Update: Congratulations to the top 15 locations! These groups will be receiving material boxes from the folks at All People Quilt. (If your group was in the top 15 on August 15th, we’ve reached out to you and a box is in the works… you know who you are!) Remember, if you’re ready to use your sewing skills for good, it’s not too late to join in the sewing fun; search for a local group hosting a One Million Pillowcase Craft Night here. If you’re in NYC, please do join us at the Etsy Labs on Monday, August 23. (Details below.)
Hello crafty bees! We invite you to participate with us in the One Million Pillowcase Challenge by lending your sewing skills to a good cause. To join in, create a meet up in your area using the Meetup Everywhere tool. Invite all your pals for a Craftivism Party, and gather together and stitch up pillowcases to donate to a charity of your choice. As an extra incentive, beyond the already rewarding warm fuzzy feeling of crafting for good and spending time with your local handmade community, the 15 groups with the most people RSVP’d by Tuesday, August 10 will receive a box of supplies from the folks behind the One Million Pillowcase Challenge, All People Quilt.
One Million Pillowcases Craft Night at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY
In tune with the One Million Pillowcase Challenge, we’re hosting a pillowcase-making Craft Night at the Etsy 
Labs in August. We will be making pillowcases with materials donated by Housing Works from their ten thrift stores. Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses to sustain these efforts. Going full circle, the completed pillowcases will, in turn, be donated to Housing Works to support their initiatives. All skill levels are welcome!
RSVP for the Brooklyn event through Meetups Everywhere.
Where: 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York 11201
When: Monday, August 23 from 4-8 p.m.
And, online: Live far away? Join us online at 5 p.m. ET for a how-to demo in the Virtual Labs, our online multi-user chat room. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.)
I’d like to participate too! How do I get started?
We’ve started an umbrella Etsy Craft Party: One Million Pillowcase Challenge Meetup on the Meetups Everywhere site, as a special edition of Etsy Craft Party. (If you missed our original Etsy Craft Party in June 2010, be sure to read the stories and look at the photos from these amazing events across the globe for inspiration.)
From this over-arching event anyone can start an Etsy Craft Party: One Million Pillowcase Challenge 
Meetup, attend an existing Craft Party Meetup, or even step up as an organizer (if there isn’t one already). If there isn’t an Etsy Craft Party Meetup scheduled in your town yet, click Schedule a Meetup near you to get one on the map. To find a local Meetup, just search for your town on the Etsy Meetup map and click I’m interested. That will let others know that you’ll be there in August, and together you can decide what project(s) to make, what snacks to nibble on, and what your individual Craft Party will be like.
Then, drop some ideas for a location and activity for the Meetup in the comment box to help folks get ideas flowing on where to meet. If your Craft Party Meetup doesn’t have an organizer, you should consider stepping up. This will enable you to set the location, change the time, and to curate comments and guests. Don’t forget to contact your local quilt store to see how they’re participating too.
FAQs
What exactly is the One Million Pillowcase Challenge?
American Patchwork & Quilting is challenging you to help us reach our goal of donating one million pillowcases to local charities. Many charities can benefit from the donation of a pillowcase and the challenge gives you the opportunity to donate and make a difference in your community.
Where should we donate the pillowcases we make at my gathering?
Once your pillowcases are complete, you can refer to a list of suggested charities or find a local organization that inspires you. American Patchwork & Quilting is tallying the total number of pillowcases donated, so be sure to visit their website to enter the number you contributed. You can upload pictures to their gallery as well, and mention your Etsy profile or shop.
Can anyone be involved? I don’t live in the U.S. — can I still participate?
Yes! Craft Party is all about connecting with your local art, craft, and design community to celebrate creativity, no matter where in the world you live.
Do I have to have an Etsy account to join in the fun?
No! Anyone can join, start or organize an Etsy Craft Party Meetup. We just want you to have fun and make pillowcases together for a good cause.
Do I have to have a Meetup account to join in the fun?
No, you can RSVP with your Facebook sign-in, if you don’t have a Meetup account. If you don’t have a Facebook account or a Meetup account, you’ll need one or the other to RSVP and/or step up as an organizer for a Craft Party. It’s free and easy to sign up, don’t worry!
Does the event need a organizer?
Not at first, however, in order to receive a package from All People Quilt, your event should have an organizer. (We need someone to send the package to!)
Can we change the time and date of the event?
Yes. The event organizer can change the time, date, and set the location of the event. In order to be in the running to receive a box of sewing supplies for your Etsy Craft Party: One Million Pillowcase Challenge Meetup, your event will need to happen.
Can I add a new Meetup to the map, even if my town already has one?
Go for it. If the current Meetup is too far away, feel free to schedule another.
Can we have the party even if we don’t make it to the top 15 locations?
Yes, please do! We encourage you to organize your party and have a blast! You might have so much fun that this will become a regular event in your city. (We hope so.)
Does using the Meetup Everywhere tool cost money?
Nope. The Meetup Everywhere site is free and creating a Meetup.com account is free. You might want to pitch in for refreshments and supplies. More ideas for how to throw a craft party on the cheap can be found here.
This sounds great. How can I help get the word out about Craft Party?
Help us spread the word about this global Craft Party. If you tweet about your Craft Party, make sure to add the hash tag #CraftParty. Get ready to share photos of the event by joining our Craft Party Flickr Group and upload photos to the One Million Pillowcase Challenge’s photo gallery.
Will you be joining in the One Million Pillowcase project? Let us know in the comments below.
Calling Etsy Crafters to the Pillowcase Challenge | How to Throw Your Own Craft Night
93 comments
Sign in to add your owntangente says:
What a fun idea! Too bad there's no one signed up in my area yet.
1 year ago
shizendesigns says:
This is so awesome - I'd love to make pillowcases!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Perfect !! I wish I was there :)) Happy sewing :)
1 year ago
Raceytay says:
What a great idea. And those pillows look sooooo comfy.
1 year ago
RainyPenguinVintage says:
What a neat idea. Maybe this will motivate me to learn to sew ;) Jeanne Rainy Penguin Vintage
1 year ago
akcArt says:
What a great instructional video! I don't so and even I got it! Wonder how long it would take me to do the sewing by hand! AHHHH! VERY COOL! Thanks for showing this
1 year ago
Krystyna81 says:
great idea!
1 year ago
akcArt says:
What a great idea! What a great cause!
1 year ago
bunnygoods says:
love this! creativity that helps others! rewarding to the Nth degree!
1 year ago
Handamade says:
What a great idea!
1 year ago
AngelloftCreations says:
This is a wonderful idea. This would also be a great project for Girl Scout Troops to do. The pillowcases could be a good first time sewing project. My niece and her troop made blankets for the Linus Group for her bronze award a few years ago. I believe the Linus Group passes these blankets out to sick children hospitalized(maybe adults also). The girls, families, and leaders usually enjoy making things for other people. I am going to forward this info to our local girl scout council. Thank you for the idea.
1 year ago
SatinandBirch says:
Great and wonderful Idea! I'm out in the boonies so to speak but maybe I can join another group, thanks for the post!
1 year ago
TeenahTime says:
what a great project
1 year ago
Adeleshop says:
Nice work!
1 year ago
dollybirdboutique says:
yey great fun x
1 year ago
eternalsourceglass says:
I think this is a wonderful idea! I hope someone in my area signs up. It almost makes you want to attach all the pillowcases to create a quilt. Its been a while since i had a date with my sewing machine. I'm looking forward to it.
1 year ago
hausofgmone says:
goode idea
1 year ago
NicoAndMooMoo says:
sweet and smart!
1 year ago
designMatter says:
...for sweet dreams!
1 year ago
brideblu says:
This is such a rad idea!
1 year ago
sweetjane says:
I wish I lived in Brooklyn...I could make pillowcases with you guys AND eat that awesome ice cream!!
1 year ago
LeafandInk says:
Make art not war! Peace to all through Etsy and beyond!!! http://leafandink.wordpress.com/
1 year ago
HarrietsHaven says:
I've added myself to the meetup site, hopefully others join with me in my area. If not, I'll still definitely participate on my own and help out as well as I can. Now, off to check out the tutorial! I have a ton of fabric - are we allowed to use what we have on hand?
1 year ago
BGSStudio13 says:
Very cool. I'll see what I can come up with! If you'd like to promote this activity, contact me. I write articles for the Examiner.com and would be happy to publish a little something about this project. I also conduct personal interviews with artisans so if any of you out there would like to be interviewed and promote your Etsy shop or your on-line store, give me a shout out and I will send you more info. Or you can see some of my interviews at http://www.examiner.com/x-47621-Artisans-Examiner and grab the instructions there. Cheers~ Bettie
1 year ago
SimpleJoysPaperie says:
What a wonderful thing to do!
1 year ago
radiantgirlcrafts says:
What a fun idea! Linking to my blog...www.radiantgirlcrafts.blogspot.com.
1 year ago
fionaballard says:
Fantastic idea. I'll see what I can do to get people involved in Nanaimo, BC.
1 year ago
TrimsNmore says:
What a really great idea.
1 year ago
craftpile says:
So awesome!
1 year ago
SewWriteCreations says:
Cool! I just signed up to participate long distance! Three cheers for the web!
1 year ago
Evajune says:
I'm signing up too. what a wonderful cause!
1 year ago
notApplicable says:
<3
1 year ago
ellesbeads says:
Sounds great. I put my name down on the Meetup site so we'll see what happens.
1 year ago
sandyvern says:
What a great idea! And such great patterns :-)
1 year ago
BunniesandAvacado says:
Wow, I wish I could I wish I might do some pillowcasing-craft-awesomeness that night. I'll be there in spirit.
1 year ago
Newcreature584 says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
ChoochMagooz says:
Just in time to consider donating your completed pillowcase's to Craft Hopes project 9. Pillowcase's for ConKerr cancer foundation. http://www.crafthope.com We've already got a small group organizing in Mallorca Spain if there are any etsians island side.
1 year ago
uniqueimaginations says:
I love making pillowcases, in fact that was all I ever sewed for several years/ I also take already pillowcases and make them into nightgowns for my grandaughter. She looks so cute in them and she likes them. She is 5 going on 50 lol, happy sewing everyone, check out my etsy store, uniqueimaginations.etsy.com
1 year ago
jodieflowers says:
What an awesome idea!!
1 year ago
DoxyDame says:
Oh my gosh! this is such an awesome meetup idea! My Etsy team in St. Louis, Missouri (MADE) did the Etsy Craft Night party last time and it was such a great turnout! I am already getting together our team to do this one too! Etsy you have such wonderful ideas!
1 year ago
gnormyle says:
Such a great idea. The AWEteam is discussing this. FUN!
1 year ago
rahul1989 says:
Such a nice thing and awesome in this AWE team is describing about the fun cool i like it Gold Price
1 year ago
DanceLikeIts1492 says:
I can't wait to make up for missing the Etsy Craft Party!!! I just hope enough people around Chicago are interested! Let's go Chicago!
1 year ago
marbled says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
YumYumPendants says:
Love the idea!
1 year ago
Midnightcreations says:
I have been doing a pillow case a month all year long. Check local quilt shops many have drop off points then distribute to local charities. So glad etsy is helping this great cause, even those with modest sewing skills can make a pillow case!
1 year ago
byjlc says:
This is wonderful! Does anyone know if they have something like this for jewelry?
1 year ago
CindyrellasCloset says:
These pillows are so easy to make and you get to be so creative!
1 year ago
CindyrellasCloset says:
Forgot to mention that this would be a great project for a beginner sewer because it is all straight sewing!
1 year ago
Maulani says:
Great! But in my area there's still lack of people who love to craft. Sigh.
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
great idea!
1 year ago
AmcPoelmanDesign says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
nowonder says:
Great Challenge, and a fun one to do!
1 year ago
avocadocreations says:
Awesome - glad to see the word is getting around. I've been madly sewing up pillowcases here with extra fabric - plenty of places to donate them to!
1 year ago
HeyChica says:
Great idea, pillowcases are fun and easy to make!
1 year ago
NorthwestBridal says:
I am working on getting a group together to sew up some pillow cases in September, it is such a great idea, and so many places to donate to. Thank you etsy for making me aware of this great project!
1 year ago
BotanicalBead says:
Such a great idea!
1 year ago
LifeSoapSimple says:
We did this as a family and donated to a local shop who is in turn donating to a local charity.
1 year ago
elemegibere says:
Wonderful!
1 year ago
slumbersoft says:
I donated to my quilt guild, The Woodlands Area Quilt.
1 year ago
sexygeekwithattitude says:
very kool idea!
1 year ago
Dee875 says:
Looking forward to my first visit to the Etsy Labs and doing something so crafty & awesome!
1 year ago
buysomelove says:
spiffin' idea! love it.
1 year ago
baltznoah says:
Wouln't it be great to join up with little dresses for africa.org http://www.littledressesforafrica.org and donate the pillowcases to be made into these simple dresses for girls world wide who lack the simple dignity of a single item to wear. I think the pillowcase idea is great on its own. There are so many places in need of these items. Did you get to one million by Aug 10. What happens to this effort after August? Ames, Iowa
1 year ago
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy says:
How fun - what a crafty idea!
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
great idea!
1 year ago
jenniferdarezzo says:
This type of project is one of the reasons I am so proud to be part of Etsy!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Gosh that davey crocket pillowcase is awesome, I remember that off when I was a kid. 'king of the wild frontier'
1 year ago
shecological says:
This is such a great community building idea and a great way to have fun crafting!
1 year ago
junkyardglitter says:
This idea is BRILLIANT!
1 year ago
Jusadreamin says:
BEAUTIFUL great idea seems fun Thanks for sharing
1 year ago
bedbuggs says:
Looks like too much fun!
1 year ago
SeaFindDesigns says:
Yahoo for another CRAFT PARTY!! Our Craftland in Providence will be hosting ours..... can't wait!!
1 year ago
LeafandInk says:
What a great way to have community and create together all in the name of helping others! We see that their are 12 people via Meetup who are in Portland waiting to hook up for this event. Let's connect and see what we can do to make this a successful venture! LeafandInk
1 year ago
DomusModern says:
What a great idea!
1 year ago
MariesCorner says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
sweetjane says:
I have to get my lazy butt in gear and make some of these. I love the massive effort to do something kind for people who need their spirits lifted. It is also a great way to use up left fabric.
1 year ago
ohbabydotcom says:
cute kids : ) I love to recover pillows. Putting your own artistic twist on them.
1 year ago
shop1848 says:
Wonderful idea!!
1 year ago
designedbyDiana says:
the group over at Handmade Miami can't wait to show off our pillowcases and our box!
1 year ago
JeweledMaiden says:
Love it! how cute!!
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
I love all the bright, textured fabrics. Most pillow cases are boring, but I bet none of these will be!
1 year ago
RhondasPaintings says:
I love to make pillows also. I haven't done so in awhile. I've been busy painting lately. I remember taking a pillow apart to figure out how it was sewed. finally figured it out and made more. Your colors are heartwarming. Rhonda
1 year ago
VelveteenHabbit says:
Who would think--the lowly pillow case could be such an awesome outlet for creativity and giving!! I covet the Davy Crocket vintage ooooooh! How about another challenge? Building on the pillow case theme....how about filling the million pillow cases with school supplies and or personal supplies and or pretty clothes for girls or cool guys' items for people affected by AIDS/HIV who still go to school??? Just an idea. I'd love to participate--I am a non sew-er!!!
1 year ago
paroliro says:
Hi Julie! I plan to be there, I love to make pillowcases! Such a good cause, and where you rest your head each night is an important place to enjoy art. Barbara @ paroliro
1 year ago
FeliKiwi says:
Hello! I have two questions: Are children allowed and since I didn't sign up for the supply box in time, do I bring my own material from thread to scissors?
1 year ago
marlynncg01 says:
Nice idea,i like it. ------------- Dieting
1 year ago
LollyBopBaby says:
Awesome. What a neat idea!
1 year ago
AllThingsGrand says:
Wow! That is a really neat idea! We are new to Etsy, and the craft business...but loving it so far :) P.S. Feel free to check out my site and if you purchase something and mention this post I will give you 10% off your first order from me!! Thanks, and have a great day! Steph
1 year ago
ivalinakrasteva says:
ИдеÑта е много хубава, но аз изпуÑнах датата за Ñреща.ÐапоÑледък Ñъм малко по-ангажирана. Ð‘Ð»Ð°Ð³Ð¾Ð´Ð°Ñ€Ñ Ð·Ð° поканата вÑе пак! Ивалина
1 year ago
excentrix says:
I LOVE THIS STUFF..... Awesome guys!!!
1 year ago
gototes says:
My friend from Dream On made and donated some wonderful and very cute pillow cases for this challenge; wonderful cause!!
1 year ago
Mediocricy says:
http://www.google.com Just wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading. Thanks for the great content. Look forward to coming back for more.
1 year ago