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| A needlepoint tribute to the Marco Polo sailing ship, an NB legend. Panel by Vanessa Packman |
Needlework New Brunswick is proud to support the stitchers who contribute
their needlework talents doing "sew much good" both here and around the world.
**Are you part of a non-profit organization that would benefit from the skills of New Brunswick's fibre artists?
Contact Needlework New Brunswick with details of your work and how our skills might benefit your cause.
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Needlework New Brunswick is a proud supporter of:
Canadian Red Cross, Sussex
HorizonNB
Hospice Sussex
New Brunswick schools
Sussex Elementary School
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NOTE: The free project patterns mentioned here are meant for non-profit use only. The designers are
kind enough to provide the patterns free of charge, and their work is not intended for commercial production.
Knitting/Crochet projects
Knitted hats, gloves, socks and blankets are most in demand!
Atlantic Health Sciences
Atlantic Health Sciences natal units
Knitted hats and mittens are appreciated for the newborn babies at New Brunswick's natal units
(Approximately 6,000 children are born in New Brunswick annually)
Contacts:
Saint John Regional Hospital (Tel: 648-6000), contact Nurse Manager Dorothy Arsenault
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (neonatal intensive care unit), contact person is Janet Paquin at 452-5151.
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (maternity/nursery units), contact Jeanne McIsaac at 452-5621.
Upper Valley Maternity Unit, contact Tracey Sears at 375-5700.
Perth-Andover maternity unit: Parise Soucy at 273-7100
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Providing the homeless, the near homeless and the most vulnerable residents of Moncton with blankets, clothing,
furniture and other needed items
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Caring 4 Canadians (Yahoo group for knitting preemie hats and for supporting Canadian troops overseas)
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Christmas basket programs
(Knitted hats and mittens are welcomed by many organizations that run these seasonal projects)
Just some of those who do are:
Rothesay Regional Fire Department 848-6601
Sussex Sharing Club, 8 Court St 433-6047
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IWK Grace Hospital (Ronald Macdonald House), Halifax
Knitted mittens for adults, children and teens
Hats and scarves
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Knitted slippers WITH TRACTION on the soles for safety are appreciated at:
women's shelters
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Knitted or crocheted comfort blankets for cats. These are items the size of a hand towel cats can curl up on in their
cages. In the same vein, recycle clean, old sweatshirts for the same purpose. Simply turn the sleeves inside out into the
body of the sweatshirt, and anchor in place with a few quick stitches. The body of the sweatshirt is more or less square,
and the sleeves offer some welcome extra padding for cats to curl up on.
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Women's Shelters in New Brunswick
These places of refuge appreciate quilts, blankets, and clothing items for their clients. Many women and their children
have to restart with few resources as they flee abuse with only what they can carry. A warm blanket, toy, sweater or hat can
show those uprooted that you care.
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An easy pattern for neonatal baby hats
(used by the Izaak Walton Killam-Grace Hospital, Halifax)
Equipment and supplies
Size 11 needles; baby yarn
Pattern
Cast on 96 stitches
Knit 30 rows of K2P2 ribbing
(K2tog K6) 12 times = 84 stitches
Knit one row plain
(K2tog K5) 12 times = 72 stitches
Knit one row plain
(K2tog K4) 12 times = 60 stitches
Knit one row plain
(K2tog K3) 12 times = 48 stitches
Knit one row plain
(K2tog K2) 12 times = 36 stitches
Knit one row plain
(K2tog) 18 times = 18 stitches
(K2tog) 9 times = 9 stitches
Draw up yarn and fasten. Sew up seam.
Quilting projects
Atlantic Health Sciences natal units
Baby quilts are appreciated for the newborn infants at New Brunswick's natal units
Contacts:
At the Saint John Regional Hospital (Tel: 648-6000), contact Nurse Manager Dorothy Arsenault
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Providing the homeless, the near homeless and the most vulnerable residents of Moncton with blankets, clothing,
furniture and other needed items
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(Canadian grandmothers helping African grandmothers who care for their grandchildren orphaned by AIDS)
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The Quilt (supporting those with breast cancer)
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Quilt Marathon (a fundraiser to support breast cancer patients and survivors)
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The Royal Canadian Mounted Police appreciate small quilts they can carry in their cruisers to give young accident victims. These provide comfort
to the young people as they recover from the incident.
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Victoria's Quilts (Moncton area and Grand Falls chapters) providing quilts for cancer patients
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Women's Shelters in New Brunswick
These places of refuge appreciate quilts, blankets, and clothing items for their clients. Many women and their children
have to restart with few resources as they flee abuse with only what they can carry. A warm blanket, toy, sweater or hat can
show those uprooted that others care.
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Honouring young Canadians between 15 and 24 years old killed on the job
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What our neighbours are doing....
Sewing projects
Anti-Ouch Pouch -- to help breast cancer survivors during recovery from surgery or treatment
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Providing the homeless, the near homeless and the most vulnerable residents of Moncton with blankets, clothing,
furniture and other needed items
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The Canadian Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to make headscarves and turbans for patients undergoing chemotherapy. These are made from stretch
polyester, stretch jersey or stretch terry to provide warmth and style to patients free of charge. The society can help with
the costs of materials. Please contact the provincial chapter at 1-800-455-9090 for more information. Finished items can be dropped off or mailed
to one of the five regional offices in Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, Bathurst or the Northwest, all of which can be reached at the above telephone number.
(One in three New Brunswickers will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, while cancer will be instrumental
in the death of one in four residents. Four men and three women learn each day they have cancer.)
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| Wheelchair totebag (ties to arm of chair to keep frequently used items within easy reach) |
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Wheelchair tote bags are small pockets measuring 13 inches long and 5 inches deep that tie to the arm of a wheelchair. These pockets,
made from sturdy cotton or other medium weight fabric, provide a convenient way for the user to carry a notepad, eyeglasses
or other small items.
Hospital saddlebags -- these are handy pockets that hang from the sides of hospital beds to put commonly needed patient items conveniently close
to hand. They are especially appreciated by those with limited motion. (See photo above)
Moncton Hospital would enjoy receiving donations of either the hospital saddlebags or wheelchair tote bags. Their mailing address
is 135 MacBeath Avenue, Moncton, N.B. E1C 6Z8.
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Community theatre groups -- Many small theatres and community productions welcome a helping hand with
preparing costumes for their shows. This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy many types of crafts, as you combine sewing,
milliner work, painting and carpentry to help make a story come to life. If you enjoy the drama of bringing an idea to 3D
reality, why not ask your local group, skating club or recreation department if they would appreciate a helping hand?
Saint John Theatre Company
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Dress for Success / The Clothes Closet -- Assisting financially challenged women with quality
work wear and for special occasions.
Coverdale Centre for Women, 148 Waterloo St, Saint John
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Heart pillows -- The Aliant Telephone Pioneers lead the charge on this project, creating pillows for
open heart surgery patients. Patients hug the pillows against their chests to help prevent the stitches tearing. Approximately
15 per week are distributed through the Saint John Regional Hospital Heart Unit.
Volunteers meet monthly at the Silver Falls United Church Hall, Loch Lomond Road, Saint John, on the second Wednesday of
the month to make the pillows. These sessions average 110-115 pillows per time. Everyone is welcome to participate in this
project.
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The Heart Truth -- Red Dress Project
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Hug A Bears -- These handmade bears, created by Aliant Telephone Pioneers and other volunteers,
are distributed to help children in traumatic situations. Emergency crews carry the bears in patrol cars, ambulances and fire
trucks to comfort young children.
Volunteers meet monthly at the Silver Falls United Church Hall, Loch Lomond Road, Saint John, on the second Wednesday of
the month to make the bears and the heart pillows (see above). Everyone is welcome to participate in this project.
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Prom dresses -- Congratulations to the many volunteers who collect, prepare and distribute prom dresses to high
school graduates. These ladies and men make it possible for young women to enjoy a special dress on their big day at minimal
cost.
There are groups in Sussex, Hampton and Kennebecasis Valley involved with this endeavour. Members of the Xi Psi
chapter of Beta Sigma Phi run Prom Project 2009 for School District 6.
Donations: If you have a dress from 2004 or up, in excellent condition, cleaned and on a hanger you would
like to donate, you can drop them off at: Hair in the Big Blue House, 31 Centennial Rd, 832-2583, or the Sears order office,
Main Street, in Hampton; and at the Red Whale Cafe, Clark Road, in Rothesay. Sussex donors can leave their donations
at Forever Healthy, 654 Main St, while Belleisle donations can be left at Simone's Beauty Shoppe, 1761 Keirsteadville Rd. Call
832-5006 for further details. Accessories such as purses, jewellry and shoes are also appreciated.
Would you like to have one of these dresses? Contact your guidance counsellor who will handle requests discretely.
Several other groups around New Brunswick are also hard at work. Check with your community if you would like to donate
your good-quality, current dress to this project. Or, if you would like to wear one of these donated dresses for your graduation
dance!
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The Royal Canadian Mounted Police appreciate receiving small stuffed toys they can carry in their cruisers to give young accident victims. These toys provide
comfort to the young people as they recover from the incident.
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The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax appreciates donations of military uniforms and other military items for their annual July extravaganza. They also
welcome volunteers in the wardrobe department to help with the many behind the scenes details leading up to and during the week of performances.
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Corey Richardson of Saint John is heading up a project to buy sewing machines to help African child soldiers gain valuable
work skills and a source of peace time income through Stitch Uganda Together. Learn more about his efforts on idealist.org and Facebook.
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Storysacks (bringing children's stories to life while promoting literacy)
Storysacks Canada (The Kennebecasis Valley library in Rothesay is just one New Brunswick library participating in this great project.)
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Tactile books -- Bringing the reading experience to life for those with vision challenges.
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Women's Shelters in New Brunswick
These places of refuge appreciate quilts, blankets, and clothing items for their clients. Many women and their children
have to restart with few resources as they flee abuse with only what they can carry. A warm blanket, toy, sweater or hat can
show those uprooted that others care.
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Kings Landing Historical Settlement would appreciate the help of seamstresses to help make lady's day caps (photo below) and men's cravats for their costumed
interpreters. The linen head coverings and silk ties are made according to 19th century designs from accurate materials to
reflect our province's Loyalist heritage. NNB has the materials to make the first few of these items, please contact us for details.
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If you're like many needleworkers, you have a stash of small balls of wool, thread or fabric too small for a project yet
too good to throw out. Clear out some closet space by donating these bits and pieces to your local library.
Craft supplies of all sorts are in high demand by these facilities for children's craft programs. Think ribbon, paper,
buttons, and beads. You'll feel good twice, knowing your clearing out is helping kids learn to love reading and by enjoying
the extra storage space! Continue the clearing out with donating stained or torn blankets you no longer need to your local
animal shelter. The New Brunswick SPCA or Animal Rescue League will be grateful for these items for use as bedding for the
cats and dogs in their charge. Faded towels, tea towels, and facecloths are also welcome.
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