4 minute read
GIVING BACK AS YOU SEW!
As a sewer can we really make a difference when it comes to sewing for others?
Giving back doesn’t have to mean giving up lots of time or being an overly talented sewer to make a real impact. We think one of the nicest things about the sewing community is that it gives sewers a chance to show people who are in need that they care!
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Just take the recent efforts by the sewing community to make face coverings and scrubs for the NHS. Many people who sew for fun or for business pulled out all the stops to sew facemasks for their communities.
Sewing for people in need is one of the most wonderful ways for us to share our love of sewing. Finding a little extra fabric shouldn’t be that difficult so how do you decide which charitable organisation you are planning to help?
COVID-19 continues to make 2021 a difficult year so if you think it’s time to give back then here’s a few of our suggestions of whom you can sew for:
PYJAMA FAIRIES
Pyjama Fairies mission is to make hospital stays easier for children and their families. This is the only UK charity making pyjamas and surgical gowns specially designed for babies and children up to age of 16 having surgery or any other associated medical tests.
Before you can sew your first order you will need to make some sample garments to gain your ‘Wings’ and become a fullyfledged Fairy.
To find out how you can get involved, visit www.pyjamafairies.org
POST PALS
Post Pals is a small charity run by volunteers who are dedicated to making seriously ill children and their siblings aged between 3 to 17 in the UK smile by the sending of cards, letters, little gifts, support and friendship.
So if you can sew, knit or crochet and can make something a child might like then get in touch by visiting www.postpals.co.uk
SNUGGLES PROJECT
This multi-beneficial project benefits animals. After being given a Snuggle, a frightened or difficult to handle animal will calm down. People from all around the world are making Snuggles and donating them to their local animal shelters and rescues.
The Snuggles Project is a good project for children and people learning how to crochet, knit or sew because the Snuggles don’t have to be perfect! The animals will love them anyway! All that is required is that they be made with love!
To find out how you can get involved, visit www.snugglesproject.org
DRESS A GIRL AROUND THE WORLD
This campaign’s dream is that every girl has at least one new dress. Before you start to sew you do need to check what type of dresses you can make. There are lots of tutorials and advice on making dresses and what fabrics are suitable. Each dress needs to carry
the Dress A Girl Around The World label, which can be found on the website.
To find out more visit www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com
PROJECT LINUS UK
This organisation is run by a team of volunteer Co-ordinators and organise sewing and fundraising events across the UK, as well as distributing quilts and blankets to local hospitals, children’s hospices, women’s refuges, foster carers, special schools, bereavement services and many other places where children are in need of a ‘hug’. There are many ways to support this worthy cause. Why not become a volunteer and make a quilt or donate suitable patchwork fabrics and threads.
To find out more visit www.projectlinusuk.org.uk
CHERISHED GOWNS UK
Cherished Gowns UK is looking for seamstresses to make beautiful baby gowns from pre-loved wedding dresses to give to families that are experiencing the tragedy of baby loss more choices of a special outfit for their precious little ones.
To become a volunteer seamstress, visit www.cherishedgowns.org.uk
THE DONKEY SANCTUARY
Have fun making beautiful felt donkeys to help care for donkeys and mules all over the world. Fill them with lavender for a fresh summer scent, or cloves or cinnamon for a Christmas fragrance. Once you’ve created your little felt donkeys, you simply post them off to raise funds for the charity.
To download the free pattern, visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
LOVING HANDS
The ethos behind this charity is to bring like-minded crafters who knit, crochet and sew together for charities all over the world. This organisation makes sure that every charity, group or individual they recommend is taking the items directly to the areas of most need and hand delivering them to people in crisis or animals in need.
To find out more and get involved visit www.lovinghands.org.uk
THE PACHAMAMA PROJECT
This organisation is looking for avid crafters to help with their initiative to make reusable sanitary pads for women in need around the world.
To join this campaign email: thepachamamaproject@outlook.com
AN INDIE PATTERN COMPANY THAT’S GIVING BACK
Friday Pattern Company believes in making good things and doing good things! For that reason, this pattern company donates 5% of all proceeds to a rotating collection of the top-ranked charities in the world. Each sewing pattern benefits a different charity. For example, if you buy the Arlo Track Jacket, you will be supporting The Loveland Foundation, which is committed to showing up for communities of colour in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Their resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritise opportunity, access, validation, and healing.
For information on how each pattern benefits a different charity – https://fridaypatterncompany.com/pages/giving-back
