Access Services
Access Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1976 that serves 13 counties in eastern Pennsylvania. It is their mission to empower and serve individuals and families in need of support through innovative services that improve their ability to live fulfilling lives in the community. They do this through three distinct services: behavioral health, children and family services, and services focused on those with disabilities and autism.
what are we crafting?
Item Requested | Craft Type | Quantity Requested | Quantity Still Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Backpacks | Sew | 100 | 63 |
Blankets | Sew/Knit/Crochet | 50 | 25 |
Pillowcases | Sew | 50 | 0 |
Bags | Sew | 50 | 0 |
project must-knows
We will be working with different divisions of Access Services at different times of the year. During the winter we helped provide warm winter items for their program for unsheltered individuals. Now they have asked us for help with their program servicing children in foster care and backpacks for their street outreach program.
1) Welcome Tote Bags- These specific Welcome Tote Bags are for children primarily ages 5-12. The finished bag should be about 16"x16" in size. We have great suggested patterns that are ideal. We would like these to be in FUN fabrics for the kids. So fabrics with licensed prints in popular themes are ideal. Fabrics to avoid: our usual caveats: no drugs, alcohol, weapons or religion, no holiday prints...New Restrictions: Nothing with the words mommy, daddy or family on them. Ensure you read our project overview sheet for details about crafting this particular item for this particular charity before you begin sewing.
2) Burrito Pillowcases - these are for kids primarily ages 5-12. All pillows are the standard size pillow no matter the age you are making for. It is appreciated if fun fabrics are used, and kids love licensed prints like Marvel, Comic Book characters like Batman and Superman, Harry Potter, Disney. Please follow the same fabric restrictions as for our tote bags above. Ensure you read our project overview sheet for details about crafting this particular item for this particular charity before you begin sewing.
3) Snuggle Blankets -
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These can be sewn, knit, crochet or no-sew fleece.
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We are looking for 3 sizes:
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Receiving 40”x40”
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Crib: 42”x52” (approximately width of fabric x 52”)
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Lapghan 36x48” (PREFERRED)
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If sewing, please avoid using fabrics that use words mom, dad or family. These blankets are not for babies or toddlers, primarily for kids ages 5-12.
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Check out our board on Pinterest for lots of ideas for all crafting methods: https://www.pinterest.com/crafting_change/snuggle-blankets/
4) Adult sized drawstring backpacks - Sewn drawstring backpacks for their street mission. These can be made in a variety of fabrics. This location requests canvas, denim, upholstery, duck, etc but not cotton. Please watch our video tutorials for choosing fabric and cording along with our video for sewing it put together by sewing advisor Kathy Lawrence.
tote bags
burrito pillowcase
Access Services Project Overview Sheet
This overview sheet is the place to start before you begin crafting for any of our partner charities.
Burrito Pillowcase Video Tutorial
The best video tutorial out there for making a burrito pillowcase!
snuggle blankets
Project Overview Sheet Access Services
Our Project Overview Sheet is THE resource for your projects. Start here!
Recommended & Tested Yarns
Crafting Change recommended and tested yarn list sorted by project type.
Minky Blanket with Bias Tape
Easy Minky blanket you simply edge with bias tape (homemade or store bought)!
Mixed Stripes Throw
Lovely blanket with easy to create stripes. Leave the tassels off if creating for small children or babies.
Easy Sewn Blanket Techniques with Martha Richmond
Video Tutorial with Craftivist Martha Richmond showing a variety of simple techniques to quickly sew up and bind off blankets for charity!
Cross Double Hatch Blanket
You will get a beautiful texture from the crossed double crochet stitch in an easy two row repeat.
38 Knit Blanket Patterns
This link will connect you to 38 great knit blankets, all approved patterns for our charity partners requesting knit blankets!
Colts Foot Blanket by Hobbii
Easy for beginners, the knit purl pattern works up with DK weight acrylic yarn. You could also try a yarn substitute like Sport. The knitting pattern calls for circular knitting needles to accommodate all your stitches.
Quiet Ripple Crochet Lapghan
This lovely textured blanket has been amended to use a lighter DK weight yarn.
Tumbling Blocks Blanket
This pattern for beginners with knits and purls is also a reversible blanket, too. It calls for aran weight yarn but you can use worsted weight yarn, just check your gauge.
adult drawstring backpacks
Adult Drawstring Backpack Sewing Instructions
Project Overview Sheet & PATTERN for ADULT drawstring backpack
Adult Backpack Fabric & Cord Selection
Short video on how to choose fabric and cording for the adult drawstring backpack
Adult Drawstring Backpack Quick Class
Adult Drawstring Backpack Quick Video with Kathy Lawrence
shipping guidelines
Access Services is happy to receive your shipment whenever you are able to send it.
Access Services
Attn: Todd Shelly
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 100
Fort Washington, PA 19034
If your box will cost you more than $15 to ship, please get a $15 UPS label from Give Back Box and ship up to 50 pounds and 108" in girth to Access Services here