I'd like to embroider/handsew for charity - what can I do?

cashferret

I'm convalescing and I'd like to start doing some embroidery or hand sewing again (therapeutic!). I already have the skills but don't really need what I'd be producing so I'd like to do some sewing for charity (but not churches).

I can't do projects that involve machine sewing because I'm not going to be well enough to sit at a table comfortably for some time so stuff like quilting is out (though machine sewing projects might be of interest to others who might read this thread, of course). For example I found a lady making cushions and quilts for Kids' Company and a US site with the great name of Ugly Quilts for the Homeless!

Are there any charities that want embroidered or handsewn stuff?

Are there any charity projects I could join in with others on e.g. like the AIDS memorial quilt years ago?

If I embroider stuff to sell for charity on Ebay, what would be likely to sell for a good price (I see that needlepoint cushions, which take weeks to do, sell for only a few pounds!)?

Looking forward to hear your suggestions!

Owain_Moneysaver

If you could get dried lavender or pot pourri, home-made lavender bags might be nice. There are some examples here. Start building up stock now for Xmas (cloves and mixed spice fillings?)

Savvy_Sue

I know you mentioned selling on Ebay, but is it worth seeing if any of the local charity shops would like some things to sell?

eg the lavendar bags Owain mentioned: if you did them in a charity's 'colours'?

Some of our local shops sell home-made jams and chutneys, which is what made me think of it.

ERICS_MUM

What about covering wooden coathangers with padding and then pretty fabric covers, possibly embellished with ribbons or buttons. You could handstitch the fabric to give a nice snug fit. They would sell well in charity shops if wrapped as a pair in clear cellophane with a bow. Or paint the hangers with craft paints - simple flower shapes, spots, stripes etc highlighted with splashes of gold/silver paint.

Or hand-made greetings cards? You can get packs of those clear plastic wrappers that commerical card makers use around cards. Charity shops could display them on the counter, could probably charge 70 pence each ? Or get your local hospice to sell them at reception.

My sister makes earrings from beads which take very little time. You could put each pair into a tiny cellophane envelope for sale.

My favourite craft is cross stitch but as you say they take ages to finish. You could however make simple cross stitch book marks, add a tassle/sequins/bugle beads etc. (Hide the untidy side by hand sewing a matching fabric on the back.)

Sounds like a very worthwhile project which will benefit the charity plus be quite therapeutic and relaxing for you. Please let us know what you decide to do.


Linda :beer:

cashferret

Thank you, everybody!

Owain - those lavender bags look beautiful! Very inspiring, and I like the Xmas/spices idea. I made some lavender bags a few years ago and then was shocked at the price of dried lavender flowers to fill them but I've just found on Ebay that Spiceworks do them at £5.99/500g incl. p&p which sounds more like it!

Sue - that's a good idea to ask the local charity shops. I'd like to support the local hospice shop.

Eric's Mum - those are all nice ideas and I particularly like the coat hangers one - I think they would sell well. It actually seems cheaper to buy ones that are already padded, at least on Ebay, e.g. these that are about £25 for 25; and they are the right shape. I think you're right that packaging things nicely to clearly show that they're new rather than just some second hand thing would definitely add value.

So, I think I'll have a bash at both lavender bags and hangers, package both nicely (I'll be looking on Ebay for cellophane bags to look professional) and I'll ask the local hospice if they're interested plus have a go on Ebay for another charity I support that doesn't have shops.

Thanks again, everyone! :T

mamamoi

Just stumbled across this thread.. if you are still looking for a charity then Project Linus might be a good option for you.

http://www.projectlinusuk.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=1

I work for a charity called HomeStart and Project Linus donated some beautiful quilts to the children that we support last year.

Ianna

What a fantastic thing to do! I love proper homemade items, they can make such a difference to a home and I really like that you're doing this for charity.

Have you thought about contacting your local domestic violence service? Women and children often move into refuges with nothing or nearly nothing so some thoughtful items could make a huge difference to their sense of self worth.

Sayaka

If you're in to cross-stitch - LoveQuiltsUK might be up your street - http://www.lovequiltsuk.com

There is also a group helping children with cancer by making bags for various tubes (called Hickman line) - search for "Wiggly Bags" on Facebook
and also on this website: http://wiggly-bags.yolasite.com/

NumboJumbo

You might be interested in this collection of links to craft projects that make all sorts of craft items for worthy causes. http://www.helpfromhome.org/action_goodcauses_crafts.htm

As a side issue, I have been shortlisted in the current Talk Talk Digital Heroes competition for my efforts to promote micro-volunteering )bite sized actions between 10 secs to 30 mins) through my initiative Help From Home, via it's tagline of 'Change the world in just your pyjamas'.

Your support would be greatly appreciated and if you feel so inclined, you may wish to vote for me, Mike Bright, here.
http://www.talk-talk.mirror.co.uk/region-wales.htm

No registration is required. Just vote and go!

This would be a huge break for me if I won, as the prize money and the 'opening of doors' that winning this comp would bring would be used to set up schemes to promote micro-volunteering to school kids (Help From School), the responsible tourist market (Help From Holiday) and prisons. I already promote it to office workers and care home residents as well as to people within their own homes.

Thanks so much in advance.

ERICS_MUM

NumboJumbo wrote: »

As a side issue, I have been shortlisted in the current Talk Talk Digital Heroes competition for my efforts to promote micro-volunteering )bite sized actions between 10 secs to 30 mins) through my initiative Help From Home, via it's tagline of 'Change the world in just your pyjamas'.

Your support would be greatly appreciated and if you feel so inclined, you may wish to vote for me, Mike Bright, here.
http://www.talk-talk.mirror.co.uk/region-wales.htm

No registration is required. Just vote and go!

This would be a huge break for me if I won, as the prize money and the 'opening of doors' that winning this comp would bring would be used to set up schemes to promote micro-volunteering to school kids (Help From School), the responsible tourist market (Help From Holiday) and prisons. I already promote it to office workers and care home residents as well as to people within their own homes.

Thanks so much in advance.

Done, good luck !

NumboJumbo

Thankyou 'sew' much!!