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
    • Chapters
    • Service Projects
    • Resources
      • 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
    • Chapters
    • Service Projects
    • Resources
      • 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

Making Something out of Nothing

Sandy Simm - UK

 

This will be my fourth year with the Sew Powerful Team and what a team it was and is becoming.  I loved the idea of the charity as it was not asking for money, which I didn't have, it only asked for time, which I had lots of!

 

Having just lost my house, my mum and a few years before my dad, I was not in a particularly good place.  I have been a seamstress all my life.  From the age of 10, making long gowns for my mum, as each Saturday night mummy and daddy went out dancing.  They loved it.  Even our holidays had to be in hotels where ballroom dancing was a must for every evening.  She had to have at least 12 gowns – one for every night of our main two-week holiday! 

 

I left school at 15 and went into the hosiery industry in and around the Midlands.  I lived in the heart of the hosiery industry in a small town called Hinckley in Leicestershire (pronounced Lestershire).  I worked all my life sewing.  I had my own business eventually making children's wear with English smocking.  I was in my late 40's.  I did go to university first, (aged 37), for three years, loved it and finished at the age of forty with a Bsc Hons degree.  Just to prove I had a brain I suppose.  Otherwise, I was dubbed a ‘dumb blonde'.

 

Anyway, aged 58 and finding myself at a loss, feeling down and low, I had to sell my business.  I desperately needed something – and I came across Sew Powerful.  I can’t even remember how I came across it.  I read about it and read about it some more and then contacted Jason.  I was full of ideas and couldn’t believe I had found something where I could put my talents to some use without it costing me - as I was broke. 

 

Jason was so enthusiastic and encouraged me.  I wanted to work for them, to travel around the UK delivering the Sew Powerful word, doing demonstrations in schools and colleges and anywhere else I could go.  Unfortunately, they couldn't go down this route as I would need expenses for fuel and overnight accommodation, but Jason put ideas my way.  I became the UK coordinator – one of the first I believe.  So, I got sewing – I made bags and got online trying to get the word out, asking people to get involved.  I learned a lot during the first year.  Taking the ups and downs, but people did start sending me bags.  We did 100 that first year.  I was thrilled.  I called us Team GB for Sew Powerful and we were off the mark!

My spirits lifted, I set up for year 2.  Team GB did 300.  Then last year we did 450.  I have a goal of reaching 600.  Keep your eye on Team GB for Sew Powerful – we have wings!

 

Share:
Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn
Previous article Finding Hope After Great Loss
Next article The Texas PinPals are on a Mission

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
  • Contact Us

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