Random Acts of Kindness Day: The Sewing Edition

How will you be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day?  Here are some sewing related ideas.  

1. Sew scarves and hats for those staying in homeless shelters.  I prefer using recycled wool sweaters for this sort of project since wool is way warmer against the elements.   
   
   
   
2. Sew scrub caps for health care workers. The link to this pattern was supplied to me from a healthcare nurse.  Appreciated are added buttons to the sides to help hold up their face masks.   
   
   
   
3. Sew knickers for those staying in homeless shelters. We often forget about the undergarments when putting together clothing donations.    
   
   
   
4. Sew stuffed animals for sick children.  
   
   
   
5. Sew snuggle beds to donate to animal shelters.

   

   Photo credit:  source

   
   
6. Share your knowledge and skills -- teach someone how to sew.  

   

   Photo credit: source

   
   
7. Teach someone how to mend and keep their clothes out of the landfill.  

   

   Photo credit: source

   
   
8. Donate excess fabrics to a church / charity group or school program.  

   

   Photo credit:  source

   
   
9. Sew Superhero capes for sick kids.  
   
   
   
10. Donate excess buttons to a math club or teacher, elementary students can use these for counting.  
    
    
    
11. Use sewing supplies (buttons, empty thread spools, etc.) as pieces for outdoor game mats.  

    

    Photo credit:  source

    
    
12. Surprise a friend with reusable grocery bags.  Or fill one with groceries for a food donation box.  
    
    
    
13. Sew personalized face masks for friends and family. 

    

    
     
14. Keep it simple and share a laugh and a smile.  

How will you be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day?  

Stay safe and keep sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

Esther Perel on Peace {source}

My heart breaks for the world. Tears fill my eyes and flood my heart when I watch the news. This past week has been a horrible week. If it's not the callous comments that Alberta's premier says about Covid-19 and the elderly to what is happening south of the border, what's been going on for far too long. 

This past week there was a Sewcialist post about some of the disturbing and very troubling events that occurred in the United States where comments questioned why it would appear on a sewing page. There were comments that demonstrated an unwillingness to listen and learn from other's view points and personal experiences. These stories are part of our everyday lives if we want to admit it or not and I strongly believe that they do belong on a sewing page.  

British fashion designer Betty Jackson responded to a 2016 interview question on what inspires her as a designer.  

"Fashion designers respond to social, economic change, it's a reflection of what's happening, really, in the world."

Thank God technology allows for stories to be retold by citizen journalists from the lies and misrepresentation presented by the American president and his administration. It is not just a U.S. story, there are many places in the world where examples of how words can give permission to horrific actions. I watch the news and my thoughts turn to the pages of Left to Tell, Immaculee Ilibagiza's memoir while seeing parallels to this modern day tragedy. 

Positive change will come if only we can listen with empathy, kindness and an open heart. I know I don't share the same experience of fear as Immaculee and other minorities who have been targeted and judged simply by their appearance and the words that have made them a target of unjustified judgement, treatment and murder. My heart aches for the world and I long to understand and educate myself so that I'm brave enough to stand and protect others from these injustices in the world and to understand the powerful structures that have created the privileges I experience living in a first world county as a person who is not overtly judged by the colour of my skin.  

We all have the opportunity to finish writing the next chapter of this story that plays out in our own neighbourhoods every day by actively listening with empathy, kindness and open heart so real change can occur in ourselves. God willing. And if it starts in a sewing page on Instagram, so be it. I think the Sewcialists Instagram page and the sewists who share their lived experiences should be applauded for having the courage to open up dialogue and share resources. Listening and reading stories are part of, hopefully, understanding. Of course, it has a place on a sewing blog or page. It is part of our daily lives, just as sewing. Just like a garment can not be complete without all the pieces, so is a story. It is not coherent if all the pieces are not put together with care.  

Needless to say, my sewing mojo has taken a hit. It's hard to find joy in sewing right now. The sewing I'm doing right now is to take my mind off things when the images and words on the news on the radio are too much. I'm sewing for others right now. I have more scrub caps for nurses at a care home to send off and other little projects on the go. I feel a need to sew for others and to feel like I'm helping someone in some way.

But it doesn't mean that I'm capable to take on anything thrown my way, with the diminished sewing mojo, there are limits to what I'm able to take on. Someone I care about asked me to do an alteration project this weekend. Something made out of velvet. I said that I'm not the best person to tackle this request, velvet is challenging to work with and alterations is not my sewing super power. My words fell to the side lines. ~sigh~ Why is it so hard for people to listen?  

This weekend, I made a soccer ball print face mask, it's my missing the 2020 Euro Cup games face mask. They're postponed until 2021. For the face mask, I used the Dhurata Davies pattern, quilting cotton for the outer and lining fabric and interlined with a cotton knit. 

Well, that's all in sewing news today.  

Stay Safe, Be Kind and Happy Sewing!  

Special Request: Scrub Caps

I'm making these scrub caps for a dear friend working as a nurse in an Ontario hospital. She sent me this pattern along with the request. 

I not a fan of the war metaphors found in the website along with all the protests across the border surrounding the pandemic. It's even spilled over here with conservative politicians criticizing medical professionals and the World Health Organization (WHO). I'm of the view that war metaphors and hearsay is not helpful. This is not a war crisis, I see this as a humanitarian crisis. When war rhetoric is used in regards to this crisis, it invites an us against them mentality. The world can use a huge dose of kindness and respect to all of the world's scientists, researchers and health care professionals if we're going to get through this and beyond. These caps are my kindness contribution as I mute out any war rhetoric that is broadcasted from the television set, radio and online. I don't need that when I'm sewing. That type of rhetoric does not motivate me to do random acts of kindness. I don't see how it could motivate anyone. Okay, jumping off my soap box.  

The pattern is quite good after you make sure the scaling is true. I found that it didn't print as per scale no matter how set the scale box for printing. So, I would certainly recommend making the necessary adjustments before you cut out the pattern. There should be noted that there are no notches included on this pattern, instead you're instructed to find the centres and mark those before sewing.  There is a marking for where you should roughly start sewing on the ties. I will say that after sewing the first one the pattern appears to be well graded.  

The fabric is a Japanese cotton that I found at Northwest / Marshall's many moons ago. It was pretreated with a tumble through the washer and dryer before hitting the cutting table.

Well, on that note I should get back to sewing the remaining four scrub caps and get this into the mail.  

The Stats

Fabric:  5.5 meters (for 5 caps)

Pattern:  Free PDF pattern

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Iron, ironing board, cutting table, pins, pin cushions, tailor's chalk, scissors, thread clippers, sewing machine, walking foot, thread, screwdriver, tweezers, printer, paper, measuring tape, measuring gauge, curve ruler, L-shaped ruler, pencil and copious amounts of coffee while I tried to fit the sizing / gauge on the printed PDF file (proceed with caution).  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!

The Science of Kindness

Today is filled with reasons to celebrate, for me it's a sewing day as today is an official holiday.  Locally, in this part of the world it is Louis Riel Day. Other parts of this country are celebrating Family Day as Louis Riel still to this day is a controversial figure. -sigh-

It also happens to be National Acts of Kindness Day.   

Be Kind to the Environment

1.  Hang your clothes to dry instead of throwing them in the dryer
2.  Walk or take the bus instead of taking the car
3.  Car pool
4.  Recycle and reuse
5.  Give up plastic
6.  Sew some reusable produce bags and share them with your family and friends
7.  Sew some reusable snack bags and share them with your family and friends
8.  Sew reusable grocery bags and share them with your family and friends
9.  Live simply.
10.  Learn about fabrics and discover the pros and cons of natural vs. man-made fibres
11.  Reduce the use of chemicals

Be Kind to Your Neighbourhood

12.  Pick up garbage that is left lingering on the street after garbage pick-up
13.  Clear the snow off your elderly neighbour's driveway or if weather dictates offer to cut the grass
14.  Sweep the public sidewalk in front of your home
15.  Plant some flowers
16.  Trim your trees
17.  Say hello to your neighbours
18.  Be involved, attend neighbourhood meetings
19.  Clear the storm drain of leaves
20.  Support local small businesses
21.  Support local farmer's markets

Be Kind to Your Community

22.  Sew, knit or crochet blankets for fire victims
23.  Help with snow clearing at your church
24.  Tutor a student struggling with the "new" math
25.  Welcome a newcomers to your community, offer to show them around
26.  Sew for Cancer patients (chemo ports, chemo hats, pillows, etc.)
27.  Donate books to charities
28.  Teach computer skills to seniors
29.  Teach someone how to sew
30.  Help with organizing community events
31.  Become politically aware so that you're not duped by political lies and half truths
32.  Sew for local theatre groups

Be Kind to Your Family

33.  Offer to prepare dinner
34.  Offer to clean the dishes
33. Spend some time and listen to them without offering advice.  Sometimes all we just need someone to listen.
35.  Give compliments
36.  Tell them you love them
37.  Don't take them for granted, cherish your time together
38.  Sew them something special
39.  Give hugs freely
40.  Treat them to a free movie
41.  Pick up groceries and put it away
42.  Show interest in their hobbies
43.  Support them even if you don't agree with them

Be Kind to Yourself

44.  Make time to pray
45.  Be grateful
46.  Take a bubble bath
47.  Make time to read
48.  Invest in yourself, take a course or learn a new skill
49.  Make time for your hobbies
50.  Drink water
51.  Eat healthy food
52.  And treat yourself to a cookie every once and a while
53.  Don't feel guilty for taking time for yourself
55.  Treat yourself to a night out at the symphony, opera or a concert
56.  Make time for those who are important in your life
57.  Make time for exercise
58.  Plank, your core will thank you!
59.  Invest in a standing desk
60.  And a proper cutting table
61.  Learn to cook, take cooking lessons

Be Kind to Your Co-Workers

62.  Surprise them with homemade muffins

63.  Give them compliments

64.  Ask how their day is going
65.  Show interest
66.  Participating in a potluck lunch?  Ask if your co-workers have any food allergies or restrictions to make sure everyone feels included.
67.  First one in the staff room?  Make coffee for when your co-workers arrive.
68.  Don't make someone feel bad about not participating in workplace activities that cost money.  Not everyone makes the same amount of income and you may not know what someone can afford to participate in.
69.  Smile
70.  Don't exclude others, you're part of a team.
71.  Offer help if you have time and you see a co-worker can use some assistance
72.  Share new techniques and skills you picked up at a personal development event
73.  Upgrade your skills so that you're valuable to the team

Be Kind to Those in Need

74.  Don't judge
75.  Sew winter gear for the homeless
76.  Sew sleeping bags for the homeless
77.  Don't turn away
78.  Listen to their stories
79.  Pick up that extra box of cereal for the local food drive box
80.  Pick up thank you cards for participants at Employment Counselling organizations can use to send out after interviews.
81.  Donate interview appropriate clothing to Employment Counselling organizations
82.  Donate school supplies to students in need
83.  Help out with breakfast programs at schools
84.  Be someone's cheerleader
85.  A smile really can make all the difference
86.  Laughter is the best medicine
87.  Say thank you.  Everyone needs to feel appreciated.
88.  Cook food that can be frozen for someone going through chemo or has recently been hospitalized.  They might not have the energy to prepare their own meals.
90.  Sew and prepare personal care kits for the homeless
91.  Don't gossip, words can hurt or heal.  Make the right choice.
92.  Read to a child

Be Kind to our Furry and Feathered Friends

93.  Don't let your cat run unattended through the neighbour, at the very least put a bell on them so the neighbourhood birds have a chance to enjoy the outdoors.
94.  Pick up some cat or dog food to add to the food drive boxes
95.  Volunteer at an animal shelter
96.  Sew blankets for the local animal shelter
97.  Sew pet toys for the local animal shelter
98.  Offer to look after a neighbour's dog if they're in the hospital or out of town.
99.  Don't feed bread to the birds at a duck pond
100.  Admire a seeing eye dog from a respectable distance, they are doing an important job!  You can show your admiration through this organization.

Or just be kind your own way.  Happy National Acts of Kindness Day!