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  • Home
  • Donate
    • General Donations
    • Atelier Angels
    • 3 Esthers Farm
    • Support The School
    • Building Fund
    • Financial Accountability And Trust
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Our Story
    • The Big Mission Behind Our Little Purse
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • 3 Esthers Farm
    • Farm Blog
  • Purse Project
    • Get Beginner Purse Pattern
    • Get Intermediate Purse Pattern
    • Purse Sew Along Training Video
    • Packing Slip for Purses/Notecards
    • Where To Send Purses
    • Notecard Tutorials
    • Purse Program Overview and Details
    • Why Reusable Pads Are The Right Answer
    • Watch Our Unboxing Parties
    • Is There A Period Gap?
    • The Power Of A Beautiful Gift
    • Delivering Purposeful Products In Zambia
    • Donating 15,000 Days Of School
    • Sew Powerful University Challenge!
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Zambia Trip
    • 2019 Unboxing Party
  • Resources
    • Event Resources
    • We Are Sew Powerful Book
    • Podcasts
    • Book Companion Pictures
    • Flyers
    • Videos
    • Packing Slip for Purses/Notecards
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I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes

I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes

By Pam VanOteghem—Leesburg, Georgia

My journey with the Sew Powerful Purse Project began with an unexpected gift of a Bernina embroidery machine.

My neighbors were clearing out and having a yard sale. They brought over a large tub and asked me if I wanted it, knowing that I love to sew. “We just want the empty tub back.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes! We emptied the tub and made a quick inventory of what was missing, broken or mysterious (never having owned an embroidery machine, it was all mysterious), and set out to the nearest Bernina dealer with the machine for inspection and service.

During the two-hour drive to the Bernina dealer, we set a budget for parts replacement and supplies, not knowing that I was entering a completely new world of sewing. It was while the machine was in for service that the idea of the purses kept coming up.

I decided that the machine should be used to help give back and every purse I’ve sent has been embroidered. No two are alike, and all are made with love and prayer. I hope every purse carries a little of the generosity and good will that made them possible. I have even transferred the pattern to Plexiglas to make fussy cutting and design easier.

If my little embroidered purses can keep a girl in school, my efforts to learn the complexities of machine embroidery have been rewarded. Thank you, Sew Powerful!

 

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About Us

We exist to educate, employ, and empower people to pursue life in all its fullness. We do that by creating purposeful products that change communities. Things like school uniforms, soap, feminine hygiene pads, and farm fresh food.

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Auburn, WA 98071

Sew Powerful Purse Program

Our annual Sew Powerful Purse program enables girls to stay in school. Purses are made and sent to Zambia as gifts. The local seamstresses in Zambia make re-usable hygiene pads and together they are provided to girls as part of health (MHM) training. Get Involved

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