Something for women to make on a church retreat
 

Our women's retreat is coming soon at our church. I've been asked to provide something for women who have never sewn to make in 2-3 hrs. In the past we've made rice filled hot dish holders (very nice), bags (took too long) and wreaths sewn on embroidery hoops (also nice). I was thinking of microwave potato baker bags however, just read the post from someone who had hers catch fire in the microwave so that's out. Does anyone have some ideas? Thanks!

Pillowcases

You just have to make sure you use 100% cotton fabric and batting in making the potato bags.

I was going to suggest pillowcases also......especially if it's a sleepover type retreat. :)

Cotton bags filled with raw white rice to micro and put on sore muscles. (if they are a tight enough knit and long enough, odd socks will work for this purpose as well.) These should be loose filled for comfortable 'draping.'

Simple placemats. They could be signed all the way around the group.

Neck Coolers. My guild makes tubes that are cut 4.5" x WOF, turned right side out. The first 12" is separated off with a seam (later the last 12" will be also.) Into the middle pour a small amount of the material indoor gardeners use to keep their plants moist. You can get that at a nursery. Close ends. On a hot day, soak in cold water. You will have a flexible, cool band for your neck. At the end of the day, hang it to dry and it will again be flat and ready for another day.

Glue and/or sew things on a piece of card stock to make a postcard. Nice bits of fabric, buttons, lace and the written word work well. This could be very good to send/give to shut-ins. I have a lovely one here that is bright fabric on heavy iron on interfacing with cut out fabric hearts hot-blued in place, along with a few mini crystals. My friend did top-stitched binding around the edge. Another is a sweet snowman. Christian symbols could be used just as well.

One of my favs is a 2 page needle 'book' made of pretty bits of fabric. I cut 2 pieces of fabric, one 4x14.5, one 4x14. I fold the longer one so that the ends are turned gack on themselves and meet in the center. I sew around the outside then turn it right side out and slide cardboard pieces into each side. (cereal boxes do nicely). Sew the second piece right sides together almost all the way around. clip the corners and trun right side out. After you close the opening and sew it inside the covers, you have a needle book. Before my previous dog ate it, I had a 4 page one my grandmother gave Mom when she was a girl, about 1920. She wrote what sort of needles went on which pages. I don't. Hers were muslin. Mine is batik with a piece of cording I can pin to my recliner.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it.

I have used my microwave potato bag for about four years. I use it for many things and i love it!

Mug rugs make up fast & you can use up scraps. You can sew them flat or do a coiling on clothesline method with sewing the rope as you 'spin'.

BTW - I gave my father a microwave potato bag that I purchased at a craft fair last holiday season. He told me recently that it too had caught on fire...

I'm with beatys9, mug rugs would be nice. I use mine everyday, my coffee is sitting on one right now.

6 inch rounds of wool approx. decorated with little flowers, leaves, petals, buttons, etc. Stitch a gathering line all around the edge, ala yoyo, and fill with polyfil. glue into a mason jar lid, tea cup, small coffee cup, or any round tin. Makes a decorative pincushion.

Pillowcases are terrific for own use, gift, donation to a child's home. http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millio.../freepatterns/

Paperback book cover. Easy cutting (all rectangles), quilt or not and easy, simple instructions. Can be decorated with something as simple as decorative stitch rows or a strip of crazy quilting.

Pot holders can be made from lots of things and give practice in making a single block without the problem of matching sizes. Also can practice binding. http://tipnut.com/potholder-patterns/

www.modabakeshop.com might have some ideas. Dont need to buy the jelly rolls as you can cut your own.

Purse organizer. http://tipnut.com/purse-organizer-sewing-tutorial/

If you pick pillowcases, sergers are great for doing seams if anyone can bring them.

mltquilt