Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat! Sorry there has not been a newsletter this month until now. Reasons don't matter and excuses don't count. I hope each of you got to your favorite group meeting. The only meeting left for October is the Bunten

Road group on the last Tuesday (Oct. 26) from 9:30am to 3:30pm in the Bunten Road Park Activities Building, Duluth. Thanks to Donna Voss who is going to help coordinate this group.

Christine Sampson, one of our devoted volunteers at the Gwinnett Medical Workshop, lost her husband last week. Our thoughts and prayers go to her and her family in this sorrowful time.

Welcome to three new members who attended the business meeting- Valgene Gill, Pam Sanders, and Cathy Brown.

Maria Figueroa is heading up the nominating committee as we get ready for election of officers. Her e-mail is mfigueroa@infomgmtforum.com. Please contact her if you wish to nominate someone or offer yourself for office.

During the last month we have received three donations. Thanks to Walmart at Ellijay for $1000, Duluth Kiwanis Club for $500, and the Lutheran Church for $800.

Next week Dritz will send to Debbie an order form to order their $89 battery/electric scissors. The cost to us will be about $35 including shipping. (Ida Boyce has a pair and loves them.) Anyone interested in ordering a pair, contact Debbie Vickers at 770-831-0577

We appreciate all the effort each volunteer puts into making all the different items for the babies. Lately we have had too many items that are too big, too little, or too something to use. These items are given to other groups but it cuts into our inventory. We know you would prefer to help "our" babies first.

Put a copy of this newsletter with your patterns to refer to as needed.

Here is what we all need to remember.

All items should fit newborns.

Watch the size of sweaters, hats, and booties- check your personal gauge and adjust the directions as needed. If you need help, there are "pros" among us who will be glad to help you.

	Please do not use wool yarn- items must be washable. Wehave yarn available.
	Afghans should be 36"x36" or 36"x45" finished, any pattern you like as long as there are no large holes for little fingers and toes to get caught in.
	Quilts are 36"x45" and should be quilted enough to keep the batting from shifting- about 3" apart is fine. We do not use tied quilts.
	Lap pads and burp cloths are different sizes but are constructed the same way. Lap pads are 15 to 18 inches square. If one side is terry no batting is needed. If both sides are wovens thin batting is needed between the layers.
	Burp cloths are 22"long and about 8" wide. Both lap pads and burp cloths should be quilted.
	Check the stretch of knit fabrics before you cutout garments. When making gowns or creepers and using fabric with little stretch,cut the neck larger. Make the ribbing the usual size and stretch as it is applied. Wovens are OK but you need to make sure the baby's head can go thru the opening. Some newborn heads are as big as 21" around.
	No Velcro fasteners on any items please. The sound is harsh on baby ears and Velcro can irritate baby skin.
	All fabric should be considered as unwashed. Please wash fabric before you make the garments. Fleece garments and blankets can be washed after they are made.

A group of volunteers went to OHCO and bought more knit fabric prints so we have plenty. Keep those gowns, sleepers, lap front shirts and hats coming!

We now have white thread. Let your group coordinator know that you would like some and they can make it happen.

If any of the above is not clear, please ask fo clarifications.

Don't forget the Christmas Coffee on December 11. Do you have a favorite recipe you like to make for Christmas? Would you share it with us? Watch for more details later.

Put these November meeting dates on your calendar now- its going to be here before we know it!

	Business meeting- 1st Monday (Nov.1) 10am to 12 noon at Atlanta Sewing Center, Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA. 30096
	Alpharetta Group- 2nd Saturday (Nov.13) 9:30am-2:30pm at AlpharettaFirst Methodist Church, 69 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA.30004
	Snellville Group- 3rd Thursday (Nov.18) 10:00am-2:00pm Eastside Heritage Center, 2160 Fountain Drive, Snellville, GA 30078
	Marietta Group-3rdSaturday (Nov.20) 10:00am-12 noon, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, 1578 Cunningham Rd. SW, Marietta, GA 30008
	Gwinnett Medical Workshop- 3rd Saturday (Nov.20) 9:30am-3:30pm, Gwinnett Mwdical Center Education Center, Lawrenceville, GA 30045
	Bunten Park Workshop- last Tuesday (Nov.30) 9:30am-3:00pm, Bunten Road Park Activities Building, Duluth, GA 30096