My friend Liane, who is waving on the far left, has a burden for those in need. Each year she collects fabric and supplies and leads a team of volunteers with Mission Possible to teach sewing classes in the rural areas of Haiti. Goals for classes, which are held over a four week period, include learning new skills, building relationships, and impacting women with the love of Christ. Last year, sixty women were able to attend the sewing classes!
The quilt pattern is very simplistic since all sewing is done by hand. Five strips of fabric are sewn together to form the top of the quilt. Once the backing, batting, and quilt top are sandwiched together, the hand quilting takes place as shown in the photo above. After the quilt is squared up, the backing fabric wraps around the front to form the binding.
And there you have it!
Participants are rewarded with a useful project made completely with their own hands!
Here's how you can make a difference...
Find some pretty fabric, because we all like pretty don't we?
Feel free to choose from fabric you have at home or purchase new.
100% Cotton is best, but a cotton rich blend is also ok.
The ladies love both soft and bold colors, but fabric with a white background is
hard to keep clean. Stay away from black unless it is brightened with other colors.
Cut fabric into the dimensions listed above.
Place fabric and thread into a gallon size plastic bag.
The following items are needed for sewing kits...
- Scissors - 8" Fiskars for fabric
- Small scissors - to clip threads
- Seam ripper
- Seam gauge
- Measuring tape
- Sewing needles with large holes...many have eyesight issues
- Safety pins - medium to large size 1.5 to 2"
- Thread - White, black, and neutral colors of all kinds
- Pen
- Sewing pins - no need to include since they are purchased in bulk.
- (Items shown were purchased at JoAnn Fabrics using coupons for less than $25)
Part of what really tugs at my heart is how much the art of sewing has enriched my life. Perhaps it has something to do with the desire to create with my hands a tangible blessing for others. I cannot imagine living in a place where quality fabric is not available or affordable, and creativity is a luxury. This simple gift of fabric and/or sewing supplies will make an enormous impact on the precious woman who receives it.
If you feel compelled to send a piece of your heart to Haiti, items can be dropped off or mailed to:
Sew*Quilt*Share
Gateway Church
9555 CR 9
Findlay, Oh 45840
This sounds like such a great project, and your friend Liane is very inspiring! x
ReplyDeleteI agree! Liane is very inspiring:)
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