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From: sweetpea1
Date: 01-23-2006, 03:05 PM (1 of 11)
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Hi Ladies, I've been reading the posts on various threads for a long time, but don't post very often. I love reading the ideas of others and am really enjoying the thread about organizing your sewing space. However, I'm looking for advice on a little project I'd like to start at my church. My church has a variety of age groups, and it seems sometimes that they don't mix for whatever reason. I do know, however, that there are a lot of people who enjoy sewing in varying forms. A friend of mine there and I are thinking of starting a fellowship program that we are going to called "Stitched Together" and we'd like some advice on ideas for focus, projects, planning, education, whatever. The idea would be to have those with sewing talent teach those who desire the talent. Or, if there are projects around the church that need decorating or other items, maybe the non-sewers could do the tracing, cutting or ironing while the sewers do the sewing. Basically get people fellowshipping, building deeper relationships, learning new things and getting things done (maybe even some quilting or personal projects too). The problem is, I don't know where to begin. Anyone out there do something similar that could help us get started? Sweetpea1 |
User: sweetpea1
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 56 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-23-2006, 03:23 PM (2 of 11)
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Our church had a project a few years ago. We had a group of ladies at the church who regularly met to do cross stitch and just enjoy each other's company on Thursday nights. We didn't eat or anything, usually just had a coffee or tea and talked and shared. The ladies decided to cross stitch a quilt together. They involved some of the ladies in the church that did sewing and it was a pretty nice project. Our home town has a group of women who get together and help each other make quilts for themselves. Many of the women couldn't sew anything when they started. Each week the group gets together and works on one woman's quilt project. When it is finished, another member of the group brings her quilt project and they do it together. It has been going on for years with many happy memories and a lot of lovely quilts in homes around town. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-23-2006, 10:27 PM (3 of 11)
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My church has a quilt group. On meeting night if you don't feel like taking a machine to sew on or don't feel like working on a quilt, we feel free to take our crocheting, cross-stitch, knitting, etc. projects to work on while we're fellowshipping, etc. We have ladies that belong to my church and ladies from other churches that belong. Also, here' s an idea that I saw at Hancock Fabrics this evening: They are starting a Thursday night group called "Threadies". No membership, just ladies that feel free to get together to crochet, knit, quilt, whatever they feel like bringing to work on that uses thread or yarn. That sounds like an enjoyable group as there might be some ladies that want to learn to knit or crochet or hand quilt, etc. instead of just limiting it to strictly sewing or quilting which are somewhat intimidating to a lot of women. Sewing and quilting to a lot of women mean that you have to invest in a sewing machine and a lot of fabric whereas knitting, crocheting or cross-stitching don't seem to be quite as intimidating (one or a couple of neeldes and some yarn) sounds less expensive and time consuming than quilting/sewing. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-23-2006, 11:24 PM (4 of 11)
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Sounds like a fun idea sweetpea! What about a winter/Christmas project for Salvation Army and make fleece caps, scarves, mitts for the homeless or baby items for a group home or something like that, it would be a start at least. Course I didn't read to see where you were, if you are in Florida I don't imagine they would need much in the way of fleece!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-23-2006, 11:27 PM (5 of 11)
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www.operationac.com www.quiltsforsoldiers.com (with links for more charities for the military) I know these charities to be GOOD ways to help.. My sister works for Project Linus (she crochets blankets) but works at a local fabric shop as they quilt for the Project, she cuts, runs for fabric, runs errands. (she sews, but doesn't like it). I'd pick a project...blankets, whatever...then ask what each person can DO. Some sew, some don't, some embroider, some don't...some can organize better than others. Some are good at making people DONATE money. I'd start by asking about their talents, what they'd like to try. I make quilts for soldiers, Project Linus and I adopted a soldier for Christmas through operationac. (the military NEEDS a LOT of things in those sandy places...). Sometimes local police, EMTS need/want stuffed animals for kids in crisis. Your local battered womens home will need things. (pillowcases, sheets, kitchen ware, things for children). Nothing needs to be expensive, it just needs to be clean, usable and given with love....our local Pulblix (grocery store) has a program that when you go in the front door, there are bags of food and personal items, you pick a bag, pay for it and they give it to the local food bank or Salvation Army.... I think all ages can get into any of these charities and help out.... Kath and her 11 cents (1 cent extra for postage ya know..  )
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-23-2006, 11:59 PM (6 of 11)
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There are also things that can be done for the hospitals in the way of preemie hats (those are always needed.) Unfortunately, there are also groups that do gowns for still born children too. There are a lot of charity groups that a church could get involved with. Our church has done bags for the Department of Human Services for children who are suddenly removed from their homes. Many times they go from place to place with a plastic or paper sack in thier hands. Battered womens' shelters can always use things too. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sweetpea1
Date: 01-24-2006, 01:02 PM (7 of 11)
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Thank you ladies. I love all of your suggestions. Our original thought was to highlight sewing, but I like the idea of expanding that to possibly a crafting meeting instead. That way no one would feel excluded if they wanted to participate in a charity event but did know how to or want to learn sewing. They could certainly do hats, afgans, mittens, etc by knitting or crocheting instead. We also have scrapbookers and beaders in our midst. All of these talents could be used for something. Who knows, maybe by watching someone else do a craft that you didn't think you were interested in, you might just find the interest. Any ideas on organizing a meeting format -- you know, for getting started. I'm sure that the group will evolve on its own after a while, but its the getting started I'm wondering about. Should I just put the idea "out there" and let people respond by showing up on a certain date and time and then let things go from there? By the way, I live in Brownstown Twp., Michigan. Any others out there from the area? |
User: sweetpea1
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 56 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-24-2006, 02:43 PM (8 of 11)
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Our church has a newletter, the Baptist Messenger. Our quilt group meetings are posted there as well as in the Sunday Bulletin and on the screens in the Sanctuary on Sunday morning. I would post an open invitation in the Church Calendar, Sunday morning Bulletin, open invitation that the group is being started and see who shows up. You may have some ladies that show up every time and some ladies that can just show up occasionally, depending on their home life, etc. I wouldn't make it a hard and fast rule that you have to be a "member" to attend and be a part of this group. But that is just my opinion. LOL Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-24-2006, 04:17 PM (9 of 11)
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A little different, but geared toward bridging the gaps between generations: Plan a youth fashion show. Teen/tween boys and girls get help from experienced sewers to pick a pattern and fabric, etc, and guidance all along the way to create their fashion piece. Then the sewers, or maybe some nonsewers, organize a youth fashion show to highlight their accomplishments and to thank their mentors. What I like about this is it grabs some would-be sewers that were a little shy about getting involved by starting off with one personally meaningful project. Once that project is complete, the group has some organization to it and can go on to work together in a similar way for a silent auction, for example, to raise money. Or they could choose tojointly pick a charitable sewing project. I recommend a couple of short meetings to gather support, followed by a planned Saturday afternoon, for an extended sewing/patternwork period. Once you get that far, you'll have a better idea how often or how long to meet. One of the high schools in my area did this, and sewing guild members volunteered as mentors. But I like the idea of working within one community and seeing what resources are already there! Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 01-24-2006, 11:59 PM (10 of 11)
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You could do an information meeting with coffee and cookies (got to have cookies!) and see what ideas come up. Of course everyone can have a different idea and you can't please everyone, so a general consensus would be good. I agree with Patsy to post it in the church bulletin for a few weeks and give your name/phone number for info or questions before hand. I know that if you already forsee a problem with the women not mixing it could be a challenge to get started, but don't forget you have a Leader who will direct your way if you ask.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: sweetpea1
Date: 01-25-2006, 11:03 AM (11 of 11)
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Once again, you ladies all have such great ideas!!!! We don't have bulletin boards in our church, but I can get the message out through the weekly bulletin. As a matter of fact, I will probably be doing the bulletin soon for a while because the current church secretary is due to have a baby very soon. (By the way, she too is a sewer.) So, I think I'll start with that, set a date to meet (definitely with coffee and dessert) and see who shows up. I also agree that we should not make it a "club" with a set member list. I would love to see people drop in with a varity of talents and interests depending on their time or interest in a particular project. And, I love the idea of the teen fashion show too. Our teen group is showing tremendous growth over the last couple of years, and I think having events that involve them will keep them interested in attending church. Along with the various charity ideas previous chats, I will definitely add this idea to the potential list of projects. Thank you all for your input, and keep it coming. This is great! |
User: sweetpea1
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 56 |
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