FEATURELOOK
Seams Like Love
has a different story,” Barbara said. “Comfort pillows are sent to a local school, and if kids are sad or stressed out, they can go to a ‘safe area’ to get a pillow, and sit and hold it.” The Seams Like Love participants welcome both fabric donations and new members. Even non-sewers are invited to learn basic sewing skills, starting with simple projects, because as easy as pillowcases are to make, they still make an impact. “So often, children in need have very little to call their own. Getting to pick out a new pillowcase, especially in a design they like, is exciting for them.” By Amy Dee Stephens The sewers also make lap quilts for homebound people, as well as patriotic Quilts of Valor for military veterans. Barbara, whose grandmother was a quilter, enjoys quiltIn this fast-paced world of consumerism and “We send items to a making so much that she makes additional ones inexpensive clothing, handmade items are a at home for people who need an extra blessing. variety of charities, rarity. For younger generations, how to sew on a from cancer centers to She calls them prayer quilts. button may be the extent of their sewing skills. A “I have the person’s loved ones pray over the homeless shelters.” group at Edmond’s First Baptist Church, Seams quilt, so when they use it, they know they’ve Like Love, has discovered that hand-stitched been prayed for,” Barbara said. “I have an quilts, pillowcases or clothes can bring great joy to other people. 80-year-old man who takes his to chemo treatments. Another “I remember giving a woman at the Hope Pregnancy Center one was given to a gentleman that has since passed away. His a sewn bag, and she was so excited. It was the first time she’d wife now uses it to hold him close to her.” ever had anything handmade,” said Barbara Dooley, who now “Last summer, we made over 100 dresses to send to Brazil organizes the Seams Like Love ministry. during a mission trip. After the Brazil trip, we got pictures of Seven years ago, two retired women who loved to sew, Anita little girls happily twirling in their new dresses, and that was Smith and Arvel White, began the sewing group. They assembled really a thrill for all of us. It was a blessing to make those people some sewing machines and invited others to join them in so happy. That’s why we do this! We like making people happy making hand-sewn items to share with people who might need through handmade items.” emotional support. They send items to a variety of charities, Seems like love! from cancer centers to homeless shelters. “Every piece we do Visit www.fbcedmond.org/sewing to learn more. 30
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EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
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APRIL 2020
