My Mom found an article in today’s newspaper (Florida Today, February 24, 2009 – ‘Angels’ offer comfort) about a woman who makes adaptive clothes for soldiers that have been injured and need the special clothing to help in their comfort and recovery. In the article Joy Cambell is honored with an award from the National Military Family Association for her work as the Florida regional director for Sew Much Comfort. Sew Much Comfort is the organization that sews these custom made adaptive clothes for our injured military men and women. You can read more about what they do at www.sewmuchcomfort.org.
There were a few things that struck me in this article. The first being that I had no idea there was such a thing as “adaptive clothing” let alone that there was such a need for it. What a great way to give back to our soldiers. The other thing that struck me was the comment Joy made about how sewing is a dying art and that most volunteers are over 60. It made me think about the reasons why most of the volunteers are over 60. My first thought was that perhaps younger people have more going on and that the “over 60″ group simply has more time to devote to such great causes. But that feels like a cop out in so many ways. The first of which is that I am fast approaching that group. I thought about why I don’t do more to volunteer my time especially in ways I enjoy, like sewing. I think it comes down to prioritizing. As much as I love to sew it seems like making time to sit down and actually sew something is becoming harder and harder for the time being. Around our house we are working on several projects lately and these seem to take precedence over everything else these days. I keep thinking that as soon as I can finish one or two of these projects, then I’ll have time to sew again. In the meantime, my sewing list keeps getting longer along with the project timeframes. A couple of weeks ago, I did manage to do some alterations to a friend’s daughter’s dress she is planning to wear to the spring dance, which was not only fun to do but reminded me once again how much I love to sew. (I will be posting about how I did the alterations soon, so check back soon.) I decided that since I can’t seem to find the time at the moment to help out this wonderful cause with my sewing that perhaps I could at least pass on the information as well as keep the link in a handy place for when I get some of these projects completed. Perhaps someone will read this and actually have the time and energy (at the same time, imagine that!) to actually lend a sewing hand to this cause or know someone who can. You can request a packet to become a volunteer seamstress by clicking here.
Leave me a comment and tell me why you think that most of the volunteers to the Sew Much Comfort organization are over 60 and do you think sewing is becoming a dying art?
by kathy, on June 10 2009 @ 8:40 pm
I was looking online to see if sewing had indeed become a dying art. I too have been sewing since I was a little girl–my first machine was a litte hand turned Singer I got for Xmas 1959 at the tender age of 6! My mom sewed our Catholic school uniforms and if she didn’t share a pattern with our neighbor who had 6 kids to sew for, she made a pattern from an outgrown uniform. I would sit across the kitchen table from my mom and we’d talk, listen to the radio and we became best friends. I was born with a cleft lip/palate so sewing was my way to express myself more comfortably as I grew up. I made just about all my clothes and made some pretty creative things in the 70’s. With my quiet reserved personality I had no idea what I would do after graduation. Low and behold I applied for a sewing job in a local (St Paul, MN)factory, making men’s London Fog outerwear. I loved it and the gals made me feel right at home! My boss was a man and he was the best! Took me under his wing and taught me the ropes. I figured if Carl could do it, so could I. I then figured I may as well get some training so attended Vocational School in the Apparel Arts program. I told my mom that I didn’t think the world would become a nudist colony, there’s always gonna be a need for clothes! But boy I sure didn’t figure on the off shore business or my moving to a smaller town in a different country. I worked in a uniform factory too and loved it there as well. then I married and moved away, started a family. I sewed at home for my daughter and husband and eventually took in sewing to help make ends meet. I missed working and applied for a job as a furrier. I was scared to death! I didn’t know anything about fur! But again, I had a wonderful woman take me under her leadership and another Hungarian gal who taught me everything I needed to know (and more about life). I did work for a hotel too, recycling products within the system (for example, tablecloths that had stains or burn holes I made chef aprons, chef caps,etc out of it instead of throwing it away and buying new). I really loved that job!! However, all good things come to an end. I am 56 yrs old and NOT in any way ready or prepared to retire from sewing. My problem is that I live in a town where there aren’t but a handfull of sewing jobs. And the economy is such that people are happy to buy cheap clothes at WalMart or Thrift stores. It’s not like when we were growing up and people spent money on clothes. Now a days there’s to much other stuff (electronics,etc) to pay for. I am going to check out this adaptive clothing project. I am also a health care aide (but had to quit due to scoliosis) and know all to well the benefits of such clothing. I never thought about soldiers! I don’t live near a Vet’s hospital but will see what this outfit does. I do make chemo hats for ladys who’ve gone through treatment for cancer, and do some adaptive clothing too, both for friends or for people I know personally.
I know my reply is long but I think your forum could be put to great use. Say like a book…what’s happened to the garment industry, does anyone bother to sew anymore and is anyone teaching other generations to sew? You may have opened up a can of worms… I am passionate still about the prospect of making new curtains for my home, coveralls for my husband, or a dog toy or bed for my mutt (I also make some for the local Humane Society). I just love sewing. Thanks for the link and hope YOU continue to sew up a storm! I have a cross stitch a friend gave to me (undone of course!) and it says, “Sewers Never Come Apart At The Seams”…How true!! Good meeting you!
by admin, on June 11 2009 @ 2:24 am
Karen – Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love the idea of using a stained or damaged table cloth to make useful things. I have used faded drapes (and many other things too) to make some of my handbags. Making chemo hats, adaptive clothing and you even give your creative time and energy to your local Humane Society by making dog toys and beds is very inspiring and remind us that there are many ways we can lend a sewing hand! Thanks for the ideas and the inspiration.