Sewing for a Cause

ConKerr Cancer

In 2002 Cindy Kerr began making pillowcases to brighten up her son, Ryan's, hospital room and to put a smile on his face while he faced cancer.. He loved it and she began making pillowcases for other children with cancer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Ryan lost his battle in 2008. But Cindy went on to form ConKerr Cancer, a non-profit organization that delivers pillowcases to children in hospitals in both the United States and Africa.

Country Traditions' own Cathy Miller has made it her personal mission to donate 1,000 pillowcases to this wonderful program. Won't you help? You can read more about the program or download the pattern for the pillowcase to get you started. We just ask that you follow the following guidelines:

Use cheery fabrics for kids – colorful and fun as possible

• Remember many patients are adolescent boys and girls, we always need pillowcases appropriate to teenagers
• Cotton, flannel or polarfleece only
• Use the pillow pattern online (sewn or no-sew fleece); please wash the pillowcases before delivery.
• Place each pillowcase in a quart-sized ziplock bag and deliver them to Country Traditions. We will make sure your pillowcase brightens the life of a sick child

Project Linus

Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission statement, which states:

• 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.

Country Traditions has long been a drop-off point for Project Linus. We are always in need of more "blanketeers". You can find out more about the organization and find patterns and links on their website.


1 Million Pillowcase Challenge

At American Patchwork & Quilting we know Quilting Changes Everything. That's why in 2010 we are challenging you to join our efforts to Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference. Every pillowcase can make a difference in our community. A pillowcase can provide comfort for cancer patient, hope for a foster child, encouragement for a battered woman, or beauty for a nursing home resident.

Join us at Country Traditions to meet the challenge, by making and bring your pillowcases into the shop. We will make sure they get donated to a variety of local charities and add your donations to the Pillowcase Counter on millionpillowcases.com.

Visit, allpeoplequilt.com for pillowcase patterns and lots of quilting inspiration from our Friends at American Patchwork & Quilting.