August 2026

 🌞 Sunshine Linus Wrap-Up 🧵💛

With another successful Open Day behind us, it was back to business at our August meeting! 😊🧵 The focus returned to fulfilling requests from community groups. 💛

⚙️🔌 Norm's Test and Tag

Our August meeting also featured the annual Test and Tag of sewing machines and overlockers. This important safety initiative ensures equipment meets current electrical safety standards, helping everyone sew safely and with confidence. 🪡✅ Thank you Norm.

📌 Reminder: All sewing machines, overlockers and electrical equipment brought to Sunshine Linus Activity Days, Retreats and other events must have a current Test and Tag label before use. Thank you for helping keep our sewing spaces safe. 😊

No tagging needed here. 😊 

🛍️Sales Table 🎄

Our Sales Table was once again well supported, and although it may only be August, Christmas will be here before we know it! 🎅🎁

Now is the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping. The sales table is always filled with unique handcrafted gifts that are sure to delight family and friends. Every purchase helps Sunshine Linus continue its work within the community.❤️

As you begin your Christmas baking, preserving and gardening, please consider setting aside a jar of jam, lemon butter or chutney, or perhaps some plants or fresh produce, to donate to the Sales Table. Your contribution could become the perfect Christmas gift for someone while helping Sunshine Linus.

🎄🍓🍋🌿

Iceblock holders

Beautiflly made pot holders

Card holders

Fresh produce

Wallets

Travel bags or holders
for jewellery and special items.

🍽️ Microwave Plate and Dish Holders.

Dish holders

🍽️These handy holders make it safer and easier to remove hot plates and bowls from the microwave. 🔥🖐️

💛 A heartfelt thanks to everyone who donates items and supports the Sales Table throughout the year. Your generosity is truly appreciated and makes a real difference.🙏✨

🧵Meet the Sewing Team🪡

The Sunshine Linus Sewing Team plays a vital role in supporting hospitals, healthcare services and community organisations by creating practical, high-quality items that provide comfort, dignity and care to those facing medical treatment and recovery. 🏥

While many people know Sunshine Linus for its quilts and blankets, our sewing volunteers produce a diverse range of specialised items designed to meet real needs identified by healthcare professionals.

Sewing Team display at Open Day.

🎀 Nikki Bags are among these thoughtful creations. Designed to discreetly carry portable drug infusion pumps used during chemotherapy and other medical treatments. These attractive fabric bags replace the clinical appearance of medical equipment with something colourful, personal and uplifting. They help recipients feel more confident and comfortable as they go about their daily lives.

Nikki bag 

🚗 Seat Belt Protectors are another invaluable item. These soft, padded covers wrap around a vehicle's seat belt to cushion chemotherapy ports, PICC lines and other sensitive areas. They reduce pressure and friction, making travel safer and more comfortable for patients.

Seat belt protectors.

🪡 In addition to these specialised items, our volunteers sew a wide variety of products requested by hospitals and healthcare providers, including breast drainage bags, hospital gowns, clothing protectors and many other practical aids that enhance comfort and support recovery.

Ready to be distributed.

Sometimes you don't
have time to pack a bag.

📏 Following the approved Sunshine Linus patterns is essential. 

Each pattern has been carefully developed to ensure the finished item is the correct size, shape and proportion for its intended medical purpose. This allows hospitals and healthcare providers to use every item with confidence, knowing it meets their practical requirements.

The latest patterns and sewing instructions are available on the Sunshine Linus website and should always be used when making items for donation.

Free Patterns on the Blog home page.

✨  Hospital and community needs change, so please check the monthly Wish List to see which items are currently required.

😊 A few friendly faces.

❤️ Thank you to every member of our Sewing Team. Your talent, generosity and dedication continue to touch countless lives, one stitch at a time.

✨ Thank you

Claire made a protective cover for a deck swing for a special school and received a heartfelt thank you for all her contributions over the years. It was very special to see

part of the message written in braille.

📦 Packing for Distribution

After the meeting, volunteers worked together to sort, count and pack the many items that had been donated. It is always rewarding to see tables filled with handmade goods ready to be distributed throughout the community.

These items will soon be delivered to hospitals, aged care facilities, palliative care services and other community organisations. They will provide comfort, practical support and a reassuring reminder that someone cares.

🎉 This Month's Raffle Winners

Congratulations to our lucky winners!

Hamper: Sharon

Box of notepads: Lesley 

Jewellery Box: Jill

This months Raffle

We look forward to seeing everyone again in September for another wonderful Sunshine Linus gathering. 😊🧵🌻

📅 Save the Dates

September 28            September Meeting

October 12                Linus Activity Day

October 26                October Meeting

November 23 - 26    Sunshine Linus Retreat at Bribie Island