Our first sewing center was created in the fall of 2022 near Kraków, Poland. The intent was to offer a place where refugee women could learn some skills, and have a place to sew and make items to sell. 

Through the generosity of individual donors, we were able to purchase 15 sewing machines. Fabric companies and other quilting industry friends donated literally tons of fabric and all supplies needed to sew. A group of 35 humanitarian-minded worker-bees traveled from all over the U.S. to set it up, teach classes, and distribute quilts to refugees. 

What we didn’t anticipate was the impact of time spent with other women, learning and creating. The differences in languages was not a barrier. A few comments: “It was the first time in several months that I have not thought about the war”,  “We are happy to have a haven to escape the trauma of the war”, and “Thank you very much to your sewing team! Teenagers and women so forget about problems and troubles!”.  

We quickly realized the power of sewing therapy and healing that comes when new friends, laughter, and creativity all come together. Sewing is great for the mental health of these displaced and traumatized women. They are eager to learn and to spend time at the sewing centers. 

Through donor gifts (both large and small!) there are now several sewing centers in Poland and Ukraine. Our donated machines (now 40!) are being used to make camo gear for soldiers, quilts and blankets for kids, and are used as a tool to help rehab injured soldiers and to help displaced Ukrainians deal with stress and PTSD.