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About our author:
Annette
Millard is passionate about sewing and has worked in the sewing industry for
many years. She is always happiest with needle, fabric and thread in her hands!
She currently enjoys supporting the Coats & Clark community writing blog
posts about products and projects for the Coats Sewing Secrets Blog.
Those who sew and
quilt are the most generous people I’ve known. There’s something about hands-on
making that expands our hearts and inspires us to reach out to others.
Our Sewing Superpowers can enrich lives around the world through charitable
sewing!
Image
from Little
Dresses for Africa
Little Dresses for
Africa
My fabulously generous
friend Barbara, has been making Little Dresses for Africa for many, many years.
Every week she meets with a group of women who share the joy of sewing as they
make simple, bright dresses for this wonderful project. The dresses are simple
designs, often made from pillowcases and when delivered convey a valuable sense
of worth to these precious girls. A quote from the Little Dresses for Africa
web site explains the incredible value of these hand-sewn frocks. “The road is
especially tough for little girls and young women. Often small children
are left as primary care-givers of even younger children, because of disease
and poverty. These little dresses, given freely to those in need, plant
the seed that they are worthy.” Little Dresses for Africa also partners with
those who provide the girls with lessons in sanitation, clean water, good
health and family skills. It's not just a dress!
To learn more about
Little Dresses for Africa and how you can be involved, click here to visit their web site.
Image
from Days For Girls
Days for Girls
As some of these same
girls grow and leave their Little Dresses behind, monthly sanitary needs become
a high priority. Once puberty begins, many African girls stay home and miss
essential school time one week each month. Sanitary pads and other supplies we
take for granted here in the US are simply unavailable. Days for Girls is a
network of sewists who stitch together washable, reusable kits so that
menstruating girls can attend school every day of their cycle. With the kits,
girls are given life-saving health and hygiene education. Days for Girls
states their impact well.: “Women, and girls discover their potential and
self-value, are equal participants and agents of social change and are given
opportunities to thrive, grow and contribute to their community's betterment
while ensuring quality sustainable feminine hygiene.” My friends, Jeanette and
Claire, are among thousands of women throughout the world who meet weekly to
sew. They enjoy the company of fellow sewists and the opportunity to give
dignity to their little sisters in Africa!
To find out more about
Days for Girls, it’s mission and how you can help, visit their web site
by clicking here.
Image
from Patchwork
Posse
Alzheimer Fidget
Quilts
There are, of course,
many needs for generous sewists in your local community. Near to my heart is
the Alzheimer Fidget Quilt. If you have a loved one who suffers from dementia,
you know that an object to “fidget” with is often very soothing. My mother, who
suffered from Dementia would have loved one of these! A Dementia Fidget
Quilt is full of pockets, buttons, zippers and other things that soothingly
keep aged hands busy. These blankets of handmade love become a treasure for the
one who receives them and a great comfort for their family. Similar to the
blankies we loved in childhood, a Fidget Quilt can be an amazing friend!
To find out more about
Fidget Quilts and their value for those with Dementia, click here to visit the Alzheimers Association web
site.
For a Fidget Quilt
tutorial, click here for a great post on the Patchwork Posse
blog.
Image
from Sew
With Aloha
Be a Sewing Superhero!
There are many ways to
use your sewing powers for charitable sewing locally and around the world! I’ve
listed just a few more below with links to patterns.
·
Adult Bibs - click here
·
Chemo Turbans - click here
·
Lap Robes - click here
·
Wheelchair & Walker Caddies - click here
·
Adaptive Clothing for Military Vets - click here
You will also find
lists of opportunities on Sewing.org or Nancy Zieman.com. Or you may have your own list or be aware of
needs that your stitching would help. The power of charitable sewing is not
just in what you offer, it is also in what it offers you. Set aside sewing
time, participate in a project and your life will be enriched immeasurably!
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