Made with Love

Seniors that Sew Delivers Handmade Comfort

Every Wednesday morning, sewing enthusiasts gather at the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center to share their passion for stitching pillows, quilts, and other comfort items for hospital patients, nursing home residents, and anyone else in need of a little encouragement.

CREATIVE IMPACT

When Jarrell ladies Gail Irwin and Emily Kuehne heard about local breast cancer patients facing difficult recoveries after undergoing mastectomy surgery, they decided to rally other sewing enthusiasts and create heart-shaped pillows for these cancer warriors. “These women can’t even put their arms down after surgery. These pillows are meant to be a comfort when they are going home from the hospital,” Emily says.

Eight ladies make up the Seniors that Sew group and they meet weekly at the library, which “has generously given us access to a room to use.” While the group just started in September, they have already donated

• 200 heart pillows to breast cancer patients at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin and Baylor Scott & White in Round Rock

• reading pillows for kids during library story time

• quilts for kids at the Ronald McDonald House in Temple and seniors at nursing homes in Bartlett and Temple.

“We have found so many places that are in need of our sewing items,” Emily says.

One of Emily’s favorite parts of volunteering with Seniors that Sew is witnessing the excitement and gratitude during donation drop-offs. At a recent delivery of heart pillows to St. David’s Medical Center, a staff member shared that they had just run out and were thrilled to receive more, knowing these pillows would once again bring comfort to their patients.

Seniors that Sew is currently working on Christmas quilts for nursing home residents and fulfilling a request for fidget aprons to provide sensory stimulation for local dementia patients. “We’re always open to ideas!” Emily says.

STITCHING FRIENDSHIPS

Seniors that Sew creates more than just quilts and pillows – they build heartfelt relationships. “Our overall goal was to have a place for retired people to get together and have friendships and something productive to do. It’s become almost like a mental wellness thing for us in addition to being able to sew and do some things we enjoy,” Emily shares.

“With people moving to Jarrell every day, many without friends, this is a way to welcome all.”

While the group consists mainly of retired folks, Seniors that Sew is open to all ages — no sewing experience needed — as members welcome extra pairs of hands to help stuff pillows. Monetary donations for sewing supplies are also gratefully accepted at the library.

Seniors that Sew1 meets from 10am to noon each Wednesday at the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center. To learn more, visit the library’s Facebook page and website, JarrellCommunityLibrary.org

1 On the Jarrell library website, the group name is "Seniors with a Purpose"