Sewing hope for the community

SC resident Judy Wilmer receives comfort quilt that makes her feel “at home.” (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)

Dozens of sewing champions in Sun City have dusted off their sewing machines to make thousands of surgical masks this year. Marilyn McIntyre said, “Even though formal charter club activities have been suspended during the pandemic, members of the Sew ‘n Sews club have been working independently sewing, quilting, and knitting. It is estimated that a number of women made over 5,000 masks during the spring from the fabric they had on hand. Initially, it was difficult to get elastic for the masks, but they found sources across the country. The masks went to hospitals, schools, doctors’ offices, senior care facilities as well as to family, friends, and especially to our Del Webb neighbors.”

When the global pandemic struck, it brought a host of worries to Sun City Residents.

Marie Frostman offers comfort to the residents suffering: a beautiful collection of quilts made by the club’s members. Frostman said, “It’s been a group effort. We have a woman who doesn’t sew, but she wants to help so she does the necessary ironing. We offer a quilt to comfort someone who has lost a loved one, had surgery, or fighting sickness.”

McIntyre said, “The community service group has distributed about 40 quilts to Del Webb residents as well as over 100 quilts to hospice, the Senior Care Volunteer Network, the Linus Project in McHenry, and other organizations. The Community Service quilts are available to residents who need some comfort whether from the loss of a family member, illness, surgery, or incapacity. To obtain a quilt for someone in need, please contact Marie Frostman at 815-260-6895.”

Judy Wilmer recently received a comfort quilt. Wilmer said, “Oh, this is wonderful. I have missed the community. This year has been hard with not only worries about the virus but the isolation and the fear. This quilt is just beautiful and it feels like home.”

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The club’s helping hand reaches out beyond Sun City.

McIntyre said, “The Linus Project group has created over 400 quilts since the pandemic began. They have been delivered to various children’s hospitals in Chicago. Comer Children’s Hospital is one of the biggest recipients. Since the inception of the Linus Project group in 2000, they have made over 17,000 quilts.”

And in the future, the sewing projects will extend outside the country. “There are several people who are making girls dresses as a part of the Dress-A-Girl Around the World campaign which distributes the sundresses to countries in Africa and Asia. So far over 50 dresses have been made by women in the Sew ‘n Sews group, but because of the pandemic, they have been unable to distribute them,” McIntyre said.

“Members of Sew ‘n Sews are charity-minded, and additional service projects include the making of walker bags, baby caps, chemo caps, and girls’ dresses,” McIntyre said.

Anyone requiring a walker bag can request one by just stopping by the sewing room. The caps are available at the Wellness Center. For people who don’t know how to sew or don’t have a sewing machine, there are still ways to get involved. Help is needed in cutting the fabric and batting, ironing, or pinning. If there is one common thread among the club members, it’s the desire to help and support others. For most of us, the novel coronavirus feels uncertain and scary. But despite those feelings, the Sew ‘n Sews club asks, “How can we help?”

Headline: Sewing Hope for the Community

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