Sew in the Morning and Giveaway

A little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference.                                                                          ~Eeyore

Imagine putting away the steel needles we use today and using one of bone or wood splinters.  I’m sure they would ruin many of the fabrics we use today.  But -- Dorcas had a garment-making ministry and used the bone needles like a pro.  Acts 6:36 tells us she was full of good works and acts of kindness to the poor.  Dorcas focused on the widows as she sewed (by hand, remember) coats and other garments for them.  She made clothing for the children of younger widows.  Recipients of her craft and kindness were often those who could not afford to buy the material, much less with the ability, or, in the case of the older widows, had the keen eyesight necessary for sewing.

Dorcas reminds me of my mother-in-law.  RB’s mother was a first class encourager and many times used her needle (and sewing machine) to bless others.  Some garments were made for those she and her husband shepherded.  Other times she sheltered fellow pastors’ families or missionaries.  Mother Kuhn loved shopping for others in thrift shops, altering dress shirt sleeve-lengths for some, hemming suit slacks for others.  My daughters would snuggle in nighties made by Grandma Kuhn.  I don’t know how many tea towel toppers she made, many times giving them to all the ladies of her church, the evangelists to take back to their wives after a revival, to shut-ins, or to a sick or discouraged friend. 

Each generation is unique.  What one does, the next carries on in a whole new way.   DeLynda, from our church, uses her sewing skills, too, to shelter others.  Gifts from her embroidery machine are present at each baby and wedding shower, college bash, and even in our church mailboxes.  Her most recent blessing was covers for notebooks.  Each one was different, embroidered with our name, complete with a sweet note in the pocket.  DeLynda has made almost 50 of these covers.  Different from Dorcas and her hand sewn clothes, different from Mother Kuhn and her refurbished clothing — unique! I don’t know about the other ladies, but I feel sheltered every time I use my sheltering notebook.

Ah, wait!  The needle blessing doesn't stop with DeLynda’s generation.  These Crabtrees shelter! She taught her daughter-in-law to sew, and I don’t think her machine has stopped since—a quilt for her daddy, made from her grandmother’s clothing, dresses for her sweet daughter, Maddy, and gifts for others, including a new updated tea towel topper.

What can you sew to shelter someone?  To get you excited about a new project, this week’s giveaway is The Simple Life Fat Quarter Bundle - Tasha Noel for Riley Blake Designs - 6 pieces (Total 1.5 yards). The giveaway is open for all of my readers, so leave a comment, and  I’ll let you know who wins next Wednesday. 




Here's a few easy projects to get your creative juices going.
Better Homes and Garden
Martha Stewart
Elm Street Life

Random.org chose Margie from Margie’s garden to win “Baking for Friends.”  If any of you sheltered someone with a baked treat this week, I’d love to know.

Sharing the Shelter

Do you have a recipe, craft or sewing project, an encouraging devotional, favorite book you like to gift, or other sheltering idea you’d like to share?  Link up and enjoy the ideas.  I like keeping the rules simple:

• Only two links per blog each week 
• Grab my button or leave a text link-back 
• Visit the two blogs before yours 
• Shelter someone! 

Linked to:

Life in Bloom
Thoughtful Thursday
Faith Filled Friday