It's been a challenging task. Three obstacles to helping this group learn to sew well have been the lack of shared sewing vocabulary, the fact the Toyota Jeans sewing machines purchased cheaply by the organisation don't have seam guides on the throat plates, and my reluctance to bossily tell people to try again when they've just come along for a social activity.
However, the quilts they women have been working on since March are reaching the point of completion, and are more or less square. I took along some of my leftover cotton fabrics and my mum and one of her friends sent along contributions of their own. It's been a kick to see the scraps turned into something useful. One woman chose to use all the Australian flag fabric that was left over from Jack's cloth book, and it always made me smile to see it plonked wholesale in the middle of a quilt.
One person who managed to overcome all the obstacles with pure talent was Nima. My last day was her third week at the sewing group. Most women, at their first class, practice sewing on striped fabric, then at the end get to choose a couple squares of fabric for the centre of their quilt. But Nima, despite never sitting at a sewing machine before, got the hang of sewing straight lines within half an hour and by the end of the session had constructed the first few pieces of her quilt. And. She breastfed her toddler while operating a sewing machine - and sewing in a straight line, too! I couldn't do that and I've been sewing for half my lifetime. I admit she does have more breastfeeding experience than me.
Here's some photos from my last day.
Ajok (in red) with her finished quilt
Treze (in the foreground) does amazing freehand embroidery
Jack with his babysitter Adap
One of Jack's biggest fans
I'll miss you!
3 comments:
What beautiful photos. You must be sad to go, but glad knowing you have put some happiness into these women's lives.
I came over for the Sew mama Sew give away (I don't need leather) but just had to comment on the wonderful service you are doing with these women! And that lady is way more talented than me as well, I don't think I could nurse and sew at the same time!
Fantastic photographs of the Sudanese group. I got a huge smile on my face when I read what you were doing with these women ... I just got back from a trip to Southern Sudan earlier this month. What amazing people, and amazing women ... they work so hard. We took two tredle Singers with us (well, picked them up in Nairobi), and the women were thrilled! I can't wait to hear how it affects their lives.
Anyway... I could go on and on. I think that's a fabulous group you participated in. I imagine it was very fulfilling.
Just FYI, I came over from Sew Mama Sew, also. Glad to have found you!
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