Sewing Cirlces: Then and Now

Researching the origins of sewing circles in the USA, I found the beginnings alongside the birth of our country.  Many started in churches, as those acted as the tight knit community centers of the day.  One sewing circle at  Ocean View Presbyterian Church in Delaware was formed in 1879 and served as a place of fellowship and education as well as a basis to fund mission work using handmade goods.  This particular sewing circle still stands as the oldest operating society in Delaware.

Many sewing circles served similar purposes and even branched into politics.  In an excerpt from Frederick Douglas and the Atlantic World, Douglas wrote a letter to the Lynn Anti-Slavery Sewing Circle in 1846 which shows an even greater social aspect a sewing circle can have.

During the 1950s and 1960s sewing circles took a turn toward the younger generation.  Girls would gather in each others homes to hand-sew doll clothing and discuss fund-raising projects for church or school.  Many served as a social club since completing projects took a back seat to gossip and eating snacks.

Today sewing circles are still found in churches branching now into community centers, home groups, and businesses that capitalize on sewing. I believe being part of a community is a beautiful thing and being able to share such a personal craft with one another in a group creates a place of endless possibilities. The sewing circle is not only a place to share useful information and inspiration about the craft but serves as a place to sharpen one's person and world views.

Why not start your own sewing circle.  Start with a pattern, a social project, or even a simple minding party. Ask friends over once of twice a month to share in the fun and let it naturally evolve from there. Beginning and ending one project after another will establish a beautiful tradition in no time.

Sew on people!
-Katie

Peace.

During the growing stages of SEW Moni I've been praying about a social mission for our company. My initial thoughts were to support a mission abroad. Maybe a mission in Africa or an effort in the now devastated Haiti? But then, I realized that there is so much need right here in the USA.

Last week on our walk to lunch we witnessed a kid being caught and pinned to the ground. Scary. This week, I've seen way to many homeless people in shorts or bundled up like ice cubes in 20 degree weather. And, after exchanging a conversation with a fellow co-worker who as a single mom, adopted her abdonned little one, my throat felt shallow.

I've always felt fortunate and loved. I've never gone hungry or without a place to rest. I have a family who is completely supportive and such influences definitely kept me out of trouble. But not many have these things, not even one. And in the given economic climate, many, many more are suffering.

It's wild for me to even think about such circumstances and nor do I feel as if I could personally relate. The closest I've ever been to suffering was when I worked as an HIV counselor in a state clinic down south. Our daily influx of patients and counseling of test results was hard to swallow. I suppose the emotional anxiety I experienced, and the worry that someone would survive beyond their diagnosis is my closest taste of strife.

While I don't have a billion dollar charity fund or even a thousand dollar offering for many of the needs of our country,  I do have knowledge in what I love to do: sewing. And with that knowledge I intend spark a movement to create and craft for those that need it the most.

During the months of March, April and May I am asking that you join us in a push to craft for people. Maybe there is a kid who's never had a doll or a boy who does not have a blanket. Or maybe there is a shelter who needs more sleeping blankets and pillows. Honestly, I do not know who and were these people are but we'll find them together. We will!

Please stay turned for more on this effort. I intend to put the word out here in Brooklyn, NY. It's my hope that there will be a week if not a month dedicated to weekly sewing groups in your neighborhood, a unified effort to share hope.

XO