Shirley Francois writes:

By having a sewing machine and learning to sew, this machine will help me save money. I will pay it forward by sharing the machine with someone else.

Denise Montana-Stevenson writes:

This comment is sent with great regards for the sewing machine donated to us by you. My daughter Chelsi, and I are thankful for it because it’s better than the one we lost during Hurricane Katrina. Just to share a story with you, at the time Hurricane Katrina came, I was teaching Chelsi (14 years old) how to sew. She made a couple of items such as a jean two-piece pant suit, a pillow cover, a skirt with the matching scarf and her favorite patchwork handbag. Everyone complimented her on
the handbag and couldn’t believe she had made it. I was very proud of her even though it was made with my assistance. I had not sewn since high school (late 1970’s).

I thought that this handbag inspired her to continue to sew and maybe make a few things for her friends. Then Hurricane Katrina came and of course, we lost everything, including the sewing machine I had for a very long time but had hardly used. I promised Chelsi I would buy another sewing machine but it just wasn’t priority on my list. I needed to acquire many other things before it. When Carolyn asked if anyone needed a machine, I felt blessed to have her say to me, “I know someone who
is willing to donate it.”

With all this said, I would just like to personally thank you. We have been getting familiar with it and can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate it. You have certainly made a difference. May God Bless You!

Betty Evans writes:

Just a note to say how much I appreciate what you’re doing in our community with the gift of sewing machines to those in need. Some might think that this is a small thing, but such things do matter a lot when one has lost so much.

I received a sewing machine on Margaret’s second trip to New Orleans. When I tried to use it long after I received it I found that I could not adjust it to make it work. As it happened, there was an article in our local newspaper about Margaret coming back to New Orleans with yet more sewing machines. I called Grace Church and told them about my maching not working and they put me in touch with Margaret. Here is the best part– Margaret came to my apartment to adjust the machine and it is now working like new. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated her
doing that. Going way beyond. What a wonderful person and thing to do.

Keep up the good work and my God continue to bless you all and us as we try to continue to recover. We, in New Orleans, are blessed with people and groups like yours who help us in this recover effort. I often wonder, where would we be if it wasn’t for people like you.

Thanks a bunch!

Willette Malder wrote:

I will make clothes for my son. I will pay it forward by doing things for those less fortunate than myself.

Denise writes:

I am using the sewing machine from your kind heart to pay it forward. I make quilts for charity with my Stitch in Time Quilting Guild. We donate quilts, adult bibs, wheel chair bags, & pillowcases to CASA, battered Women’s shelters in New Orleans, Tulane Children’s Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, and Nursing homes. Also made quilts for my family members, my daughter had twins last July, along with two nephews’ wives had babies, and a niece. So I have been busy.

Thanks to you, all of this was possible. I had 10 feet of water at my home in Lakeview. We are finally rebuilding and should be in our new house in June. Many many thanks. You have helped heal peoples hearts, sewing does help mend in many ways. Thank You. Denise