What a week it has been in Victoria and it’s taken a while for me to feel like posting again.  Like everyone I’ve spent lots of hours listening to the Bushfire coverage (the ABC radio has been fantastic) trying to comprehend what has happened.  But feeling devastated at the fact that at least 181 people have died, over 1800 homes have been lost and about 7500 people are displaced.  I’ve been feeling quite overwhelmed but wanting to do something.

It’s been really encouraging though seeing the sense of community and generosity from the Australian people.  And in particular from the ‘Crafty Community’.  There are already so many lovely people contributing in lots of ways.  If you haven’t already I encourage you to donate to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.  There’s also a great list of ways you can help here.  There’s lots of good ideas at Handmade Help – a few of my favorites are the recipe book, restash-a-crafter and the rainbow comfort packs.

And since last Sunday I’ve had an idea of how we can help a little as well – it’s just taken a while to get it organised.  So……..I’m organising a ‘Quilting Bee’ on Saturday 21st March.  The idea is to get as many people as possible to come along and help make quilts to give to people who have lost their homes in the bushfires.  There are lots of ways you can contribute:

• Come along for all or part of the day to sew
• Donate fabric, batting or backings for use
• Make any 12 inch block and send it in and we will make them up into quilts on the day
• Make a Scrappy Log Cabin block – Emma has a good tutorial here
• Offer to machine quilt one or two quilts for us
• Offer to hand quilt a quilt
• Offer to hand sew a binding or two
• Come along to make calico bags for the quilts
• You might have a half-done quilt top you are happy to donate to be finished off
• Spread the word – please pass on to all of your crafty friends

We already have some batting and backings donated and we will be using all the scraps that lovely ladies have left at Sewjourn to be made up into charity quilts.  We need more batting and backings though and are happy to list down the businesses that support us so if you think of anyone you can ask please let me know.

Here are the details:

When:  Saturday 21st March 9.30am – 4.30pm

Where:  LightHouse, Ashburton Uniting Church, 7 Ashburn Grove, Ashburton, 3147

What to bring:  Your sewing supplies, fabric, lunch.  Morning and afternoon tea provided.

Contact: Jan Joseland on 0409 964 755 or info@sewjourn.net.au

It would be great to see as many people come along as possible so if you are free please consider joining in…..and the bonus is not only are we helping out in some little way but it’s sure to be a really fun day!