by Cheryll Overla
The stitching ladies are a very special group. I can’t call them sewers anymore because in 2022 we added a new division to our group, the knitters and crocheters and now they are called “Stitchers & More”. Besides making dresses, shorts sets, walker tote bags and quilted blankets, we now are making afghans and newborn baby hats (for a baby hospital in Guatemala). We have monthly meetings in which we bring in the items that have been handmade and sometimes our tables look like a children’s specialty store! It is amazing to see how the Lord has blessed us with talented people who use their time and effort to serve Him by loving and caring about children in need around the world. We all love to work with our hands and we love fabrics and yarns. Isn’t it just like God to give us a love for these things and a ministry to serve Him and meet some dire and very basic needs?
In addition to the clothing, we also make the shoe bags that are used for First Blessing every year. It is already time to start getting fabric sorted and cut so the ladies can work on this year’s bags. Also, one of our ladies is currently cutting out head dresses for the children to wear in VBS this year. They will be Israelites in several different tribes. How very exciting!
Here is what we were able to send out in 2022: 653 dresses, 54 shorts sets, 69 quilted flannel blankets, 119 afghans, 72 baby hats and 82 walker tote bags. We are hoping to do that much or more by the end of this year, Lord willing. In August, we will have an old-fashioned sewing bee and will also work on some special projects.
There are people that greatly bless and help us keep our ministry going. We receive monetary donations and donations of fabrics, yarn and sewing notions. We could not accomplish as much without this help and we are thankful to each and every one. September is our 8-year anniversary and 2 ladies are still members that have been since the beginning: Sue Stewart and Rita McFaddin.
We are always happy to welcome new stitchers to the group. Does this sound like something you can do and may want to be a part of? Come check us out!