Imagine, living in a rural farming, subtropical culture…being forced out and fleeing to neighboring Nepal and not really having a home and then, finally, arriving in Madison, Wisconsin, only to encounter a whole new set of challenges. Imagine navigating the bus system, enrolling your child in school, going to Woodmans??!

To my mind, offering the tools and the ability to sew seemed like a peaceful way to help make a corner of their transition a little sweeter. So we began. We’ve been talking about this for months but finally, just this week, it came to fruition. The members of the community (about 130 so far) were excited about the idea of learning to sew.

We’ve begun with a group of 10 people and they are learning to use the sewing machines and after completing the little series of classes, will take their machine home. Men and women alike, some hope to sew for their families while others hope to maybe earn an income through sewing. Their enthusiasm is contagious.

I asked Steffani Lincecum, a board member, to head up this initiative and she grabbed the opportunity. Steff’s combination of sensitivity, creativity, organization and gentleness was perfect for the task. On Wednesday Steff and I, along with Lois, Trish, and Bird (also on the board) met with our first group. We weren’t sure if anyone had used a machine or if we’d be able to communicate, given the language barrier (people from this area of Bhutan speak Nepali). Chaotic? yes! Busy? yes! Beautiful? most definitely! Everyone’s off to a good start, all at different level. Communication is tricky but the language of friendship and kindness is present and we’re all doing our best.

We’ll keep you posted..

This past year has been different, or so I thought. It’s felt like the “big stories” haven’t been there–no big shipments overseas, no huge revelations… Where there’s always been such a “flow”, it almost felt as though something was dammed up. But digging a little deeper I begin to wonder if the flow is indeed there and it’s my perspective that’s dammed up?

Sitting at the last few monthly board meetings I’ve been completely blown away by the talent and enthusiasm that’s right there. The Sewing Machine Project has always had a “rock star” board of directors…amazing talent and encouragement…people who believe so strongly in this mission… But in this unusual year this board has taken on a new and even deeper role. This talented group is digging into the deeper questions, the very foundation of the SMP and each and every one of us is working to strengthen this foundation to prepare us for new and bigger tasks. We all feel them coming and we’re using this time to make sure we’re strong from every angle and strong together as a team. I am in awe when I look at the skills and gifts present at the table each month!

Beyond the board, I read and reread the messages I receive from donors, friends, volunteers…hundreds of people who support and encourage the work we do. Every word matters, every word counts and helps to build what the Sewing Machine Project is and what we are able to do.

Sometimes I think we’re so busy looking for the really huge, mind-blowing messages that we overlook the beautiful gifts we receive every day. Without this encouragement, these skills, this energy, these gifts…we simply would not BE. It’s right in front of us. It’s  right there.

The Sewing Machine Project is about mending and although we are focused on sewing I think we can take our mission of “mending lives and communities” to more levels than that. We are considering a new initiative which would mend on many levels. As with most initiatives in this project, it is beginning as a whisper but that whisper is growing louder everyday. It’s time to let the answers come. I look forward to sharing more details with you as they emerge. I look forward to your assistance and your input.

But for now, consider how you might mend something today. You may wish to take this literally and mend a piece of clothing instead of throwing it away. You may wish to mend a misunderstanding with a friend. You may wish to treat yourself gently and mend your soul. It’s all important.

Thank you for helping The Sewing Machine Project in all that we do. You are so important.

The serendipitous nature of this project is such a beautiful thing. Lately I’ve been pondering a new idea…something that we can use and replicate around the United States. It would be a way of using our sewing and connecting people…what a lovely combination! I don’t want to get into too many details right now but don’t worry, as it develops, I’ll fill you in. Here’s the serendipitous part…as I said, I’ve been thinking about how we might do this/use this/”spread the love”, so to speak. There are niches I haven’t fleshed out and questions that are unanswered…

I’d left the booth for a moment and walking back, I noticed a woman slowly heading towards the booth. I’d noticed her before…she was wearing a fabulous Ikat jacket and had passed the booth a few times earlier in the day…but before I’d even reached the booth she’d arrived and taken a seat. I said hello and sat down beside her.

She asked a few questions about machine donations but then began talking about the volunteer work she does…and one by one, she provided the answers I’d been searching for. Quietly, concisely, she fleshed out some of the gray areas in my plan.

And then she stood up, said good bye, and walked away.

I love how these things work.

Technical difficulties arose and to say things didn’t quite go smoothly would be an understatement. I did my best but it was not my best presentation…

An important part of each presentation, to me, is relating how this project has changed me personally and the biggest way that’s happened is that I’ve learned to view events as lessons and each person I meet as a teacher. I really needed to take my own words to heart yesterday in the wake of my discombobulated speech. So what did I learn?

I was reminded of how deeply people hear and connect with this project;
I learned that you can never be too picky when it comes to checking and rechecking your AV info when it comes to public presentations;
I was reminded that people I love are always right there waiting to catch me when I feel like I might fall;
I was reminded that an outcome might show up in a surprising way;
I was reminded that new friends are always on the horizon and there are always ways we might help one another.

Thank you to all of you ASG members who smiled through my frustration and thank you to all of those near and dear to me who added words of encouragement. Thank you to Sandra Betzina who kindly suggested we have a beer and think of ways to support one another. Thank you to the powers that be within ASG who invited me to speak and see the vision of The Sewing Machine project.

I am grateful to those who remind me that we cannot be attached to an expected outcome but rather, willing and open to receive all of the goodness that comes our way.

My biggest task has been to build a structure in my mind for how ASG chapters can collaborate with The Sewing Machine Project. I’ve “put it out there” on blog sites and the feeling I get back is that people would most like to volunteer as teachers. So I’m going with that. Little by little, the pieces of this new nationwide initiative are falling into place. I’m looking forward to sharing what I know so far with the audience on Friday. Then, from there, I look forward to conversations, brainstorming and filling in the missing pieces.

I love how this project works. We begin tossing around an idea and then the flow begins. We’re in the flow now and I can’t wait to share this excitement in Los Angeles.

Some machines went to Gulf Coast residents who are trying to make ends meet in the aftermath of the oil spill. One woman makes quilts and donates them to local shelters and group homes. While visiting Houma, where our Gulf work is based, I visited with Pam Trowbridge of LossTalk and gave her a check for $1200–the proceeds from the sale of the SeaHope bags. These funds will help her start new programs which help Gulf residents cope with the significant losses they’ve experienced due to the oil spill.

One machine went to Pastor Janyce Statton who works with the Jesus Miracle Power Ministry…offering shelter to the homeless, and food for the hungry. Now they can work on furnishing some donated buildings that will be group housing and she’s also looking forward to mending and hemming some of the clothes that have been donated for kids in their programs.

I am honored and humbled when I meet these amazing people and learn of their good work.

What we will need in the future is a network of instructors to teach basic sewing in the shelters where we work. This idea will be quite flexible as I plan to talk with shelter administration as well as residents and see just what they need in terms of classes and how often they’d like a teacher to visit. So, you sewers out there, please let me know if you might be interested in being a volunteer teacher if we do a shelter in your area. Our immediate need is in the Detroit area but beyond that, it is our hope to be working in other areas of the country. If you think this sounds possible for you, send me an email and let me know! (margaret@thesewingmachineproject.org)

Good things just keep happening!