As makers, we know that fabric has the power to bring comfort.
Sometimes, something as simple as a colorful pillowcase can help a child feel a little less scared during a hospital stay. That’s the mission behind Ryan’s Case for Smiles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and their families cope with the stress of serious illness and injury through handmade pillowcases and other support programs.
A Small Project That Makes a Big Difference
Ryan’s Case for Smiles volunteers sew bright, cheerful pillowcases that are delivered to children in more than 360 hospitals across North America. Each pillowcase becomes a personal gift a child can keep—bringing comfort, color, and a reminder that someone cares. Every year, volunteers help deliver more than 175,000 pillowcases to children and their families.
Whether you’re an experienced quilter, a beginning sewist, or simply looking for a meaningful way to use your fabric stash, making pillowcases is a quick project that can have a lasting impact.
Looking for a Charity Sewing Project?
Ryan’s Case for Smiles provides easy-to-follow pillowcase instructions along with fabric guidelines to ensure each donation meets hospital requirements. Volunteers can:
- Sew and donate pillowcases
- Donate fabric and sewing supplies
- Volunteer with a local chapter
- Organize a community sewing event
- Make a financial contribution to support the program
Join the Miles of Pillowcase Smiles Campaign
Each September, during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Ryan’s Case for Smiles hosts its annual Miles of Pillowcase Smiles campaign. Volunteers across North America work together to create tens of thousands of pillowcases for children receiving treatment, with many quilt shops and sewing groups serving as collection sites and community sewing hubs.
Learn More
If you’re looking for a worthwhile service project for your guild, sewing group, shop, or simply want to sew from home, Ryan’s Case for Smiles makes it easy to get involved.
Visit Ryan’s Case for Smiles to find your local chapter, download pillowcase instructions, or learn more about their mission.
