Sewing With Nancy

Next, on Nancy's Corner, learn how a simple sewing project helps at-risk children who are neglected or abused. Here to tell us about this project called Little Bits, is creator, Patricia Holmes. Welcome to Sewing with Nancy, Patricia. Thanks for having me, Nancy. This project that you do is very impressive. You make small, little bits, as you call them. You put them in bags and deliver them. You're a creator a one-woman dynamo, making these. When did you start to make these? In 2011. That's quite a few years ago. You've made a lot. Tell our viewers how many you've made. Approximately 28,000. You make these from printed fabrics. Yes, yes. Tell about what you have on the back. I line the backs mostly with a cotton flannel so it makes it nice and soft. What I started with was things that I had left over. The first year that's what I did. Sure. I have a big collection of fabrics and so I used what I had. They're soft and quiet and non-threatening. Yes. And a comfort, I think, a comfort. Absolutely. You haven't cut them exactly. You've made them approximate. So you meet right-sides together-- Right-sides together, turn them inside-out iron the seam open and then stuff them. Then you close up the end, and that's it. It's very simple. You just closed up with a little zigzag stitch from the right side. Hey, I'd like to, you know-- If I were a little kid, I'd think these would be great. Yeah. So you make these. Now this is interesting, I think that you told me how many you make in a day. If I stuck to it I could make 50 to 100 a day. That's admirable. However, I don't usually finish them in a day. I can do up to 200, and then the next day finish them all, or whatever. Sure, sure. And you also make these little punches that they go in. Pouches to carry in, so that they can carry them and take them with them where ever they're going. They can be used as-- They can put other things in them. They can also be used as little pillows. I mentioned that you're a one-person dynamo for this cause. You don't expect our viewers to send these to you. No, absolutely not. Explain how you made in-roads to get these to the kids who need them. Okay. I first came upon what's called Church Dolls and I purchased them at a quilt show. I spent a lot of time thinking, boy this is really a neat thing. Then one day it hit me that I've got all this time and fabric and a reasonable amount of talent. I decided, I think I should put my free time to good use. I've always cared very much about abused children, foster children and anyone who's at risk. So I started making them and I changed them every other week and did different things until I finally sent-- I called the Dane County Child Protective Services and they said that they would like some. I took them there. I have about five places in Madison and Dane County that I take them to and some in Milwaukee, and now Columbia County. For our viewers who are watching who live all over the country they can just make in-roads, make some calls, inquiries. Absolutely. Their own county Child Protective Services can help them. I usually take them to them. Excuse me. Sure. But I've even had to mail them. Like Milwaukee, it's cheaper to mail them then to drive them. And you've even made little pillows. Yes, I expanded a little bit. My idea is that every little kid needs a pillow. Yeah. And it's such a comfort to every one of us that's ever had something soft. I think, actually, the pillows, in the long run are probably going to be the most helpful. Well, these are adorable, Patricia. You're doing a great service to so many. And now you're encouraging others. Thank you for being with us. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. You're certainly welcome. Thank you for having me. I hope you've enjoyed this interview as much as I have. If you'd like to learn more about Little Bits you can go to all things Sewing With Nancy at nancyzieman.com. Click on "Nancy's Corner" and find information on Little Bits, how you can participate. I hope you also enjoyed our first program on "No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks." We'll be back next time with our second episode. Thanks for joining me. Bye for now.