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

The Turning Point

The Turning Point

By Rhondda Fanning—Australia

My love of sewing started when I was a child. One of my early memories is learning to use my mother’s treadle machine. My sister recently reminded me that I put the needle through my finger when I was five.

When I retired from teaching Home Economics, I discovered Liberty Jane doll clothes and the 18-inch doll world. I had three granddaughters, so I had the perfect excuse to buy dolls and sew clothes for them. I even enrolled in a Millinery course at TAFE to brush up the skills I had learned many years ago.

I had wonderful plans for all sorts of outfits and accessories. But instead, I complained about various aches and pains associated with old age that limited my ability to sit at my sewing for as long as I would like.

I was impressed with the wonderful work that Cinnamon and Jason were doing in Zambia. I really wanted to be involved. I considered asking at my church if anyone was interested in forming a group to sew the cross body purse. I had downloaded the pattern, but had not yet made one. I thought I should at least try the pattern before asking for help.

Towards the end of 2014, I noticed I was really inaccurate with my sewing at TAFE. Because we had so many assignments due, and because I was also looking after grandchildren, this was all the sewing I had time for. I blamed my problems on the fact that the class was at night, and kept hand sewing as homework to do during the day.

I decided that I definitely needed new glasses. In February 2015, I finally made an appointment with the optometrist who referred me immediately to an ophthalmologist. To my horror, I had an eye disease called Pseudo Exfoliating Syndrome. I also had a membrane growing over the macula of my left eye. I had to have immediate lens replacement in both eyes, followed by a third operation to remove the membrane covering the macula of my left eye.

By August, 2015, my ophthalmologist was pleased with my progress, but said I would have to be patient for my left eye to recover. I tried sewing, but was disappointed with the quality of my work. My ophthalmologist assured me that I could drive, but I had lost confidence. I felt as though I was losing my independence—something we all fear as we age. After not being able to drive, having poor eyesight for close work, and having to be careful after surgery, I found I spent a lot of my time browsing the Internet on my iPad—not really a very satisfying pastime.

Cinnamon’s emails are always fun. I read with interest that Kylie had set up a Facebook group for people wanting to sew bags. I joined the group on a Tuesday morning. Kylie was sending completed bags to the US the following Tuesday. I had grandchildren to look after, but thought, surely I could find fabric and get at least one bag made; but could I sew? I hadn’t had much success with my recent attempts.

I knew I had additional fabric somewhere, but I had to make do with what I had on hand. I still wasn’t confident driving. I worried about lifting heavy boxes to look for fabric. But I did find something—not my first choice, but at least I could cut it out immediately. I really had to post my bag by Thursday when I didn’t have to look after grandchildren, and was determined to make this bag.

On Thursday, I overcame my reluctance to drive and took my bag to my local post office. This was the turning point in my recovery. I’ve started to sew again and my close vision is finally improving. I even feel confident driving.

I don’t think I would have made this progress without Cinnamon’s email and Kylie’s Facebook group. Thank you for your inspiration.


 

Share:
Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn
Previous article We Built a Community
Next article Sharing in Aqua Aerobics

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