Skirting the Issue: Sewing for Foster Girls this Saturday at Whipstitch!

Foster children are a topic near to my heart, not least of which because Atlanta has a deep dark secret: the city of Atlanta is the #1 location for child trafficking in the United States.  Number ONE.  It is heart-wrenching and horrifying, and an issue of such far-reaching implications for the children involved (and for us all).  Every year, girls are rescued from situations that most of us would have a hard time even discussing without dissolving into tears, and many of them in Atlanta are helped by foster organizations who give them homes and an opportunity to return to school and find a family to care for them.

Simple Simon and Project Run & Play have teamed up to create Skirting the Issue, a month-long series of tutorials in July that encourage those of us who sew to make skirts to donate to foster girls, something new and pretty and just for them, to wear on their first day back to school this fall.  In Atlanta, this might be the first piece of new clothing these girls have ever received, and their only handmade garment.  I was asked to contribute a tutorial, and when the ladies behind this initiative mentioned that my day would be a Saturday, I thought, “Let’s do this in person, too.”  So we are.

This Saturday, join us at Whipstitch for a Sew-In to benefit local foster girls.  We’ll be setting up extra tables throughout the shop, inviting you to bring in your sewing machines, and sew skirts to benefit Wellspring Living, a local charity whose mission is to offer homes and care to girls rescued from child trafficking.  We’ll begin sewing at 4 pm on Saturday, and work until we’re done!

The Sew-In will be followed by our Crafty Meet-Up, a chance for anyone and everyone to gather together, share ideas and show off projects, have some snacks and mingle with like-minded locals.  I’ll be sharing some sneak previews of projects from my new book (eek!), and we’ll have space available for you to sew and giggle and hang out!  Crafty Meet-Up will follow right on the heels of our Sew-In, and I’m sure we’ll have plenty of overlap, but let’s say it starts at 6 pm.  The shop will be open until 9 pm on Saturday night, for skirt-making and meeting-up!

This Saturday is such a great chance to do something for others by doing something for you: share your love of fabric and sewing, meet folks who share your love, and offer your skills–however small or large–to girls who will treasure the time you invest.

What: Skirting the Issue Sew-In, Making Skirts for Foster Girls AND Crafty Meet-Up

Where:  Whipstitch Atlanta, 1000 Marietta St, #102

When: Saturday, July 14 beginning at 4 pm

Who: anyone and everyone!

RSVP:  write to info (at) whipstitchfabrics (dot) com to reserve a spot at the table for you & your machine–first five to RSVP get a FREE skirt kit, including all your supplies and printed copy of my Skirting the Issue tutorial and pattern!