VISTA 15:

Vista 15 Project Linus

Monday, January 14, 2008 -

Bring to January VISTA Meeting

Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."

Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

January 2008 Vista 15 Service Project

Your troop can participate in this Service Project in one of two ways:

1)   Either individually or as a troop make a blanket to donate to Project Linus

2)      Donate supplies needed by the Project Linus organization – Supplies needed include acrylic yarn in bright colors and fleece-batting-stamps

 

Bring your blankets and/or supplies to the January Vista meeting on Monday, January 14, 2008, and I will deliver everything to Project Linus. 

 

Project Linus patches are available for $1.50 each.  Also at the January meeting, you can turn in a check to me (made out to Service Unit 728), along with the number of patches needed.

 

Below are some links to the Project Linus national Web site, local chapter and the local chapter newsletter…where lots of information, ideas and even templates can be found.

 

Project Linus national organization link:

http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml

 

North and Central Chicagoland Project Linus link:

http://www.orgsites.com/il/projectlinuschicago/

 

Fall Newsletter link:

http://www.orgsites.com/il/projectlinuschicago/fallnewsletter2007revised.pdf

 

Any questions, please call Kim Hansen  

To introduce your scout troop, classroom or youth group to Project Linus, please consider the following guidelines.

There are many options when creating a Kids Helping Kids blanket.
**The children decorate 8" squares of muslin with either fabric markers or fabric crayons.

WE LOVE FLEECE BLANKETS-BUT PLEASE MAKE SINGLE PLY AS THE DOUBLE THICKNESS FLEECE IS TOO BULKY AND HEAVY FOR THE CHILDREN **"NO SEW"Blankets can be made of single layer, soft fleece by fringing the edges and tying them into knots.
**Children can be asked to bring in a piece of new fabric of their choice and these pieces are then cut to size and incorporated into a quilt.

Supplies Needed to Create Decorated Muslin Squares:

__At least one 8" muslin square for each child. If you want Project Linus to provide the squares, we have a muslin "exchange program" that works as follows: When you decide how many squares you will need (many groups have their children make more than one square), calculate the yardage that is needed. For example: One yard of muslin at 36" wide yields 16-8inch squares. If you need 16 squares, you would purchase one yard of muslin to exchange for the 16 squares from Project Linus. Of course you may purchase and cut the squares, just remember that the muslin must be washed, dryed and ironed before cutting.

__In order to complete the quilt with the decorated squares, we request that you purchase one and one half yards of flannel for each 10 squares that your group will be creating. Typically, we use twenty squares, ten decorated and ten flannel, for the quilt top with the remainder of the flannel used for the backing. You are of course welcome to make a quilt of your choice using the decorated muslin squares. .

___You will need a supply of fabric markers or fabric crayons. They can be found at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart or K-mart. One brand that we have had success with is Marvey-The Fabric Brush Marker. Other brands may be acceptable, however make sure that they say permanent FABRIC markers. Please note that the decorated squares must be heat set with a dry iron or placed in a hot dryer. This sets the colors so they do not fade or disappear when laundered.

__Provide plain white paper as some children like to practice a design before drawing on the muslin. This paper should also be used under the muslin to protect the work surface.

** Instructions for creating the perfect no-sew fleece blanket are in the fall newsletter:

http://www.orgsites.com/il/projectlinuschicago/fallnewsletter2007revised.pdf