The process of making a CK Scarf

It all begins with buying cute fabric! 

This is probably my favorite step! How much fabric do you need to buy? This ultimately depends on how many scarves you'd like to make. Look for something you'd love to wear and chances are, someone else will love it too! Choose lightweight cotton polyester fabric, or lightweight quilting fabric. Wash and iron fabric before cutting and sewing. This helps with any shrinkage that may happen with the fabric before you turn it into scarves.

Fabric:
28 inches makes 2 chemo scarves and 2-3 JP drain bags.
1 Yard and 20 inches makes 4 chemo scarves and about 8 JP drain bags.
2 1/3 yards makes 6 scarves and 16-20 JP drain bags.

Thread:
I use tan for all my scarf sewing. The stitching is less obvious with tan than using white.

Now on to cutting the fabric into scarves.

In an earlier post I created a fabulous step-by-step tutorial with pictures on how to do this. If you're anything like me, and you're a visual learner, you'll like these instructions. You can find the link to 'How to cut out a chemo scarf 101' here.

LATER ON YOU'LL WANT TO USE THE EXCESS FABRIC TO MAKE JP DRAIN BAGS.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS GO HERE.

Once the fabric is cut you're ready to start sewing!

For a step by step instruction on 'How to sew a chemo scarf', follow this link.

If you've made it this far then that means you're finished sewing!

Give those scarves a final wash and iron. This insures that they are clean and ready to be packaged for delivery. I like to package my scarves in cute cellophane bags to keeps them from collecting dust and germs. I buy my bags off Amazon and they're pretty cheap for 100 bags.

This link will give you instructions on how to fold and package them fit in the cellophane bags.

'How to package a CK Scarf'

Deliver the scarves to a chemo center. You can ask at the reception desk what they want you to do with the donation. Most centers have a hat basket for donations like this. If not, leave the scarves with the receptionist. Don’t forget to take pictures of the scarves at the chemo center and share it on social media! Be sure to include the link to this blog post so others can make and donate chemo scarves too!

Because of your kind heart and efforts 'sew' many women will receive HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT while battling cancer!

JP Drain Bag Instructions

Remember that fabric you set aside for JP Drain bags from my post about 'How to cut out a Chemo scarf 101'? This post explains the simplicity of how to sew the drain bags. 

But, first...

What is a JP Drain? And what are they used for?

A Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is used to remove fluids that build up in an area of your body after surgery. The JP drain is a bulb-shaped device connected to a tube. One end of the tube is placed inside you during surgery. The other end comes out through a small cut in your skin.

Women with Breast Cancer who have a mastectomy will have one or two of these placed in each breast following surgery. These drain are NO FUN! There are quite a few options of how to secure them so you can move about, but my favorite way was to tie a drain bag around my waist and tuck all FOUR of my drains into the bag. It was worn under my loose fitting, button up shirts and most people had no idea the drains or the drain bag was even there. I even wore one while taking a shower. These drain bags make life more comfortable for the people dealing with something uncomfortable. Although I just explained how these drain affect breast cancer women, they also are used for other surgeries and are gender neutral.

Ok, now on to the 'How to' part of this post...

 

1) Cut fabric into a 9 inch X 15 inch rectangle. Depending on how much fabric you bought to make scarves will determine how many bags you'll be able to make. 

2) Fold 9 inch sides and iron at 1/4 in

3) Fold edge over to make a nice finished edge. Repeat for both sides.

4) Cut 2 strands of double sided ribbon to 36 inches each.

5) Put right sides of fabric together, placing ribbon at the top edge. Fold right sides back together and sew. Be sure to back stitch a few times over where the ribbon was placed.

6) Repeat for other side.

7) Turn right side out.

Finished JP Drain bag.

If you are making these to donate: A great place to donate is to local hospitals surgical centers. Another option is to find surgeons that specialize in mastectomies and donate directly to them to give to their patients following surgery.

Speaking as a recipient of a drain bag following my mastectomy I can tell you how appreciative the receiver will be to get one of your drain bags. Thank you for using your talents and skills to bless and support others!

Meet Merideth

I love seeing these scarves! And doesn't Meridith look great?!
Someone said this to me this past week and it absolutely fits this picture, 

"Everyday your beautiful scarves are bringing joy to the women who are wearing them."

 I met Meridith just yesterday and gave her this fun scarf. Meridith is a wife, a mother and an avid runner. She is an inspiration to many! Thank you for sharing your story with me Meridith!

This scarf is so perfect for her smiling, happy face! 

Today after her chemo appointment I got this message from her,

'Thank you so much! I love it and have gotten so many compliments on my cute scarf!' -Meridith

Idaho delivered!

Remember Alicia? 

She is in my #LiftingHeartsBreastCancerSupportGroup and was driving all the way from Idaho to Utah for chemo. She is currently going everyday for radiation in Idaho, which made her drop off kind of convenient, except that she kept forgetting them. (That darn chemo brain!!)
 

An interesting fact that we don't always think about is that most women going through treatment have jobs (and busy lives). Staying home and taking a leave of absence from work while undergoing chemo is a luxury that not all women get to experience!
 

Thank you Alicia for delivery scarves in Idaho! 

Big hug to you girl!

A moment of silence and a pause in my project.

Why has my blog been so quiet and void of mailings?

My life has been full of good and hard moments the past two weeks. One week we were welcoming a beautiful, healthy baby boy into our family and the next week we were saying our goodbyes as my husbands mother passed on to the next life. With my fingers tightly crossed that life will start to slow down I am happy to report that I've received several emails and letters in the mail from my delivery angels and one from a Chemo center in Ohio! Good things are continuing to happen with this project despite all that is happening in my personal life! I am excited to start sharing with you these recent stories from contacts!

So stay tuned....And don't forget to invite your friends to like my page and journey with me as I spread chemo scarves all across the United States!!

Idaho!

Meet Alicia in Idaho.
I met Alicia earlier this year when she was coming all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah for her chemo infusions! Alicia is spunky, super smart and as far as I can tell, she's kickin' cancer to the curb!

 Hope you have fun delivering these scarves in Idaho!

Thanks Alicia!

Michigan Delivered!

This is the face for Michigan! Isn't he a cutie?!

 

In an email this is what Natalie had to say: 

"We loved delivering your scarves! They were absolutely beautiful and my little guy just loved them. I promise no scarves were harmed in the taking of these photos!" -Natalie

 This is Natalie and her little guy! Natalie grew up in the same neighborhood as I did, but I didn't know her very well as she was just a toddler when I got married and moved away. 

Her sister is also participating in my project for Rhode Island.

 Thank you Natalie for being a part of this project!

 

My Chemo Scarf Guinea Pig, Megdalyn

At the beginning of the year when I started sewing chemo scarves I thought I'd only be making enough to take to my last treatment. I never would have thought that my scarf project could lead me to new friendships. After my dream of having my scarf project go to all 50 states I decided to offer scarves to women in my support group. Megdalynn had just recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was excited for a cute scarf! I'll never forget my emails with this beautiful lady; I could tell she was one strong person! This first mailing was the greatest rush! And each scarf I've shared since has just added to my bucket of greatest experiences! Thanks Megdalynn for being my guinea pig and most importantly showing me that my project can offer hope and encouragement!

Here is an excerpt from the 'Thank You' note she sent me:

'Your head scarf came so fast! It is fun and lively, and I'm honored to wear it...

Gifts like this scarf are a true blessing! God bless, and much love.' -Megdalynn

May 2015

My first time meeting Megdalynn in person! I love her happy, smiling, cheerful face!

 October 2015

Reconnecting with Megdalynn at a Breast Cancer luncheon. 

Doesn't she look fabulous?! Just look at all her short curly brown hair!

Arkansas Shipped!

This has been an exciting week for me! I've been spending my days with my cute niece who just became a big sister!
It was extra special that she could help me with this mailing this morning!

 15 states done! 35 to go!

Iowa and Idaho Shipped!

Today I had one of my new 'breast' friends join me for this mailing. We sent these packages off before a Breast Cancer luncheon we had today.
Libbie is also a breast cancer survivor. She is someone who I look up to. She is the kind of person who wants to learn all she can about her treatment and everything to do with her care. I love that she is so willing to share her knowledge with others and help them understand the process too.

My live has been blessed by knowing her.

Iowa and Idaho!

14 done, 36 states to go!

Thanks Libbie for joining me for this mailing!

Sewing Angel

Grateful for this sewing angel! 

I met Sheryl about 4 years ago in my friends Bunko group. She is a kind and compassionate lady and I am so happy that she is helping me out with the sewing part of this project! 

Stayed tuned to see which state her scarves go to...

Delivery in Nebraska!

Remember my friend Justine?

Here is the picture that helps tell the story of her drop off in Nebraska.

Car ride to the cancer center = sleeping toddler! Oh the life of a mother of small children!

Here's what I heard from Diana, the Director of units 

at CHI Health:

'This week we were blessed with receiving the most beautiful scarves you made for fellow cancer survivors.  We are so delighted to receive them and be able to share them with some of the survivors we have in our system.  You are a courageous woman and an incredibly generous one to do this.  Your treatments were incredibly challenging and yet you were focused in your desire to do this. 

Thank you for the wonderful gifts you have sent.  We are privileged to share these lovely items with individuals here.  We are planning to take these scarves to our breast cancer support group on October 26.  These women will be delighted to hear a fellow survivor’s story. 

Enjoy this picture and know your work is being distributed to survivors in the state of Nebraska.

Blessings to you always!'
-Diana

Pennsylvania Delivery!

Denise (middle) was my helper in Pennsylvania and today, on her day off, she went 

and delivered her package of scarves.

Here she is with a couple of the staff at the Magee's womens hospital of the 

University of Pittsburgh medical center. Denise tells me that this is the best hospital in Pittsburgh for women's health care. The whole hospital is dedicated to just that and has been since it first opened as an independant hospital several decades ago.

'When I went to the window to speak to an employee about this I received some skepticism from the women there. None of them seemed to know if they could do this sort of thing since it seemed like soliciting to them. One of them went to talk to the manager about this and he was elated to hear about the scarf project, especially after reading the insert you put in each scarf's package.'

'The first question I was asked was what it would cost the chemo center to participate in the scarf project. Just as the women at the front window the manager backed off for a minute, still unsure of the intentions behind the project but decided after re-reading your insert that he would give the scarves to women participating in a group meeting for patients tomorrow morning.'

'Everyone, including me were happy to hear about this endeavor. We all agreed that this was a saintly act and feel much gratitude towards you for doing this.'

-Denise

I'm excited for the scarves to be given to women in Pennsylvania who need them!

Thank you Denise!

Vermont Delivery!

Vermont was in my first batch of scarves to be shipped but due to some family stuff Amy had to wait to do her drop off. I really love that her delivery included a friend who is receiving chemo treatment.

Meet Amy (left) and Julie (right).

'I was able to connect with a friend of mine who was also diagnosed at age 39 with cancer and is still undergoing treatment.  I asked her if she wanted to deliver the scarves with me and after a little planning we made it happen this morning.  Her name is Julie. I love the black and white of her laying the scarves out.  It makes me teary eyed just looking at it.' 

 'There was an employee that came up to us and said thank you and it was amazing that the donations they receive are mostly from cancer patients as they know and understand what is truly needed.

I applaud you and your project and thank you for letting me be a part of it.

Wishing you all the best!'

-Amy

Arizona delivery, Take 2!

I really love that Candice is handing these scarves out one at a time AND getting to know the person receiving it.

She says she 'loves the opportunity it gives her to meet other women going through cancer.' She also say's, 'There is something about going up to a perfect stranger and having something to give them that opens up a conversation versus me just randomly walking up to someone and trying to start a conversation. Honestly I feel so blessed to be just a simple messenger in this amazing project you started.' -Candice

'This is Kelly, single mom of 2 kids. She has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Her cancer has spread to her brain, blood, and bones. Her mom died of the same disease nine months before she was diagnosed. She is very sick and in a lot of pain, but the entire time we visited, which was about an hour and a half, she smiled the entire way and was so uplifting and encouraging. Such a positive attitude and amazing story! She told me how her neighbors who were LDS did so much service and so many wonderful things for her and her family. That led them to find out about the church and getting baptized. She is so grateful for her new faith and for the direction it gives her and her family. '

'Giving her the scarf and finding her gives me a blessed friend for life!'

- Candice

Rhode Island! 12 done, 38 to go!

This package is headed to Emily in Rhode Island!

I had a special someone with me today as I delivered this package to the post office, MY DAD! My dad is one of my favorite people!

This package was the last of the 4 I had ready to ship! It's time to get busy and sew a bunch more, but before I do I have a home improvement project to complete- painting my deck.

Nevada! Michigan! Washington! Shipped.

This past week has been pretty productive. I was able to sew 40 scarves and I gave 20 scarves to a friend to sew for me. Not bad! So with 40 scarves complete, it's time to do some more shipping!

Nevada! This one's for you!

It'll be delivered TOMORROW!

I feel pretty lucky to have such pretty AND talented daughters. Check out this video to see my daughters awesome dance moves! Ha ha! Those dance lessons when she was 5 paid off!!

 Michigan and Washington, these are your scarves!

Now for a fun story. 

Last week when I did my big mailing of 7 states I was a little unorganized and there was some confusion with the postal worker. After she had scanned each package into her system and put the postage on them I asked her if I could have the packages back so I could take video of me putting them in the mail slot. She looked at me like I was crazy. She thought it was funny that I wanted to take video of packages being put in the mail. I was told she could not give them to me as it was against there protocol. Her supervisor came out and overheard our conversation and he teased me about what I was asking for. He eventually told the lady SHE could carry 2 of the packages with me to the mail slot, but I was only to pretend to put them in the mail slot. After the video was taken she took the packages back and began asking me questions about what where in these packages and why was I doing what I was doing. She seemed impressed, wished me luck with my project and quickly went back to work.

Today when I went to the post office my daughters and I were smart and took our video BEFORE paying for postage so we didn't have to go through that fiasco with the postal workers again. When it was our turn to pay for postage the lady from last week recognized me and asked how my project was going and how many states had I mailed. She asked if the next time I came if I would bring a picture of my scarves so she could see them. I told her I had some pictures on my phone and when she was done helping another customer she came and took a look at my pictures. 

She then told me this story:

When she was 15 her Mom died from cancer. She remembers vividly her Mom being bald. She remembers her Mom wearing bandanna's to cover her head. She was quite touched by my project and thanked me for what I was doing. She said that what I was doing would be a big deal for women who were bald. 

I agree!

I love hearing peoples stories, don't you? And today I was pleasantly surprised to hear that story from the worker at the post office.

Arizona delivery, take 1!

Do you remember that my breast cancer friend Candice in Arizona? Well, she is hand delivering each of her 10 scarves?

This morning I received this picture from her.

'First one delivered! I love doing this! 

This is Jane, I met her a few months ago when we were getting chemo together. 

She has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Greatest lady ever! She was so appreciative and loved 

all your beautiful colors!' -Candice

Nebraska!

This is the face of Nebraska!

Meet Justine and her kids.

Justine grew up in Utah and was my neighbor. Now she's married and lives in Nebraska. A big thanks to Justine for delivering hope through these scarves in Nebraska!

Maine delivery!

A big thank you to Heather in Maine! Look at all those scarves nestled in with the knit hats!

Here's what she had to say about her delivery:

'It was a successful drop off to New England cancer specialists this morning. They were so grateful and very warm and kind. She said that these types of head coverings are all the patients very favorite, nice and light, and also so cute. The receptionist was sure they would be gone before the end of the day and joked that there might be a riot over who got what! She made me laugh. It was also very touching to me to be in a cancer clinic and to see those fighting the disease and also their loved ones there supporting them. I left feeling so thankful for my health but also so moved by the people who flight cancer each and every day, how strong they are!! I cannot imagine going through what you have and thank you again so much for letting me be a part of your pay it forward!' -Heather