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Calling a few ladies from the church, Jane set out with them to make the sturdy, beautiful one-handled bags. Gathering in her basement, the women sewed these bags as they fellowshipped and shared the enjoyment of light conversations and concentrated stitching. Jane was excited to share in the joy of making these bags with ladies from her church for an organization they loved. Little did she know, after that initial gathering, the group flourished and became Sew Much Joy.
Fifteen years later, Sew Much Joy now has 20 women and moved from meeting four times a year to every two weeks. The group still fills Jane’s basement, bringing in their sewing machines and supplies, nestling in close together as they share stories over their hours together. They still sew the one-handled cloth bags, but now also sew dresses, receiving blankets, items for our Feminine Hygiene Kit, and diapers.
Plus, they have increased their mission to local organizations. They make pet beds for Partners for Pets, lap quilts for local nursing homes, Chemo Caps out of t-shirts, and items for the NICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
A spark, an inkling that this fabric could be used for something good, has become a fire of missional excitement, serving not just Midwest Mission, but their local community as well.
“I think it started as a way to help out Midwest Mission and to use up the fabric,” Jane said. “But, the friendships we have developed are one of the big things that brings them back. I’ll have ladies in the group who are unable to do any of the work, but still come to talk. There is a lot of good fellowship and sharing. I personally learn a lot from working with older women.”
Jane has extended the invitation to ladies who aren’t able to go to her house. She drops off bags of “homework” for them, fitted with instructions and materials. They tell her when it is ready, and she picks it back up, adding it to her collection waiting to be dropped off at Midwest Mission.
“It [serving from home] can be done if you just put your resources together. Several of the women who come regularly are not sewers at all – but they can iron or turn things right side out. They do the other stuff that makes the job go a lot faster and easier,” Jane said.
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