The Madam Sew Port Pillow Challenge: Sewing Comfort for Cancer Patients

Join Us in Making a Difference, One Port Pillow at a Time

We're thrilled to announce the Madam Sew Port Pillows Challenge in partnership with Beyond Basic Needs! We are sewing for charity together!

From February 1st through September 15th, 2026, we're calling on our incredible sewing community to help us reach an ambitious goal: Let’s make at least 1,000 port pillows for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Here's how it works: For every port pillow you make and send to Beyond Basic Needs, Madam Sew will donate $1 to support their mission of providing chemo care kits to patients across the country. The more you make, the more we donate (until we reach our budget of $2,000). Your time, your fabric, your skills, they all translate into comfort for someone facing one of life's toughest battles.

If you've never heard of a port pillow, let me explain why these small cushions have such a big impact.

When someone undergoes chemotherapy, they often have a port surgically implanted under their skin (usually near the chest or upper arm). This port makes it easier to administer treatment without repeatedly finding new veins. While medically essential, these ports can be incredibly sensitive to pressure and touch.

The seat belt of any car often presses directly against that tender port site. Simple car rides can become uncomfortable, sometimes painful experiences.

That's where port pillows come in. These small, velcro-attached cushions create a protective barrier between the seat belt and the port. It's a simple solution. For someone already dealing with so much, it's a relief.

Every port pillow represents comfort and a reminder that someone cares; that they're not alone in their journey.

You can find all the information about this Charity Challenge on the Madam Sew website. Here you can find more background information, step-by-step instructions, interesting links, and downloads. We will also post the progress of the challenge, and pictures of the pillows that are made by our community.

That said, participating is really simple:

1. Go to the Madam Sew website and check out the instructions before you start.
2. Sew one or more port pillows. You don’t need to be an experienced sewist to do this. These port pillows are very easy to make with the below step-by-step instructions.
3. Download the tracking form from the Madam Sew website to include with your donation so we can grow the amount of dollars that Beyond Basic Needs will receive.
4. Send your completed pillows to Beyond Basic Needs (address on the Madam Sew website)
5. Share your progress on social media using #Madamsewcharity to inspire others!

Beyond Basic Needs will track all pillows marked as part of the Madam Sew Challenge, and at the end of September 2026, Madam Sew will make a donation based on the total number received, one dollar for each pillow made. Every single pillow counts!

The project for this charity sewing challenge is beginner friendly. Because this version of a port pillow is so easy to make, we hope a lot of sewists can participate. It is the port pillow pattern that Beyond Basic Needs recommends. You don’t need to download a pattern because the shapes are very simple. The sewing method is straightforward and efficient. It is perfect if you're new to sewing or if you want to make many pillows quickly. Once you get into a rhythm, you can easily make several of these in an afternoon.

Since the port pillows are small, you can use fabric scraps to make them. As long as the fabric pieces are clean and the fabric is soft, you can start cutting little rectangular pieces and make a big batch.

Final Size: 4" x 6"
Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes per pillow

• Fabric: 2 pieces of quilting cotton, 4" x 6" each (flannel and fleece also work beautifully, using up all your fabric scraps!)
• Velcro: 1 piece, 3" long and ¾" to 1" wide
• Stuffing: Poly-Fil or cotton batting
• Basic supplies: Thread, scissors, pins or clips, sewing machine

Optional: Check out our rotary cutters if you want to batch-cut and cotton thread sets if you need to restock your supplies.

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• Cut your two fabric pieces to size, 4 x 6 inches each.
• Press them flat with a hot iron.
• Cut a piece of velcro 3 inches long.
• Take your first fabric piece and place it right side up on your work surface.

• Find the center on the long sides of one fabric piece. To do so, use a ruler and mark or fold it in half with the short ends together (like closing a book). Press lightly or pinch a small crease at both edges. This marks your center points.
• Separate your velcro into the hook side and loop side (the scratchy side and the soft side).
• Take one piece of velcro and center it on the right side along one long edge of your fabric, right side up. Match the edge of the velcro with the edge of the fabric right in the middle of that long edge and secure it with a pin or a clip.
• Take the matching piece and place it face down on the other piece of velcro but don’t make them match completely. Position it in the center of the opposite long edge, matching the raw edge of the fabric with the velcro end, right sides down. The two velcro pieces will overlap 2 inches (half an inch on each side will not overlap). Pin or clip this velcro piece to the edge as well.

Place your second fabric piece right side down on top of the first piece. The right sides of both fabrics should be facing each other, with the velcro sandwiched in between. This is called "right sides together" in sewing terms.

Pin or clip around all four edges, making sure all edges stay aligned. Reposition the clips that were holding the velcro to grab the top fabric as well.

In order to be able to turn the port pillow right side out, once the seams are sewn together, you need to leave an opening. This opening will be used for turning and for stuffing the little pillow. Make the opening about 1 ½ to 2 inches wide. Position it on one of the short sides of the fabric.

I used two red pins to mark the opening but you can also use a fabric marker and draw two little lines.

Using a ¼" seam allowance. This is the distance from the edge of the fabric to your needle. You can also use your presser foot edge as a reference point. This is usually a little wider than a quarter inch which is totally fine for this project.

You will now sew around most of the perimeter of your pillow. Stitch a couple of stitches and backstitch to secure the thread, then sew an inch to one corner, turn 90 degrees with the needle down, continue stitching along one long side, over the velcro piece to the other corner. Turn 90 degrees with the needle down, stitch the entire short end, turn 90 degrees again, sew along the other long end over the velcro piece till you reach the last corner, turn and sew the last inch.

Make sure the two fabric layers are nicely aligned at all times.

Don’t forget about the 2" opening along one side. If you forget, you will need to get out your seam ripper. I like to start sewing at one end where my opening will be. I sew around the three complete sides, and stop at the other end of the opening. Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitches!

Carefully turn your pillow right side out through that 2" opening. To push out the corners, you can use a chopstick, a sewing stiletto, or even a capped pen to gently push out the corners so they're nice and crisp.

Give it a quick press with your iron. It helps everything lay flat and look polished.

Add your Poly-Fil or other soft stuffing gradually, distributing it evenly throughout the pillow. You want it to feel like a supportive cushion, not a rock or a floppy beanbag.

The firmness matters!

• Too soft: The pillow doesn't provide enough cushioning against the seat belt pressure
• Too firm: It becomes uncomfortable and can actually create more irritation
• Just right: Medium-firm, with a bit of give but plenty of support

Fold the raw edges of your opening inward so they're even with the rest of the seam. The pressing in Step 6 helps. You can close this by hand with an invisible ladder stitch, or simply topstitch it closed with your machine using a ⅛" seam allowance.

I usually just topstitch. It's quick, secure, and honestly, the person receiving this pillow cares more about the comfort it provides than whether the closure is invisible. You have to fold the raw edges inward and pinch the fabric together to make it lay flat under your sewing machine.

Wrap your pillow around something belt-sized (a rolled kitchen towel works great) and press the velcro together. It should connect easily and feel secure. If it doesn't, check that your velcro pieces are truly opposite each other.

Your first port pillow is complete! Doesn't it feel good knowing this will bring real relief to someone going through a very difficult time?

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• Best choices: Quilting cotton, flannel, or fleece—all soft, comfortable fabrics that wash well
• Avoid: Anything scratchy, stiff, or with a rough texture
• Patterns: Most prints work great! I love using cheerful fabrics—bright florals, fun geometrics, soothing colors. Imagine what might make someone smile on a difficult day.
• Consider: Some people prefer darker colors that don't show stains as easily. Both approaches are thoughtful.

I really can't emphasize this enough: the firmness matters!

During my testing, I made pillows at different firmness levels and tried them all with a seat belt. Too soft, and the seat belt pressure still came through. Too firm, and the pillow itself felt uncomfortable and didn't give at all.

The sweet spot: When you squeeze the pillow, you should feel resistance but also some give. It should compress slightly under the pressure of your hand but spring back. Think "supportive cushion," not "throw pillow" or "hard ball."

If you're making winged pillows, here's a great test: if the wings velcro together easily and comfortably, you've probably got the firmness right.

Since these pillows will be used daily in cars. They will be exposed to temperature changes, seat belt friction, and regular wear. The construction quality matters.

• Backstitch at the start and end of every seam
• Secure that velcro well. It's going to be opened and closed many times
• Check for loose threads and cut them off before sending your pillows off

If you're planning to make multiple pillows (and I hope you are!), here are some assembly-line tips:

• Cut all your pieces at once for multiple pillows
• Press in batches
• Chain-piece your sewing when possible—sew one pillow after another without cutting threads between
• Set up a stuffing station with your Poly-Fil easily accessible

I find I can make about 4-5 simple rectangles in an hour once I'm in a rhythm, or 2-3 winged pillows in the same time frame.

There is another method of making a port pillow. It takes a bit more time and creates a pillow with wings and a hidden velcro. So if you want a more challenging project, here is the link to the google drive with the port pillow tutorial of LeSha Reitino’s pattern. Both patterns create functional, comfortable port pillows that will genuinely help someone in need. And both are accepted by Beyond Basic Needs.

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Once you've created your beautiful pillows, here's how to get them to Beyond Basic Needs and make sure they count toward the Madam Sew Challenge…

Package your pillows in a sturdy box or weather proof (padded) envelope, including the downloaded tracking form.

We'd love to see what you're making! Share photos of your port pillows on social media using #Madamsewcharity. Your posts inspire others to join the challenge, and seeing our community come together for this cause is genuinely heartwarming.

Here's what keeps me motivated as I work on this challenge: every single pillow represents a moment of relief for someone going through one of the hardest experiences of their life. When that person gets in a car to drive to treatment, they'll reach for this pillow you made. They'll position it over their port, fasten their seat belt, and instead of wincing from the pressure, they'll feel cushioned. Protected. Comfortable.

And maybe, they'll think about the fact that someone they've never met took the time to create this for them. That's the power of what we're doing together.

1,000 pillows by September 15th is an ambitious goal, but I know this community. I've seen what happens when sewists come together for a cause that matters! So whether you make 5 pillows or 50, whether you're a confident sewist or just learning, you're part of a community that uses their skills to spread comfort, to show care, to make life a little bit better for people who really need it.

Have questions as you're making your pillows? Want to share your progress or see what others are creating? Join the conversation:

• Instagram: @madamsew or use the hashtag #Madamsewcharity
• Facebook: Madam Sew Sewing Group
• Blog: Check back for challenge updates and community spotlights

We'll be sharing progress updates throughout the challenge, featuring makers from our community, and celebrating milestones together. This is about more than just a number, it's about the people behind every single pillow.

I can't wait to see what we accomplish together. Let's fill those mailboxes at Beyond Basic Needs with pillows. Let's show cancer patients they're not forgotten. Let's prove that small acts of kindness, multiplied across a community, create something truly powerful.

Thank you for being part of this. Thank you for caring. Thank you for sewing.

Let's sew hugs together! 💜

An
Blogging for Madam Sew

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Download the PDF quick reference guide to make a port pillow

The Madam Sew Port Pillow Challenge runs from February 1 - September 15, 2026. For every completed pillow sent to Beyond Basic Needs with a Madam Sew tracking form, Madam Sew will donate $1 to support their mission of providing chemo care kits to cancer patients (up to a maximum donation of $2,000).