We see & hear of all sorts of charitable organizations and projects that do their part to spread a little Christmas joy to those who might be less fortunate than others: from serving Christmas meals to street people or the elderly; to collecting and distributing gifts to children in need; to bringing a little comfort to women suffering from abusive situations. You might remember us sharing about the sewing that customers at Sawyers Sewing Centre do each year – making little baggies which are filled with soaps, shampoo, toothpaste etc for Sandy Merriman House in Victoria, BC. A couple of years ago, we had a similar project right here on the janomelife blog: we called it the Charity Bag sewing challenge. These were distributed all over Western Canada.
The cutest little dress and matching coat – perfect for the season.
Langley Vacuum & Sewing in Langley, BC sews throughout the year for charities: little shorts, skirts & tops for kiddies; pillow cases, baby blankets and more. Most of the clothing in recent times has been sent to a school in Kenya, Africa. We were so fortunate to have Linda (originally from Kenya, now living in Vancouver, BC) visit us at Langley Vacuum & Sewing’s Christmas Janome Club meeting recently. Linda shared first hand with us about the joy: the smiles, singing & dancing of these little children when they receive clothing and gifts. She told us how their lives are so very difficult as they have nothing…many do not even have a pair of shoes, never mind where the next meal is coming from. Linda goes back to Kenya periodically to visit family and she has taken suitcases full of clothing and gifts – made and collected by Trudy, her staff & customers at Langley Vacuum & Sewing.
Clever sewing box/caddy when closed up.
Same sewing box when opened up to reveal all the sewing tools goodies
More wonderful Christmas Challenge fabric projects by Langley Vacuum Sewing customers
Trudy has also had a charity Christmas Sewing Challenge for several years: customers purchase 1/2 m of Christmas fabric back in September/October that Trudy picked out for this purpose: customers are asked to use as much of that 1/2 m as possible in a project of their choice. Proceeds from the sale of fabric go to the children in Kenya. Customers may add other fabric to the project but the original piece must be clearly visible. At our recent Christmas Janome Club gathering, ladies showed what they had made. See pics above & below. It sure was inspiring to see how imaginative people are! Trudy then displays all these projects in the store until early New year. All people entering the store are asked to vote for their favourite project (hence the little #’s you see in the pic’s). The winner gets a little gift at the next Janome Club meeting. Please enjoy the pics above & below that were all created by customers at Langley Vacuum & Sewing, BC – sure is something for you to get inspired about!
The numbers – applique fabric – was cut with the Artistic Edge Digital cutter!
Another lovely wall hanging using the Christmas Challenge fabric
Christmas coaster using a Janome Embroidery machine, software and digital cutter.
One of the customers, Julie, has a most gifted brother who creates practical and beautifully made wooden bobbin boxes. Each box, with a sliding plexiglass cover, has slots for 100 bobbins (pic below). These are sold at the store and proceeds go towards the fund Trudy collects for the children in Kenya. If you would like one of these lovely bobbin boxes, please contact the store. This money is sent with Linda when she next goes to Kenya. The donation $’s provide a wonderful Christmas meal for the children as well as food hampers for families in need.
So many warm and charitable projects to spread that Christmas joy. What will you be doing in 2016 to bring joy to someone else with your sewing?
Well done all
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