Backpacks 4 VIC Kids

Backpacks 4 VIC kids is an Australian charity that provides essential items to Victorian children entering foster care and emergency accommodation, to assist in easing the feelings of loss and relocation. 

Each year, 45,000 Australian children are placed into foster care or emergency accommodation, and quite often without any of their possessions. Run by volunteers, Backpacks 4 VIC Kids aim to aid children during their transition and provide the help and support they need by supplying backpacks and nappy bags to children aged 0-17 years. 

In celebration of Christmas approaching, this month we are supporting Backpacks 4 VIC Kids and creating Santa sacks for the children. These Santa Sacks will be filled with gifts and given to the kids for Christmas.

Sewalongs are a great way to get inspired by what everyone creates, while giving to a worthy cause. If you’re new to sewing or embroidering this is a great chance to get involved and have fun no matter what the outcome. Any excuse to put your sewing and embroidery machines to good use is a great one.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Sturdy cotton or poly material – Calico or Christmas themed fabric
  60cm x 1m folded in half
  No slippery, stretchy or sheer material
  Preferably age appropriate (Kindergarten-High school)
• Pyjama cord or ribbon

Instructions

The charity has been wonderful in providing instructions for you to follow to create these Santa sacks. Download the PDF to get started →

Add a touch of decoration

You can add an extra special touch to your Santa sack by using a ribbon with decorative stitches for the bag string.

TIP:
When sewing decorative stitches onto your ribbon, use softaway/tearaway to stabilise. Cut thin strips of the tearaway and back onto ribbon. This will stabilise your decorative stitches when sewing. Tear away the stabiliser when finished. 

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO CREATE THIS PROJECT?

This sewalong will run from 1st – 30th November 2019. However, you can continue to donate to Backpacks 4 VIC Kids all year round.  

SENDING IN YOUR DONATIONS

The sacks can be dropped in or posted to any of the Echidna stores during the month of  the sewalong. Please send any donations made after the sewalong month directly to the charity:

Backpacks 4 VIC Kids
86 Camms Road
Cranbourne
Victoria 3977

Be sure to include your name, postal address and contact details with your donation.