What do you think of these fabulous labels, produced by Katrina who runs our local ‘knit and natter’ group?
Made with Love by a Hatherleigh Hooker!
Quite special, aren’t they? This little label was put to very heartfelt use this week. My bestest friend, my lovely bridesmaid, has breast cancer. We have known one another since we got stuck in a cupboard together at the age of 7. Our parents discovered us after a couple of hours, and we emerged unscathed, but friends for life. I have no idea how to say how much I care, without sounding pathetic. There’s no unpatronising way to say I want to wrap her up in love and make it better.
I can’t do that – but I did find a little project that might help, and I wanted to share it because I thought there might be some people out there who would find it useful and inspiring.
The heart pillow project was developed by a breast care nurse who wanted to make life post-mastectomy more comfortable for her patients. It’s a specially designed pillow in the shape of a heart, which patients can place so that the ‘dip’ of the heart is under their arm. This eases discomfort associated with post-operative swelling and makes life more comfortable in bed, in the car and so on.
Even for a total beginner for me, it wasn’t hard to make. It takes just two fat quarters, and I used two different patterened fabrics in 100% cotton.
Pretty pretty fabric
So here is my effort. It’s not perfect, but it’s made with all the love in the world:
Heart Pillow!
Have you spotted the deliberate mistake yet? Yes, I sewed the label on upside-down (doh).
At least it’s readable when the pillow is under your arm..
Heart pillow projects are starting up in lots of places, with the aim of supplying as many breast cancer patients as possible with pillows made with love. Organising networks of people to make pillows and donate fabric seems to be key to all of this. I wonder – is this something that UK craft bloggers can help with? I know there are lots of crafty people out there (much, much craftier than me).
I can’t do the breast cancer Race for Life – hell, I can’t even walk it! But I can sew (badly) for life. Could you sew a pillow every once in a while? If you’d like to help me think about how we can work on this together, let me know.
thestitchsharer
/ March 6, 2013Fantastic pillow and gorgeous labels. What a great idea and cause.x