What guests at the shelter ask for most
One of my heroines
Dorothy Day - she life inspires me!
- Hello - I'm writing this because someone recently asked me what to sew for guests at a homeless shelter. If the persons are truly homeless - they ask for these things:
i created a duffel bag pattern in two sizes - super easy to sew together - i use zipper-by-the yard and serge the insides so there is no lining. I just bought a duffel bag pattern where they include backpack straps that can be put away if they want to hand carry - I will adjust that pattern as well for my sewing. I also found the guests at the shelter need wallets, so I found a number of easy free wallet patterns on line that I use for that purpose - also coin purses - super easy to sew. And, ditty bags about 3" by 5" and 7" by 10" (I include linings on ditty bags - makes the bag more durable. - they seem to want little bags to separate their things. I also make backpacks - again, an easy pattern, not complicated. They like totes with zippers as well. I'm expanding to include hair scrunchies and headbands - sometimes the ladies need something for their hair.
In addition, I sew stuff out of stuff - I see something and then make a bag or something out of it. I have a knack for seeing a piece of fabric, denim, or odd shaped items and see potential. Last week at the shelter someone donated a funny looking item - almost like a sling bag shape but bigger. So, i sewed across the item in the middle, added a zipper at the top and a zipper at the bottom - also about 6 months ago someone donated what looks like a karate belt - i cut the belt and sewed it on the bag to create a crossbody bag for someone. It works! Top of bag is for id, phone, etc, and bottom of bag they can carry other stuff - snacks, personal items, etc. Thank you for asking! I love serving the poor!
Oh - one last thing - we found that homeless persons come and go really quick throughout a day, so I created an "alteration ticket" so we keep track of who asked for the alteration, as well as using metrics. I'm curious how many repairs we make and on what types of items. We mend garments (mostly parkas in the winter) pants, shirts, blouses (last week we (i have a sewing partner) mended a pair of underwear) backpacks (mostly replacing zips), and once we even replaced a zip in a sleeping bag. We never know what will come next. We also teach how to sew on a button!
Reminder: I teach disadvantaged persons to sew as well as sew for the shelter.