Sewing for Haiti

It's hard to comprehend the devastation in Haiti.

You undoubtedly have been as upset as I have watching the news about the devastating earthquake in Haiti. For years the people of Haiti have been plagued by poverty and political instability. The country was still climbing out from the destruction left by four tropical storms that ravaged their country in 2008. It's hard to imagine that a country already struggling should be involved in another horrific natural disaster, an earthquake said to be the largest to hit Haiti in 200 years. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have been affected.

Right now the immediate need is for food, water, and medical supplies. Charitable organizations currently request monitary donations only because the transportation network has become so impaired. But once the country's infastructure is rebuilt enough so FedEx and other delivery services can operate there, clothing, bedding and other items will also be needed. The people who were directly affected by the earthquake are left with nothing. All of their earthly possesions are lost. Wouldn't it be a comfort for them to receive a beautiful new blanket to keep the evening's chill away, or a new shirt, pants or skirt to keep them warm and lift their spirits, or maybe a new carryall to contain the few personal items they are able to obtain?

So start sewing now so that you're ready to send when the people of Haiti are able to receive your sewn items. This is a great time to put your stash to good use and make someone's life a little brighter.

Why not consider organizing a special sewing day in your community to sew for Haiti. These efforts have already been started across the US. Contact the following if you'd like more information about their efforts. Sue Rock Originals in Brooklyn, NY, held a Sewing Day for Haiti on Martin Luther King Day. The So-So Sewing Club in Washington, DC, has organized a Sewing Day for Haiti on January 30. Another group in Ohio is sponsoring an ongoing project to make Blankets for Haiti that will be delivered by a local church's mission group currently planning a trip to Haiti. I suspect a lot of churches and other organizations will sponsor mission trips to Haiti in the months and years ahead. As with any donation, use caution when selecting a charitable organization to work with. Be sure to choose one you know and trust.

Is sewing for Haiti or other charitable organizations being done in your community? Tell us about it.

April M. Mohr, contributor
Posted on Jan 19th, 2010 in sewing

Comments (12)

hinghamsewingschool writes: Please read this new blog post : We have a new effort for sewing for Haiti this October 2012, please post!

www.hinghamsewingschool.com

Thank You!!!
Posted: 12:40 am on June 17th

Renewhopehaiti writes: If anyone is still interested in sewing for Haiti, please checkout our website - www.renewhopehaiti.com and click on the sew in love with haiti link. We currently have volunteers making dolls which will be distributed in tent communities and pencil cases and back packs that will be filled with supplies for a new school in Fonds Parisien Haiti!
Posted: 6:21 pm on February 6th

sewwithkids writes: I teach sewing electives in our middle school. We are interested in doing some humanitarian sewing for Haiti, Chile, or other world community in need. Any ideas. The kids have thought of making skirts, shorts, blankets, etc.
Posted: 9:14 pm on March 14th

sewingbabe writes: Lutheran World Relief sends quilts and sewing kits among other things, all over the world. Here's the link for the quilt page which has lots more links in a column on the right.

http://www.lwr.org/beinvolved/quilts.asp
Posted: 3:54 pm on February 6th

LYDIADAMBRO writes: CBS NEWS ANNOUNCED A FEW WEEKS AGO A WOMAN IN TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
WHO IS COLLECTING CHILDRENS QUILTS TO EVENTUALLY SEND TO HAITI.

JOSHUA REISS MEMORIAL
9/11 FOUNDATION C/O JUDI
1686 NORTH OLDEN AVENUE
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY. 08638

Posted: 8:16 am on February 3rd

Sigicat writes: I am in South Dakota and have had the same thought - to sew for Haiti. I was wondering about trying to get the high school home economics sewing classes interested. I don't have a lot of money to donate either, but like all of you, I DO have fabric that I can make up. I am thinking that lightweight denim for shorts and calicos and other cottons would be good to use. I did note that most women/girls wear skirts so I found a pattern for a child's dress and will make matching shorts to wear under it. I have some experience in working with our mission school in Africa and clothes without zippers or too many, if any, buttons are best. Also, we do use some elastic, but drawstrings when we can. If anyone would like to get in touch with me, maybe we can work on setting up an online sewing community. I am sigicat2@yahoo.com. Feel free to contact me.
Posted: 7:38 pm on January 29th

DFDesigns writes: My small garment company, which I started just two years ago right after I taught myself to sew (I'm a 52 year old ex-wall street guy)is donating 1,000 pairs of our Pookies® brand cotton drawstring pants to Haitian relief. We figured they are light, they have pockets (which most don't) and they fit almost everyone. This is a $15,000 cost donation which I am happy to make.

To try to increase it we are going to start a buy one donate one sale on Pookies. We will donate up to another 1,000 pairs this way. THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH! but we aren't big enough that we can spread the word fast enough. So if anyone would like to help us out, spread the word, you can use the coupon code "Haiti" at checkout either on our site (www.shopdfdesigns.com) or at Amazon.com. This will allow us to record your purchase and set aside a pair for the next shipment to Haiti.
Please help, if we sell 1,000 and give away 1,000 we break even, we can' simply contribute $15,000 more. TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
Thanks
Joe Nicholson
Founder/CEO
DFDesigns
Posted: 10:04 am on January 29th

KenmoreLaurie writes: That is a wonderful idea to donate items. I would love to find out when and how as I already have made one blanket and plan to do more.
Posted: 12:01 am on January 24th

addie01 writes: This is a great idea. I was wondering about something like this. Keep up the great work Threads!
Posted: 7:08 pm on January 22nd

Ephemeral_Fortress writes: That is a really good idea. I'd love to be able to do something to help out but unfortunately I just don't have any cash I can spare right now. I can't find any organizations in my area that are doing this, are there good online communities that are doing the same thing?
Posted: 12:19 pm on January 21st

amm writes: Beo, that's a fabulous idea! I bet you're not the only one with a spare sewing machine collecting dust. It would certainly become a real treasure for someone in Haiti.
Posted: 10:11 am on January 20th

beo writes: Also, donations of sewing machines and fabrics would be helpful. I have an old Kenmore I plan to donate and will be shpping for bargin fabrics and notions to send along with it.
Posted: 6:35 pm on January 19th

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