UPDATE JANUARY 28TH, 2012: We are pleased to have gathered 200 scarves and toys for foster children! This project is now officially closed. NOTE: Because the need for small soft stuffed toys goes on year-round, we will continue to accept softies only (not scarves or hats) for delivery to foster children until further notice as a sideline to future projects. AND do look for our next crafting-for-a-cause project to kick off about March, 2012.
Thanks for your interest in helping foster children by crafting warm, lovable scarves and stuffed toys. To be useful, these crafts do need to meet certain requirements having to do with their materials, their construction, and their design. We know you put your heart into your crafts, so read this page fully before choosing a pattern to make sure your craft meets the charity’s needs. We also recommend that you keep up to date with our project blog. It’s the go-to place for updates (including any potential changes to craft specifications or to project dates), events, featured craft patterns, and more information about foster children. Plus it’s a great place to comment and ask questions.
The basics
- The children we are serving are ages 4-17, with more boys than girls; it should be kept in mind that they come from varied ethnic and religious backgrounds
- All items must be sturdily constructed of new materials, fully machine washable and dryable, and safe and appropriate for the target age group
- Knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, embroidering, plus no-sew projects, are all acceptable so long as your own hands are involved in the making of the craft
- A “hidden heart”–a sewn or embroidered heart tucked away in a nook or cranny of the craft–is welcome, though by no means required (a craft is already a gift that says “I care”); please do not include religious messages
About stuffed toys
- Maximum size is 7″ x 5″ x 2″ or equivalent in bulk to fit in children’s care packages
- We recommend yarn; medium- or quilt-weight cotton or cotton flannel; lightweight fleece; lightweight napped material; and polyester fiberfill for stuffing
About scarves
- Scarf sizes: For children, 40-45″ long x 4-6″ wide; for teens, 60-70″ long x 7-8″ wide (for lightweight undoubled fabric or loose weave yarn, double the width)
- We recommend yarn; flannel; fleece; or lightweight or quilt-weight cotton backed with flannel or lightweight fleece
Read the fine print
All aspects of the crafts must comply with copyright laws. Made with Love: Crafting for a Cause is unable to provide reimbursement for or return any donated crafts. Crafts not meeting the project specifics may be donated elsewhere. Any crafts donated to Made with Love: Crafting for a Cause may be photographed for display in print or online.
What’s next?
See our list of free online patterns or choose your own pattern or design.
