A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE AT THE END OF THIS POST.

What a bonus weekend this was! Gorgeous weather with  nothing to do, really, but enjoy it.  I was glad to be able to work on a few projects.

I know it's not easy to get excited about a basic t-shirt. What could be so hard about finding a basic t-shirt? I've spent $30 on them, I've spent $4 on them. Every year I search for the perfect tee. One that's long enough, fits well, has some lycra in it to hold it's shape, and is versatile enough to wear on its own or as a layering piece. I have a drawer full of mistakes...purchases that never quite made  the grade, and will end up, like in years past, being donated or used as cleaning rags.

I get SO tired of spending money on clothes that don't fit.

This weekend, I made the perfect tee.

Awhile back, I found some Land's End cotton lycra on Ebay, and snatched up a few yards for about $6.00. Using  Simplicity 4076, a made this up in about an hour. And it fits perfectly!  The only adjustment  I made was adding about 3 inches to the length.

  I love this wee bit of gathering at the neckline.

Since I was on a roll, I made another top. McCall's 5853. 

This is made with more of the Land's End cotton/lycra. My modifications? I raised the neckline in the back, added three inches to the length,  and inserted the same cap sleeve as in the Simplicity tee. This shirt is so stinking cute!  I wore it today with a black pencil skirt and some boots, and a little black denim jacket. I was accused of looking like a rocker girl...whatever that means.

       
 
 
 I have to call upon my blogging buddies for a need. You all were so responsive with sending mittens for the past few years for Pastor Angel....it was an overwhelming response for which I will always be grateful.  In fact, we continue to collect them as "Hearts to Hands" for this year as well, and not only for Pastor Angel's kids, but for many other children in the Buffalo area.

The needs are great in  Western New York. Buffalo is considered one of the more depressed areas of the country. Like many other industrial cities, Buffalo's working population has declined steadily in the last several years, and we hold the distinction of  being one of the poorest cities in the US. The result?  A region in desperate need. Crime, drugs, joblessness, poor public education and  an ever increasing refugee population leave children without proper parenting, families that are hungry, women who are desperate and men without hope. This creates an overwhelming  outreach opportunity for ministry, as we endeavor to reach every man, woman and child with God's love and assist to provide for the needs in our community.   In fact, our church is excited to be a part of an Extreme Makeover Fifty States Tour project this week, rebuilding a home and repairing and renovating an entire neighborhood in Buffalo!

Well, on Friday, there came another plea for help. Such a simple thing. Cornerstone for Women is a shelter for women and children, which is under the leadership of Dr. Laura and her ministry team, providing temporary shelter and longterm assistance to women and children. Upon intake, the ladies are given their supplies ( like toiletries and personal items)  in a drawstring bag. Dr. laura has asked for drawstring bags.

I am working up a very simple pattern and tutorial so that the women of our ministry can  provide the 30+ bags that are needed each month for Cornerstone. It will take me a few weeks to get that information together and then make it available to the various women's ministries.  But Cornerstone needs  them now. So I am appealing to my crafting buddies to send me bags.

They are basic cotton  bags, measuring about 18" x 24."  They are made flat and  have a drawstring at the top. Pretty easy, right? In fact, I'm sewing them from two cotton dishtowels.  I'm making some as fast as I can,  and I would do all of them myself, but I believe in sharing the blessing of giving.

I'd love it if you could make a bag, or two or more and send  them me. Include a sentiment of encouragement  for a broken and desperate woman,as well .   If you do, I will have a contest with a drawing in a few weeks,  and will bless YOU with something wonderful in return.

Let me know if you are willing to kick-start this bag collection for Cornerstone by leaving me a comment so that I can respond with my mailing address. 

 
 

Comments

[Michelle]

My knitting guild asked me over and over about mittens again this year, but life's been so busy and since you didn't post anything about the Heart to Hands, I decided to concentrate on other things. But if Buffalo needs bags, buffalo will get bags from me. I'll wait to hear about sizes and specifics, but you can count me in.

And sorry about being lazy about the mittens. I should have just written to you and asked (insert guilty look here).

[Julie]

I have a question about cotton dish towels. Are they the smooth ones you want? Or should I just use cotton fabric and cut to the dimension you need? Which would be easier? I can send some as soon as I can get to the fabric store and cut some out~perhaps the middle of next week? I live in California.

[Kimberly Woven ~N~Spun]

Count me in for some Buffalo Bags.

[Kristi]

I have a ton of fabric, but I'm not the world's greatest seamstress (by any stretch). Do you have any instructions or other tutorials to point to until you get a chance to make yours? Also, do they need to be 100% cotton?

[keri]

I found a cute little tutorial here - is this the type of thing you are looking for?

http://happythings.typepad.com/happythings/2006/04/dsb_101_simple_.html

If so I'd be happy to make a few and send them to you - sounds like a wonderful cause!

[Lea]

I'd love to help out. I'll see if any of my knitting buddies from here in NJ would like to help as well!

[Ann]

I can make some bags - I used to work at a fabric store and I have a stash you wouldn't believe! Would it be OK to make the bags out of material that is a little heavier than quilting material?

[Beth]

Great tops! I especially love the black one. Thanks for sharing the link.