Spirited women make a difference through sewing
EDENVALE - These women don’t just sew for fun, or to keep themselves busy, but with a specific purpose of impacting the community around them
Every first and third Thursday of the month around 10 to 12 women aged between 60 and 80 years old meet to converse, socialise and sew.
The women call themselves the Methodist Sewing Group and they are making a difference one stitch at a time.
They don’t just sew for fun, or to keep themselves busy, but with a specific purpose of impacting the community around them.
“We sew for charity. We supply baby vests to hospitals, large bibs to retirement villages, clothes for orphanages and pyjamas for the hospice,” said group member Maggie Tyrrell.
The sewing group was founded 16 years ago with just two members.
Yvonne Ryder (76) is one of its two founders.
The Methodist Church in Edenvale has opened its doors and allowed the group to meet at its premises; however, Ryder said the group is open to non-Methodist members too.
“It’s open to the community, to any denomination, any woman is welcome to join, church going or not,” she explained.
Why was the group founded?
“We wanted to do something for the community, and it keeps us out of mischief,” Ryder chuckled.
“If men can sew then they can also join, as long as they can sew,” an excited Margaret Ashbury (79) added as she giggled.
The women all giggled at the thought of a man joining the group.
“We enjoy this group because of the chats, camaraderie, and you feel useful because you’re helping others. We have lots of fun and laughter,” Ashbury continued to explain.
Ashbury joined the group a year ago.
“I used to be involved in charity work back in Stilfontein. I love sewing, it’s rewarding. Once you’re retired you should find things to do. The more you give the more blessings you receive,” she added.
Ruth Karle (78) started sewing at the age of 14 years old.
“I used to complain to my mother that my dresses didn’t fit; she then said: ‘there’s the material, there’s the machine, get on with it,” Karle recalled.
All the mums and grans agree that sewing is not as popular as it used to be.
Gina Venter pointed out that Chinese shops are so affordable and schools aren’t teaching sewing anymore.
“The teens watch too much television and play with cellphones and think sewing is old fashioned,” complained Ashbury.
“Nowadays mums are working and there is no one to teach kids how to sew,” commented Tyrrell.
The group meets between 9am and 12pm.
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