, crocheted or quilted. Second-hand smoke, The following size guidelines can be considered:
Preemie Size-24" X 24"
Baby/Toddler-36" X 36"/36"x43"
Preteen-40" X 60"
Teen-50" X 72" NOTE--WE ALWAYS HAVE NEED FOR LARGE SIZE UNISEX BLANKETS. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A LARGE BLANKET THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A BOY OR A GIRL---THANKS SO MUCH!
Blanket Types:
Quilts and Tied Comforters
Afghans-Crocheted or Knitted
Fleece IMPORTANT!!! Fleece Blankets are made by serging, hemming or cutting a fringed edge. Please click on Fleece Blankets at the left of this website for many fleece pattern options.
If you plan to embellish a blanket with fabric paint on muslin squares, please do not use puffy paint. Regular fabric paint can also be very stiff. We suggest that fabric markers be used instead. Note- You can expect to decorate about 300 squares with one package of fabric markers. To make muslin squares, consider the following-- Using permanent fabric markers, decorate each square with pictures or designs. Names and dates may also be included. Heat set the colored blocks with a dry iron.
Donations may be dropped off any time or mailed to 637 Charlemagne Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062.
Please include your name and address with the donation. Please remember too that the sizes listed above are just guidelines. We encourage all our volunteer blanketmakers to use their imagination when making a cozy blanket for a child! To make a wonderful quick quilt, simply purchase a quilted, double sided panel and sew on satin blanket binding!
Elaborate or simple they are all beautiful to a child.
Fleece fabric makes a wonderful no sew blanket.PLEASE CRAFT FLEECE BLANKETS WITH ONE LAYER ONLY.
DOUBLE FLEECE IS MUCH TOO HEAVY AND BULKY FOR CHILDREN TO HANDLE.
PLEASE CLICK ON FLEECE PATTERNS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS SITE FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS...
PLEASE NOTE--There are a few very important guidelines to remember when donating blankets:
--Please inspect your donation and remove all PINS and NEEDLES. A hospital recently found pins left in several blanket donation bags.
--WE ASK THAT ALL BLANKETS BE LAUNDERED BEFORE THEY ARE DONATED if there is an animal in the home of the blanket maker. In this case the blankets should be sealed in a plastic bag after laundering.(Please Note--Dry detergent should be used for fleece fabric as liquid detergent causes fleece to pill)
or environmental tobacco residue ETR as it is now known, is a particular hazard to children, especially those under 18 months of age. Tens of thousands of children, especially those with asthma or reactive airway disease, are treated for respiratory problems every year because of ETR. Please do not smoke near your blankets or sewing supplies, or do any of your blanket-making in a room where someone has smoked! Even transporting your blankets to a drop site in a car with a smoker can make your blankets smoky.
--Please do not eat peanut butter or any peanut product when making your blankets.
--Fabric or yarn that has been exposed to mold or mildew cannot be used. Even if the musty smell disappears after laundering, the spores are still present and can cause serious respiratory problems in children.
--Any item that could be a choking hazard should not be attached to blankets. If an object, even a soft object like a pom-pom, is small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube, it is small enough to choke a young child.
--Please Do:
Secure the batting into outer seams and if the blanket is tied, please anchor it every 4-6 inches. We do not want it to fall apart the first time it is washed.
Weave in all yarn ends on crocheted and knitted blankets.
Check your blanket carefully for straight pins. It is better you find that pin and not the child who receives your blanket.
--Please Do Not:
Make your blankets out of tapestry, burlap, upholstery fabric, felt, vinyl, wool, or wool yarn.
--Also, please do not donate these types of fabric, we cannot use them.
--Attach buttons or similar decorative items to a blanket. They can be a choking hazard to children.
--Fabric paint also has a tendency to peel off.
--We also ask that blankets be free of religious messages.
Blankets are donated to children of all faiths. Thank you.
Single ply fleece blankets are lighter and easier for the children to handle.
Cut and paste the following addresses for video instructions
no-sew fleece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv4WVOiUpYc
crochet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtLkkJs-kXI
Purchase white cotton muslin-- Machine wash,dry and iron (muslin is sometimes difficult to iron. To get perfect results, after washing and drying, sprinkle the muslin with water and roll it up for a few hours. Iron as usual and the wrinkles disappear!)-- Cut into 8" squares. To make the cutting process easier and more accurate, the use of a rotary cutter and cutting mat is recommended.
This is a great project for school groups, scout troops and senior citizen craft sessions.
Colorful Squares Decorated By Children
Here is a great and very easy quilt pattern donated by a generous friend of Project Linus.
You may download this pattern-Wickedly Easy Quilt from Annie B. Please check her website BYANNIE.COM for more wonderful patterns.
download THIS Adobe PDF file
Quick Quilt Idea
