Jan Cancila, Host 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:19

On July 15, 2015, an amazing thing happened. Well, it might not seem so unusual if it happened today, but six years ago it was truly remarkable. You see, that is the date that Kylie Gersekowski decided it was about time that people who supported the fledgling Sew Powerful Purse Project should have a place to share information, post photos of their purses, and just do what people in Facebook groups do now: visit with each other, ask questions, share sewing techniques, store files, and so much more. Yes, Kylie was truly a visionary in 2015, and now she is our guest today on the Sew Powerful podcast. We are going to explore what led Kylie to start the group, and how it has grown since. And oh, if you don't know, Kylie lives in Australia, but more about that in a minute. For now, let's just welcome Kylie Gersekowski. Kylie, how are you today?

 

Kylie Gersekowski, Guest 01:25

Hi, Jan, I'm going great. So excited to be here with you.

 

Jan 01:30

We are excited that you're here, too. Should I say g'day mate? Is that.. how close did I get?

 

Jan 01:34

Do we say "mate" to a woman? Is that okay?

 

Kylie 01:38

You can say g'day mate.

 

Kylie 01:41

We do. Mate is to anyone that's a friend. Definitely.

 

Jan 01:45

Okay. Cool. All right. So you are in Australia. Are you a native Aussie?

 

Kylie 01:51

Yes, so born and bred Australian. I live in Queensland, so it's summer here now. It's nice and warm. And yeah, it's beautiful.

 

Jan 02:00

I know last year there were wildfires in Australia that affected the wildlife. And I'm, well I'm sure, the people too. So what's happening now in Australia?

 

Kylie 02:10

So those fires were down in New South Wales and some other parts of Australia. But um, yeah, I think it's been recovery for the past 12 months. It was pretty, pretty scary, actually, so much was lost, but yet people are rebuilding. And I know lots of wildlife have been released back into the wild, and people have done so much work to make that happen. So yeah.

 

Jan 02:32

That's good. Kylie, you own a very successful business. Tell us about your business.

 

Kylie 02:39

Yes. So as you said, I'm Kylie Gersekowski from Little Moo Designs. So, my business is writing bag, clutch and accessory sewing patterns. And I sold them online on my website and that's actually how I got into Sew Powerful, was my interest in bag making. So, I love making bags for friends and family and that flipped into pattern writing about, probably, eight years ago now. And it's just gone from zero to 100 quite quickly.

 

Jan 03:08

Wow. That's amazing. And so how did you initially find out about Sew Powerful?

 

Kylie 03:15

So as I said, I love sewing bags. And I was looking to do some charity sewing, and a quick Google search, and I think I'd seen Sew Powerful in a few bag sewing Facebook groups had popped up. And it sparked my interest, firstly, because it was a bag-related and that's something that I love and something that I'm good at. And then as I got reading more and more about Sew Powerful, I was quite quickly on the huge difference that more than just the bags were making, but the whole Sew Powerful charity or movement was making really, and I've just, yeah, seen it. Same thing goes zero to 100 in the years that I've been involved, it's absolutely amazing.

 

Jan 03:53

Well, and so that had to be 2015 or earlier, right?

 

Kylie 03:58

I think so. Yes. So that's nearly six years ago. Yeah, time flies.

 

Jan 04:03

And you know, if you look on the Sew Powerful Purse Project Facebook group, you can click on About and it says when it was founded, and it was 2015 in July, so.

 

Kylie 04:16

Wow.

 

Jan 04:17

So what led you to form a Facebook group about this?

 

Kylie 04:21

Alright, so it was all based from the website, that you went to the website, you typed in your email address and downloaded the pattern, made the bags, sent them over to the US headquarters. I had a few friends of mine who were bag makers who wanted to join in, and I guess we wanted to encourage and support each other. So actually, started it as an Australian group because a lot of Aussies were jumping on board at that stage. Now when I say a lot, it was only a few 100 people at that stage, not the 1000s that are involved now. And it quickly grew. We started getting all these members from everywhere around the world. So, I messaged Jason and Cinnamon and said look, this is what I've done here. It was, you know, started as this, what do you think? And it's just evolved and evolved over nearly six years to what it is now, which is, say, 4000 members.

 

Jan 05:08

So, until you told Jason about the group did he know it existed?

 

Kylie 05:13

I don't think so. I think it was just a bit of a place for us to gather and share our photos and support each other. That's how it started. But I think within about six months, it had really evolved to this worldwide presence. And like I said, it's just kept growing since that time. Yeah.

 

Jan 05:29

Shirley Utz talks about discovering that group and asking if she could join, even though she was living in Texas in the US at the time, right?

 

Kylie 05:38

Yes. Okay. So, when we started realizing that everyone wanted to join, we pivoted, and I guess it's to be inclusive of everybody. And the whole purpose of the group was to create the Sew Powerful purses. So it made sense to include everybody worldwide in that process in the group. And it's grown to be such an amazing, beautiful place to share what you make for Sew Powerful. I really love it.

 

Jan 06:02

Yeah. Well, and I always say that our group (and I say "our" - you started it, but I joined it so it's like our group), I always say it's the kindest group in all of Facebook land. And why do you think that is? Why are we so different?

 

Kylie 06:20

I think everyone's so supportive and kind and encouraging. Like, it's such a nice place to go and ask questions or share what you're making or even the process. I know we've had some fun challenges in there to get people moving. So, it's fun, it's positive, it's uplifting. There's never any drama, which I love as well. And again, we're all in there with the sole purpose of helping other people, is how I see it. We're not just making bags; these bags have a very specific purpose. And I love that. And that's what means so much to me about Sew Powerful is these bags are going to make such a difference to the young ladies in Zambia and their families and help them develop their education. So that always, I guess, is the heart of it for me personally. It's not just making a bag, it's so much more than just a bag. I make bags every day for my business. These bags have a special piece of my heart in them because I know what the outcome is going to be for (I hope I know what the outcome is gonna be) for someone else, to help them better their education, which I just think is invaluable.

 

Jan 07:18

Right. Well, besides starting the Facebook group, you've also served Sew Powerful by agreeing to collect the purses or bags from the people that live in Australia and also New Zealand too, correct?

 

Kylie 07:34

Yes.

 

Jan 07:34

So what is that, like?

 

Kylie 07:36

It's awesome, I get packages. I get to open them and see what beautiful work people have done. So you're right, people will make their Sew Powerful purses and they'll bag or box them up, send them to me. And I get them, I actually get them from quite a few places, not just Australia and New Zealand. I got a box the other day from Malaysia. So, people will send them whether they see that I'm the closest point of contact to them. They'll send them to me, I unbox them, and I get them ready to post over to the US to the Sew Powerful headquarters. It's quite a simple thing to do, I guess. But it's so exciting. I love getting mail, of course. But you know, again, seeing what people have created, all the amazing work that people have put into it is really special. So yeah, it's so much fun.

 

Jan 08:20

Well, so does that take a lot of your time to do that?

 

Kylie 08:23

No, not at all. So, this is how I do it, I keep a register of who has sent me. So, I got a box the other day from someone, I just have a little book where I write their name, X amount of purses have have arrived from them. Australia Post is our post provider. I use big post boxes. So, as I get the purses, they hold about 45 purses. I put the straps inside so that they transport better and I package them in the boxes. And when that box is full, I take it to the post office and send it off to Sew Powerful. So, I guess it's trying to work out the most efficient cost effective postage method. And that's the way that I've done it, is by filling these big boxes. And when they hit about 45 purses, I then take them and post them.

 

Jan 09:06

Oh, well. That's cool. And so, who pays the postage from Australia to Washington State?

 

Kylie 09:13

Yes. So, I outlay it, but I get refunded from Sew Powerful for that.

 

Jan 09:18

Okay. All right. Well, that's cool. And you've been doing that for a while. How did that start up, that you agreed to do that?

 

Kylie 09:26

So I think following the opening the Facebook group Jason and Cinnamon asked me would I like to, because it just incidentally happened that people were sending me their finished purses, and I was sending them over there. So, we had some further discussions about that. And they asked me would I like to be the Australian and New Zealand purse collector. I guess we made it official and that happened. I've also done some sharing of information about Sew Powerful to my Australian audience. So it kind of just went together with that. So, it just evolved. Yeah, and like I said, now I get parcels, I wouldn't say, it's not daily but at least weekly, I get a few in the mail. So, it's quite regular and again, exciting to fill those boxes up, send them off to their next destination and know that they're going to make a difference.

 

Jan 10:10

Well, why don't we take a quick break and when we come back, we have a very exciting announcement. So please stay tuned.

 

Jan 10:19

Have you gotten the second edition of the We Are Sew Powerful book? This updated version of the original bestseller (4.9 out of five stars by the way) is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget, when you place your order, if you use smile.amazon.com and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 11:22

Welcome back. We've been speaking with Kylie Gersekowski, and she's telling us about how she started the Sew Powerful Purse Project Facebook group, and how she, well I was gonna say got roped into, maybe, being the country purse collector for Australia, for people who were in that part of the world, to send their packages to Kylie, and she reboxed them and sent them on their way. But we do have an announcement, as I mentioned before the break, and Kylie is retiring from her official duties for Sew Powerful. She's been doing it for a long time. You're really one of the original volunteers for Sew Powerful, and you were a volunteer for Sew Powerful and Sew Powerful didn't even know you were a volunteer. You were a secret.

 

Kylie 12:15

I've never done it for anything other than trying to help other people. And of course, yet that's just who I am. But it's time to now pass the baton on to someone else, as they say.

 

Jan 12:27

And we want to thank you for everything you did. I think starting that Facebook group was instrumental in the ongoing success of Sew Powerful. I found out about Sew Powerful through that Facebook group; I was referred there by someone else. And just the encouragement and the opportunity to learn from other purse makers has just been invaluable for me. But the sad news is that Kylie is retiring. But the good news is that we do have a replacement, and her name is Pat Grafton. Hello, Pat, I hope you're listening to this podcast. And Pat lives on the western side of Australia over in Perth, and she is going to become the purse collector for Australia. And Pat has a really interesting career. She's now retired, but she was in reading instruction and education for her career. And she has dozens and dozens of certifications on top of advanced degrees. So, you can just imagine how important education is to Pat Grafton. And so, I'm sure the mission of Sew Powerful really resonates with her. So, we're really excited that we have somebody who's going to fill Kylie's shoes. So, Kylie, what are you going to do? I imagine that people have a little note on their bulletin board with your address to mail those purses, and what do we need to do to get them to go to Pat?

 

Kylie 13:57

So I think on the website that the address will be changed over in the coming weeks.

 

Jan 14:03

Days.

 

Kylie 14:04

Days, there you go, good. And I think we would put an announcement up in the Facebook group to that effect. If some do come to me, that's okay, I've still got half a box here. So, when that box is full I'll then forward that on so don't worry if there's a little bit of crossover, it's not a problem. I've spoken to Pat a couple of times on the phone. She's absolutely so excited to be joining the Sew Powerful team. She's a really lovely lady. So yeah, I think it will be fine.

 

Jan 14:32

Oh, well, that's fantastic. Okay, any words of encouragement or words of wisdom that you can give us as we say, how do we say goodbye in Australia?

 

Kylie 14:43

We just say goodbye. So yeah, my words of wisdom are, just know that when you're making a Sew Powerful purse, it's not just a purse. These little purses makes such a difference to the people in Zambia, the young ladies in Zambia. It's giving them opportunities to further their education that they may not have otherwise without this. And I'm not just talking about the bag, it's the whole process. It's just amazing. So, know that you're making a huge difference by making these bags. And I encourage everyone to jump on board and have a go. They're so fun to make, yeah. And you're really making a difference to other people. And I thank everybody for their encouragement, support. The Facebook group is, again, such a fun place to be. So, if you want to just check it out and see what Sew Powerful is about, you can jump in the group, join in and have a look at what people are doing all around the world. It's just amazing that people worldwide can come together for one purpose, and that's to help other people. I think it's awesome.

 

Jan 15:39

Isn't that just amazing? That's fantastic.

 

Kylie 15:42

Yeah.

 

Jan 15:42

Well, Kylie, I really regret, and I said this before we started recording, I really regret that I never got to meet you until the day that we're saying thank you so much and good luck on your next chapter. So, we pray that you'll continue to support Sew Powerful by making purses and talk about Sew Powerful in a positive way that, clearly, I think you will. So.

 

Kylie 16:05

Yes, definitely. And I'm also here to do the handover with Pat as well. So, any questions or any issues that pop up, know that we're there to support each other. So, so exciting, exciting times ahead.

 

Jan 16:16

Yes, absolutely. Well, and if you're listening to this and you live in a country outside the US and you would like to volunteer, we do need purse collectors in just about every country in the world. So there's unlimited opportunities for contributions and volunteerism for Sew Powerful and Kylie has set the bar high, but I know if you're listening to this podcast that you are thinking about volunteering for Sew Powerful. And we would love to have you on board. There is a job description on the website for a Country Purse Collector and if you'll fill that out, the application will come right to me and we'll get back in touch with you about how you can serve Sew Powerful. Well Kylie as they say in Australia, goodbye.

 

Kylie 17:07

You can say "see ya," I don't know. We don't have anything that we say for goodbye.

 

Jan 17:13

Well, I looked it up, and it was like cheerio or cheers or, I'm thinking, oh, I never heard that.

 

Kylie 17:19

That's a couple of new ones, I think. G'day is definitely one that we say though. But how about we say goodbye, mate. We can say that.

 

Jan 17:26

Okay, well, goodbye, mate, and please don't be a stranger and it's been a delight talking with you.

 

Kylie 17:31

You too, Jan, thank you for having me.

 

Jan 17:34

Okay, thank you. We'll talk with you soon.

 

Kylie 17:38

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference, I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan Cancila, Host 00:05

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:20

Today I have the honor of speaking with four members of The East Los Angeles Stitchers. These ladies have banded together and produced a huge number of purses for Sew Powerful. And honestly, until these purses arrived at the Sew Powerful headquarters in Renton, Washington, well honestly, we didn't know that The East Los Angeles Stitchers existed, but boy do they exist.

 

Jan 00:48

Today you're going to hear from Ellena Ruiz, who coordinated the effort to make the purses for Sew Powerful. You're going to meet Marina Palomino, who won the first-place contest they held for the most purses produced. Now the second-place winner couldn't be with us today. But in third place was Dolores Leone. You'll meet them, but you're also going to meet Gloria Molina.

 

Jan 01:15

Now, if you live in the Los Angeles area, you might be thinking well, I know Gloria Molina. She's had a 23-year career with the LA County Board of Supervisors. She worked in the White House with Jimmy Carter. She was the first Latina to be elected to statewide office. Is it that Gloria Molina? Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is that very Gloria Molina, quilter extraordinaire and founder of The East Los Angeles Stitchers joining us today.

 

Jan 01:48

Hello, ladies, welcome. We are so glad you're here. I think I'll start with you, Gloria, could you tell us the name of the organization and what it means?

 

Gloria Molina, Guest 01:58

All right. Well, the organization is called TELAS, which is an acronym for The East Los Angeles Stitchers. And basically, we're a group of Latinas. Some of us have been quilting for a number of years, and some of us are very new to it. But the whole mission of the organization was to start introducing the Latino culture into the world of quilting. We've been doing Latino themed quilts, and we try and do workshops and teach each other our own skill set and build that. But most of the time around Latino themes. I think we have celebrations, traditions, history that is really important. Plus, you know, the colors and everything, and we offer so we're very proud. We're about 65 people strong, we meet once a month, now we're of course meeting virtually through Zoom. But we're an exciting group of people, we enjoy making quilts. And of course, we have a philanthropy that we carry out every year. We're not a formal guild, we're just a group of women who get together and enjoy quilting.

 

Jan 02:56

And how long have you been doing this?

 

Gloria 02:59

Well, you know, it seems like we just started but I think it's been what about five or seven years? I'm not sure exactly. I should give keep better track of it. But every year, we get new members that join up. And we have people that participate. A lot of us have been with us from the very, very beginning.

 

Jan 03:16

So how do people find out about the organization?

 

Gloria 03:20

Well, we try and keep in touch and of course, word of mouth initially. But luckily, we have some members who are pretty good with web. And so, we have a Facebook page, we have a Groups page. And of course we have an Instagram page. And again, always trying to recruit new members and people who are interested. And of course, we do try and do a quilt show every couple of years and so we kind of showcase the work that we do.

 

Jan 03:45

Ah, quilt shows yes, Sew Powerful participates in quilt shows when they exist. Can you name a quilt show or two that you've been in?

 

Gloria 03:54

Well, of course we were part of the Houston International Quilt Show. We got a chance to participate there. We did a series of quilts called altar quilts, which are Day of the Dead quilts. And so, we were invited to exhibit our quilts there. And of course, that's when we came across Sew Powerful when we were in Houston.

 

Jan 04:12

Well, how about that? And I was in the booth, now not 24-7, and Houston is my hometown. But I remember those quilts, oh my goodness, I mean...

 

Gloria 04:21

That was us.

 

Jan 04:22

What a small world.

 

Gloria 04:23

It is a small world and we've been in others, we've had a chance to travel to Australia, to of course Mexico City. We've done a couple of shows there. And of course, one of the largest quilt shows here is Road to California, in Ontario. And we've also had a special exhibit there, where we did our Katrina quilts, which were also part of the exhibit there. So, every so often we do specialized quilts and we like to showcase like I said, are many of our Latino themes.

 

Jan 04:49

Okay, you mentioned that you did your meetings during the quarantine. Can somebody describe what one of those meetings might be like on Zoom. Were you actually quilting during your Zoom calls?

 

Ellena Ruiz, Guest 05:04

We actually didn't actually do hands on, but every month, Gloria will put on a little class to show us something new to do, she's marvelous at that, or someone will volunteer, or she'll assign someone to give a little tutorial. So that's always very helpful. And it's great, because, you know, when we meet, you know, when we were meeting, we do the Zoom exactly like we do our meetings, you know, introductions, announcements, you know, our show and tell, you know, it's been really good, it was a nice transition for us.

 

Jan 05:41

And before Zoom what kind of a facility were you meeting in?

 

Gloria 05:46

It's a community building. And of course, we originally it was okay, when we're 35 of us. But when we grew to 60 and 65, we were elbow to elbow it was very, very hard to sew there. And so now when we go back, we're gonna have to find a new facility that incorporate all of us, but it's in East LA, it's a community center, that is located in East LA.

 

Jan 06:08

Okay, Dolores.

 

Dolores Leone, Guest 06:10

I just wanted to add that another means of getting together was at our retreats. Gloria and a few others put together a couple of retreats a year where we actually rent a location. We stay there for three days. And all we do is sew and you learn so much from these talented women. It's just wonderful. I've always enjoyed that.

 

Jan 06:32

So how did everybody start quilting? What is your background in quilting or sewing, Marina?

 

Marina Palomino, Guest 06:40

I actually got invited to a meeting and my cousin sewed. And I knew that but I really, you know, didn't have too much interest in sewing at the time. And I happened to go to the meeting right after they had come from the retreat where they made the alter quilts. And they were displaying those, and I was really taken back and I thought wow, this is something that I really want to learn and be part of. So that was almost six years ago, and I've been back ever since then. And I actually didn't even know how to sew when I started going to TELAS.

 

Jan 07:12

Oh my goodness.

 

Marina 07:13

I had a sewing machine that I had bought to fix one dress that I never thought I think I fixed that one dress and then never use the sewing machine again. So I dusted that sewing machine off and visited a local craft store and bought a bunch of supplies. And I started quilting after that. So yeah, it's been really an amazing group. And just to piggyback on to our Zoom meetings, we've also had additional meetings that we hold throughout the month for Sew Powerful we had like a sew-along purse tutorial, because you know, the directions are a little challenging as far as the length of the pattern. So, I think initially was a bit intimidating for some of our members to tackle it. So, it helps just to sit there together and kind of figure out some of the steps and be able to share ideas and also get to see a visual, right? So, and that's also been like a great way to meet during quarantine because of course a lot of us are shut in and, what is that, I don't want to say shut in because shut in sounds negative, but you know, we've been trying to stay safe and be healthy. And it's been a good way to share and whatever's going on with us. And also, I think I've been able to clean my sewing room since this has begun. And also, and then of course also make like 85 purses also for Sew Powerful. So, it's been a lot of fun.

 

Jan 08:24

Well, that's great. Ellena, what is your background in sewing or quilting?

 

Ellena 08:28

Of course, I took sewing in junior high school many, many, many years ago. And I remember my first project was a pillow, a red polka dotted pillow. And after that, I just left it but once I became a mom, I started sewing for my children. I made their pajamas, I made little Mickey Mouse outfits, I did the whole thing. I was so into my children. And then I started sewing for my nieces and nephews. Then everybody wanted me to make them something. So that basically I did that for a lot of years. Of course, when they started school, I started getting involved in all their other life. And so, I left sewing for a while. Always was interested in quilting, but never had the time. I had three children, so I was always involved in all their activities.

 

Jan 09:12

Sure.

 

Ellena 09:12

So how I got involved in quilting was I went to Road to California in 2017. And I met a wonderful lady, Jane. What's her last name?

 

Gloria 09:24

Tenorio-Coscarelli.

 

Ellena 09:27

Yeah, she's a wonderful quilter. She designs fabrics, she designs patterns, she's written books. And I was introduced to her and she told me about TELAS. I was like, why don't you come and visit this group and so I did and when I walked in there because I had visited other guilds I was already ready to start quilting. And when I walked in there was like, whoa, this is amazing. You know, it wasn't your ordinary quilts hanging. They were vibrant colors and just everything I loved, I loved, so that's how I got started on it.

 

Jan 10:00

Well, that's very interesting.

 

Ellena 10:02

I'm still, I'm still learning. I'm still learning.

 

Jan 10:05

So it's a lifelong thing, isn't it? Dolores, what about you?

 

Dolores 10:10

I never had an interest in sewing at all or quilting. My husband was a sewer. But I worked with Ellena and Gloria's sister Bertha at our job and Ellena would try and introduce me into her group and I don't want to have anything to do with it. I had no interest. But then when I saw some of the artwork that she produced, it really caught my attention, the colors, the Latino culture, and I found that maybe I can try this. So I have come to really enjoy sewing and the little quilting that I've learned so far. I'm one of the newer members of the group, but I've really, I really enjoy it.

 

Jan 10:50

And Gloria, what about you?

 

Gloria 10:53

You know, it's interesting, I've always been fascinated with sewing and enjoyed it. But I mean, I started wanting to learn about quilting. And I started looking up some books. I think my first book was Michael James, I didn't know he was a master quilter and an art quilter. And I tried to do some of his patterns, which were impossible to do because he's so advanced and so technical. But eventually, I joined up with Joanne's fabric stores and started taking little classes here and there, bumped into other Latinas and we started talking about getting together and sewing and little by little I joined the Glendale quilt guild and became member there. But still, there was always that idea of we wanted to do something more Latino themed. And so that's when we decided to come together and form our own little network and organization. And we've done it all along the lines of other guilds. But I must tell you, I'm a fanatical quilter, I quilt all the time, I enjoy making patterns. I've made various original patterns for the ladies to sew. I'm not very good at it. I'm not a perfectionist. But I love the process. When I looked at some of these purses that people made, I made five, by the way, I only made five, when I looked at the quality of the purses that they were making the ones that Marina and Patty and Dolores were making, I was just amazed at the high quality, the selection of fabrics and so on. But it's a process that I really enjoy. And I think what we have to offer the world of quilting as far as our culture and Latino themes, adds a lot to the world of quilting as well.

 

Jan 12:25

Well, I have to say, what happens is people make the purses, they send them in, they get re-boxed and go on to Zambia. And unless you post photos on the Sew Powerful Purse Project on Facebook, we don't know what you're doing. So outside of your group, I don't think anybody is seeing your purses. Now does anybody happen to have a purse right there they can hold up or describe?

 

Gloria 12:51

Marina has, she also has pictures? Marina, do you have any?

 

Marina 12:54

I have some on Instagram that I posted because I think I had at first I was making them and turning them in at our meeting. And I think the last stretch when we didn't meet in person for like several months, I was just making them and putting them aside. And at that point, I went ahead and took pictures. The final group, I think I turned in was probably somewhere around 50 purses or so.

 

Jan 13:15

Wow.

 

Marina 13:16

And I think all of those I took pictures of them collectively on the table. And then also I actually went and opened each of them up because I love color. I always wear black, but I love color. So it was a great opportunity to kind of mix all these different colors and just change things up. And I put different kind of funky lining, and I did some applique on some of them. So it was really just like a fun project to be able to audition all these different fabrics that I normally would never, I might put them together actually. But it was a very fun project because it was quick. If you didn't like something, you could change it up and mix something up. But, but yeah, I'll definitely share my Instagram page with you. And there's definitely pictures of some of the purses that I made there.

 

Jan 13:58

Oh, that would be great. Well, you know, the other day, somebody who was new to making purses posted a question and said, how much fabric does this purse take? And there were no answers because you don't just take yards of fabric, you take little pieces and put them together to create something colorful and beautiful. So it doesn't matter though, the littlest piece can be combined with something else to make just a beautiful creation.

 

Marina 14:21

It's true because I actually got some of my fabrics and I would just cut one piece out of the same color fabric and then I mixed some up with denim and I would cut other elements of the purse out of denim. So I actually have an inventory of all these different parts in different colors.

 

Jan 14:35

Why don't we take a quick break here, and when we come back we're going to talk a little bit more about how Sew Powerful was picked and some of the other projects this group has done, so stay tuned listeners.

 

Jan 14:51

Have you gotten the second edition of the "We Are Sew Powerful" book? This updated version of the original best seller, 4.9 out of five stars, by the way, is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen, and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty, through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget, when you place your order, if you use Smile.Amazon.com, and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 15:54

Welcome back. We have been speaking with members of The East Los Angeles Stitchers. Ladies, what are some of the other projects that you have done before you came to Sew Powerful?

 

Gloria 16:04

Well, what we did is prior to Sew Powerful, we did quite a few blankets probably numbering in the hundreds for the neonatal unit in our local hospital. And again, that was also a great project, the ladies all took part in it. We created a very quick quilt as you go kind of pattern along the way. And so we did all that project. And before that, remind me ladies, what did we do before our blankets?

 

Gloria 16:33

Well, the first philanthropy I was a part of was making the pillowcases. And I believe we did that for orphanages.

 

Gloria 16:41

We made the pillowcases for the Ronald McDonald House.

 

Ellena 16:45

So we did hundreds of those. And that was my first project, which got me really excited to start doing things. And then we did military quilts for the veterans.

 

Gloria 16:54

Oh, that's right, our patriotic quilts for the veterans.

 

Ellena 16:56

Yes, that was really, really nice. And those are the two that stick out in my head. I know we've done more.

 

Gloria 17:02

Every year we try and adopt a different philanthropy as to what we're going to do and move forward. Along the way we of course have been making masks, we've made masks for the farmworkers here in California, we've made masks for the detention centers where the children are at that are being detained, we're making masks for homeless shelters. So, many of our ladies have been a part of it. And I think we probably are somewhere in the 900 masks that we have made, and we send them off to different locations, we sort of have stopped making them now because almost everyone is using a mask hopefully. But that was a big project that we started early part of last year, as well. And of course, we also just get a whole philanthropy and raising money for needy families in the east side. And we also were able to make some blankets for the probation kids, the kids that are in probation camps to give to their parents. We keep ourselves busy.

 

Jan 17:59

It sounds like it. Marina, did you have something you wanted to add to that?

 

Marina 18:03

You know, when the Pulse nightclub shooting happened? We also contributed I believe like several quilt tops to that also.

 

Gloria 18:12

We made the hearts.

 

Marina 18:13

For the families.

 

Jan 18:14

That's very nice. That's very nice. So who was it that first heard of Sew Powerful? Somebody from when you went to the Houston international quilt festival?

 

Ellena 18:25

Okay, how I got involved was we were at the Houston quilt show. And it had been a long day, you know, we're there displaying our, by our exhibit. And then a group of us met for dinner at one of the local restaurants and then two of our members brought up that they had visited your booth. And so, you know, was a long day, I was half listening. So, Gloria said, Well, that sounds like a really nice project for us. Why don't you girls get involved in that? Well, everyone starts backing down when Gloria starts talking, right? So, the night went on, whatever. And they happen to bring your pamphlets to dinner and pass them around. So, I took it back to the hotel room and I read about that. And it just, it just clenched my heart. I was like, I need to do something.

 

Ellena 19:18

So, I told Gloria I will do it. And then of course when I got home, I went on your website and and I just knew that I had to do something because I remember my own experiences. I had a real hard time when I was young. And I missed school. You know, I had to miss school. I just, it was just a horrible thing. And I thought to myself, here in my country, I have everything available to me. And I still had to miss school. And even though I had everything, you know handed to me, it was hard growing up, you're young and you just can't handle stuff like that. And I thought how horrible is it for these girls? You know they have nothing and and they're not getting educated. It's no, this can't be. So that's how I got started on it. And I just, you know, I had to do something about it.

 

Ellena 20:24

Then, of course, you know, was a long haul. But we did it. We ended up making 292 exactly, that's what we ended up sending, which I thought was remarkable because everybody was making masks as well, you know, and, and being shut in and, and not only when we were making masks for all these organizations and Gloria, I think it was over 1,000 you collected. But we also, we were also making them for our own families and friends. I know I made close to 200 just personal ones. So well, everyone's doing the same thing.

 

Jan 20:41

I always say I was waiting for it to be cool to know how to sew and 2020 people were coming out of the woodwork. Oh, you sew can you make me a mask? And so you saw Sew Powerful at the quilt festival. You came back, and then what, at the next meeting, you talked about it and said we ought to do this?

 

Gloria 21:01

Yes, I believe that was in October. So then in January, we introduced the project to everyone. Yeah. And then of course, we introduced it, passed out the pattern. We said, Hey, make some purses and bring them in for the February meeting because we would meet the first Saturday of each month. And we've got about maybe 18 that first month. And then after that, of course we were shut down. I don't think we met in March, right? I think it was March was our first Zoom. Yeah, little by little they were trickling in. And then when they got close to it, we're just like, hey, I need to mail these out. I need them by October and then boom, I just had purse after purse coming through.

 

Gloria 21:41

We did create a little incentive though; we did offer gift certificates to the winners. And so, I don't think that's what moved them to make so many. But it was an added bonus for many people, because they use their own fabrics. And they went out and purchase fabrics for this. And so, we created a little gift certificate for the first, second, and third place winners of whoever made the most purses.

 

Jan 22:04

And so who are those people?

 

Gloria 22:07

Well, Marina was a first-place winner. And she had 85. And then we had Patty Lopez, who is not with us today, but she had I believe 72 which she always wants to recount. She doesn't trust Marina.

 

Jan 22:25

Boy that sounds familiar.

 

Ellena 22:28

And Dolores was our third-place winner. She had, I believe, 30. Is that correct, Dolores?

 

Dolores 22:33

Well remember, I was new to sewing. So, I was a lot slower than these ladies that have been involved such a long time.

 

Gloria 22:40

The quality of Dolores' purses - she would put little charms on the corner of all these on the flap It was really, really good looking and well done.

 

Jan 22:49

That's so exciting.

 

Ellena 22:51

I just wanted to say our group is just amazing. Like you could see like, when there's something introduced, everyone's like, looking at each other, like how am I get this done, and no, they come through all the time. And that's what's so wonderful about being a part of this group. You know, everyone gets together and with the pandemic, I've gotten to know more people. And personally, because aside from our monthly meetings, Marina puts on a Friday night Zoom meeting. And it's a very casual thing, and whoever wants to join joins and, and everyone's doing their own thing, sewing and you know, whatever, whatever your project is, and we have gotten to know each other more personal. It's just been a really wonderful experience being a part of the group.

 

Jan 23:37

Dolores?

 

Dolores 23:39

If you were to see the artwork that these ladies put together, they, they are amazing. They deserve to be in all of these quilt shows and the different places, even in the Los Angeles County Fair, which is one of our biggest fairs. They've been there as well. And I've always looked at them, but I never knew who the group was. But they always caught my attention because they always had a Latin theme to it. A project has to resonate with me, it has to mean something to me.

 

Dolores 24:07

And as we mentioned with the quilts for the neonatal care, Gloria actually, or Evi, which is another member actually took us to the neonatal unit and we actually gave our quilts to the mothers with their babies there. And that really meant a lot to me and was so powerful after it was explained to us, and we went into analyze it on everything that was involved. Education has always been important to me. It's a way to empowerment. And then when you see these young girls with all their obstacles, and if just this little purse will help them get the education that they need. It just made me very happy to participate.

 

Jan 24:51

Oh I'm so glad. Yes, Elena.

 

Ellena 24:54

Well, I just wanted to say before I forget because Gloria mentioned that how she got started and how she got involved. And she'd made a little comment that she's not very good at it. No, she's very good at it. We all look up to her. And she's very talented. I mean, she'll see something, and she'll make a pattern for us. And it's just amazing. So, Gloria, she's done an amazing job with this whole group. So, I just wanted to make sure I didn't forget to say that. She's amazing. Amazing. And you should see what she comes up with. I'm sure she's got some quilts back there she can show you.

 

Gloria 25:30

Lots of quilts to do.

 

Jan 25:33

Well, and I have to ask, I mean, Gloria, you're sitting in front of shelves and shelves full of fabric. Where are you?

 

Gloria 25:40

I'm in my sewing room. And this is one side of the room, the other side of the room is equally as full. Regrettably, I'm a big collector of fabrics. Besides a quilt maker, I don't know what I'm going to do with all of these fabrics in my lifetime. I'm gonna have to start giving it away. But this year, I'm concentrating on finishing up quilts. I love to make quilt tops. And sometimes I don't get around to quilting them or binding them. So this year, I'm trying to at least do three or four quilts that are in my stack of 120 to get finished before I start a new one, although I'm itching to start a new one.

 

Jan 26:18

Wow, what I wanted to ask you a moment ago, have any of you seen the seven minute video of the girls in Zambia receiving the purses at their school?

 

Ellena 26:29

Yes, I have.

 

Jan 26:30

Yeah, a couple of people have. It might be worth showing your members just to tie a bow on this because it was filmed in Zambia in December of 2020. And they went out to one of the schools a distance out from the capital city. And the lady said, you're getting the purse. And they all knew what that meant. And they all were jumping, they were screaming, they were so happy. And that video just always touches my heart so much because it really brings to fruition the reason what we're doing and how much the girls appreciate receiving one of the purses and the contents that are in there.

 

Jan 27:12

Well, I have to say you ladies are amazing, and an inspiration and we want to see more of you. And if we can entice you to join the Sew Powerful Purse project group on Facebook. Please, please, please join and please post your photos there. Well, I want to thank Marina and Dolores and Ellena and Gloria for your time today. It's been a delight and honor to talk with you to learn about The East Los Angeles Stitchers and your many contributions to Sew Powerful and we thank you tremendously.

 

Gloria 27:48

And we just say it's been our pleasure; we thank you so much for giving us a little bit of recognition. I mean, I'm excited just because I've worked with Sew Powerful and just to see someone you know, a face, in person, is just great. Thank you. Thank you for this.

 

Jan 28:06

Thank you.

 

Ellena 28:06

Thank you for having us.

 

Marina 28:08

Yes, thank you. Thank you.

 

Jan 28:11

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference. I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan Cancila, Host 00:07

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:24

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. Today we are speaking with Natalie Wellman. And you might recognize that name because Natalie is a contributor of many photos and many beautiful purses to Sew Powerful. We are going to talk about her interesting background, the travels, the family, the interesting place that she lives, but we're also going to talk about her devotion to Sew Powerful. Hello, Natalie, how are you today?

 

Natalie Wellman, Guest 00:54

I'm fine. How are you?

 

Jan 00:56

Oh, just fantastic. Tell us a little bit about your background. You have a degree that seems like it's a perfect fit for the volunteer work you do for Sew Powerful.

 

Natalie 01:08

Yes, I have a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and I specialized in the fashion and merchandising part of that degree.

 

Jan 01:16

Oh, that's very cool. And where did you go to school?

 

Natalie 01:19

Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma.

 

Jan 01:23

Oh, okay. I didn't know about Cameron University. Okay. And you are married with some children, right?

 

Natalie 01:31

Yes.

 

Jan 01:32

Tell us about your family.

 

Natalie 01:33

I have four children, one biological, three adopted children, and married for 43 years. And I have four grandchildren, two girls and two boys.

 

Jan 01:47

That sounds like those family members can keep you busy. Do they live nearby?

 

Natalie 01:52

Yes. They all live here in Huntsville, or around our area. No one's more than 45 minutes away.

 

Jan 02:00

Oh my gosh. That's wonderful. That's wonderful. And how old are the grandchildren?

 

Natalie 02:05

6, 3, 1 and a half, and four months.

 

Jan 02:11

Oh my gosh, those are such fun ages. That's fantastic. So, you mentioned that you live near Huntsville. Tell us a little bit about where you live.

 

Natalie 02:20

I live in a small community called New Hope, Alabama. It's southeast of Huntsville, and we live out on 13 acres.

 

Jan 02:28

I've seen pictures on Facebook and I called it a lake but you corrected me. Tell me about this body of water on your property.

 

Natalie 02:36

It's just a little pond. Maybe my pictures make it look bigger, but it's a little pond in the back of our property with lots of wildlife.

 

Jan 02:45

Oh, it looks really beautiful. And on this 13 acre farm do you have animals?

 

Natalie 02:51

Yes, we do. We have two horses, chickens, dogs and cats.

 

Jan 03:00

And do you ride?

 

Natalie 03:02

I do. I haven't recently. I have a horse that I've had for 24 years. And then I have a pony that the grandkids play with a lot.

 

Jan 03:11

Oh, how fun. And they don't have ponies at their home, right?

 

Natalie 03:15

No, they have to come see Nonna to play with the horses and the chickens.

 

Jan 03:19

That sounds like a good plan. I understand you and your husband like to travel as well. And I guess during the last year that probably didn't happen much. But what are some of the places that you visited?

 

Natalie 03:33

I guess my favorite place was Prince Edward Island. We went up there about four or five years ago. And we've been to Mackinac Island in Michigan. And we had the opportunity to go to Germany one time. We always try to go a couple of years someplace. We've been at the Cayman Islands and Virgin Islands and...

 

Jan 03:56

I'm seeing an island theme here. Well, when you live in a beautiful part of the country, I imagine you take shorter trips around the southeast United States as well, right?

 

Natalie 04:10

We do. The last one we took we went to the Nantahala Gorge train up in Bryson City, North Carolina for a couple days. And then we just found a canyon down in South Georgia that we never even knew existed, and that was just like a day trip on the way to Florida to visit with my mom for a couple of hours.

 

Jan 04:34

Oh, how nice. How nice. Now you have a hobby of embroidery which, I share that hobby with you. I think we're in a couple of Facebook groups focused on embroidery. And it sort of started clicking for me that you were using embroidery on a lot of your purses. But talk to me about why you like embroidery and what are some of the things that you've done with it besides the work you do for Sew Powerful.

 

Natalie 05:01

Well, when they first came out with embroidery machines, maybe 20 something years ago, I bought a Pfaff because I just loved the look of embroidery. And at that time, I embroidered things for my kids, then they got too old. So, it was more towels and things like that. Now that I have grandkids, they all get a birthday shirt and birthday presents and Christmas presents and, you know, all my family have gotten embroidered things. I just recently upgraded to a new Brother as my Pfaff was getting old and software was outdated, so I upgraded. And since then, I have put so many stitches on this one.

 

Jan 05:48

Okay, so I have a Brother too. So, what model do you have?

 

Natalie 05:52

I have the Innovis.

 

Jan 05:55

Nice, very nice. Yeah, well, that's really fun. So, I found A Bit of Stitch through a newsletter, where they had digitized making the beginner flap for the Sew Powerful purse in the hoop. And for our listeners who don't embroider, can you explain what "in the hoop" means?

 

Natalie 06:20

Basically, the whole flap of your purse is done on your embroidery machine. You have to have a 6 by 10 hoop in order to do this. But basically, you put a stabilizer down and I use a thin piece of batting. And then I lay my flat cover on top of that. And they had two different designs that you can do, one was a lattice design, and one was a stippling design. And you do that, embroider that piece, and then you just put your lining on upside down. It sews around that and then turn your flap and you're done. That was a game changer for me because I cannot sew a straight line for anything.

 

Jan 07:10

Well, I was having trouble getting my two corners rounded equally. And I mean, when you do it in the hoop, I mean it's all computer controlled. So, it's...

 

Natalie 07:22

Perfect.

 

Jan 07:23

Perfect. It's perfect. Well, and the other thing you can do is after it does the stippling or the lattice, is you can add another design, which you typically do and so you have to use your software and insert that in there, right?

 

Natalie 07:36

Insert it there and then you move the last stitch that adds the lining to your purse to the very last thing. First time I did it, I forgot to do that. Oh my gosh.

 

Jan 07:51

Yeah. So, the the embroidery design ends up attaching the lining to the front of the purse inside out. Yeah. And then also that program from A Bit of Stitch also allows you to do the small slip pocket in the hoop. Did you do that?

 

Natalie 08:08

I've never done that. That, it seemed to me, was a waste of stabilizer.

 

Jan 08:17

Well, I'll be honest with you, I did it once. And it seemed to take longer to do it in the hoop than on my sewing machine. And so even though it was a little fancier than I would have typically done, I didn't think for an inside slip pocket it was worth the effort. So, it is available. And I'm not saying anything bad about it, but it just wasn't my favorite thing. I've done several [flaps] like that, I really like it. And interesting was to use a piece of fine-wale corduroy. And so, when I did the lattice design, it almost made it look like velvet. I mean, it really turned out pretty. Yeah, so it's nice and yet still nice and durable and washable. Natalie, why don't we take a quick break here and when we come back, we're going to explore the work that you've done for Sew Powerful, and we will talk to you in just a minute. Listeners, please stay tuned.

 

Jan 09:17

Have you gotten the second edition of the We Are Sew Powerful book? This updated version of the original best seller (4.9 out of five stars by the way) is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget, when you place your order, if you use smile.amazon.com, and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 10:21

Welcome back. We have been speaking with Natalie Wellman who has a very interesting background. And she lives on a little mini farm in New Hope, Alabama with chickens and horses and cats and dogs and a beautiful pond that she shares pictures of at sunset from time to time. And we're delighted to talk to Natalie today. Natalie, when did you first hear about Sew Powerful?

 

Natalie 10:51

I think it might have been 2015. I was looking back through Facebook and couldn't find the exact date. But I just loved the idea of making purses and saw it and downloaded the intermediate purse. And I think it took me a while before I made that first purse. And I think that was the only purse that I did that year. But I just kept on trying. And I think the second year I doubled it. And this is probably my fourth year, fourth or fifth year of making the purses.

 

Jan 11:32

And typically, how many purses do you make in a year?

 

Natalie 11:36

Um, this year was only about 55. Last year I did 104. And I tried to double it each year as I was doing it. This year is 156.

 

Jan 11:51

Oh my gosh. Well, and think about that. That's 156 girls, whose lives you've changed. So that's fantastic. And while you're making the purse, are you thinking about what that means to a girl in Zambia, when she gets the purse?

 

Natalie 12:10

I am. When I first read about Sew Powerful, it just really hit me. You know, I didn't ever have a problem of not having supplies, but I missed a lot of school growing up. I would be sick for two to three days.

 

Jan 12:28

Oh gosh.

 

Natalie 12:29

And so, I just can remember just missing so much school because of that. But we moved a lot when I was a kid. And the first school we went to, they didn't have doors on the bathroom.

 

Jan 12:44

Oh my goodness.

 

Natalie 12:45

I didn't want to go to school, I wanted to stay home. So, it just really struck me that these girls had nothing. And they were still trying, you know, to go to school. So, it's just been on my heart to do this.

 

Jan 12:59

You know well, that's fantastic. And have you had any thoughts about those people making soap or the people working on the farm and how this thing sort of all ties together?

 

Natalie 13:11

Oh, I think that is wonderful, teaching them to help themselves, you know. You can give them a fish but if you teach them how to fish, it changes their world, you know. They're a part of it, we're not just handing them something; they're able to support their families by what we're doing.

 

Jan 13:32

Now you post the photos of your finished purses on Facebook. And I know that there's a lot of people who actually don't do that. But I think there's a big benefit to that. And I think you might agree with that as well. Why do you post the pictures of your purses?

 

Natalie 13:51

I think it encourages other people. And I post them in different groups, too, like in the different embroidery groups that I've been in and people are like, Wow, tell me about that organization. What can we do? How can we get involved? And so, I've done fundraisers that way because they see it and they see, well, that's a neat charity and they go look at it. And oh, I could do that. Even if they can't so they can see other things they can do.

 

Jan 14:24

Well, and you and I belong to a Facebook group outside of Sew Powerful and if I recall this right, some lady said, I like to sew but I just can't get motivated to sew. If only, if only there was a good cause. And I think you're the person that stepped in and told this woman about Sew Powerful and as a result, I don't know about her, but several other people from that group have joined. Is that right?

 

Natalie 14:50

That is correct.

 

Jan 14:52

Yeah, you have to be careful talking about another group inside, you know, another group. You don't want to get into selling because those are usually against the rules. So how did you position this so that it was acceptable in that group, but yet informational?

 

Natalie 15:09

Well, most of the groups that I did this in, they weren't actually the person who sold the items, they had blessing groups or fan groups. Now some of them have actually said, What do you do for charity work? And so, you know, if you're showing the design, and you're showing what design you use, and then how you use it, and I feel like if someone says, oh, what organization is this? Then I can put it in. I haven't had to delete it yet. So, I guess we're doing okay.

 

Jan 15:45

Yeah, I know. And it's a little bit tricky, but you hate to miss that opportunity. And as a result of those postings, we've had several people join, and you just never know when somebody who has seen that is still thinking about joining, and they may still become a member of the Sew Powerful community. And they may be listening to your podcast right now thinking, Oh, yeah, I remember her and her nice post. Now, when you make your purse, and I have to ask this of everyone, are you on Team Strap or Team Webbing?

 

Natalie 16:18

Team Webbing.

 

Jan 16:21

Me too, but why, why?

 

16:23

Oh, every once in a while, I will make a strap if I don't have a webbing, but the strap, to me, takes forever. I know there are shorter shortcuts to make it. And if I don't have a webbing that will match, then I will make a strap. But I'm more in the creative part of making the purse and not just the construction of making the purse. And the Team Strap is too construction in my opinion. I've seen ones that they've put decorative stitching on them but I'm kind of ADD.

 

Jan 17:06

Well, I've put decorative stitching on my webbing, so you don't have to rule that out. And so that's funny that you say that so enthusiastically because our guest for the podcast last week, Pat Quigley, is adamantly Team Strap. So, she loves making straps. It's always interesting to hear people's point of view on that. For anybody who is listening today, and maybe they haven't jumped in and started making a purse yet. I know you said you know it took you a while to make that first one. But what kind of advice would you give somebody who's thinking about making a purse for Sew Powerful, but they really haven't done it yet?

 

Natalie 17:47

I definitely say that the beginner purse that they just came out with in 2018. That one is so much easier than the ones that they first came out with. And just jump in. And there are so many different videos that you can watch. Now just pick the material and go with it. And once you start making them, I sometimes would rather do, I've got all these projects for grandkids and I look at them and I'm like, no I'm gonna go make a purse.

 

Jan 18:24

And do you make one at a time? Or do you cut out multiples and then sew, or how do you...

 

Natalie 18:29

I make one at a time.

 

Jan 18:31

One at a time. Yeah.

 

Natalie 18:32

I have tried the multiples. And I have to make them all different. I can't make three or four purses that look exactly alike. I think it's also the ADD. I just, they all have to be different. And so, I've got this stack of material that's different. And I just pull them and hope they work together.

 

Jan 18:54

Well, and I don't know if you do this or not, but I have fabric in my bins. And I look at it and I go, Oh yeah, I use that for a lining on a purse three years ago. I can't use that again. I must make another trip to the fabric store, or now it's like, order it online. Oh, I don't know what's wrong with me, but I guess I just like to buy fabric.

 

Natalie 19:13

With the embroidery I can make them, still make them different.

 

Jan 19:16

Well, that's true.

 

Natalie 19:17

I just made one that I use the same material, I think I used for my very first purse.

 

Jan 19:24

Oh, well there goes my excuse out the window now.

 

Natalie 19:27

And this is the new pattern so I'm okay.

 

Jan 19:30

I'm not going to let my husband listen to this podcast because I'll say, Well, I can't repeat this fabric. Natalie, thank you so much for your time today and for all that you do for Sew Powerful. It was an honor to meet you because I've seen all your work and, you know, you feel like you know somebody from seeing all the Facebook posts, but you don't really, and so having this opportunity to talk to you has really been nice. So, thank you very much.

 

Natalie 19:59

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

 

Jan 20:01

You're more than welcome. We hope to talk to you soon. Have a good day.

 

Natalie 20:04

All righty. Bye bye.

 

Jan 20:05

Bye bye.

 

Jan 20:07

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference, I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan Cancila, Host 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:19

Today I have the privilege of speaking with a Sew Powerful friend of mine, Pat Quigley. I met Pat when we worked in the booth at the Houston Quilt Festival a couple of years ago. And to my benefit, Pat lives in the same metropolitan area as I do so we've been able to see each other a few times in addition to just working in the quilt show booths, which for last year did not happen. Pat has such an interesting background and such a passion for Sew Powerful. If you have not met Pat in person, you are going to love this podcast. Pat Quigley, welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. How are you today?

 

Pat Quigley, Guest 01:05

Thank you Jan for having me.

 

Jan 01:08

I'm so glad you're here.

 

Pat Quigley 01:09

Thank you.

 

Jan 01:10

Tell us a little bit about your background with Sew Powerful. How did you find Sew Powerful to begin with?

 

Pat 01:19

I believe it was on Facebook. I had been to Africa in 2014. And fortunately, my church is very mission oriented. And I I've been very lucky to travel many places as part of a medical mission team. And when I was in Africa, I was working in a clinic and a lady came in with a baby and I love to hold babies. So, I asked her if I could hold the baby and she said sure in Swahili. And she handed me this baby, and of course I right away snuggled it up against my neck, and the baby was soaking wet. And I realized they don't have disposable diapers. So that was kind of my first indication that we take so much for granted, the little things. So, when I saw this article on Facebook about these purses it brought back to my mind this mother with her baby. And, you know, we we just think we can go down to the corner drugstore and buy what we need and stay in school. And it just really struck a chord with me. The whole story of the mission with Jason and Cinnamon, and I thought, I can make purses. I've sewn all my life and have made purses for myself. So that's basically how I got started.

 

Jan 03:22

So how did you learn to sew to begin with? What is your history with sewing?

 

Pat 03:29

Well, my mom sewed. She didn't teach me to sew, but I was always around her when she was sewing. And then when I was in high school, I took the obligatory Home Ec - one semester of cooking and one of sewing. And I realized I could make clothes for myself. So that's where I started. Pretty, pretty much self taught.

 

Jan 03:59

Oh, interesting. Well, the purses you make are just exquisite. So, we'll talk about that in a minute. You mentioned a minute ago that you had done a mission trip to Tanzania that it was medically oriented. Tell us a little bit about Tanzania and a little bit more about those mission trips.

 

Pat 04:22

Okay, well, I'm a registered nurse. And we have had a team from my church that goes. There is a mission in Kigoma, Tanzania. It's run by some Methodist missionaries. And they do amazing things. It's called Joy in the Harvest. And they set up a clinic for us, and they give us translators, fortunately. And we set up a clinic and work for a week. We usually see somewhere between 1,000 to 12-1,300 patients. And so I just fell in love with the people. They're wonderful, joyful, thankful people and have nothing.

 

Jan 05:22

And so you went on two trips to Tanzania. Is that right?

 

Pat 05:26

Yes, I went again in 2017.

 

Jan 05:31

Okay, now, besides doing these mission trips, you also participate in another charity that is directed toward Africa. Tell us about that.

 

Pat 05:42

There's a group called Little Dresses for Africa, and they make what they call pillowcase dresses. And so it also is a charity that's dear to my heart. I had a very, very close, dear friend, who also is a nurse. She was working full time. But that was the one thing she would do was to make the dresses. And she unfortunately passed away very suddenly, just a month or so before she was due to retire. And so, I started doing these dresses in her honor. So, it just was another outlet for me for the people in Africa.

 

Jan 06:38

Now, I've seen these dresses, they're like rectangles with a casing at the top. Is that right?

 

Pat 06:44

Yes, very simple. Very simple.

 

Jan 06:47

And you put a ribbon, or do you have matching fabric for the tie?

 

Pat 06:52

They want us to use bias tape. We put elastic through the top and then bind the armhole. And it ties at the shoulder with the bias tape.

 

Jan 07:07

Yeah, it's very cute and relatively simple for people who don't have a lot of sewing experience to be able to make that contribution, right?

 

Pat 07:16

Correct. Correct.

 

Jan 07:17

How long does it take you to make one of those little dresses?

 

Pat 07:21

It depends how fussy I get with it. If I do a lot of embellishing, or if I decide to use you know, two contrasting pieces of fabric to kind of make a little change in the hemline or the top. So, but there, you can make them from pillowcases, which obviously makes it go really fast. But I like using pretty fabrics for these little girls. There isn't a lot of pretty stuff for little girls.

 

Jan 08:04

Well, you're giving me lots of hints of things we're going to talk about because your purses are noted for their pretty fabrics. But we're not getting to the purses yet, because we have a lot of layers to unpeel here before we get to your work with Sew Powerful. You volunteer for another organization that helps displaced dogs and cats that have been rescued as part of a natural disaster in various parts of the US. Tell us about the work you do for that organization and a little bit about them.

 

Pat 08:37

Okay, it came through the quilt magazine. I'm not a quilter. I have made some small quilts. But...

 

Jan 08:48

Now wait a minute. If you've made a quilt, to me, that qualifies as being a quilter.

 

Pat 08:54

Well, I have made them but it's not my love. So, I don't spend a lot of time with them. But because I have all these scraps of fabric this organization will get contacted by different animal rescue groups in the States. And anytime there's a disaster, a hurricane or a fire or a flood, whatever disaster they have displaced lost animals, these rescue groups take these animals and then they ask for little quilts that go in the crates to help comfort these animals. They're very simple. They're like 12 by 18. And I'll get an email saying that this rescue group in North Carolina or California or New Orleans or wherever it is, is asking for kennel quilts. So, if I have them on hand, I box them up and send them off. And if I don't have any, I just get my scrap bucket out and make them and send them.

 

Jan 10:13

So you send it directly to the organization that needs it. Right? And...

 

Pat 10:18

That's correct.

 

Jan 10:19

And there's some kind of a clearing house where these different rescues say we need this and the clearing house emails people who volunteer to make the quilts.

 

Pat 10:29

Correct. Somehow, but anyhow, yes, it's a clearing house that the rescue groups contact them, they send out the email. Many times, whatever the disaster is, there may be two or three rescue groups in that area. New Orleans, for instance, or the fires in California. So, you just choose which one you want to send them to and send them off.

 

Jan 10:57

Well, that's amazing. I had not heard of that particular organization. Why don't we take a break and when we come back, we will explore the work that Pat does with Sew Powerful, and she's been at it for a few years here. So please stay tuned. We'll talk with you again in just a moment.

 

Jan 11:20

Have you gotten the second edition of the "We Are Sew Powerful" book? This updated version of the original bestseller, 4.9 out of five stars, by the way, is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen, and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty, through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget, when you place your order if you use smile.amazon.com, and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 12:24

Welcome back. We have been speaking with Pat Quigley, who has been sharing with us the many ways that she volunteers her talents. She's a registered nurse and she goes to Tanzania and helps with a medical mission there. She sews Little Dresses for Africa. And she also makes kennel quilts for rescued animals following a natural disaster. So, you would think that maybe Pat doesn't have time for another nonprofit. But that's not the case. Pat is very involved with Sew Powerful and we're so glad she is. As I mentioned at the beginning, Pat and I met at the Houston Quilt Festival in 2018. And we were both booth workers, which is not easy to say booth workers. And I think we had many, many shifts where we worked together. Pat, what inspired you to volunteer to work in the booth at the Quilt Festival?

 

Pat 13:28

Well, actually living in Houston, you know it's so easy to go and I actually had helped in another booth for several years. A friend that had a booth and I would help her.

 

Jan 13:45

At the Quilt Festival?

 

Pat 13:47

That's correct.

 

Jan 13:48

Oh, wow. I didn't know that.

 

Pat 13:49

Yeah, yeah. So I was, you know, very comfortable doing that. And I just thought this is a golden opportunity for Sew Powerful to reach all these people that have fabric and scraps of fabric. So yeah, I was excited when they decided to have a booth.

 

Jan 14:14

Yeah, you and I worked together. There was a donor dinner that we attended together, and the Quilt Festival is in downtown Houston. And you live in one of the further out suburbs in northeast Houston. And you took a bus to do this. I thought, man, that is dedication.

 

Pat 14:32

Well, I take a bus on Wednesday night which is the preview night. There is a friend that I have here in my area. Every year she gets the precinct bus from the city and she she reserves this bus for preview night. You know it's late night I think if I recall it closes at 10 o'clock. So I don't like driving home alone at night. So I was able to, to do that the two times that we had the booth in addition to, you know, all the other times. But normally during the day I drive and it's an easy drive for me, but at night, it's nice not to have to drive.

 

Jan 15:25

Well, I have to confess all the one-way streets downtown I find very intimidating. Anyway. Well, Pat, you and I worked at the booth again in 2019. So, we did that. But you also joined the sew along that we held in the summer of 2019. And you came up to Cypress of the Houston metropolitan area for those of you who might be familiar, and we taught a bunch of people to sew that day, and we had some kits cut out. And can you remember some of the experiences from that event?

 

Pat 16:04

It was a delightful event. I do remember one thing, the young boy that came and made, I think he made two purses?

 

Jan 16:13

He did. Yes. Yeah.

 

Pat 16:15

And I was so impressed. Mothers and daughters came together and worked, and I thought that was amazing. I just thought it was really a well-attended event. And I think one or two of the ladies who came joined Sew Powerful and have continued. One lady sat and wrote the note cards, which was a godsend. That's my weak point. That's my weak point doing the cards, but it gets done.

 

Jan 16:54

Right? Well, and you know, she came in and all of our sewing stations were filled, and she said, Is there anything else I can do? And I said, well do you like to write note cards. And then so we had the writing prompts that are available from the Sew Powerful Purse Project Facebook group, if you look under files, there's a file there called writing prompts. And it really helps to write the note cards, but her name was Barbara, unfortunately, I don't know her last name. And she wrote over 100 cards for us that day. So that was really nice.

 

Jan 17:29

Pat, when I look at Facebook, I play this little game with myself. So, I don't look at who made the post. I look at the picture and I try and figure out who made that purse. And there are some people that have a very distinctive style, and I always know who they're going to be. And then I check myself then I scroll up and see what's the name and the Pat Quigley purses are standouts, they're so easy to identify as yours.

 

Pat 17:58

You're very kind.

 

Jan 17:59

Well, number one, your self-taught sewing skills are amazing. The workmanship is incredible, but the fabrics. Oh my gosh, they are so vivid. Can you talk to us a little bit about how you choose these big bold prints? And they're mostly abstracts, aren't they?

 

Pat 18:18

I love abstracts yeah. I am not a traditional person. My home is not traditional. I like pretty clean lines. I don't you know I'm not a fussy person. And I love bright colors. I don't wear bright colors well, they kind of wash me out. So, this is how I get my fix. I can make the purses and the little dresses out of bright colors. And I do use bright colors as accent in my home. So, I guess I just gravitate towards the pretty bold prints. I'm not into paisley, that that type of thing that's more subtle and more traditional style.

 

Jan 19:12

And you like to make the straps.

 

Pat 19:17

I love making straps. Actually...

 

Jan 19:21

Convince me that that's a good idea because I am on Team Webbing.

 

Pat 19:26

I know, I know. Well, when I start a purse, my system is I do cutting. I put kits together. I cut, cut, cut, cut, so then when I get ready to sew, everything is ready to sew and the first thing I always do is the strap. There is something just very, I think it's the rhythm of doing it that gets me to the sewing and I'm trying very hard to do a little more decorative work. I love denim. I've made a few straps that are kind of off the wall and I hope the girls like them.

 

Jan 20:13

Well they're beautiful.

 

Jan 20:15

Thanks. Yeah, I love, love it.

 

Jan 20:17

So do you embellish the flaps? Or do you let the fabric speak for itself?

 

Pat 20:22

I usually let the fabric speak. If I choose a fabric that is plain, then I struggle to think what I can do to make it a little more interesting for the girls. But I try. I have, you know, like everybody else probably, bins full of different bits and pieces of laces and ribbons and ric rac and whatever. So, I just kind of let that talk to me and do what, do what I can with it.  

 

Jan 21:01

Well, you mentioned making a purse that you think a girl would like. What is your thought process while you're making the purse? Are you thinking about the girls and how they're going to be using the purse and its contents?

 

Pat 21:13

Oh, absolutely. That's the whole thing. I want them to love each purse that gets sent. So, it will help them and, you know, encourage them to stay in school. I mean, it’s so important to get their education. So yeah, like you, you just pray that there is going to be a purse that speaks to them. And I think that's pretty much how it works.

 

Jan 21:43

Sure. Well, and at the beginning, we talked about the work that your church does and that it's very mission oriented. Was your love of mission work a factor in your passion for Sew Powerful?

 

Pat 21:57

Oh, sure. Oh, sure. Absolutely. I mean, when I read Jason and Cinnamon's story, I thought this is, this is just too good to pass up. It's a Christian organization and to help those girls in Africa. So, oh.

 

Jan 22:20

So, for those people who may not be familiar with Sew Powerful in your own words, can you sort of sum up what the program means to you, and how it touches your heart.

 

Pat 22:34

For me, that the fact that we live in a country that we have everything we need, and more. And I just marvel that I can be in a country where people have literally nothing and are still joyful, they're still thankful. They dance in church, they sing in church, they, they are just sweet loving people, and how can you not want to help them? These purses have to bring joy to these young girls and their aunties. And I mean, I just think of the community of these ladies learning to sew and earning a living and making soap and earning a living, and it's just like, how could you not love that? So.

 

Jan 23:36

And listeners, how could you not love Pat Quigley? Pat, thank you so much for your time. It's always a pleasure to see you and talk with you. And I'm very glad that you joined us today.

 

Pat 23:49

Thank you. I hope that we can have some more of these little sewing get togethers in the Houston area.

 

Jan 23:56

We need those we absolutely do.

 

Pat 23:59

Yeah, I miss them.  

 

Jan 24:00

Alright. Well, thank you very much. Have a nice day.

 

Pat 24:03

You too, bye bye.

 

Jan 24:05

Bye bye.

 

Jan 24:06

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference. I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan Cancila, Host 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:20

Good morning. Today we are speaking with Betty Johnson, one of the newest regional coordinators for Sew Powerful. Betty is stationed in Arizona and those of you who live there will be seeing great things coming from Betty and she has such an interesting background. And all of that ties together and makes her the perfect person to be a regional coordinator for Sew Powerful. Good morning, Betty. How are you today?

 

Betty Johnson, Guest 00:48

Morning, Jan, I'm doing well. And you, how are you doing?

 

Jan 00:52

Very well, very well. I live about 10 miles south of the snow line. We had a big snowstorm in Texas, which totally dominated the news to have a few snowflakes in our state. So, it was pretty interesting day yesterday. You joined Sew Powerful recently and then you became a Regional Coordinator. And we're so excited that you did that. How did you hear about Sew Powerful to begin with?

 

Betty 01:20

Well, my cousin Donna Moscinski out of Chicago has been I think associated with Sew Powerful for over five years now. And she is a former podcast speaker and all-around great advisor. She shows up on our Facebook page a lot. And she had been posting things on her Facebook along the way. And it wasn't until this past summer when I finally had an opportunity to jump back into crafting that I saw another Facebook post from her with the purses she was making. And I thought, Wait a minute. Let me go check that out. I now have my stuff available. I've got a place that I can craft now. Let me just see what that's all about. So I did and we've literally reconnected because of Sew Powerful. You know how you raise your children over years and you move away? Well now we've reconnected and talk online about the purses we've sewn, and she's given me some great advice over the last few months.

 

Jan 02:12

Yeah, well, and as you said Donna was a guest on the Sew Powerful Podcast. And it was really fun to talk with her. And I know that I've seen her posts, she's been encouraging you and others. So yeah, that's a great, a great family connection. That's wonderful. So where are you from originally, Betty?

 

Betty 02:33

Well, originally from Chicago area right near Donna. We grew up blocks apart; her family and our family kind of the cousins grew up together. And then after I married my husband, Paul, we've been married 42 years now, we moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He had a job and I had to find a job. And I worked for Goodwill Industries then in the Nashville area, Middle Tennessee region for almost 24 years. And really learned a lot about the world of nonprofits, about donations, about a mission, and serving others - kind of the greater good. And I really feel like I'm now more of a servant leader than I ever was before. I've you know, been a supervisor and that kind of thing before but through the nonprofit world, I became more of a servant leader where my mission is to not just serve others but serve those that volunteer or work with me.

 

Jan 03:29

Now you've had a number of positions as you moved up in your career with Goodwill, tell us about that.

 

Betty 03:36

Well I did my Master's in Human Resources and so I was able to use that education and skill at Goodwill. I was hired in as human resource director. And during my time there, that organization grew two-fold. And so, as the company grew, I was able to elevate my level to a vice presidency role. And for most of that time there I was in charge also on the mission services. So, our mission was employing and training people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. And my job not just with HR, but with also the staff, the training and the division of the mission services. We developed career centers throughout middle Tennessee, where we had staff there helping people from the different communities add to their job skills, their education and their knowledge so they could eventually get a job. And that's how we measured ourselves: by the people who eventually went back to work, who others might have thought were unemployable.

 

Jan 04:37

Now, I don't know if this is true, but my perception is that Goodwill is the largest employer of people with disabilities?

 

Betty 04:47

During my time there it was, nationally it was. There have been some changes over the last four years since I've left. And I don't know the numbers to know if that's still true, but the mission has remained the same. What I found so rewarding working at that Goodwill, and every Goodwill was like this, is we had a large group of employees that were people with very severe disabilities. And we were to help them learn single task jobs at Goodwill and maintain the social connections that they needed. They had a job, they made a wage, it was just so fulfilling for me, and for those that I hired in the mission services area.

 

Jan 05:26

Mm hmm. That's cool. Well, and one of the things that you instigated and maybe that's not a good word. That sort of has negative connotations, but I don't know maybe, maybe it's the right word. You brought Toastmasters into your circle at Goodwill, is that correct?

 

Betty 05:45

I did. Yeah. Toastmasters is a global organization that helps people develop public speaking skills, and they provide a lot of learning and training to help you go speech by speech up kind of the ladder of certification. And before I got to Goodwill, I had worked in Central Illinois at Walgreens and was exposed to the Toastmaster program there and received my CTM, Certified Toastmasters.

 

Betty 06:13

When I got to Goodwill, and I then became in charge of the mission services there, and we were opening these career centers, and I hired a lot of career counselors, I needed to help those career counselors be comfortable to speak with employers in their community. And that might mean that they went to small business group meetings, luncheons, that kind of thing to promote Goodwill's mission and the services they provided at their center. So, I developed, and I made the career counselors participate, at least in the first 10 speech process to get their certification in Toastmasters. So that we can then of course, spread the news about Goodwill farther and more comfortably in a more professional manner.

 

Betty 06:56

We had a lot of fun with that, you know, it's kind of a once-a-month thing. Come on into the main office and go up to the board room and prepare for our speeches and give our speeches and then nicely critique each other and help each other so that we could develop those skills and be comfortable in a public setting.

 

Jan 07:13

Mm hmm. Well, those kinds of skills would be so helpful when we get back to, air quotes, normal, but actually, your cousin Donna and myself and Peggy Creighton are all invited to give speeches via Zoom. So can you give us any tips? How is public speaking via Zoom different than in person public speaking?

 

Betty 07:39

Well, with Zoom, you may have a bunch of eyes upon you, but they aren't present in the same room with you. I find speaking on Zoom is a little bit more comfortable. It's relaxing. And in person, at a microphone, at the lectern, in front of a group of people sitting in the audience, you get more of that interaction, and some of it is good and some of it may not be so good. So I think it's a little bit more nerve-wracking when you do it in public with in person than in Zoom. You can see the reaction on Zoom. But I think I know as I'm speaking now, I'm more concerned about how I'm coming off rather than watching anybody else on the screen and what their reaction might be. So it is kind of different for me. I don't know how others would perceive it. But that's how I'm looking at it.

 

Jan 08:25

Yeah, so we're all working on our PowerPoint deck and making sure that our messages are in sync. So we're going to do a practice session, maybe we'll invite you to critique us.

 

Betty 08:36

Oh, I'd be happy to.

 

Jan 08:37

Oh, that would be fantastic. Okay, well look for that invitation in about the next week. You live in a very beautiful and interesting place. Tell us about that, Betty.

 

Betty 08:48

Paul and I live in Sedona, Arizona, and you might know Sedona by the big red rocks and the hiking that happens there; the mountain biking that happens there. We decided before we retired from our regular jobs in Nashville that, you know, we could go anywhere we wanted to go. And we had been through Sedona a couple of times, and we kind of looked at each other and said, hmm, let's go live there and try that out for a while. So that was four years ago. We're still going strong there. And actually, Paul's a tour guide in Sedona for people coming to Sedona and going to the Grand Canyon. I won't say he's an expert yet, but four years in as a Rhodes Scholar tour guide, he is learning the history of that area. So, it's fun to learn about the area and talk to him as he does his tour groups.

 

Jan 09:36

Wow. Well, that's so interesting because my husband and I vacationed in northern Arizona about three years ago and spent a few days in Sedona and then we also took a tour at the Grand Canyon, but I'm pretty sure Paul wasn't our guide. That would have been an interesting coincidence. Why don't we take a quick break here and when we come back, we're going to talk more about Betty's connection to Sew Powerful and how she sees her role as a Regional Coordinator going forward.

 

Jan 10:10

Have you gotten the second edition of the "We Are Sew Powerful" book? This updated version of the original bestseller, 4.9 out of five stars by the way, is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen, and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget when you place your order, if you use smile.amazon.com and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 11:13

Welcome back. We've been speaking with Betty Johnson, one of our very newest regional coordinators. She is the Regional Coordinator for Northern Arizona and covers the state north of Phoenix all the way up to the border, including the Grand Canyon where her husband is a tour guide. So Betty has been telling us about her work with Goodwill, a nonprofit that hires people with disabilities, as well as her experience with introducing the Toastmasters organization to her employees when she worked there before her retirement. Betty, you have made quite a few purses in the time that you've been with Sew Powerful just in the last few months. How did you get started? What was your experience with your first purse for Sew Powerful?

 

Betty 12:02

I did the usual things that the new purse maker does. So, I jumped online, I'm reading through all the notes I can find. I found the pattern, the basic pattern. I found the video and watched that a couple of times. And then painstakingly I went through every step that was on that video to make the first purse. That was last August. It's now early January, I've made over 100 purses.

 

Jan 12:25

Oh my gosh.

 

Betty 12:26

It feels routine to me and it's one of those fall back, you know, I need something comfortable to do where I feel very confident. But happy being in my sewing space and being in my crafting space. And it's whether I'm measuring out the interfacing or I'm ironing up some pieces or I'm sewing some things together, I'm really enjoying the routine of it. But yet the challenge from a design perspective. I've sent in over 60 so far, I've got another 30 ready to go to send to Washington State. I've given a couple away. I've kept a couple and I sold a couple at a craft fair. The ones I've sold helped me offset the cost of the postage of mailing some in.

 

Betty 12:31

So, I think I'm doing a well-rounded job with the beginner purse. I haven't yet tackled the intermediate purse. But what I'm doing now Jan, and maybe others are just like me, I don't know, I was doing one at a time. And I figured well what if I did two at a time, what would happen? Could I save a little bit of time overall doing two where I'm sewing the same seam twice instead of once and then moving on. And then I started doing triplets. So, then I was doing triplets and then I was doing twins. So now I'm up to five, I'm doing quintuplets at a time. Now, they may not all be the same design. But I'm sewing that you know flap at the same time I'm sewing the back piece at the same time. I'm sewing each piece five times over. And I find then I can segment off the tasks and group the tasks. You know I'm not a factory line yet, but it feels like what an early factory line would be.

 

Jan 14:04

And what is your background in sewing?

 

Betty 14:06

Well, I'm a crafter so I've been crafting since the very early days when mom helped me make you know doll clothes and Barbie clothes and little Barbie condos, and I was making some of my own clothes in junior high. My mom would make clothes for us, and she was my inspiration of course and I would use her sewing machine. She would sew slipcovers for the furniture, and they'd be changed out each season. She was a teacher, but that was kind of an avocation for her, and she enjoyed that and passed that along to me. I scrapbook, I crochet, I've done the cross stitch. I've done a lot of these different kind of crafty things. And so, what I think is interesting now is I'm putting some time and effort into the cards that we put into the purses that go to the girls. And I can see as I take on this role of the Regional Coordinator where it's not just about the purses, but also, I want to go after the crafty scrappers, to see if they would be interested in making some cards as well, maybe they don't sew so well, but maybe they can make some cards. Let's see if I can wrangle a good group of people to do different tasks.

 

Jan 15:14

Well, and the note cards is certainly going to be an area of emphasis in 2021, as we reach out to people who like to scrapbook particularly, or people in paper crafts. And so that's fantastic that you have that skill set there, too. And Peggy Creighton is heading up the note card initiative. And I saw in today's Sew Powerful Purse Project Facebook group that she had posted some tips for how to really jazz up the note cards. So, I think that's really fun. Part of the role of a Regional Coordinator is to get the word out there. Lots of people know about Sew Powerful, but obviously most people don't. And so, do you have any thoughts or ideas about how you might reach out into the community and help people understand what we do?

 

Betty 16:08

Well, yeah, my initial thought is to reach out online, since everything's happening online, whether it's through Facebook, or we have local Nextdoor pages, where we can talk with other folks. I'm going to start with those kind of connections. And I'm going to go out to all my friends and relatives that may be part of a church group, or maybe part of a social group. I have a sorority from my college days, and you know, the alum group we meet, there are a lot of those connections, I think that can be made on a grassroots basis. And that's where I'm planning to start that just shortly in the next few weeks to reach out that way. But there's also a nice quilting store in our area. So, I'm going to stop by and talk with them, see if I can post some information.

 

Betty 16:53

And really, when the time's right, I really want to do some in person things. So, let's say the church down the road has a quilting guild or a sewing guild or something, I want to be able to get on their agenda to talk about Sew Powerful, bring some finished purses, and maybe some kits and expand that. Little, little mushrooms, if you will, of expansion, of getting in and then expanding from there. And hopefully you get it into one group. And that group has two or three people that know other groups that I could connect to. So, I'm hoping that's a good way to start the process of making the connections in the northern Arizona area.

 

Jan 17:32

Well, that's fantastic. You also had an idea, and I'm throwing you a curveball here, Betty, sorry. But you had an idea for newbies? Can you talk about what that idea is?

 

Betty 17:47

So I've noticed since I've joined the group, and I've been watching the Facebook posts, that there are a lot of questions on Facebook from new people. And I'm still kind of a new person too, on different tips and techniques. And what I have found is you can go to the FAQs, and you can go online and get some of the answers to your questions. But I feel like there's an opportunity for new folks. And the great news is we're adding new people every week. I know that Shirley and others have posted all the names. And I try to welcome folks as they come in. There's a lot of new folks.

 

Betty 18:21

And my idea is it may help to have a Zoom group that meets a meeting every you know, twice a month, once a month for newbies that may have questions about straps, about fabrics, about interfacing, about all these different parts and pieces. And my thought on top of that was to bring in experts like cousin Donna and you and some others to share kind of your tips and techniques in an in-person Zoom setting, so that anybody that has a question at the time can ask and my guess is a newbie will pop in for one meeting, get their answers that they need. And then the next month we have another one. And it would be a whole new group of newbies that come in. And it's kind of reinventing the wheel each time. But I think having an in-person where I can get all my answers that I need, will help them feel more comfortable starting, getting through their first couple of purses, and then moving on to do more and more. So it was just an idea I had since technology is available to us.

 

Jan 19:21

I know well, and Zoom has been I guess we could say a blessing and a curse. But we might as well make use of what we have - take advantage of that. And I think it's a really great and unique idea. And while there's lots of videos out there and people are pretty responsive on Facebook, being able to ask your question and hold up your purse and go "this part isn't working" would be really helpful. You know, on that beginner purse, I struggled, and I got the slip pocket on the back. I can't tell you how many times that I could not figure out why. And then it turns out that when I did the box corners, I did them wrong. But anyway, it would be nice for somebody not to have to go through making four or five purses with the slip pocket on the back. If you know somebody could just give them the answer to their question right there.

 

Jan 20:14

I do want to say to our listeners, if you would make comments on this podcast, if you like Betty's idea about the Zoom meeting for newbies, and if you're not a newbie, an experienced person, if you would be willing to be a guest or a host to one of these episodes, and we can make it really easy and fun. And I just think it would be a great thing to get off the ground in 2021. So, I thank you for that good idea. And your recent experience helped bring that to the forefront. So that's really fantastic.

 

Jan 20:53

Do you happen to do any quilting? Are you a quilter among all these crafts that you do?

 

Betty 20:57

I am a quilter. And I've been a quilter for quite a long time, which is why I have this huge stash of fabric that I'm tapping right now to make all these purses. I also have some outdoor fabric, because we visit Florida each year, and I was making cushions and pillows. So, I've got this outdoor fabric that's very stable also. So I've just got this big, large bunch of fabric. And I make the smaller quilts because the larger ones, I just don't have the right machine to do the long arm quilting and all that. So, I do the smaller wall hanging or tabletop kind of quilt things or I make oven mitts and that kind of thing.

 

Jan 21:32

And have you applied any quilting techniques to your purse flaps?

 

Betty 21:36

Well, after the first 100 purses I can say now that I am starting to do some piecing, scrap piecing and a little bit of quilting. So, I needed to get comfortable with the basic design and the basic flow and the doing groups and now I'm doing more designing and I'm, it takes longer, you have to slow down. It's not the factory lines, slow down. Think about color choices, think about widths and depths and things like that. And Jan, I did want to tell you because you know I listen to every single Podcast. I am a web strap person; I'm on team webbing.

 

Jan 22:12

Betty, when you're making a purse, what is your thought process about the girls in Zambia that are going to be the recipient of this labor of love?

 

Betty 22:23

And that's funny you mentioned that because every time I'm working on a purse, whether I'm cutting it out, ironing, sewing, or putting the finishing touches on, I am thinking about the organization and the girls there. I've watched a couple of videos where their excitement is there where they are opening up the boxes, and they're getting their purses. I think about how these girls get to stay in school and finish certain grade levels and certifications, and how impactful that is in their lives. But beyond just that, this organization goes beyond just those girls. It goes to the community and the other women, the other folks in that area, who now have jobs and have things they can do to be productive and earn a wage and support their families. If it weren't for Sew Powerful, that opportunity wouldn't exist for the entire community. Purse making is an important piece to me, but it's one part of a larger mission. And I'm so proud to be a part of this.

 

Jan 23:20

We are delighted that you have joined us, and I'm thrilled that you agreed to be a guest on the Sew Powerful podcast. Thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it. We'll talk to you soon.

 

Betty 23:31

Thank you very much Jan, bye.

 

Jan 23:33

Bye.

 

Jan 23:35

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference, I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan Cancila, Host 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:19

Good morning. Welcome to the first podcast of 2021. We are delighted to have a brand-new purse maker and blogger extraordinaire with us today. We are going to be speaking with Daryl Perry, who lives in New Mexico, and she has quite the interesting background and quite the enthusiasm for Sew Powerful. So, I'm very excited for you to meet her. Good morning, Daryl, how are you today?

 

Daryl Perry, Guest 00:46

Good morning, Jan. I'm doing well. Thank you.

 

Jan 00:48

Yeah. So, you started popping up in the Facebook group right after Christmas. So, all of a sudden, here's Daryl Perry making purses. How did you hear about Sew Powerful?

 

Daryl 01:03

Well, you know, I think I heard about it maybe a year or so ago, but it just never registered, I was doing a blog hop, where a lot of women just post whatever they're making. And I think one of the ladies had a purse, and she was talking about the Sew Powerful group. And I made a comment saying, oh, those are really nice. And you know me, I love bags, because that's what I make. And she says, well, they might not be as nice as your bags. But she says it's really for a great cause and I kind of tucked it away in the back of my head, she had the link for the patterns that were free. And I know I put them on my computer, and I just didn't think about it anymore. And then something else came popping up. And finally I said, you know, I think I'm gonna make one of those bags and see what they look like. Well after I make one and then I kind of checked out the group. And when I read the description, and what you guys were all about, I thought, oh, this is wonderful. I have so much fabric, I can sew for years and never make a dent in my fabric. So, I'm going to do that.

 

Jan 02:09

That's wonderful. Well, now, you said that you make bags. So, tell us about your life before Sew Powerful.

 

Daryl 02:16

Well, I started as a quilt maker. And then I got into making bags because I was so frustrated with really poorly written patterns. And there were a couple of bag maker designers that were online that had written a blog post about it. And I made a comment saying, you know, this is great that you both have your bags tested because I'm so frustrated with spending money not only on the patterns, but my fabric and then having it go to waste, it was getting frustrated. So, they each said, Well, pick out a pattern for free from what we do. And I did and I made it and one of the ladies actually invited me to test her bags, and that was in 2013. And I'm still testing for her today. So, I really got into it, I really was like going to school and learning not only testing from her, but I started picking up and testing from a few other ladies. And then a lot of these designers offer free patterns. So, I would make those and for with every person I learned something a little different and then I do it my way, kind of a compilation of everything that I've learned. And I just love making them they're faster than making quilts. They're more useful. So, I really enjoy it and like kind of my blog is mostly about quilting bag making and knitting because I also do knitting.

 

Jan 03:35

Okay, so now do you make the bags as a hobby to give to others or is this a business?

 

Daryl 03:43

Well, I started off making them for myself and to give as gifts. And then I started getting so many bags that I decided I would try to sell some and I do really well at some of the local craft shows. I did open an Etsy shop, sold a few but not that many. So, I'd really rather stick with either word of mouth, people asking me. I put things on my blog for sale but that hasn't really happened but at least that way they know if they want a bag, they can contact me and I have had a few do that. And so yes, I do sell them.

 

Jan 04:18

And so, what kind of materials do you typically use to make your bags?

 

Daryl 04:22

Well because of my quilting background, I have such a ton of quilting fabric that is primarily what I do use. I throw in some denim once in a while. I don't really care for the vinyl. I mean I you know I can sew it. I have a good enough machine for it, but I just don't like the feel or the look of it. I love the vast palette of colors we get with quilting cotton and that's my thing is I really love colorful stuff, which is another reason I love that the girls who for Sew Powerful love colorful because that's me.

 

Jan 04:53

Oh fantastic. And so, do you use the quilting cotton plain or do you actually quilt it before you use it on the bags?

 

Daryl 05:00

Sometimes I do quilt, you know, especially if I'm doing scraps, you know, sewing scrappy, I like to kind of quilt it too. When I make bags, depending on the structure of the bag, I will use that foam stabilizer for something like a tote that I want to stand up on its own. If it's a crossbody bag, I'll use a fusible fleece in it because it's a little softer, and it doesn't need to stand up. So, it adds the structure to the bag.

 

Jan 05:28

Oh, well, those are good tips that we can use on the Sew Powerful bags too. Well, that's cool. Okay, so you came to Sew Powerful. I think the way many of us did sort of heard about it. But you know, sometimes it takes a while to percolate and actually do it. So, we're recording this the first week of January. And when did you start making purses for Sew Powerful?

 

Daryl 05:53

It was one or two days, maybe before Christmas? So, 2020?

 

Jan 05:57

Yeah, way last year. So how many have you made already?

 

Daryl 06:02

I have completed 11.

 

Jan 06:05

Wow, that is amazing. That is fantastic. And you are posting a picture of each of the Sew Powerful purses you make on your blog. Is that right?

 

Daryl 06:15

Yes. I like to document everything I make and put it on my blog.

 

Jan 06:20

And what has the reaction been? Have you been getting comments about that?

 

Daryl 06:23

Yes, well very positive. A lot of people think it's wonderful. A few of the ladies made comments like, oh, I'm gonna go check this out. And a couple of them said, I just joined. So that kind of made me feel good that they liked it enough that they wanted to join in too.

 

Jan 06:39

Oh, that's fantastic. And I know in your blog, you mentioned that you joined the Facebook group. So, it would be interesting for you to mention the group name specifically, which is the Sew Powerful Purse Project on Facebook. If you're listening and haven't joined, we urge you to do that. But it would be interesting to see, because every Sunday we list all the new people who have joined that Facebook group. So, it would be nice for you to welcome them to the group, because they came in through your blog. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. And I also noticed you added a section on your blog that's just about Sew Powerful.

 

Daryl 07:20

Yes, I did. Because I thought if anybody just came to my blog, or was looking for something, that if they clicked on that then they can see all of the purses that I have made just for the Sew Powerful group. And then it also encourages me because I go back and I go Wow, look at how many I made for the year, which will be interesting at the end of this year to see how many actually I do make.

 

Jan 07:42

Well, and we encourage you to send in as you get a box full because every month Jason and Cinnamon Miles host the Sew Powerful live event. And they thank purse makers for what they've sent in at that time. And we typically have two shipments that go to Zambia each year, and an organization called World Vision is kind enough to include the purses in the shipments that they send to Africa and then ours make their way to Zambia. As we expand to more schools in Zambia, then your purses can go to more and more girls, so. As you're making your purses, have you ventured into using webbing, or are you making the straps out of fabric?

 

Daryl 08:32

I use fabric straps because I have so much fabric, and I'm really wanting to go through it. And that's what I normally do anyway. So, I'll stick with the fabric because it's always on hand.

 

Jan 08:44

Okay, all right. Well, good for you. I think I'm a lazy sewer. I'm on Team Webbing. And I'll just give a little plug for those of you who want some webbing. There's a company called Home Sew, and they give a 10% discount on all of your purchases if you use the discount code "SP10". So, besides webbing, they have lots of good products that you could use for making purses or your other craft projects.

 

Jan 09:13

Oh why don't we take a quick break here and when we come back, we're going to continue to speak with you and I'm really curious about your entrance into the world of blogging. So, let's take a quick break here.

 

Jan 09:29

Have you gotten the second edition of the "We Are Sew Powerful" book? This updated version of the original bestseller, 4.9 out of five stars by the way, is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen. And the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty, through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget, when you place your order if you use smile.amazon.com, and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 10:32

Welcome back. We've been speaking with Daryl Perry, and she is an experienced bag maker. Those of you listening from the UK will appreciate that term because we typically say purses over in the US but as you get into the handbag world, I think bag is probably the more appropriate term. And Daryl is fairly new to Sew Powerful, but you would never know it by the number of purses she's made in such a short time. Daryl also has a blog. And tell us about the blog. Tell us the name of it, how we can find it and how we can follow you on your blog, Daryl?

 

Daryl 11:12

Well, my blog name is Patchouli Moon Studio. And just, you know, kind of my inner hippie, I guess I came up with the patchouli part, but I was playing around with names. And finally, I don't know, I was going patchouli, patchouli moon. Oh, that sounds good. And then yeah, just I don't know, it just sort of came to me. But I've been blogging since March of 2008. Ready to start my 13th year of blogging. Started off with quilting and knitting. And then I added the bags. And so that's kind of what I've been doing mainly just to document what I create, because I've always been doing something in the textile field of creation. And so I just started doing that and been still going at it even though blogging is kind of a dinosaur these days. Most people want to look at the YouTube videos or go on Instagram, or Facebook to go through it and not really read. But I'm one of those diehard bloggers, I'm still going at it. Everything's on my blog, and you can just Google it. I mean, if you put in Patchouli Moon Studio, you'll get my, my blog will come up my Facebook will come up my Pinterest, my Instagram, all those things will come up if you if you just google Patchouli Moon Studio.

 

Jan 12:34

Okay, well, that's that sounds great. And so, give us some background. How did you start sewing to begin with?

 

Daryl 12:43

Well, my mother was an artist, and I have an older brother and a younger sister. And when we were little, my mom would make my sister and I clothes, you know, I'd always be in the blue. And she'd be in the pink. Same outfit, but just different colors. So I learned a lot from my mom. And then of course, when I went to high school, I took the Home Ec courses, half the year was sewing half the year was cooking. And so, I learned how to do that. And then my mom started teaching quilting. And so that's how I kind of got into learning that but that was when it was all by hand in the 70s when I was a teenager and you know, the whole world opened up when they invented the rotary cutter and the mats and stuff, you know, around 1980.

 

Jan 13:26

Mm hmm. And what part of the country did you grow up in? Where are you from?

 

Daryl 13:32

Well, I lived in a lot of places, but I grew up in Southern California.

 

Jan 13:37

Okay. All right.

 

Daryl 13:38

In several places there too.

 

Daryl 13:40

Okay. All right. And can you share with us what brought you to New Mexico?

 

Daryl 13:46

Well, when my husband and I got married, shortly after we moved to Olympia, Washington, I know, Renton, Washington.

 

Jan 13:54

Yes.

 

Daryl 13:56

And after growing up in Southern California, being a sunshine girl, 17 years of Olympia, gray and rain just was getting to me. So, we wanted to look for something sunny and California was just too expensive. So new, headed to New Mexico, fell in love with it, and been here since 1998.

 

Jan 14:17

Wow. Oh, well that's so cool. You know, I once met someone who ended up throwing a dart at a map and ended up where the dart went. So, I admire you by just picking a place and making it home. That's very cool. And do you have family, may I ask you that question?

 

Daryl 14:34

Yes, I have a son, who sort of in some ways followed in my footsteps. So, he makes mostly leather wallets. And he lives in Taiwan. And my daughter lives in the neighborhood across the street from us. And I have a grandson. My daughter's son.

 

Jan 14:51

Well, that's cool. That's very cool. As you have been on the Facebook page quite a bit with Sew Powerful, there's been some discussions about snaps or closures. So what is your point of view on that?

 

Daryl 15:09

Well, I was just wondering because somebody brought up about not using hardware and that she had used rivets. And so is that considered hardware? To me hardware is mostly like the rings for the straps and, you know, the metal closures...

 

Daryl 15:25

Or things like that. And I thought, well, why would - rivets don't weigh any more than a button, so maybe there was another reason you know, that they didn't want metal? I don't, but then Shirley said, yeah, rivets are okay. So that made me feel good, because I like to put a rivet on my straps, that just adds to the strength without having to stitch that little X, you know. I stitch it back and forth a lot of times, but then I add a little bit to really strengthen that. So that's good, because it's a lot easier to pop in a rivet than try to maneuver that X in your sewing machine.

 

Jan 15:25

Or buckles.

 

Jan 15:56

Well, I have to say, I'm not good at making the X. So, I've come up with two horizontal lines that I do and reinforced them really well. My X's look handwritten or they're not good. Well, and Shirley is our authority on this. And so, if Shirley says rivets are okay, then let's all do rivets if you have the capacity to do that. Now, how do you apply a rivet?

 

Daryl 16:20

Well, I have a leather punch, so I punch the hole and then I put Fray-check on it to make sure it doesn't unravel. And then it's a double cap rivet, you just snap it into place. And then I have a rivet press that you put it under, you can buy the little tools where you have to hammer it. But if you do a lot of bags like I do, it's worth the investment of a rivet press to do that.

 

Jan 16:43

So, if somebody were thinking about joining the Sew Powerful family of purse makers, but was hesitant to do that, what kind of advice would you give them, Daryl?

 

Daryl 16:53

I would tell them to join and to start with that beginner pattern. It's very easy. And I know you have a video too, because there's so many people who are visual learners. And so many bag designers these days are doing videos, in addition to the PDF because of those visual learners. I would say try one you know, just to see. You do get better, I mean, practice makes perfect. I totally believe in that. And just go ahead and make it and then you can start thinking about doing anything creative and artsy and embellishing because those are things if you throw all that out somebody at once they get overwhelmed with too much information. So start off simple, make one. Once you get that confidence, you're bound to go on and make more.

 

Jan 17:45

Well, that's fantastic. Okay, just one more time for our listeners. Give us the name of your blog but spell it this time so that we can definitely find it.

 

Daryl 17:55

Okay, it's Patchouli Moon Studio. PATCHOULI MOON STUDIO.

 

Jan 18:15

Oh, okay, all right. Well, we'll look forward, then. You're on Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest. And then of course on the internet with your blog.

 

Daryl 18:24

Right.

 

Jan 18:26

Well, Daryl, it's been a pleasure to get to know you and for our listeners please check out Daryl's blog and keep up with all the purses she's making and be inspired because these are really creative and really, really pretty purses that she's picturing on her blog. And that will soon be in the hands of a young school girl in Zambia, Africa. Thank you for your time, Daryl. We'll talk to you soon. Bye.

 

Daryl 18:54

Thank you, Jan, bye.

 

Jan 18:58

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference. I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:23

'Twas the night before Christmas, sitting in my chair, thoughts of this past year just filled the air. 2020 was a strange one. We know that's true. Some bad stuff happen, but so much good too. Brush fires in Australia sure were alarming. Except for that, there was no real warning that COVID and lockdowns and Megan and Harry, murder hornets, and elections would make us so wary. So I put those aside and started making a list of everything good that could make this year best. Sew Powerful responded as only we could, with lots of accomplishments. We knew we would.

 

Jan 01:10

Two and three quarters quilt shows happened this year before cancellations made the rest disappear. An iSewlation Challenge was built in a week. Work like this is not for the meek. There were sponsors, contests and prizes galore. Meet the purse maker videos, tips and much more. But our sewing skills were in high demand. Masks were needed throughout the land. We kept making purses; we know there's a need. But when the nation calls, that call we heed.

 

Jan 01:49

As things settle down and every face was masked, we came up with the list of more needed tasks. And being Sew Powerful, we rolled up our sleeves and got right to work on jobs such as these: We designed t-shirts to bless our purse makers, cleansed lots of data for Aplos in-takers. We started our very own TV channel called 'Sew Powerful Live' and it gets a handle on the journalistic standards of the who, what, and when. Plus, we thank purse makers for what they've sent in.

 

Jan 02:30

Then talented quiltmakers mailed in their blocks for the Quilt of Joy. Its beauty just shocks. Though we're not at Quilt Shows, there are other ways to find and recruit purse makers these days. Sew Powerful was featured in Threads Magazine, and Quilts Inc, wrote an article. See what I mean? The We Are Sew Powerful book was updated and now sells on Amazon. It's highly rated. We started a podcast. You might be a guest, telling your story and inspiring the rest.

 

Jan 03:10

There were blessings in Zambia we should not forget. Caregivers went to Ngombe and 1000s were met to educate people on how to be safe when a pandemic surrounds such a vulnerable place. The new building is now almost ready to open. The three Esther's farm feeding children is a token of all things good that can happen when we're bent on serving our God with these achievements.

 

Jan 03:40

Well, we are sewing our way toward 2021. Thankfully, the current year is almost done. Our future looks bright. And I'm happy to say, "Merry Christmas to all! Have a Sew Powerful day!"

Jan Cancila, Host 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So let's get started.

 

Jan 00:20

Welcome. Today we have the privilege of speaking with Rose Turner, who is the founder of a group of ladies called the Texas PinPals. And wait till you hear what they do. Rose is based in the Dallas, Texas area, and she's going to really impress you with what she does for charity. So welcome Rose Turner. How are you today?

 

Rose Turner, Guest 00:47

Thank you very much. I'm just great. It's a beautiful day here.

 

Jan 00:50

Yep, it's beautiful where I am, as well. Rose we're talking to you because you submitted a story, and it was selected and published in the "We Are Sew Powerful" book. So, congratulations on that. The name of your story is, The Texas PinPals are on a Mission. And we're going to really delve into what you've been telling us here. So first off, as I look over your shoulder, I see a beautiful picture, I'll call it a picture, you're gonna have to tell us the medium of a rose, which I presume is for your name. So, tell us about that picture.

 

Rose 01:28

My very athletic older son had to take art in the eighth grade. And this doesn't sit well with football players, you know, but he was responsible for making a drawing. And that rose is made out of colored pencils by a 13-year-old boy. You should see it in person is very nice. It's very good. But of course, he's way too busy to actually do artwork.

 

Jan 01:56

Oh, but he has the talent, clearly.

 

Rose 01:59

Incredible talent.

 

Jan 02:00

Yes. And do you have other children?

 

Jan 02:04

I have a younger son who is far more artistic than his brother. And I had some incredible pieces in my house. I have a dog in the other room that he did that is just amazing. I've been offered several thousand dollars for it already it's incredible. They're both very talented.

 

Jan 02:25

Oh, wow. Well, that's fantastic. So back in 1993, you and four of your closest friends, I presume, started a little group. Tell us what was happening back in 1993. And tell us how you started the Texas PinPals.

 

Rose 02:42

So briefly, I lived in Kansas City, Missouri. And the American Sewing Guild was not known by the American Sewing Guild back then. But I joined it anyway. Then I moved to Florida, and they really weren't established very well in Florida. And then five years later, I moved here to Dallas, and a chapter of the American Sewing Guild was just getting started. So, they founded in May, and had their organizational meetings right after that. I found out about them, right about that same time. And so, by September, we had found five other ladies that would be willing to start a sewing guild group here in North Dallas. And so, we started out as members of the American Sewing Guild and many of us are still members of the American Sewing Guild. But we started with five people in September of 1990, maybe 92.

 

Jan 03:45

Okay.

 

Rose 03:46

So, we met in a retail shop for a while. And then we met in the libraries for a while and then about 15 or 20 years ago, we started meeting at my church, which is the First Christian Church in Carrollton.

 

Jan 03:59

Okay, and when you formed this group, number one who came up with this clever name of the Texas PinPals?

 

Rose 04:07

So we didn't have a clever name to start with, because really, there's another group here called Best of the Southwest. And I desperately wanted that name really. One of the members, who was also a very talented lady, came up with kind of a logo thing with the pin and the rotary cutter was the P and then the I. Anyway, it was very stylized, very adorable. And so, we were the Carrollton Lewisville PinPals for a while and then just the PinPals. And then finally, we decided we were going to be the Texas PinPals. And that's what we registered our nonprofit as.

 

Jan 04:45

Okay, so you are a registered nonprofit as the Texas PinPals.

 

Rose 04:49

We are.

 

Jan 04:50

Oh my goodness. Well, congratulations on that. So do you have a mission statement or something like that, that's your guiding principle?

 

Rose 04:58

No, one of the things that was really important to all of us is that we recognize that we are all intelligent men and women. And we can make up our own rules and our own regulations without a lot of help. So, it's really complicated to be a member of the Texas PinPals. You have to say that you are and pay your dues if you can. That's all. That's enough for us.

 

Jan 05:26

That sounds pretty reasonable. But you do have a focus, right? Tell us what that focus is.

 

Rose 05:32

All of us, every one of us have a servant's heart. And we have been together for so long, because we come from the same place. We know that we are blessed, unbelievably blessed with the talent and the ability to use our hands to help others. And we don't take it lightly. We know that being able to sew and serve is not common. It's not something everybody can do. And so we approach it like that.

 

Rose 06:04

Every year, we have kind of a January meeting, we call it a business meeting. But it's not. It's really a statement of our purpose. And we reaffirm every year that our charity sewing, and our charity work is the most important thing to us. And so that is our focus. What needs are there in the community, and how can we meet them? And how can we do a kind of a superior job that, you know, I will say that I set big goals. I want to be able to do high volume work.

 

Rose 06:41

They all go right with me, and they have forever, right. And so everyone knows they can bring whatever ideas they want. And we will talk about them. And we will fill those needs, as best we can. And truly all of us, all of us have the same heart. We meet every month, second Saturday at 10am. And then we meet between four and six times more a year than that for an all-day sew-in to make sure we have enough time to get our charity projects done.

 

Jan 07:13

And how many people are members right now?

 

Rose 07:15

Well, if you count the ladies that have moved away and still submit their projects for us, we're about 35, but active here in North Dallas, about 25.

 

Jan 07:26

Okay, well, that's certainly a good number. Now you have a specific project that you do every single year, and then you add on to that project. But what is your main project that you do every year?

 

Rose 07:40

So there is an organization here in North Dallas called the Metrocrest Social Services, and they serve the people in need in Coppell, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Addison. They're a very well-run organization. And they have a Christmas store every year. So all of their clients can come in and buy with credit money, presents for their family if they are approved clients of the Metrocrest. And so, every year now, and I have lost track of how many years we've been doing it. But I think at least 15. We go out and we buy not the American Girl dolls, because those are very expensive, but the American Girl type dolls, and we buy 50 brand new dolls, and then we...

 

Jan 08:28

Wait wait, wait. Fifty? Five Zero?

 

Rose 08:31

Five Zero. Fifty.

 

Jan 08:32

Wow, okay.

 

Rose 08:34

And then we make a minimum of five complete head to toe outfits for each doll. And we package them, we've got a whole assembly line of packaging and, and we put that all together. And we donate that to the Metrocrest, so that... the group's concept is we want those young women who know what's going on in their families, right? Children are not left in the dark about what's going on. They know when their families are in trouble. But we want those young women to be able to go back to school after the Christmas break and know that they truly got an amazing present for Christmas. They've got something that they will love and cherish, and they have bragging rights. So, we call these little dolls our ambassadors. And so, we commission these little dolls to go out and spread love. And it's a shame we can only do 50 a year but we do what we can to really make sure these are amazing, fabulous outfits. And these dolls are in party dresses, they have quilts, they've got ponchos and crocheted hats. We make probably 500 pairs of shoes every year. I'm telling you we go crazy over these dolls, but they are just precious.

 

Jan 09:58

Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing. And so I'm guessing that because of the 18-inch doll and the doll clothes and the patterns that you may have stumbled across an organization called Liberty Jane.

 

Rose 10:16

That's exactly right. So I found out about Liberty Jane. I found out about the work that Jason and Cinnamon do. And that led us straight away to the Sew Powerful purses. It's an amazing story. And it's another way to, you know, to participate. It's another mission project. And so our doll project led us directly to Sew Powerful purses.

 

Jan 10:42

Well, we're going to take a break right now and we're going to explore in more detail what you've done with Sew Powerful and some of the other work that you continue to do even during the time of COVID. So, listeners, please stay tuned and Rose will give us more details about the Texas PinPals.

 

Jan 11:03

Have you gotten the second edition of the "We Are Sew Powerful" book? This updated version of the original bestseller, 4.9 out of five stars by the way, is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen. And the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget when you place your order, if you use smile.amazon.com and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 12:06

Welcome back. We've been speaking with Rose Turner, the founder of the Texas PinPals, an organization based in the North Dallas, Texas area. It is a charity and they serve charities by sewing doll clothes for 50 dolls that they donate every year so that those who are less fortunate have an opportunity to have a really amazing Christmas gift. But as part of their work, they did come across Liberty Jane and are now sort of, I guess you would say hooked into Sew Powerful. Do you remember how did the group decide to make Sew Powerful purses?

 

Rose 12:49

So our neighborhood group, which is the PinPals, we're working on the dolls, but we were also part of the larger American Sewing Guild chapter here in Dallas Fort Worth. And so, I served on the board for the American Sewing Guild for many, many, many years, more than 20 years. But my favorite job was to be the person that organized the charity sew. And so, once we found out about the Sew Powerful purses, and then we found out that we could have somebody from Houston come up and talk to us, we created an event for the Dallas Fort Worth chapter so that we could bring people from all over the area in and go through the project and sew and make purchases and see the video and understand the importance of the Sew Powerful project. And that's essentially how we kind of spread it to the larger group. There were one or two of us that had already tried to make a purse off of the pattern. But it wasn't until Shirley came and really explained the incredible importance of the project that we were able to get everybody behind it.

 

Jan 13:57

And you're talking about Shirley Utz.

 

Rose 13:59

I am, yes.

 

Jan 14:00

From Houston, who is one of our premier volunteers at Sew Powerful. So, Shirley came and talked to a big group. How many people were at that meeting?

 

Rose 14:10

I would say probably 30.

 

Jan 14:13

Uh huh. All right. And so is that the year that the Texas PinPals adopted Sew Powerful as one of their charities for the year?

 

Rose 14:21

We were, we were a large part of that group of 30. And so, we were already committed to making as many as we could that year on top of the dolls. And so, I don't remember now how many we made, but we probably made 50 or so that year. And then the next year, because that was this was toward the end like maybe September, October time frame. And every year in January is when we decide what our projects are going to be for the following year. So, we did I think, like I said about 50 that first year, and then the next year, we adopted the Sew Powerful purse as one of our projects for the entire year.

 

Jan 15:03

Okay, and then we're gonna get into what you did with the pattern in a moment but tell us how you divided up the work among the group to make so many purses.

 

Rose 15:14

So we have ladies that are world class experts. And we have ladies that do more talking about sewing than they ever actually get behind the sewing machine. And so...

 

Jan 15:25

You're gonna have some explaining to do when they listen to this podcast.

 

Rose 15:31

I know, we have, you know, everybody has different requirements, you know, the time limits. And so, we have some ladies that can give us an hour, but they still want to be useful. So, I try hard to come up with ways to divide the workload up to everybody, everyone can participate. Even, we have what we call junior members. And if all they can do is stack and count, then that becomes an important part of the afternoon. And so, it is important, I think, for all groups to really figure out ways to use all of your members, right? Don't, don't let people feel like they're not useful because they are useful, they can help. Maybe not in the same way you're helping but you they can help. And so that's what we always do, we try to break the jobs down so that everyone participates.

 

Jan 16:22

And so because you were doing this as a group and sort of a divide and conquer type effort, explain what you did with the pattern pieces, because some of the pattern pieces that show up in the booklet are used for interfacing, lining, or the purse fabric itself, the outer fabric. And so we know that that can be confusing, especially if you're a beginning purse maker. So Rose, what did you do to help your group?

 

Rose 16:50

So, what I did is I took the pattern, and I duplicated the pattern pieces and relabeled them. So, I have a stack that's just for the interfacing, a stack that is just for the lining stack, that's just for the outer fabric. And I write on each pattern piece how many pieces I need: four outer fabrics, you know, over here in the lining pile two of this one. And then the ladies can then they can have a table that's just doing interfacing. A table that is just doing lining. A table that is just pressing and getting them in order. And then somebody else can put them back in a stack that is going to be a purse. And so, you can organize that way so the ladies that are doing the sewing, they're not trying to take a pattern piece off of here, remember what that one was, put it over here on a lining fabric, getting too many linings not enough outer fabrics. In a group setting, that works a lot better to have all of these separate pattern pieces labeled appropriately. And then everyone can work on their thing, and you can get a lot more accomplished.

 

Jan 17:58

Wow, that sounds like a great tip. So, listeners, if you're organizing a sewing event, listen to what Rose did and sort of divide up the work and make duplicates I guess of some of those pattern pieces and, and make sure that they're clearly marked. So that's fantastic.

 

Jan 18:17

In your story, you say that one charity project led to the next which I presume you mean the work that you're doing with the dolls led to Sew Powerful. Can you share with our listeners? What is important to you about Sew Powerful? And how does that sort of mesh with what you're doing with the Texas PinPals in terms of your objectives? That's an essay question. Not multiple choice. That was an essay question. Yeah.

 

Rose 18:51

At our, our annual organizational meeting, we talk about what is important to us that the PinPals focus on every year. And sometimes it might be fitting or just sewing techniques. But there's always an abundance of ideas on what we can do for, to do charity work. Okay. And these women that are my best friends, they are amazing in the kind of projects and the kind of outreach that they want to tackle. And so we talk about it, we figure out who's the most passionate about, it who's going to lead that charge. And then we organize ourselves accordingly the rest of the year so we can take on those projects.

 

Rose 19:34

Sew Powerful purses really spoke to us because we know how important it is that these young women have a chance to stay in school. And we know how important it is that these older women and mothers have a job and the combination of the two really moved us - many of us are still full-time working women and know the value - know how important it is to be useful as a provider for your family. And Sew Powerful purse aspect of both helping teach and train the young women, provide a better education for them. And then also, slightly older and older women have a purpose and an employment. Both of those functions really, really spoke to all of us.

 

Jan 20:23

Mm hmm. And Rose, are you working?

 

Rose 20:28

I work. Yes, I work full time.

 

Jan 20:30

And what kind of work do you do?

 

Rose 20:32

I'm a CPA and have been forever. I mostly go into companies that are in trouble in one way or another. Either their business is not surviving, or they've got major system problems or something usually of pretty serious nature. And I go in and help them figure out what that is and turn them around.

 

Jan 20:53

Well, and do you see any similarities between the talent that you bring to your job and the talent you bring to the Texas PinPals?

 

Rose 21:03

There is a little bit of that. Sometimes the ladies call me the foreman, because I set pretty lofty goals, but it's the same thing with work. My job is essentially to teach and train and organize and encourage. I hope to give them a way out of their problems and empower them to be able to do 90% of the work themselves to get them to that next place. And hopefully, I do the same thing with the ladies. Like I say, they're pretty amazing on their own. They don't really need me at all anymore. But I like to be involved in in the charity work that we do so.

 

Jan 21:43

Well. Everything you've done sounds so fascinating. And I love the thought of your charity being built on serving others, and that you help the Metrocrest Social Services with their Christmas store. That just sounds so kind.

 

Jan 21:59

Rose, thank you so very much for your time. It's been a pleasure to chat with you. I always see your nice, nice comments on Facebook. And now it's fantastic to put a name with a face, but more importantly, to see your heart. And we really appreciate your time today. And I know our listeners are going to really love getting to know you.

 

Rose 22:23

Well, thank you very much. I would not be able to do anything at all without my amazing, amazing group of women. Every one of them is strong and talented in their own right. And we do it all together because it brings us so much joy and happiness. So, thank you very much, Jan, I appreciate it.

 

Jan 22:42

Well, thank you. We'll talk to you soon.

 

Rose 22:44

Okay.

 

Jan 22:45

See you on Facebook.

 

Rose 22:47

Bye-bye.

 

Jan 22:47

Bye.

 

Jan 22:49

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference. I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan 00:04

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started. God is an incredible artist. He made everything from the vibrant and breathtaking sunset, to the tiniest little flower petal. From the innumerable stars in the sky to each pebble on the ground. From the largest whale to the smallest insect. He created our physical forms with numerous hairs on our head; intricately put together sinews and bones; brains that allow so much more than basic life functions; fingers that can feel, hold and create and organs that all work together to sustain life. He continues to create every day as he creates in our souls. He takes the broken pieces of our sin sick hearts and souls and makes us new. These eloquent words were written by Mary Ann Gabala. Mary Ann is the Regional Coordinator in Massachusetts for Sew Powerful, and she wrote a story called "Stitchin' with a Mission," and Mary Ann's story was selected and published in the We Are Sew Powerful book and we are talking with Mary Ann, the author of those eloquent words. Mary Ann, how are you today?

 

Mary Ann 01:37

Good. How are you?

 

Jan 01:38

Oh, I am fine. Now you are the Regional Coordinator for Massachusetts. Where do you live in Massachusetts?

 

Mary Ann 01:45

I'm in western Massachusetts, near the Springfield area.

 

Jan 01:49

Mm hmm. And as we are talking today, it's early November. Do you have beautiful colorful leaves?

 

Mary Ann 01:58

It's just about the end of peak foliage. But we did in October. And it was a really great, beautiful, colorful year.

 

Jan 02:05

Very nice, very nice. Talk to me a little bit about your childhood. Did you grew up in Massachusetts?

 

Mary Ann 02:13

Yes, I did.

 

Jan 02:14

And tell us about your family background.

 

Mary Ann 02:18

Well, I have lived in Western Mass. My entire life. I've always been a little bit of a creative person. Even as a small child I love like my arts and crafts. I loved drawing and painting, paper crafting. And when I was really probably still in elementary school, I tried to teach myself how to hand sew. It didn't work out too great, but I tried. And then in middle school, my parents paid for me to go to sewing lessons. And I've been sewing and crafting ever since.

 

Jan 02:47

And you had a particular family member that you were close to. Who was that?

 

Mary Ann 02:52

My Mor Mor, which literally means mother's mother in Swedish. She was born and raised in Sweden and very proud of her Swedish heritage as well as her adopted country, America. She was incredibly talented and skilled in so many hand crafts and everything. She was a great seamstress, and she knitted and crocheted and all of that. And I actually still sew on her sewing machine today. And she also gave me, you know, my first sewing supplies. I mean, she didn't teach me how to sew. But she's the reason why I was able to sew before I have an income of my own, or anything like that. So even though she's been gone for a while now, I still have that connection to her through sewing and everything.

 

Jan 03:33

We did an interview with you back in the Spring when we did "Meet a Purse Maker," and I think in that video you showed us the sewing machine that had belonged to your Mor Mor, right? Yep. And is that the one we see over your shoulder there? Right here. There it is.

 

Mary Ann 03:49

The Husqvarna Viking.

 

Jan 03:50

Oh, right. And how old is it, do you think?

 

Mary Ann 03:52

It's actually probably not that old. She had bought herself a new one, probably in the 90s at some point. She just never really made friends with it. So it was almost like new when I got it, but it's still pretty awesome that it had that connection.

 

Jan 04:06

Oh, Yeah, that is great. So you graduated from high school and you enrolled in college? Where did you go for college?

 

Mary Ann 04:14

I went to Western New England University in Springfield.

 

Jan 04:17

Okay, and what did you study?

 

Mary Ann 04:20

I was a communications major with a concentration in media theory and production and a minor in Spanish. A little bit of a mouthful there.

 

Jan 04:27

Yeah, exactly. And so while you were in college as a student in your spare time, it sounds like you were sort of scrolling through social media. And what were some of the sites that you liked in particular?

 

Mary Ann 04:43

I loved looking at craft blogs and things like that or even on social media following different creative and crafty people. It's a great way to find inspiration. And it is how I discovered Sew Powerful. I think it was kind of random but maybe also not random. I don't really 100% know when or how exactly I came across Sew Powerful. I think it had to do with Sew Powerful's connection to Liberty Jane clothing, the company with Cinnamon and Jason. I grew up with American Girl dolls, and I was always loving to craft for them and sew for them and everything. So every once in a while, even as an adult, I like look through those types of social media feeds just to kind of admire the clothing and everything.

 

Jan 05:28

Well, and you said, maybe it wasn't random. It sounds like you feel that your faith guides you and you talk in your intro about your creativity as a God given gift. Can you expand on that a little bit?

 

Mary Ann 05:42

Well, I mean, as you read the first paragraph of that story at the beginning, you know, obviously God is an incredible creator. And since we're made in His image, it's not surprising that we have creative impulses. And those creative impulses take many different forms for many different people. For some people, the things that come to mind when you think of creativity, like drawing or painting or music. For other people, it's, you know, other forms like teaching or engineering or even parenting. And for me, it takes many forms too, you know, I use it at work my hobbies, I use it with sewing. And one way for me to be creative is through you know, sewing and crafting and whatever form of creativity somebody has, whatever skills or talents or resources that they have. I believe that the important thing is that they use those to make and do things that glorify God, that help other people, that show people that you care, that make a difference or that matter.

 

Jan 06:39

You mentioned work: where do you work, Mary Ann?

 

Mary Ann 06:42

I currently work at a living history museum that portrays life in early 19th century rural New England. We have a bunch of different buildings from all across New England. And we have costumed historians who demonstrate things and activities of daily life from that time period, like blacksmithing, hearth cooking, farming, pottery, all those different things. I work behind the scenes. I manage our social media and our website and do some video work and a bunch of other stuff. And as I kind of alluded to before, creativity is really important there because I'm always having to come up with new content or new ways to portray information that we're always talking about. There's definitely no shortage of it. But, still.

 

Jan 07:26

And this is a nonprofit, right?

 

Mary Ann 07:28

It is a nonprofit.

 

Jan 07:30

And give us the exact name of the museum.

 

Mary Ann 07:32

It is Old Sturbridge Village

 

Jan 07:34

Say that one more time.

 

Mary Ann 07:36

Old Sturbridge Village.

 

Jan 07:37

Okay. And is there a website?

 

Mary Ann 07:40

osv.org

 

Jan 07:41

All right, we will check it out. And we will know that Mary Ann is the creative force behind what we're seeing there. And how did COVID affect the operations of the museum?

 

Mary Ann 07:52

Oh, it's definitely impacted the museum big time. We shut down like many other businesses in March, and we were completely closed for several months. And the majority of our staff were working remotely, although there were a handful of staff, not me, that were on site because you know, we have things like animals to take care of, and security and all that kind of stuff. We reopened to the public in July, with capacity limitations, and a completely different form of the visitor experience. We moved many of our costume historians outside rather than inside the buildings. That's one great thing about being an open air museum is we have all this outdoor space so we can be open and be safe and be a place of both education and entertainment for families who are feeling really pent up from being stuck at home all day.

 

Jan 08:41

And I would think that would be a place that a lot of schools would take the kids on a field trip. Is that right?

 

Mary Ann 08:46

Under normal circumstances, yes. Last year, I believe we had 40,000 kids come on field trips in the entire year. Obviously, right now, many schools are remote. And even if they are in person, they're not doing things like field trips. We actually just launched the first phase of 3D tours online to help kind of be something in the meantime, while those kids can't necessarily make it to the village. You know, it's obviously it's not the same as visiting in person, but we're trying to reach out and connect with those students in whatever way we can.

 

Jan 09:19

So what is the 3D tour?

 

Mary Ann 09:22

These were filmed with a special 3D photography camera, I don't really know exactly how that all works. But you can basically explore.We chose seven buildings for this first phase. And so you can go in, you can see everything, you can get really up close to even artifacts and stuff, even things that you wouldn't normally be able to even if you were visiting in person. And then there's like little pins that have little snippets of information or objects from our collection or videos from some of our costumed historians talking about what you're seeing in that space. And about that topic and you know, again about the time period,

 

Jan 09:55

Wow, that sounds like a really creative solution and it sounds like that's something that maybe it could be ongoing even when things open back up.

 

Mary Ann 10:03

But like I said, this is the first phase, we plan to add more buildings, we plan to add lesson plans, probably more content even to the buildings that we already have up. It's an ongoing process. And it's a lot of teamwork.

 

Jan 10:14

Wow. Well, that sounds really cool. Well, I want to get back a little bit to when you came across Sew Powerful, and you probably saw the ad on the Liberty Jane site and and pursued it, that seems to be one of the more common ways that people hear about Sew Powerful, but tell us what your reaction was when you started reading about the school girls in Zambia,

 

Mary Ann 10:37

Reading about the girls in Zambia really just pulled at my heart. I've always had a little bit of a soft spot for that age group, like Middle School, teenage girls. It's a really difficult time period for pretty much everybody, regardless of circumstances. I certainly wouldn't want to go back to that time in my life. But as a college student, it also really pulled at my heart in another way, because I realized how fortunate I was to not only have completed high school, but to be in college and to have that opportunity and to be able to continue my life as normal, even after puberty. And what made me realize that there's so many people in this world, especially girls, who do not have that opportunity. And I knew I had to be involved.

 

Jan 11:21

You know, you said something in your story. You said, "I know that I would not have felt comfortable going to school at all, if I had to miss school for one week, every month." Talk a little bit about that.

 

Mary Ann 11:33

I mean, in middle school, particularly I didn't want anyone to know when it was that time of the month. And if you're skipping one week of school every month, it's pretty obvious the reason why. And that's embarrassing and awkward, especially at that age. It's completely natural. But it's still awkward at that time. And in addition, it would obviously be really difficult on the schooling. I mean, I hated being out for one day when I was sick. I can't imagine having to be out for a week, you know, every month. I just can't fathom it.

 

Jan 12:07

Right trying to keep up with your studies and missing all of that school. Sounds like you would have to be ultra-determined to overcome that kind of an obstacle, I would think.

 

Mary Ann 12:19

Yeah.

 

Jan 12:20

Yeah. Why don't we pause for a quick break. And when we come back, we're going to talk with Mary Ann more about her involvement with Sew Powerful and get some more words of wisdom from her. So join me in just a minute here. Have you gotten the second edition of the We Are Sew Powerful book. This updated version of the original bestseller (4.9 out of five stars, by the way) is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen, and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget when you place your order if you use smile.amazon.com and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast. Welcome back. We've been speaking with Mary Ann Gubala, who is the Massachusetts Regional Coordinator for Sew Powerful. She has been sharing with us the fascinating job she holds at a nonprofit museum there near her hometown. Mary Ann, we were talking about your reaction when you first heard about Sew Powerful and the girls there. So, you're a busy college student. I can remember being in college and just feeling some days like I didn't even have time to breathe or sleep, let alone make a purse for a charity. But somehow you found time to do this. How did you do that? Why did you do that?

 

Mary Ann 14:22

Well, because Sew Powerful is such a flexible program. I mean, when I was in college, there were times where I was not sewing a single purse for maybe multiple months, especially around finals time. Like I didn't have time for that. But then in summer and on breaks and maybe at the beginning of the semester, I had time. And so that's when I was able to be involved. It wasn't something like where I had to commit to the same day, every week, or every month or anything like that. So it's something that I could fit into my schedule whenever I had the time. And that's another reason why I got involved because it was something I could do.

 

Jan 14:54

Yeah, and you talked about a lyric from a favorite song called Polaris What is that song? And what is it about that song that helps you relate to Sew Powerful?

 

Mary Ann 15:05

It's a song by a band called Remedy Drive. And the lead singer in particular is actually really involved in a lot of really important missions. He's actually involved in helping relieve human trafficking. So there's one lyric in the song where he says "ripples turned to tidal waves." And that's kind of like a little bit of a motto for me now, you know. It's so easy to be overwhelmed by all the need in this world, and nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. And if everybody does something, those ripples can indeed, turn into tidal waves, as the song says.

 

Jan 15:39

That was a great song to quote. You talk about the creativity you're able to exercise when you make purses for Sew Powerful. Tell us a little bit about that. And what makes you feel creative. You're talking about using probably one basic pattern doing it over and over, yet you feel creative doing that?

 

Mary Ann 16:02

Yeah, definitely. I mean, at this point I've probably made (I actually don't know how many I've made) but I've probably made about 100. And after a while doing the same pattern over and over again, does get a little boring, but it's kind of become a canvas for me, especially the beginner pattern with the basic flap, if you will, because there's endless possibilities of embellishment and fabric combinations. You can use all sorts of different techniques. I've done applique ones, I've done crazy, quote ones, I've combined all sorts of different fabrics and different embellishments. I've made some inspired by friends or family members, I've made some that were inspired by songs or just like other things that I was thinking about, in my day-to-day life.

 

Jan 16:45

Yeah, give us an example of a purse you made that was inspired by a person. What did that person look like?

 

Mary Ann 16:52

Well, there's a couple. So one was I actually made in honor of my Mor Mor around her birthday; it was a few years after she passed away. And I used the fabric - panties were one of her favorite flowers. And it was actually fairly simple. But it was just like the fabric choices that really kind of were the thing that reminded me of that person. Another one, I chose fabric that was in a color scheme that a friend of mine really liked. But then to make it extra special, I included things like a little bit of a music note trim and some special buttons, and everything that just kind of made me think of that person.

 

Jan 17:28

I know that when we did the interview with you in the Spring, you talked about a technique called scrap busting. So, tell us what that is. And have you made some persons using that technique?

 

Mary Ann 17:40

Oh, yeah, I've made a lot of versus you doing a little bit of scrap busting. Basically, it's just taking a bunch of different fabrics, small pieces that may not be really that big enough for a lot of other projects and just combining them to make them into a beautiful purse. And sometimes it's as simple as making each piece of the purse, a different fabric. And just having obviously those fabrics coordinate. Other times it's using little pieces of fabric to make kind of like an applique image. One time I made a mountain scape using triangular scraps of fabric. Another type is just crazy quilting them together. It's definitely one of a kind. But if you do it right, and with colors, that kind of coordinate, and whatever, it makes a beautiful purse.

 

Jan 18:25

Well, Mary Ann, I have to say you are one of our younger regional coordinators, Many regional coordinators take on this role after they're retired but you're doing this while you're actively involved in your career. What would you say to other people who might be thinking of volunteering, but they feel like, Oh, I'm just so busy.

 

Mary Ann 18:46

I mean, that's definitely a genuine concern. Not everybody's going to be able to but as I said earlier, it is really a flexible program and your involvement is gonna vary for different people, and it's gonna look different for different people. But again, everybody can do something and whether it's making one purse, and like, that's it, that's still great. That's one purse, it's gonna change one girl's life, right? And together we are as we say, Sew Powerful.

 

Jan 19:12

In your story, you conclude by saying that you look forward to making more purses for many years to come. So clearly, you're committed to doing this.

 

Mary Ann 19:23

Five years now.

 

Jan 19:25

Oh, you've been doing it for five years?

 

Mary Ann 19:27

About, yeah.

 

Jan 19:27

Yeah. Oh, well, that's fantastic. In your story, your final paragraph, again is a very inspirational conclusion that I'd like to read as we wrap up our talk here today. So what you said was, "I was created to create, and I'm thrilled to join others from around the world to stitch with a mission. Every person I make is a reminder that while none of us can do everything, all of us can use our creative impulses and skills to do something." That reminds me of the quote you had from the song Polaris that talked about ripples turned into tidal waves. And so, is that an example of where that song has sort of inspired your thinking about just doing a little bit when you can?

 

Mary Ann 20:20

Oh, definitely. And in the song, there's actually other lyrics, and I'm not gonna be able to recite them off the top of my head. But the singer gives examples of some of the ways that different people can be doing something to help other people. He mentions, like a photographer, taking photos, to share stories, and to help spread the word about something. And he talks about himself having, you know, a voice that he's gonna use in his song lyrics to inspire and again spread the word and that kind of stuff. And to some people that may not look like physically serving, but it is, it's playing a role. And, again, everybody's different talents and skills are needed, particularly when you're dealing with a big issue, like keeping girls in school.

 

Jan 21:04

Absolutely. Well, Mary Ann, I thank you very much, initially for taking the time to write this story, but for making the purses and sharing your techniques and just giving us another perspective on why you do what you do. And another way for those of us who also make purses or contributed in other ways to think about our contribution as well. So thank you very much and have a great day.

 

Mary Ann 21:32

You too.

 

Jan 21:32

Talk to you soon. If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference, I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.Sewpowerful.org that's Sewpowerful.org. The website has great information about the organization is where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.

Jan Cancila, Host 00:05

Welcome to the Sew Powerful podcast. This is your host, Jan Cancila. You know the sound of my sewing machine means it's time for another episode. So, let's get started.

 

Jan 00:18

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with the UK Regional Coordinator, Sandy Simm who is coming to us from her home in England. And we're going to learn more about where she lives and what she does for Sew Powerful. Hello, Sandy Simm. How are you today?

 

Sandy Simm, Guest 00:37

Oh well, hello Jan. Very well, thank you. It's been a bit of a rainy cold day here in the UK. But well, we're all tucked up and warm.

 

Jan 00:49

Well, that sounds nice for a fall day. We've had a variety of weather systems in the United States. We've had a little bit of everything here recently. Tell me where are you right now? Where are we talking to you from?

 

Sandy 01:02

Well, I'm in a very tiny village called Kegworth in between Derbyshire and Leicestershire, but 100 miles away from London. It is in the Midlands.

 

Jan 01:16

Okay, and doesn't Louise Ambrosi live in Leicestershire.

 

Sandy 01:20

Yes, she's near to Leicestershire. We haven't met yet other than at the show last year. We wanted to get together for coffee. But unfortunately, we have the lockdown. Then, Ginny, she lives in a place called Bristol. And in fact, I've had a batch of her purses in today, I've still got them coming in.

 

Jan 01:45

Okay, we'll get to that in just a minute.

 

Sandy 01:45

Okay.

 

Jan 01:46

But we're talking to you because you wrote a story, and it was selected and published in the "We Are Sew Powerful" book second edition. It's called Great Britain for Sew Powerful.

 

Sandy 01:58

Yes. That's it.

 

Jan 02:00

Yeah. It's really exciting. And in your story, you talked about your business and that you had to close it. Can you tell us about your business?

 

Sandy 02:10

Yes. I set up a little business making children's outfits. I had the business for about 20 years. But unfortunately, due to ill health, I had some heart problems and had to sell the business, had operation on my heart. And since then, everything, touch wood, has been pretty good. Unfortunately, I lost my mom at the same time. I think there was a lot of stress, you know, around that time as well which didn't help my heart situation. Yeah, I'm good now. Well, I'm trying to keep fit. This lockdown's not helping.

 

Jan 02:49

Exactly right. We're all struggling with that. About the time that you had to sell your business and you lost your mom.

 

Sandy 02:58

Yeah.

 

Jan 02:58

You were feeling at your lowest point, you came across Sew Powerful, right?

 

Sandy 03:03

Yes, absolutely. I was wondering, what am I going to do now. I can't see my life without sewing; without doing something. I'm not sure how, I think I was just browsing on the internet, and I came across this ad that said, 'Can you sew? Could you make a purse for us?' And of course, it was Sew Powerful. And there's not really been any looking back since then. It was emailing Jason and saying I could do this, and I can do that. I'll do all the admin everything, in UK and whatever.

 

Sandy 03:39

After we had one or two emails going backwards and forwards, and I've got all the patterns and just started to make them that first year. I think I was quite happy. I was going to post them all out to the US and everything. And well, I had 100 bags, and it was so expensive. I couldn't believe it. And I said I need help with this, please. You know, I never realized. So, Jason helped me out that first year, which was absolutely fantastic.

 

Jan 04:12

And what year was that? Do you remember the year?

 

Sandy 04:15

Well, this is my fifth year. So I suppose we're looking at about 2014-15.

 

Jan 04:23

Sure, right.

 

Sandy 04:25

Yes. 14. Yeah.

 

Jan 04:26

Well, you know, in your story, I really love what you said here. You said," I couldn't believe I had found something where I could put my talents to use without it costing me," because I mean you had just sold your business. You weren't in a place to make a big financial donation. You were able to donate your talents and time.

 

Sandy 04:45

Yes, absolutely. They were just asking me to give of my time and because I'd sold my business and you know with my health issues, I had loads of time on my hands. So yes, I sat down and started sewing. I loved it.

 

Jan 05:04

So what bag did you start with? Was it the intermediate?

 

Sandy 05:08

Well, yes, the beginner, the pattern wasn't out then. It was just the intermediate with two options of front flaps. So, I just made up a load of those with all the different flaps. Well, you know, some with one flap on and then some with the other flap on them. And that was the only choice we had then. And then a couple years after that, I think the beginner pattern came out.

 

Jan 05:32

So let's go back and talk about the history of the number of bags that, as you call it, Team UK has produced. So, the first year that you did it you sent in 100. Now, did you make all of those? Or did you have other people contribute?

 

Sandy 05:48

No, I did actually have one or two sent in. I did make the majority.

 

Jan 05:53

How did people know to send you the bags? And how did you sort of form that team at the very beginning?

 

Sandy 06:01

Well, I just kept writing out on Facebook. And that was about the only thing I sort of knew. And then if someone contacted me, I would talk to them about it and say could you pass this on. But also, what I did, I started clicking on the friends. And what happens then, and I still do it to this day. I can write to them and say happy birthday and message them and I send them Sew Powerful link and everything. And I believe it's picked up really from from doing that. I didn't go out doing it. I did it all on the computer and just getting the word out there really.

 

Jan 06:50

Oh, that's really a clever idea. And have people been receptive to receiving this information on Facebook Messenger?

 

Sandy 06:57

Oh, yes, absolutely. It's not 100%. I never expected it would be, but probably it might only be 30%. At least that 30% have probably said it's such a fantastic idea. I've read it. And I'm going to get involved. I'm going to send you some bags someday. And that's just how it's gone on.

 

Jan 07:22

I mean, 30% is a huge return on on your investment.

 

Sandy 07:25

Yes, it is. Yeah, it is an awful lot of birthdays, I do have them every day, but I've got a little set piece now that I can just copy and paste into the messages and the link comes up. So, it's quite quick for me to do.

 

Jan 07:44

Wow, well, that is very cool. And so, by doing that you tripled the number of purses that were produced by the second year, correct?

 

Sandy 07:52

That's right. Yes. Yes.

 

Jan 07:54

So, you had 300 the second year.

 

Sandy 07:56

Then we did 3, yeah.

 

Jan 07:57

And that would be 15-16. In 2017...

 

Sandy 08:01

We did four, I believe.

 

Jan 08:03

You said 450 in your story, we'll give you credit.

 

Sandy 08:06

Four fifty, yeah.

 

Jan 08:06

And then, okay, that was 17. 2018. Did you do 600? You had that goal?

 

Sandy 08:07

That's right. We did the six and then last year was eight.  

 

Jan 08:09

And now you have a huge shipment that will arrive in Seattle any day now. But it will have arrived by the time this podcast is produced.

 

Sandy 08:32

I'm hope I'm hoping so yes, I had a bit of a hiccup with the authorities here. But I've sorted all of that out today and they're actually flying tonight.

 

Jan 08:44

Okay, hold that thought because we're going to take a quick break. And when we come back, we're going to find out about the shipment that Sandy has on its way to the US and all the hoops that she's had to jump through to make that happen. So, stay tuned, we're going to talk with Sandy Simm some more after the break.

 

Jan 09:05

Have you gotten the second edition of the "We Are Sew Powerful" book? This updated version of the original best seller, 4.9 out of five stars by the way, is again authored by Sew Powerful co-founders, Jason and Cinnamon Miles. It is available on Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle reader. This latest edition is packed full of moving stories about how Sew Powerful came to be, the volunteers who make it happen, and the way this small movement has grown into a global mission to break the cycle of poverty through education and the dignity of work. And don't forget when you place your order, if you use smile.amazon.com and designate Sew Powerful as your preferred charity, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase right back to Sew Powerful. And now back to our podcast.

 

Jan 10:09

Welcome back. We have been speaking with Sandy Simm who is the Regional Coordinator in the UK. And right before the break, I interrupted Sandy so that we would have a little cliffhanger. And Sandy is going to tell us about the 2020 shipment that she just was able to get shipped off today. So Sandy, what happened? What was the hang up?

 

Sandy 10:33

Well, the the boxes were collected about three days ago. And I thought that they were going to be delivered Wednesday this week. And I found out today that they were on hold, because the paperwork the the Majesty's Government had not been completed properly. And I thought, 'Oh no.' I because I always leave that up to the shipping people. So, I started to get into it. And I rang the company. And what it was they thought that I was a business. So, I was due to pay our local taxes on it. And I said, No, no, I'm just a lady, I'm a pensioner. I send these bags off every year from the UK. And I'm an individual. And they said, Well, is it going to a company? I said, No, ‘It's going to a charity.’ Then perhaps you just write an email to them. And so, they accepted all of that. And they're now flying, apparently. So I was really relieved about that. I was upset as well, because they should have been there now. There were three great big boxes. They all were, what, 60 odd pounds each.

 

Jan 11:52

How many bags were in each box?

 

Sandy 11:54

300 in each. 3 boxes.

 

Jan 11:57

And so, you're sending 900?

 

Sandy 12:00

Well, the last one was 260, so it was 860.

 

Jan 12:06

Wow.

 

Sandy 12:07

I sent 200 in May. And I've got another box waiting to be filled, which I'm hoping to post Monday. And it should be there before the ninth which is the deadline. So, we're definitely on our way to doing the 1500. So I'm not sure yet but fingers crossed. And I'm so proud of all the ladies and the sewers. And I just can't say how much of what I feel about it. I'm overwhelmed really, it's just fantastic.

 

Jan 12:41

Well, that's amazing. And congratulations to Team UK. You have one particular lady who has made quite a few bags, and she and her husband have overcome some health issues.

 

Sandy 12:55

Yeah.

 

Jan 12:55

Let's give a shout out to her and just tell us her story.

 

Sandy 12:59

Well, that's a wonderful lady. Her name's Jane Allen. And her and her husband were cleared of cancer last year. And she came to see me and brought all these boxes full of purses. And there were 400.

 

Jan 13:17

Oh, my goodness.

 

Sandy 13:19

400 purses.  

 

Jan 13:20

And she made 400 herself?

 

Sandy 13:22

She'd made them all on her own.

 

Jan 13:25

Oh my goodness.

 

Sandy 13:26

They're all different. And they're just fantastic. They're absolutely beautiful. I just can't believe it. Yeah, it was that was a bit overwhelming as well when she was here and we've said we'll try and get together later on when the lockdown's done and told me of a little fabric place to go and see that do really, really cheap fabric. So we'll be hopefully going on a shopping spree together sometime in the new year.

 

Jan 13:55

How fun would that be? Well, you know, in 2019, before the lockdown, you spearheaded the efforts for Sew Powerful to have a booth at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.

 

Sandy 14:11

Yes.

 

Jan 14:12

Tell us about that.

 

Sandy 14:14

Well, I was a bit low and I thought, well, I'm going to throw myself into Sew Powerful, I need to do something, something big and get out there. I'd suffered a bit of a family loss and I wanted to get my mind out of it. And I thought well, the only thing I can do is probably go and try at the Festival of Quilts, which is in Birmingham. And it's one of the biggest quilting shows in Europe. And I thought well, it was going to be really expensive. I couldn't do it on my own money wise. But I was quite happy to do it on me own otherwise. And anyway, I wrote to Jason and said look, you know I'm happy to do this, but it is really gonna cost a lot. I will understand if you, you know, you don't want to put out that sort of money. Well, they had to think about it and everything. We did it. Yes, it was a yes. They paid for it. And then to top it all was Jason and Cinnamon came over to help out with it, which was just absolutely fantastic. So I got to meet them. Some of the other ladies came to the stall of course, to meet them too. And one wonderful lady Sandy Snowden, she actually helped me on the stall one day. Unfortunately, she died in August this year. But her husband sent me her eight purses that she had made before she died. And I have wrapped them up in a special bag. And asked Jason to give them a special mention for her. So it was sad to hear about her. But the show itself was absolutely fantastic. I loved every moment of it.

 

Jan 16:08

And this was a five day event, right?

 

Sandy 16:10

Yes, Sue Kirby, who helped me an awful lot with it and what to do, she said you won't be able to do five days, you know, and I said I will, I will, I'll be fine. Don't worry. Don't worry about me. And I did do all the five days actually, I just so loved meeting other people and talking about Sew Powerful. Such lovely people. And I think as well that that's why we got so many bags this year from that show, too.

 

Jan 16:43

Oh, good.

 

Sandy 16:44

Yes. from just the word. I don't think we made a lot of money, unfortunately. But we did get the word out there to quite a lot of people. Yeah.

 

Jan 16:56

Well, and I think the objective of a show is to recruit purse makers, make people aware of Sew Powerful, and not necessarily make money. But you know, maybe cover the cost of the booth, or you use the term stall. But here we will say yeah, stall or booth, same thing.

 

Sandy 17:17

Many, many years ago, I used to stand on markets and sell the goods that I made. They were called market stalls. You just visit each town or village, do sort of a circuit, and you go on every week and sell your goods. That's another idea for me in the future for Sew Powerful. I'm hoping to make some goods that I can sell, to donate the money to Sew Powerful, but also get the word out there too. So that's another, again, the lockdown came. And so, I'm starting to make a few little gifts now sort of peg bags and things like that. So hopefully I'll have a start for my market stores when they open again.

 

Jan 18:07

And so what do you have planned for 2021? Assuming, assuming that we're going to return somewhat to normal?

 

Sandy 18:16

Well, hopefully what I have planned this year was to try and get Sew Powerful into schools, travel around the country, really, giving talks, giving demonstrations of the purses, taking the patterns out to the schools.

 

Jan 18:34

Okay, and I have to stop you because you have to explain this because the schools in the UK still teach sewing as part of their curriculum, correct?

 

Sandy 18:44

Yes, absolutely. Yeah.

 

Jan 18:45

And they don't hardly do that here in the US. So what age group would this be that would be taking sewing classes?

 

Sandy 18:52

Well, you'd be looking at about 10- to 12-year-olds. Some of the pupils may be thinking of going on to design colleges, so they get the chance to learn how to sew from a young age. I mean, I learned from a very young age. I was about eight I think when I started to sew.

 

Jan 19:15

How did you learn to sew?

 

Sandy 19:16

Really trial and error. I had a very, very old Singer sewing machine that you had to, you treadled on but with your foot backwards and forwards.

 

Jan 19:26

Sure.

 

Sandy 19:27

Have you ever seen them? They're not electric.

 

Jan 19:30

Right. We all know what a treadle sewing machine is. They they sell for about 100 times what they used to because now they're a collector’s item.

 

Sandy 19:38

I wish I'd have kept mine.

 

Jan 19:40

Right.

 

Sandy 19:41

But when my mum could see I was quite good at sewing, and it sort of ran in the family really. And she got me making her evening gowns because she used to go out ballroom dancing a lot.

 

Jan 19:54

Wow.

 

Sandy 19:55

I used to make all her dance dresses and everything. So, she bought me an electric machine then.

 

Jan 20:03

Well, that was one way to upgrade your sewing machine.

 

Sandy 20:05

Yeah.

 

Jan 20:07

So besides ballgowns, what other kinds of things have you made?

 

Sandy 20:11

Well, my business was all about making stuff for children, but it was smocked. You know, the front on the front chest, with the smocking patterns and everything. I made boys and girls, and christening gowns and everything. The whole ethos of the business was to do with smocking, little fashion smocking.

 

Jan 20:33

And did you do that by hand?

 

Sandy 20:35

Yes. And then I learned how to do it on machine too.

 

Jan 20:40

Well, have you thought of putting smocking on any of the bags you make?

 

Sandy 20:43

No I haven't. It's very, very time consuming.

 

Jan 20:48

Sure.

 

Sandy 20:50

I have got some patterns, and I had thought about doing it. But I've not got around to doing it yet.

 

Jan 20:57

Well, you'll have to try one and post the pictures that would be, that would be fun to see.

 

Sandy 21:02

Yes I will, I think.

 

Jan 21:04

Well, and that's the fun part of Facebook, even though we all may live thousands of miles apart, through Facebook, we can all be connected through Sew Powerful.

 

Sandy 21:15

It is absolutely. I mean, I think we'll be doing a Christmas with Zoom calls and whatever this year, so yeah, I must get my my camera and my skills bettered so that I can do a proper Zoom call.

 

Jan 21:32

Yeah, we haven't quite worked out what we're doing for Christmas yet. But yeah, it probably will involve a lot of zooming, so.

 

Sandy 21:39

I think it will, yeah.

 

Jan 21:41

Yeah. So, we can just hope and pray that things will be under control and everybody's health will be improved for 2021.

 

Sandy 21:49

I think so, I think so. It looks, it looks as if we're going into a second wave here in the UK, I think definitely we'll be locked down for Christmas. But you know, the second wave and then hopefully when we come out at that one, maybe February or March we'll be cleared and getting geared up for the spring of next year.

 

Jan 22:11

Now that would be great, wouldn't it?

 

Sandy 22:12

It would, yeah.

 

Jan 22:13

It would be really nice. Well, Sandy, I have to thank you so much for your time. Thank you for sharing your story and how inspirational the ladies in the UK are.

 

Sandy 22:25

Yeah.

 

Sandy 22:25

Yeah.

 

Jan 22:25

And the quantities that they're making and their dedication to Sew Powerful.

 

Jan 22:30

Great Britain for Sew Powerful was the name of your story. And...

 

Jan 22:34

Yeah.

 

Jan 22:35

You've really illustrated that. So, thank you.

 

Jan 22:38

We're flying.

 

Jan 22:39

You are, you are flying.

 

Sandy 22:41

Thank you. Thank you. It's been a lovely chat. I've really enjoyed it, Jan.

 

Jan 22:46

I have too. Thank you and I so look forward to meeting you in person one of these days, somehow, somewhere.

 

Sandy 22:51

Well one of these days I'm hoping to get over to see those girls in Lusaka. Maybe we'll both be going.

 

Sandy 22:58

Oh, wouldn't that be fun?

 

Sandy 22:59

That'll be great.

 

Jan 23:00

We'll have to work on that.

 

Jan 23:02

Alright. Okay, until then, Sandy Simm, you take care and thank you so much for your time.

 

Sandy 23:02

Yeah, I think so.  

 

Sandy 23:08

And you Jan too. Thank you. Bye-bye.

 

Jan 23:10

Bye bye.

 

Jan Cancila 23:13

If what you've heard today inspires you to want to make a difference. I urge you to explore the Sew Powerful website at www.sewpowerful.org. That's SEW POWERFUL dot ORG. The website has great information about the organization. It's where you can download the free purse patterns or even make a donation. We hope you will join us again next week when we bring you another Sew Powerful story. Thanks for listening. Now, go out and have a Sew Powerful day.