Collaborating with the Fort Collins chapter of the American Sewing Guild, the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University held a Community Service Sewing Day Oct. 18 for volunteers to give back to local hospitals.
Lasting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., local volunteers gathered together in order to create baby blankets for the NICU at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital.
With several patterns and designs, the scented cloth blankets were made to help premature babies and their families.
“(These events) provide the opportunity for us all to use our sewing skills and make things, but then also support people in the community in need,” said Sarah Lillis, Avenir Museum education programs coordinator.
The scent infused in the clothes allows for a bond to be formed among the families. With it, they are able to carry the familiar scents that provide comfort to the babies when their parents can’t be with them in the NICU.
“I’m pretty confident that this is a powerful thing we’re doing, and it’s an important thing that really helps parents and kids (who had) that kind of rough start.” –Sarah Lillis, Avenir Museum education programs coordinator
With volunteers ranging from having years of sewing experience to none, the event welcomed all skill levels to participate. The event was also open to the general public, inviting anyone interested in helping out the community.
“One of the best things that we have gotten out of (these events) is feeling good about being able to do something good for the community,” ASG Fort Collins Chapter President Leta Smith said. “We’ve also recruited some new members because the public is invited as well, which is amazing.”
ASG is a nonprofit organization that hosts and supports its chapters all around the United States. The Fort Collins chapter comprises passionate members who come together to connect, learn and share their love for sewing. With over 50 members, they hold several engaging programs, workshops and fellowships to participate in and continue their creative passions.
“Basically, part of our function as a nonprofit organization is to do community sewing of some kind,” ASG Treasurer Nancy E. Harris said. “We had been doing this in small fashion with just a few people doing it for a number of years before we decided to connect with Avenir.”
The Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising is a free museum that is open to the general public and showcases CSU’s notable apparel and textiles. By working with ASG, each volunteer was able to use their creativity to uplift others.
“I’m pretty confident that this is a powerful thing we’re doing, and it’s an important thing that really helps parents and kids (who had) that kind of rough start,” Lillis said.
The event has helped several volunteers unite to share their love for sewing while also supporting the families and children at the Poudre Valley Hospital.
Reach Jenna Espinoza at life@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.
