Here's the assembly line-up. I discovered that strip piecing the shorter way, with four strips rather than with 6, makes the needle holder fold easier.
About to turn a batch inside out...
I used large, fun prints for the inside linings:
I worked on them all year long, including at a quilt retreat.
Some of them are quilted with glow in the dark thread. It's not easy to get a photo in the dark!
All 50 assembled. Next comes the needle and pin sorting.
These patchwork pins from Hiroshima Needles are the best pins ever! They're sharp and thin, but don't bend out of shape easily.
Each bag contains a patchwork needle case, 6 pins, 5 needles, a spool of thread and 40 assorted charm squares.
Finished, ready to go in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes!
Here's one of the boxes we have ready for collection week, starting November 13, 2017.
There's still plenty of time to make a shoebox or two. I encourage you to do so. If you need some ideas of what to pack, check out DD2's video of what she put in shoeboxes last year: YouTube. From our experience of making shoeboxes we know it is a blessing to give.
Grace and peace!!! ~Nancy
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That is so awesome! These shoeboxes are really going to be a blessing. Thanks for sharing the love of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteQuilter Bonnie
This is a beautiful post. The needle cases and charm squares are a lovely addition. Where do the shoe boxes go?
ReplyDeleteThey go to third world countries. There is tracking available when one gets their labels online. Ours have gone to:
Delete2013: India
2014: Uganda
2015: Honduras, Madagascar, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Colombia
2016: Zambia, Tanzania, Madagascar
You are so sweet to make these all through the year. Plus, you are giving these children some handmade items, and of course, those are the best!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Nancy! When my kids were younger, they had a date with their grandma to go get things for the OCC shoeboxes. Those little needle cases are the cutest, and a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea, always looking for something new for the shoeboxes I pack. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift! And making 50 is so generous, too :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, and a wonderful gift! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. 50 needle cases are a lot to do. But such a nice feeling to see them all made! What else did you put in the boxes? I always lack for ideas.
ReplyDeleteGood question, Karen! Let me list some of the things in our shoeboxes: a t-shirt, water bottle, sewing kit, 12 pencils, notebook, eraser, pencil sharpeners, comb, hair elastics, globe stress ball, soap in a container, toothbrush in a container, stuffed animal, soccer ball & pump for boys, ball of yarn, washcloth, scissors, notepads, hand knit scarves, fidget spinner, and other misc. toys.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute little needle cases, and such a great thing to do the shoe boxes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I am going to share this idea with our OCC coordinator. And the charm squares are a great addition!
ReplyDeleteThat is incredibly nice of you! There is a lot of work involved and expense too. They look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI usually knit hats or washcloths for OCC, but this is a great idea for next year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet contribution you've made to the shoeboxes using your talent and time. I'm sure each child who receives a box with your needle case will feel blessed knowing that you cared enough to make them something special. Blessings to you and your group.
ReplyDeleteThumbs UP! Great ideas and your daughter's You Tube video is great!
ReplyDeleteI think these shoe boxes are a wonderful idea in that they can contain so many different things depending on a person's taste and skills. There are so many different things that can go into them. I have always enjoyed putting them together.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Karen
http://sunburntquilts.com.au/
This is such a cute idea, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe needle cases are so nice Nancy, you did a great job on them. They look so impressive all lined up together. Thanks for sharing the information on the shoe boxes; I will check out the link you shared.
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! I ran into a leather one at my mother in laws, all with needle names still on the pages. I was tempted, but as it was not useful, I did not take it. These are really a terrific idea and wonderful project.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift! Those needle cases are lovely. Thank you for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeleteI love your cases! I added some purchased sewing kits to our shoeboxes, but I like the idea of making them.
ReplyDelete