Tote Bag Charity Sewing Challenge

Tote Bag Charity Sewing Challenge

Today we're kicking off the SAMQG Health Care for Homeless Veteran's (HCHV) Tote Bag Challenge 

Many of our members are affiliated with the larger military community in San Antonio. When researching this summer's charity sewing challenge, I found Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV), which is party of the VA system. After talking with the coordinator, Peggy, we determined that a tote bag for their supplies might be a perfect fit.

HCHV Description: "Initially serving as a mechanism to contract with providers for community-based residential treatment for homeless Veterans, many HCHV programs now serve as the hub for a myriad of housing and other services that provide VA with a way to reach and assist homeless Veterans by offering them entry to VA care." -from their website

So what is our sewing challenge? 

The SAMQG is hosting a challenge to create a tote bag. The goal is to create 100 bags to be presented to HCHV in September 2016.  That gives us May, June, July and August to stitch.

How do you make a tote bag? 

I'm so glad you asked! 

With permission, we will use the Morsbag Tutorial to create our bags and kits. GRAB THE PATTERN HERE. (Labels will be provided and are only needed for this pattern.)

If you have found a different internet tutorial (for non-restricted use: meaning you can make a ton of them for charity) or have a favorite style of tote bag to sew, you can make it, too. Make what you feel comfortable making. Our goal is simply to provide tote bags.

Will there be kits? 

Yes! We are very fortunate to have fabric donations and generous members. Kits will be available at the Sew-In's and at SAMQG meetings throughout the summer. Kits will be cut for the Morsbag requirements.

Each tote bag kit contains:

• 1 rectangle of fabric measuring 18" x 40"
• 2 rectangles of fabric measuring 18" x 4"
• 1 Morsbag label

The kits are ready and the pattern is shared. What next?

Official Sew-In Days at Sew Special are:

• June 21st from 10a - 3p
• July 15th from 10a - 3p

If you are in the SAMQG, please RSVP on our "EVENTS" tab on Facebook.

Of course, you are encouraged to sew as many tote bags as you like on your own, too. You do not have to attend an event to make a wonderful donation. GRAB THE PATTERN HERE.