Skip to content
Menu
View cart
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Purse Program Overview and Details
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Delivering Purposeful Products In Zambia
      • Is There A Period Gap?
      • The Power Of A Beautiful Gift
      • Why Reusable Pads Are The Right Answer
    • Purse Patterns
      • Beginner Purse Pattern
      • Get Intermediate Purse Pattern
      • In The Hoop Purse Files
      • Free Embroidery Designs
    • Purse Sew Along Training Video
    • Where To Send Purses
    • Packing Slip for Purses/Notecards
    • Notecard Inspirations
    • 3 Esthers Farm
      • Farm Blog
  • Serve with Us
    • Welcome
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Volunteer Center
    • Chapters
    • Service Projects
    • Resources
      • Get Our Books Today
      • Printables
      • Event Resources
      • Videos
      • Book Companion Pictures
      • Packing Slip for Purses/Notecards
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Our Story
      • The Big Mission Behind Our Little Purse
    • Sew Powerful Podcasts
    • Sew Powerful Parables
    • We Are Sew Powerful Book
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • What's New
    • Upcoming Events
    • Current Blog Article
    • Current Podcast Teaser
    • Current Podcast Episode
    • Sew Powerful Parables Podcast
    • Current Flap of the Month
  • Donate
    • Sew Powerful Purse Campaign 2022
    • General Donations
    • Atelier Angels
    • Sew-A-Thon Fundraiser 2023
    • 3 Esthers Farm
    • Support The School
    • Building Fund
    • Donate to Honor a Loved One
    • Shop Our Merch
    • Financial Accountability And Trust
    • Legacy Giving
  • Login
  • Login
Close
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Purse Program Overview and Details
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Delivering Purposeful Products In Zambia
      • Is There A Period Gap?
      • The Power Of A Beautiful Gift
      • Why Reusable Pads Are The Right Answer
    • Purse Patterns
      • Beginner Purse Pattern
      • Get Intermediate Purse Pattern
      • In The Hoop Purse Files
      • Free Embroidery Designs
    • Purse Sew Along Training Video
    • Where To Send Purses
    • Packing Slip for Purses/Notecards
    • Notecard Inspirations
    • 3 Esthers Farm
      • Farm Blog
  • Serve with Us
    • Welcome
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Volunteer Center
    • Chapters
    • Service Projects
    • Resources
      • Get Our Books Today
      • Printables
      • Event Resources
      • Videos
      • Book Companion Pictures
      • Packing Slip for Purses/Notecards
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Our Story
      • The Big Mission Behind Our Little Purse
    • Sew Powerful Podcasts
    • Sew Powerful Parables
    • We Are Sew Powerful Book
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • What's New
    • Upcoming Events
    • Current Blog Article
    • Current Podcast Teaser
    • Current Podcast Episode
    • Sew Powerful Parables Podcast
    • Current Flap of the Month
  • Donate
    • Sew Powerful Purse Campaign 2022
    • General Donations
    • Atelier Angels
    • Sew-A-Thon Fundraiser 2023
    • 3 Esthers Farm
    • Support The School
    • Building Fund
    • Donate to Honor a Loved One
    • Shop Our Merch
    • Financial Accountability And Trust
    • Legacy Giving
Share:
Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn

Blessed In My Efforts

Peggy Creighton

Atlanta

I can’t explain why I’ve always been fascinated with sewing. My mother didn’t care much for it, but I’ve been sewing by hand since I was nine and on a sewing machine since I was eleven years old. In those days, my sewing was limited to one little rag doll and lots of doll clothes. During my teenage. years, I spent my time stitching up my own clothes and a few Christmas gifts each year. Was my effort worthwhile? Of course, but was it satisfying? Perhaps, but only temporarily.

As an adult, my sewing repertoire included short-term projects such as kids’ clothes or costumes, and work-for-hire projects such as curtains, bridesmaids’ dresses, and quilts. I was no stranger to my sewing machine, yet none of those things brought me much satisfaction other than another task completed. And not one of them gave me a deep sense of purpose or benefitted others long-term.

When my granddaughters were born, I began experimenting with sewing dolls again, but this time my plan was to make a soft, safe cloth doll for each of them. I felt a sense of purpose now in sewing for them, although it was short-lived. I soon became interested in doll shoes, because the girls were fascinated with them, and I’d struggled to make cute ones for their dolls. I played around with cloth dolls and shoes for nearly two years before I enrolled in the Liberty Jane Design Academy and, after that, the Liberty Jane Pattern Academy.

As I applied the many skills I’d learned from Cinnamon, I made my first pattern… a pair of 18” doll shoes. The granddaughters loved them, and they fit well, so I submitted the pattern to Pixie Faire. When it was tested and published, it wasn’t long before I was making other patterns, and starting to feel a sense of purpose that could only come from God. And, along the way, I was getting to know Jason and Cinnamon, and learning about their involvement with Sew Powerful.

Each time I read a newsletter or checked the Sew Powerful website, I was inspired by the Sew Powerful stories and felt compelled to help support them.  Sew Powerful was a charity that was so cost-effective that nearly every dollar donated and every minute spent benefitted the girls of Lusaka, Zambia. And it was all sewing based! Eventually, I began to see that sewing a purse or two for Sew Powerful offered me a beneficiary for my sewing that was bigger than my interests, long-range, and deeply rewarding. Something I had a bit of talent for could be a huge blessing to someone else! It was a life-changing moment for me.  Being the bargain shopper that I was, I already had several tubs of fabric on hand, plenty of buttons and embellishments, and since I was retired, plenty of time.

I dug in and made purse after purse, experimenting with the pattern pieces and various trims, adding buttons, bits of lace or ribbon, and combining fabrics. The hours flew by, and the purses stacked up. I added custom machine embroidery designs to make the purses unique. Whenever there was a cute print in the fabric, I would duplicate a machine embroidery design for the front flap.  I wanted the purses to be something special for these girls who had so little. As I stitched up each one, I tried to imagine the sweet girl who might eventually own it. And then it struck me: God had given me a long-range, deeply rewarding purpose to match my interests and fill my time!

When the opportunity arose to become more involved with Sew Powerful, I was eager to help. I’d had a bit of experience with administration in my career path, so stepping up to a role as regional coordinator was not too far-fetched. I had lots of ideas for promoting Sew Powerful and was delighted to give my time to something that would be such a blessing to others. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know WHO holds it, and I am so thankful that God led me to use my interest in sewing to serve the poorest of the poor and to impact the future.  And, if God allows, I pray that my efforts will bless them even more than God has blessed me.

Share:
Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn
Previous article Garage Sale Treasures
Next article A Heart Like Nehemiah’s

Invalid password
Enter

About Us

We exist to educate, employ, and empower people to pursue life in all its fullness. We do that by creating purposeful products that change communities. Things like school uniforms, soap, feminine hygiene pads, and farm fresh food.

Learn More About Our Mission

Follow Us On:

Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Join our Facebook Group

Our Corporate Sponsor

We’re thrilled that a growing number of online retailers are supporting our work including Pixie Faire Liberty Jane, Home Sew and Quality Sewing.

To learn more contact us via email today!

Volunteer Opportunities

Give Today

We’d love to have you join us in our mission of combating extreme poverty by giving generously in support of a seamstress today! Give Now Read about our Financial Accountability Here

Reach Us At:

229 Clark Ave, Ste O,

Yuba City, CA 95991

Sew Powerful Purse Program

Our annual Sew Powerful Purse program enables girls to stay in school. Purses are made and sent to Zambia as gifts. The local seamstresses in Zambia make re-usable hygiene pads and together they are provided to girls as part of health (MHM) training. Get Involved

Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 45-3327800

  • Search
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service

Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 45-3327800

Copyright © 2023 sewpowerful.

Empire Theme by Pixel Union. Powered by Shopify

Added to your cart:

Cart subtotal
View cart () Checkout