Cases for the cause

COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Women's Center, a nonprofit which assists people in crisis, will be getting more than 100 new pillowcases made by local women at Bear Paw Quilting using donated materials.

On Sunday, about 20 women chipped in their time and effort to make many of the pillowcases, and some acquired new sewing-machine techniques along the way, said Sandra Swick, who teaches sewing machine classes at Bear Paw.

"It's giving back to our community, and lending some support to some of the agencies that need help," Swick said. "It's something a person can own, it's nice, and made out of fine prints. Everything is handpicked and coordinated."

All the materials for the 100 pillowcases were donated, either by those making them or others would couldn't make it to Sunday's event. Others made pillowcases in advance and dropped them off, said Swick. Each pillow case requires about $10 in materials.

Bear Paw, located at 600 W. Kathleen in Coeur d'Alene and owned by Kathryn Bose and Sandy Goedde, joined in a national campaign to make and donate one million pillowcases.

"Our owners like to be involved in what's going on in the community," she said.

In January, Bear Paw sent 77 pillowcases to a children's cancer center in Boise, also as part of the one-year national campaign called the "One Million Pillowcase Challenge."

"We'd love to hear about other places that could benefit" from donated pillowcases, Swick said.

Bear Paw is a dealer for sewing machine maker Bernina, which is one of the campaign's sponsors.

Bear Paw will have another event in May, but an exact date hasn't been set, she said. People should call the store if they are interested in participating in the next event, she said.

Information: (208) 664-1554